Playstation 2 Emulation - PCSX2 0.9.6 FAQ & Walkthrough

**curryking1** · 04-16-2009, 02:13 AM

Notice: Please do not mention any methods to illegally download any copyrighted games or files

Resources & Helpful Links
PCSX2 Emulation FAQ - ePSXe & PSX 1.13 Emulation FAQ - PS3 Controller on PC FAQ - PS/PS2 Emulation Screens - PCSX2 Homepage - Official PCSX2 Compatibility List - Latest GSDX Plugins by Gabest - Latest SPU2-X Plugins by Air - Latest ZZogl Plugin by Zeydlitz - Latest Lilypad Plugin by ChickenLiver

-Updated Apr 28 2010-

Note: BIOS files are NOT INCL. at the following links

-Updated Jan 03 2010-

What is PCSX2?

PCSX2 is a program which has releases compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac. It's goal is to allow PS2 owners a chance to play their games with same enhanced visual quality on their PC.

Can I use PCSX2?

We will get the legal jargon out of the way first... you may download this program without owning a PS2. However, for the program to actually run PS2 games you will need a BIOS. A BIOS is like the PS2 operating system and can only legally be obtained by copying it from a PS2 using some third party software. Without owning a PS2 you do not legally own a BIOS. If you are lucky enough to have such a sexalicious system, the PS2, then you may legally use this program. To get the BIOS... I don't know. You figure it out. Good luck.

PCSX2 Today

The current version of PCSX2 is 0.9.6. PS2 emulation under PCSX2 0.9.6 is highly compatible and delivers relatively great performance. Thanks to newer plugins like the GSDX graphics plugin and SPU2-X sound plugin PCSX2 is able to deliver PS2 emulation of quality never before seen on PCs.

The latest beta release as of June 9 2009 is 0.9.6 Beta 1400 which already delivers considerable performance gains over the first release of 0.9.6. Examples of games which are highly compatible with PCSX2 are Dark Cloud 2, Dragon Quest VIII, Final Fantasy X & XII, ICO, Okami, Resident Evil 4, Shadow of the Colossus, Yakuza, and more.

Dangnabbit just tell me where to get it (and the BIOS)!

PCSX2's homepage is here You can get PCSX2 by clicking downloads on their home page or clicking here.

You can get PCSX2 beta executables by clicking, from their homepage, forums, then SVN, then downloads at code.google.com... or you can click here.

To legally obtain a BIOS, you must manually extract it from your PS2.

PCSX2 in curryking's Experience!!

By now it's almost a year since I've been using PCSX2, and since my first use PCSX2 has seen many improvements. Note that it is the CPU that is by far the most limiting factor in PCSX2 emulation. For GSDX a decent graphics card is required (an 8600 GT or greater should do fine).

-Updated Jan 04 2010-

Mission Statement of the following PCSX2 Guide

The goal of this document is to help those interested in playing their own Playstation 2 games on their PC. This PCSX2 guide is designed to offer settings to offer the highest compatibility, performance, visual quality (with and without higher internal resolutions), and accuracy of emulation over as many games as possible. To that end, I wish anyone who uses this guide the best in their zeal to play Playstation 2 games on PC

***Please note: only the Legacy versions of the GUI are currently included in the guide

-Updated Aug 7 2009-

Getting Started... & things you may want to know...

1. This guide will ONLY be focusing on using PCSX2 through WINDOWS (XP, Vista, 7)

2. Make sure to update your DirectX through Microsoft.com or you may run into errors with the GSDX plugins -- Update DirectX Here

3. Make sure you have Visual C++ Runtime 2008 -- Download Visual C++ Redist 2008 Here

4. Copy your Playstation 2 game discs to your hard drive (make .ISO files from your game discs) to take advantage of maximal performance of PCSX2 through your PC. This allows you to use the highly efficient Linuz ISO CDVD plugin (current versions of PCSX2 may also use the in-built ISO chooser in PCSX2, located in the File menu of the main PCSX2 window). In addition to added performance, this action will ensure the protection of your Playstation 2 format discs as they may not be suited to being read constantly in a PC DVD drive.

