PS3: Offline – It’s So Much Better
Playing what I want, without fuss.Published 28/12/2009 at 12:30 by nofi
PatchWork Heroes Hits This Week [5]
PixelJunk Racers Gets 2nd Lap [12]
Clash Of Heroes Coming To PSN/LIVE [3]
I’m a big fan of the PlayStation Network. Since the PS3’s launch, via a delicate but powerful combination of gradual firmware updates and some hard work from SCEE with regards to the actual Store, the PSN has become a force to be reckoned with, especially as it’s (currently) free. However, since moving home midway through December and the inability of some companies to maintain a decent broadband connection, I’ve been off the grid.
The area I’m now in doesn’t have a 3G mobile network, and barely manages 2G according to my Hero, so although I can share the ‘phone’s connection with the PS3 it’s not going to let me connect to the Network in any reasonable capacity. At first, I thought this would be terrible – I’d not be able to download whatever’s on the Store and I wouldn’t be able to see what my friends are playing at any given time. Actually, as it happens, it’s been a revelation.
Of course, I’m not suggesting that long term having an ‘offline’ PS3 is preferable to one connected to the great white cloud we call the web, but during the family-based Christmas period it’s been a blessing from above. I’m not bothered by friends requests from people I don’t know, or randoms asking me when TSA’s going to be updated next. I don’t have to sit through five hundred signing in notifications either, which is great when watching PlayTV.
And yes, I know that I’m currently missing out on Braid and Blue Toad, but I’ve finished Braid on the 360 and Blue Toad, according to the all knowing Edge, isn’t very good so I’m not in a rush to spend my downloadable bandwidth on those two particular gems. I did manage to borrow someone’s connection and download the GTR for Forza III (and Team 17’s wicked Alien Breed) though, but I’ve stayed offline on the Xbox too. It’s just better.
The biggest issue, of course, is TheSixthAxis. Whilst playing games offline has meant I can catch up on some older games without being hassled, writing for the site has had to take something of a backseat too until a whisper of something approaching a decent bandwidth drifts past my mobile, but each time I check it looks like we’re not missing much news anyway. Sure, there’s talk of a FFVII remake but who really cares about that?
So, yeah, it’s back to the family and the occasional blast of Jericho or Heavenly Sword or Half Life 2, something I’ve been meaning to re-play for over a year and only now, in this post-Killzone 2 generation, does the storyline actually shine. Sure, the graphics are pretty poor in comparison but at least there’s a distinct lack of generic buzz-cut foul mouthed ’spare marines’ to get in my way. Just Barney shouting ‘Hey Gordon’ over and over again.
And once that’s done, I’ll play through Portal again. Couldn’t ask for any more.
Comments
Please note that all comments are the opinion of the individual author and not TheSixthAxis.
Doddsy | 28/12/2009 12:38
Totally Oscar Mike
731 TSA Points | Member since: Jul 2009
I do like being able to sit down with a nice single player without being hassled, but that’s what setting your status as Offline can do
speaker5 | 28/12/2009 16:24
* Banned *
-9909 TSA Points | Member since: Dec 2009
Setting offline suddenly makes gaming a bit better.
Xx_snake_prestige_10_xX | 28/12/2009 17:21
Member
32 TSA Points | Member since: Dec 2009
Yeah your right i luv to sit on my ass and do any cod on vetera……..*_^
Hodgi92 | 28/12/2009 12:41
The Thumb
1059 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
Good reading, that is.
I was missing out a lot of great PSN releases, DLC, Demos (the reason I purchased Killzone 2 was because I didn’t know how bad it was 
)
I was without internet for about 6 months and I must say, it was pretty depressing
Hope you get sorted soon.
gordon_strange | 28/12/2009 12:47
Member
277 TSA Points | Member since: Nov 2009
errr sorry a ffvii remake????????? more info please.seriously, the wait for march is long enough let me have something else to occupy my mind!!
Gregormeister | 29/12/2009 10:00
Member
5 TSA Points | Member since: Dec 2009
“Sure, there’s talk of a FFVII remake but who really cares about that?”
