Metacritic: mass effect 2 (xbox 360) vs mass effect 2 (pc)

[WiiStation360]

There are many reasons for different scores on the PC, many of which have already been mentioned. Here are a few:

1. PC and Console graphics are judge by a different scale. Consoles hardware is set when the console released, and processing power is the same for the generation. PC processing power is faster every couple of months. Console games do look better every year, but not the huge leaps the PC sees every couple of years. Console games are more likely to get a 10 for graphics, where PC games have a higher bar to get perfect scores on graphics.

ME2 = 10 graphics on the 360 (best looking 360 game)
ME2 = 9 graphics on PC (Crysis on Max setting looks better)

2. Historic grading scale. Console games are judges against other games of the same generation. PC games are judges in a historical context.

ME2 = 10! Best RPG on the 360. System defining RPG!
ME2 = 9.5 One of the best RPGs in the past few years.

3. Different expectations for extras.

For RPGS:
No modding tools = expected on the consoles.
No modding tools = letdown on the PC.

For Shooters:
No dedicated servers = expected on consoles.
No dedicated servers = intense hatred on the PC.

4. Games designed for a PC interface from the beginning score better than games that are designed for a console interface and then ported.

Dragon Age:
PC = 91
PS3 = 87
360 = 86

Mass Effect 2:
PC= 94
360 = 96