4a. Try to avoid using Daemon Tools/image file mounting programs in conjunction with PCSX2. It may interfere with PCSX2's processes and disrupt emulation. It is highly recommended to copy .ISO images of your game discs to your hard drive and run games from there.

5. To install PCSX2 0.9.6, download the PCSX2 0.9.6 Installer from here.

6. To install newer plugins, simply download plugins and put them into your plugins folder for PCSX2 (Default: C:\Program Files\PCSX2\plugins\).

To designate the new plugins for use in PCSX2, launch the program, select the tab 'Config' --> 'Configure' and in the new window created use the dropdowns to select the appropriate plugins.

7. To install a new PCSX2 executable, download the executable and place it in the PCSX2 folder (Default: C:\Program Files\PCSX2\). Double click the newly copied executable to run.

(You may also wish to redirect shortcuts to the new executable by editing shortcut properties for your convenience)

8. You NEED a PS2 BIOS to run PCSX2, there is no way around this. If you have a BIOS file, place it in the BIOS folder for PCSX2 (Default: C:\Program Files\PCSX2\bios\) and use the configuration tool where you pick plugins to direct PCSX2 to use the BIOS.

9. PCSX2 only uses 2 CORES of a CPU. You WILL NOT get extra performance from additional cores in PCSX2. It is not expected that more than 2 cores will be supported for some time as it will take much time to rewrite a great deal of the program to take advantage of more than 2 CPU cores.

10. If PCSX2 is having trouble saving configurations or creating memory cards, set your program to 'Run as Administrator' by right clicking PCSX2.exe or it's shortcut --> Properties --> Compatibility --> check mark the 'Run as Administrator' checkbox

11. If you are having trouble with playing and/or advancing in a dual layer PS2 title (e.g. Rogue Galaxy), please try a new version OR download a current revision of the Linuz ISO plugin, versions after ~ series 21xx should have dual layer reading capability for ISOs

...more suggestions as they come to mind...

-Updated August 7 2009-

How to Install Newer Versions of PCSX2

If you are new to PCSX2 you may not know that PCSX2 is updated quite frequently. So comes the question 'How do I update PCSX2?'

If you have already started to use PCSX2 and wish to upgrade your PCSX2 to a newer version, you can follow a few simple steps.

There are two aspects to updating PCSX2. 1. Updating the executable. 2. Updating the plugins. Both processes will be described here.

UPDATING PCSX2:

1. Download the new binary, such as the PCSX2 revisions linked at the top of the page -- the new PCSX2 executables will be located in the first folder in the above
2. Locate your PCSX2 folder (e.g. in C:\Program Files\PCSX2\)
3. Replace the old PCSX2.exe with your newly downloaded PCSX2.exe
*you may also rename your executables so you can leave multiple executables in the folder in case you wish to use an older version at some point
4. Double click your new PCSX2.exe and you will now be running an updated version of PCSX2
*you may also wish to reconfigure/create your shortcuts directing to your new executable if you have changed any PCSX2 executable filenames

UPDATING PCSX2 PLUGINS:

1. Download the new plugins, such as in the PCSX2 revisions linked at the top of the page -- the new PCSX2 plugins will be located in the 'plugins' folder
2. Locate your PCSX2 plugins folder (e.g. C:\Program Files\PCSX2\plugins\)
3. Copy and paste the new plugins into your PCSX2 plugins folder
*you may also rename your plugins so you can leave multiple plugins of the same type in the folder in case you wish to use an older version at some point
4. Double click your PCSX2.exe and click 'Config --> Configure' and use the GUI to designate the plugins you would like PCSX2 to use

-Updated Jan 03 2010-

Main GUI Walkthrough

***Please note: versions listed are simply consistent with the pictures included, please use the latest versions of PCSX2 and plugins linked at the top of the thread

***Please note: To use the executables and plugins listed in this guide please download the Official Beta Release for the PCSX2 r1888 executable (or executables up to latest legacy version 2186) and visit the top of this page and download the most recent binary to get the latest plugins