I CARE about a FFVII remake, too!
cheekyMcB | 28/12/2009 12:52
Member
730 TSA Points | Member since: Feb 2009
Nofi why don’t you write an article asking for help with your broadband. I’m sure someone could help find you a stable & fast connection.
I’m just glad I live in a cable area.
nofi | 28/12/2009 12:53
Wants a custom tag.
4309 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
It’s on the way, just waiting for a connection on the line…
yobrenoops | 28/12/2009 14:23
Member
473 TSA Points | Member since: Nov 2008
Give me a shout. I work for BT and might be able to help (even for non-BT lines)
Lorcan | 28/12/2009 13:09
Team TSA: Writer
1248 TSA Points | Member since: Oct 2008
Completely agree!
I’m very strict on the number of people in my PSN friends list. I don’t add people, only ever accept, and only people I know. Occasionally I’ll add someone, but not often. So that doesn’t get in my way.
As for online play, I never do it. Haven’t played a game online since Killzone 2 in February, and that was just one or two matches.
Though now I’m without the entire console. Which I can’t see ending with a positive article like this one
TheSabreman | 28/12/2009 13:19
Member
370 TSA Points | Member since: Jul 2009
I agree about not adding anyone and everyone to my friends list. I like having a laugh/banter when playing online but not the many psn users with tourettes !
Unfortunately Fifa 10 is full of plonkers, Yes I play as my team (Birmingham City) but I get bored of playing idiots that choose Barca/Inter and on the rare occasion I win they just can take that Birmingham are beating them and quit before the end !
cheekyMcB | 28/12/2009 13:40
Member
730 TSA Points | Member since: Feb 2009
@TheSabreman If you want to play someone at Fifa10 who won’t play Inter/Barca (I play as St. Johnstone!) and will not quit a match on principle (a network problem once ended a match for me but otherwise I’m 100% on that) even though I’m getting thumped (I’ve only played 3 matches online so far and I’ve been beaten 4-0, 6-0 and 10-0!) then feel free to add me
I also don’t swear like a trooper (so to speak).
RadioactiveMouse | 28/12/2009 13:46
Member
552 TSA Points | Member since: Aug 2009
Hustle Kings is a welcome addition to the store. Maybe you should try that when you get back connected
jenkosz | 28/12/2009 14:40
Member
31 TSA Points | Member since: Dec 2009
Yeah I too am a big Hustle Kings fan. I would highly recommend it to anyone who remotely likes pool, also with snooker dlc confirmed for early 2010 the game just keeps getting better imo.
Michael | 28/12/2009 19:21
Team TSA: Development
2217 TSA Points | Member since: Forever
So, it’s worth persevering with? I played one game and pretty much hated it. Clunky interface, text only legible with binoculars, and odd AI that, on easy, kicked my arse until it couldn’t pot a dead straight black 3 times on the trot, just to give me chance to win…
jenkosz | 29/12/2009 03:37
Member
31 TSA Points | Member since: Dec 2009
Couldn’t reply directly to your post (I’m new). I have played one or two games in offline mode and the AI are very extravagant, especially when you play them on medium or hard. They pull off the strangest of shots. Taking this into consideration I do think it excels in multiplayer. I haven’t had one game online which didn’t work flawlessly.
I think the physics to this game are good if not better than any other pool game I have played previously. There are various game modes, killer for example which allows 8 player online, and offline with pad sharing which is a useful feature.
As for the hard to read menu system I don’t get effected by it as I run it in 1080p in quite a big t.v. which I never sit more than two meters away from, so I cant really comment on that. It also has XMB music and at £6.29 I think its a bargain, try a few games online and try and earn yourself a few million HKC or even invite a few friends around and have a tournament you might enjoy it more.
iNsAnE_gAmInG | 28/12/2009 14:41
* Banned *
-1930 TSA Points | Member since: Jul 2009
Good read.
Playing offline is no doubt more relaxing and allows you to appreciate the game more (without interruption), but only short-term. The online side of gaming is where the longevity is evident, be it with new updates, DLC or of course online multi-player.
coolgr33k | 30/12/2009 17:53
Member
419 TSA Points | Member since: Feb 2009
Fallout 3 probably the best singleplayer ive played on ps3, followed by infamous.
