PC vs N64 version

[dprog1995]

Which version of Infernal Machine do you prefer ?

Based on my experience,I consider them equal.

PC version advantages:
-Better textures, draw distance and characters having lip movements in cutscenes.
-Better sound quality
-PC version has difficulty slider, Subtitles , an in-game map and Hint system that aren't on N64 version.
-Ability to save anywhere and having a quicksave/quickload buttons.
-Having shortcut keys that help you to pause the game much less compared to N64 version.
-Vehicles especially the raft are less buggy on the pc version. The final levels also feel more buggy on the N64 version.
-Some levels feel a bit "downgraded" in the N64 version. For example the Sanctuary level has a wall climbing section that got simplified in the N64 version.
-Unlocking the Peru level is easier in the pc version.
-Framerate is much better in the pc version.

N64 version advantages:
-The game has in-game main menu and the level select feature is done better in the N64 version.
-Indy climbs much faster in the N64 version
-Indy also has faster crawl and running animations.
-The N64 version in some ways is less buggy.(Indy didn't stuck in the ground for me)
-You have lock on in the N64 version which makes shooting more fun compared to pc version.
- Indy doesn't have tank controls in the N64 version and that makes movement in some ways better than the pc version.(Changing running direction is easier in N64 version)
-The N64 version auto saves automatically and when you die you just select Retry and the game loads the latest save unlike the pc version that forces you to click on the correct save file.
-In the N64 version, whenever you collect all treasures in a level a short Indy themes plays out. Sadly this wasn't in the pc version.

I personally would like getting a remaster that combines the best elements from these 2 versions.(I dislike Indy's slow climbing speed in the pc version lol)

[Dark Redshift]

Same here, for both Indy games counting Emperor's Tomb.

[Bene Kenobi]

You can save at any time in the N64 version. You have to do it from the inventory menu, though. There isn't a hotkey.

Something I really appreciate about this version, is the addition of a HUD. The fact it lets you know when you can interact with/pick up something helps A TON. It's also quite clean, so I don't end up missing the lack of it in the PC version. On the other hand, I agree the performance is really bad in a couple of segments. Mainly the bossfight against the automaton, which was borderline unplayable for me.

The one thing I missed from the PC version was the subtitles. The compressed audio wasn't terrible, but some of the dialogue could be unintelligible at times.

All in all, I prefer the N64 version at the end of the day. Many quality of life improvements and, depending on your system and luck, getting it to run on an emulator is easier than getting either GOG or Steam version to boot and recognize a controller.

[dprog1995]

Saving in N64 version has an issue. It doesn't exactly save at the place that Indy is and sometimes it forces you to climb and jump some areas to get to where you saved.

But yeah, the addition of HUD is another advantage of N64 version. I played that version with an emulator.
I hope one day, Lucasfilm games hires Factor 5 and remasters that version.(Since Factor 5 made that port)

[Bene Kenobi]

Originally posted by dprog1995:

Saving in N64 version has an issue. It doesn't exactly save at the place that Indy is and sometimes it forces you to climb and jump some areas to get to where you saved.

But yeah, the addition of HUD is another advantage of N64 version. I played that version with an emulator.
I hope one day, Lucasfilm games hires Factor 5 and remasters that version.(Since Factor 5 made that port)

Ah, I see. I must have been lucky the few times I tried it instead of the emulator's quick load. Yeah, there are lots of LucasArts games from that time that are just waiting to be remastered. Upscaled versions of Curse of Monkey Island and Fate of Atlantis would be great. Idk how LucasFilm doesn't see the opportunity there to make more money. Dark Forces is getting a remaster from Night Dive, I guess the right developer "simply" has to ask and they will be green lit to do all the effort.