File
Run CD/DVD -- Run PCSX2 with a disc drive or ISO assigned using PCSX2 CD/DVD plugins
Run ISO Image... -- Run software for PCSX2 without going through a CD/DVD plugin
Run BIOS (No Disc) -- Run the assigned PS2 BIOS under PCSX2
Run ELF File... -- Run a custom ELF file under PCSX2 (???)
States -- Save or Load a Save State in PCSX2 (performed while PCSX2 is running a game, Save States automatically saved and loaded corresponding to the specific game running)

Run
Execute -- Execute PCSX2 straight from the assigned PS2 BIOS (will run a game after BIOS if a game is assigned through a CD/DVD plugin
Reset -- Resets PCSX2 to the PS2 BIOS

Config
Configure -- Access the main configuration menu for PCSX2 and assign/configure different plugins for graphics, sound, controllers, CDVD, Dev9, USB, Firewire
Graphics -- Access the assigned graphics plugin and configuration
Controllers -- Access the assigned controllers plugin and configuration
Sound -- Access the assigned sound plugin and configuration
Cdvdrom -- Access the assigned CDVD plugin and configuration (choose the PS2 disc you would like to execute with PCSX2)
Dev9, USB, Firewire -- Access the following null drivers and configuration (only for developer use)
--------
Memcards -- Access the memory cards and assign memory cards to one of two slots
CPU -- Access the CPU configuration menu
Patches -- Review and build patches for PS2 games so they may run more easily in PCSX2 (regular users should not have to navigate or tamper with these files)
Gamefixes -- Assign PCSX2 to run with special conditions for increased compatibility with the described games
Speedhacks -- Access the speed hacks configuration menu for special conditions for PCSX2 to run under, can increase or decrease emulation speed, compatibility
Advanced -- Access advanced options for PCSX2, more special conditions for PCSX2 to operate under

Language
Assorted Languages -- Choose from the list for the most appropriate language for personal use

Misc
Patch Browser... -- Browse list of patches in the pnach section of your PCSX2 folder, enable and disable patches and more (for advanced users only)
Patch Finder... -- Console to search for parameters in games to create patches for if necessary (for advanced users only)
Enable Block Dumping -- dump _________________ (???)
Enable Console -- Enables the console describing actions of PCSX2 during start up and emulation
Enable Patches -- Enables pnach file patches when running PS2 games under PCSX2
Close GS Window on Esc -- Escape button on keyboard closes the GS Window (closes the game window while emulation is paused on Esc press, useful when changing GSDX parameters when frequently going into and out of emulation)
Print cdvd Info -- (???)

***NOTE: Make sure to enable patches to increase compatibility of PS2 games under PCSX2

-Updated Jan 03 2010-

Recommended Plugins and Plugin Settings,

Main Configuration and Recommended Plugins

Graphics -- GSDX 2393 (or latest, or most compatible with ____ game you are running)
Sound -- SPU2-X 1.2.0
First Controller (Second Controller) --LilyPad svn r1388 0.10.0 (or latest), make sure to use the same plugin for both controllers
Cdvdrom -- Linuz Iso CDVD 0.9.0
Dev9 -- DEV9null Driver 0.4.0
Usb -- USBnull Driver 0.6.0
FireWire -- FWnull Driver 0.5.0
BIOS -- Use the BIOS you have extracted from your PS2

Graphics & Sound
Graphics -- recent version of GSDX -- have the 'renderer' as D3D10 if available, default to D3D9 if not available -- use 'renderer' hardware rendering if you have a strong CPU and GPU, use software rendering if you have a strong CPU and weak GPU -- select the 'resolution' for an appropriate windowed resolution, press Alt-Enter to alternate between fullscreen and windowed modes, fullscreen will default to the monitor's native resolution or the resolution Windows is currently running in -- choose 'interlacing' blend bff if the screen is shaky during emulation, this may be left on as default -- select the appropriate 'aspect ratio' between stretching, 4:3, and 16:9 aspect for your game or your preference -- increase 'D3D internal resolution' for greater picture quality, decrease for greater performance (only for hardware rendering) -- 'use scaling' to upscale the D3D internal resolution for preferred image quality -- check the 'original PS2 resolution' box to run a PS2 game as it would be on a real PS2 -- if using software rendering you may also choose the number of 'SW render threads' to use, more threads may give more software rendering performance on multi-core CPUs -- check the 'texture filtering' box to greatly increase picture quality of textures at negligible performance loss, also enable 8-bit textures to enable the rendering of specific textures in some games (may need to turn off for some select few games for compatibility, unconfirmed though) -- enable 'Vsync' to synchronize frames, may severely slow down rendering performance, especially in games with periods of high degree of optic/screen flow
Sound -- use 'interpolation' cubic for best sound quality, and 'module' Directsound also for best sound quality, 'latency' at 160 ms is default