Problem is i wont come back to them unless I get bored of online. Like on MW2 i havent even done the SP yet, but im almost level 40.
iNsAnE_gAmInG | 31/12/2009 21:09
* Banned *
-1930 TSA Points | Member since: Jul 2009
Yeah well people have preferences I guess. You have taken to MW2’s multi-player (which admittedly is incredibly addictive) and left everything else in the shadows. I agree Fallout 3 is THE best offline title (not sure about inFamous though).
Anyway… many people prefer the more lively (and often more exciting) online side of gaming and all the more social benefits that come with it (and all of those one-off ‘moments’ e.g. 45 yard volleys on Fifa, throwing knife kills from the other side of the map on MW2. But you have to be prepared for frustration and disappointment, as online is often temporemental, whereas offline play gives little to no hassle to the gamer.
DeathByNumbers | 28/12/2009 15:36
Member
449 TSA Points | Member since: Jul 2009
Has anyone noticed that MW2 really slows down during offline/splitscreen play? I had a few games on it with family (3v1 to make it fair, they had never played) and at times the ps3 didn’t seem to be able to handle everything properly? This was on a pretty new ps3 slim.
LycanGav | 28/12/2009 15:44
Member
592 TSA Points | Member since: Apr 2009
All well and good but in this day and age of rushed releases patches are a necessity so no way we could cope without internet connections. Can you imagine trying to play the likes of Oblivion or Fallout 3 out of the box?
speaker5 | 28/12/2009 16:23
* Banned *
-9909 TSA Points | Member since: Dec 2009
I always play borderlands offline when I’m playing split screen as I prefer to talk to a real person and be able to relax without getting millions of messages that take up 3 seconds of room in the corner of the television.
3shirts | 28/12/2009 16:37
Member
2494 TSA Points | Member since: Aug 2008
It would be nice to be able to disable or shrink the notification box. Sometimes it’s good to know a friend has come on but more often than not, I don’t care
iNsAnE_gAmInG | 28/12/2009 17:43
* Banned *
-1930 TSA Points | Member since: Jul 2009
Agreed. Especially when somebody is having connection issues or can’t make their mind up about bothering to update a game or not. It would be great if you could personalise the notifications. E.g. just include messages, downloads finishing and selected friends online/offline status, that would be much more convenient.
TSBonyman | 28/12/2009 16:52
Member
1006 TSA Points | Member since: Dec 2009
… and when you are offline no-one can see you are playing singstar
DeathByNumbers | 28/12/2009 17:13
Member
449 TSA Points | Member since: Jul 2009
or that you are listening to the village people on vidzone eh? lmao
bunimomike | 28/12/2009 17:43
Member
4802 TSA Points | Member since: Jul 2009
Sounds like a short term breath of fresh air. Sure, you’ll be connected soon enough but perhaps it’s taught you that being “off the grid” is actually quite refreshing from time-to-time. Our 1Mbit connection kills most chances of me even wanting to play online and my heart lies with offline antics (1-4 player games). Unless I have a real reason to patch a game I’m usually not in any great rush to do so. Feels good.
Good article, matey.
deadwelsh | 28/12/2009 18:19
Member
321 TSA Points | Member since: Jun 2009
completely disagree,
once i’ve completed games like MW or UC2, I get bored and find that even How as awesome an experience some of the levels are, they just seem a chore to get through. after a few goes
The online just makes is so much better being able to play those same games with your mates.
if sony had a music store i’d probably buy a lot from them, straight onto my ps3, quick transfer to psp
AC2 would have been so much better with multiplayer, Complete fail
MGO stupid konami ID bullshit, fail.
Multiplayer should be standard and easy to jump straight online, like MW2
shrimpeh | 29/12/2009 10:45
Member
325 TSA Points | Member since: Jan 2009
I disagree with AC2 multiplayer. Its an incredible single player experience. Much improved upon the first game. Don’t know how they would have implemented an online mode remotely close to the style of gameplay you are used to within the game.
freezebug2 | 28/12/2009 18:21
Member
1424 TSA Points | Member since: Dec 2008
Good read, how are you finding Alien Breed? I am bursting to get that game on PSN. Does it live up to the expectation that we/me all hoped for?