***if you wish to use XAudio, you may have to install the library yourself, XAudio is an API from Microsoft (it is typically installed using Microsoft.com's online DirectX setup service, linked here

***NOTE: Although DX10 GSDX is generally slower than DX9 GSDX it will, for the most part, render your PS2 games more accurately and with fewer graphics artifacts (only Windows Vista and Windows 7 support DX10)
***NOTE: GSDX as of approx. revision 1598 supports MSAA (MSAA may cause minor visual glitches)... Correction: We now know that the first revision of GSDX to support MSAA is r1597 as evidenced here

Originally Posted by Dralor

GSDX now supports MSAA being enable in the .ini file as of revison 1598 or something like that. You just need to add the line msaa=N with n being 0,2,4, or 8.

Controllers & Memcards - LilyPad svn (r1388) 0.10.0 or later & built-in Memory Card browser
Controllers -- Configure to your liking, configuration using a PS3 Sixaxis/Dualshock 3 is used in the above photos
Memory Cards -- Use the GUI to find and select memory cards stored on your HDD (.ps2 format)

***Click here for a guide on how to use the Playstation 3 SIXAXIS or Dualshock 3 on Windows PC

CDVDROM, Dev9, USB, & Firewire -- Linuz Iso CDVD 0.9.0, Dev9null 0.4.0, USBnull 0.6.0 & FWnull 0.5.0
Linuz CDVD Plugin -- Use the GUI to find and select your ISO on your HDD, use 'File --> Run CD/DVD' or 'Run --> Execute' from the main PCSX2 window to run the disc through PCSX2
Dev9 -- Nothing to configure
USB -- logging only needed for advanced users or developer use
Firewire -- logging only needed for advanced users or developer use

-Updated Jan 03 2010-

Recommended PCSX2 Program Configuration Settings
(for best overall compatibility while considering performance)

***NOTE: These are recommended settings. Some settings may vary for optimal performance/emulation on some games.

CPU Config, Patches, & Gamefixes
CPU Config -- 'EERec, VU0, VU1, microVU0, microVU1 recompilers' should all be enabled -- 'Multi threaded GS mode (MTGS)' should be enabled for CPUs with at least 2 cores -- 'frame limiting' should be set to 'Limit' to keep games from running at framerates greater than intended (59.94 Hz for NTSC, 50 Hz for PAL) -- 'detailed settings' should all be left at zero, although these settings may help performance on weaker computers
Patches -- may be used to create patches for PS2 games under PCSX2, for advanced users only, make sure patches are enabled under 'Misc --> Enable Patches' from the main PCSX2 window
Gamefixes -- enable the following game fixes while playing the games associated with the fixes

Speed Hacks & Advanced Options
Speed Hacks -- 'Cycle Rate' should be kept at 1.5x for default, use 2x higher cycle rate with intensive 3D games (x2 cycle rate will cause audio skipping in FMVs) -- enable all of the 'EE Misc Hacks' -- Enable the 'Status Flag Hack' under 'Vector Unit Hacks' -- Use 'VU Cycle stealing' when having low performance in 3D games, though increasing cycle stealing will also cause increases in visual stuttering

-Updated April 3 2010-

PCSX2 Compatibility List -- PCSX2 r2186
*All games are NTSC-U unless stated otherwise*

Games with no known issues/extremely minor issues/great performance using recommended settings
Auto Modellista
Dark Cloud
Dark Cloud 2
Dragon Quest VIII
Final Fantasy X
Final Fantasy XII
Kingdom Hearts
Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories
Kingdom Hearts II
Odin Sphere
Okami
Resident Evil: Code Veronica X
Resident Evil 4
Valkyrie Profile 2

Games requiring special settings/have pronounced issues
Beyond Good & Evil -- in-game -- major visual glitches, no known solutions
Bouncer, The -- fully playable, full speed -- minor sound glitches, no known solutions
Cowboy Bebop: Serenade of Remembrance (NTSC-J) -- fully playable, full speed --minor graphics glitches in PCSX2 r1400 (projection of shadows from characters visible through entire plane between character and ground sometimes, rather than shadows simply showing on ground), graphics only visible in PCSX2 r1400, no known solutions for minor graphics glitches in r1400 or errors in other builds
Devil May Cry -- fully playable, full speed -- use GSDX r1398*, PCSX2 r2186 and all recommended settings for perfect emulation
Devil May Cry 3 -- needs retesting
God of War -- fully playable, full speed -- use x2 cycle rate in speed hacks, raise VU Cycle stealing if more performance needed
God of War II -- seems fully playable, moderate speeds -- use x2 cycle rate in speed hacks, if you use VU cycle stealing there will be 'flickering characters,' relatively intense game, graphics no longer have major artifacts, rendering is very nice
Gran Turismo 3 -- needs retesting
Gran Turismo 4 -- unsure of degree of playability, full speed -- make sure to set game to render in 480p mode (progressive scan) and brightness to 0 in the game settings, keep internal resolution at 1024x1024 or lower, you must have a patch to skip the opening cutscene (have patches enabled from 'Misc --> Enable Patches in the main GUI window), read more about the patch here and here
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas -- fully playable, full speed -- minor graphics glitch (superimposable but mostly transparent image of viewed area present on screen, transparency is zoomed and offset), use GSDX r1398*, PCSX2 r2186 and all recommended settings
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City -- does not boot correctly
ICO - fully playable, full speed -- in Advanced Settings, set EE Clamp to 'Full' and VU Clamp to 'Extra + Preserve Sign'
Jak & Daxter: The Precursor Legacy -- needs retesting
Killzone -- extremely slow emulation, assorted graphics glitches, no known solution
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty -- playable, full speed in smaller environments -- must skip ends of some codec sequences to advance in some areas, some scenes/codec sequences unskippable and will not start/end and freeze the game, few and minor graphics glitches (e.g. minor distortion in cutscene in Tanker when Snake photographs Gurlukovich) --> see more description of bugs involved with MGS2 here, no known solutions yet
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater -- fully playable, full speed in smaller environments -- minor visual bugs (e.g. grass/mud textures not correct shade in first area after Virtuous Mission or Operation Snake Eater starts, other areas look fine, colours a little washed out), slowdowns in larger areas and some parts of most cutscenes
Resident Evil 4 -- fully playable, full speed -- if you are NOT using MicroVU, then use GSDX 1398*, PCSX2 r2186 and all recommended settings for perfect emulation
Rez -- needs retesting
Shadow of the Colossus -- use x2 cycle rate in speed hacks, raise VU cycle stealing if more performance is needed -- bug: 'Dormin' spirits too transparent, shadow projection bug fixed (use GSDX ~2754 or later)
Yakuza -- fully playable, full speed -- minor graphics glitches (aggregation of environmental light ambience on right side of screen, overly blurred image in some indoor scenes and cutscenes)
Yakuza 2 -- needs retesting
Zone of the Enders -- in-game, full speed --minor graphics glitches, crashing cinematics
Zone of the Enders: The Second Runner -- in-game, low speed --crashing in some cinematics or some intensive gameplay scenes

*You can find GSDX r1398 from the PCSX2 r1400 hosted at the top of the page

Tested using:
OS: Windows 7 32-bit (x86)
Prog.: PCSX2 0.9.6 Legacy r2186 w/ GSDX r2395, SPU2-X 1.2.0, Lilypad r1388, Linuz Iso CDVD 0.9.0 (unless otherwise specified)
BIOS: USA v02.00(14/06/2004) Console
Gfx: 9800 GTX 512 MB
Proc.: C2D E8400 @ 3.6 GHz
RAM: 2 GB DDR2 @ 800 MHz
Tested using recommended plugins and advanced configurations unless otherwise specified

Visit THIS LINK to access the official PCSX2 compatibility list

Changelog:
Apr 28 2010
1. Download link for r2888 with r2186 executable added

Apr 4 2010
1. Download link for r2813 with r2186 executable added

Apr 3 2010
1. Added to compatibility list: Shadow of the Colossus shadow protection bug fixed ~GSDX 2754

Mar 20 2010
1. Added suggestion: use a newer revision of Linuz ISO plugin if you are having trouble playing dual-layer PS2 titles

Mar 5 2010
1. Download link for r2650 with r2186 executable added

Feb 6 2010
1. Download link for r2555 with r2186 executable added

Jan 23 2010
1. Download link for r2495 with r2186 executable added

Jan 21 2010
1. Updated God of War II's and MGS3's compatibility descriptions

Jan 20 2010
1. Changed the settings for ICO, added recommendation to use different settings on EE and VU clamp

Jan 4 2010
1. Assorted layout and syntax changes, other various, small changes
2. Added mission statement early in guide
3. Fixed Gran Turismo 4's settings stuff

Jan 3 2010
1. Download links for many releases added, as well as a link for daily updated releases
2. Updated recommended plugins, settings, CPU and speed hacks settings
3. Updated compatibility list
4. More descriptions in the PCSX2 configurations guide to match more similarly to the ePSXe/pSX guide
5. Cut down information elsewhere to make guide more concise

Nov 19 2009
1. Download link for executable and plugins changed to latest release (r2209)

Oct 21 2009
1. Download link for executable and plugins changed to latest release (r2026)
2. Updated recommended configurations to to be consistent with PCSX2 executable r1888 and new plugins (GDSX 2019, SPU2-X 1.3, Lilypad r2001, other plugins unchanged)

Oct 1 2009
1. Download link for executable and plugins changed to latest release (r1922)

Sept 10 2009
1. Added recommended setting to enable patches at 'Misc --> Enable Patches' from the main GUI
2. Added compatibility information for Valkyrie Profile 2 - Silmeria & Yakuza, Yakuza 2

Sept 7 2009
1. Download link for executable and plugins changed to latest release (r1771)

August 26 2009
1. Download link for executable and plugins changed to latest releases (r1676)

August 14 2009
1. Download link for executable and plugins changed to latest releases (r1621)

August 10 2009
1. Added links to the official plugin threads to get the latest plugins individually

August 8 2009
1. Notice to not talk about illegal methods of distributing/obtaining copyrighted materials added
2. Fixed error in past history of PCSX2 (GSSoft software renderer predated ZeroGS, ZeroGS is a hardware renderer)
3. External links now listed at top of OP

**Raitei** · 04-16-2009, 02:17 PM

saw this released when i was checking out tehskeen the other night...

ill give it a test with gow2
never finished that =[

getting 40 odd fps in gow2 and ssx on tour.. barely playable, but not bad

**Xer0** · 04-16-2009, 06:45 PM

I've seen you mention about this PCSX2 thingy in numerous threads and have been meaning to ask what it is but was always to lazy. This works, out, heh. So, how do you get the BIOS from your PS2?

**Raitei** · 04-16-2009, 07:53 PM

i don't know, but searching google for the pcsx2 bios is totally the WRONG thing to do

**curryking1** · 04-16-2009, 10:36 PM

Edit - Please do not talk about illegally obtaining BIOS files.

---

PCSX2 SVN 976

I've gotten ~10 FPS more in large scenes in Dark Cloud 2. I'm running it at 1366x1280 right now.

With the first release of 0.9.6 I had framerates which dipped down to 45 FPS in those scenes. The lowest FPS I get with SVN 976 is now 55 FPS and it occurs very infrequently.

Something to note though, all the beta releases of 0.9.6 will give you a mildly rapid white flashing for the backgrounds in Yakuza and Yakuza 2. It only occurs in very large scenes--the game gets up to like 30K polys when the camera is angled horizontally in the city.

The betas don't give any FPS increases for Yakuza or 2 over the original 0.9.6 and the stable release doesn't give you this flashing screen, just FYI.

Edit - Phew! I updated the first post quite a lot.

What do you know... Both Dark Cloud 2 and Odin Sphere are full speed for me with SVN 976... wicked sick XD

I hope it looks purty now

**Kiwi** · 04-17-2009, 09:53 PM

My laptop has enough trouble running ePSXe with the graphics settings ramped up, so I doubt I'd be able to get this one running.

Luckily, my nan's friend gave me his slimline PS2 and about 20 games today. Yay

**Dralor** · 04-17-2009, 11:24 PM

A bit behind the times you are but yeah it runs nice with a good system. When I get a decent heatsink for my quad core cranking it up a little higher would be nice. Persona 4 works great so does star ocean if you use an older build of gsdx. Vu skip should be avoided though it causes lots of issues in games. There is a new speed hack that seems to play much nicer with most games in a later build. I run most games in 1680x1050 though I can go higher with some. Tales of Abyss runs nice but has issues with upscaling at the moment the bloom layer is offset.

FFX also has some minor graphical glitches.

**Raitei** · 04-17-2009, 11:29 PM

well really, it's only become as usuable as it is since the playground and original teams merged, before that, it was a lot slower and pretty much useless

so the latest releases aren't really behind tthe times

**Dralor** · 04-17-2009, 11:33 PM

No meant the post was behind the times as the teams merged about 4 months ago. It was useable just fine through the playground releases.

I have to say though Xenosaga looks really pretty in high res even if the movies are a bit slow. The shadow bug is a bit annoying but not deal breaking.

**JasonXe** · 04-18-2009, 12:26 AM

i think my lappy can run it but man does it get hot during games. I need sometype of laptop table for this so it can breath a bit. MY lappy lets go on hot hair on the left side which is a bad choice and it takes in cold air from the bottom. Oh well nvm.

Yeah i downloaded it and probably gonna give ff12 a try.

**curryking1** · 04-18-2009, 12:42 AM

Lol Dralor, I'm sorry I wasn't specific enough :P

I really just started using the emulator a few weeks ago when I got a new CPU. I haven't really paid it any attention until I could have a good run with it.

JasonXE try just putting a notepad or a book underneath you. Any small hard surface thing really. I have a pad with a bunch of papers in it I carry everywhere and it doubles as a buffer between me and my laptop when I'm sitting down with it lol.

Ya VU Skip is generally ok but for some games it's really a no-go. Even Frame Skip. Like with FF XII and Dark Cloud 2 you just don't want to bother with VU/Frame Skip because it will just make some seizure inducing screen blitzes lol.

Frame Limit is normally the way to go. VU Skip is best for people who just need more frames to play a game with. It works good with SOTC and many games... FF XII and Dark Cloud 2 just won't play nice with it at all.

**JasonXe** · 04-18-2009, 12:48 AM

i don't put it on my lap. I use it on my bed.

**curryking1** · 04-18-2009, 12:51 AM

Lol. It can be used there too I think. You'll manage something somehow :P

Playing Dark Cloud 2 I'm reminded of something rather tragic...

Game is farking hard man... wow. And it's a game that even younger kids can play. How the hell do they expect people to beat it? Lol. Too much time investment for me...

You really have to level multiple characters at the same time. It's hard to do that when you're not really paying attention and just want to advance through the story. And the area building and having to use resources to build.... so much to pay attention to... holy crap. Very intimidating.

I think I might just continue where I left on Dark Cloud 1 lol. Game has all the same concepts and is a bit easier for me to handle lol. I'll advance to Dark Cloud 2 again when I'm ready for it :P

Edit - Oh ya I only put 'minor graphics glitches' if it was... more in your face as a glitch I guess.

Most games have a tiny graphical glitch here or there but I only noted it if it was frequent or infrequent but jarring. It it was frequent and jarring then it was put as major graphics glitching.

**Dralor** · 04-18-2009, 03:55 AM

The game wasn't that hard until the freak with the floating spheres as I never leveled up my range weapons all that well.

FFX is pretty bad for me at least the hair thing annoys the hell out of me.

**curryking1** · 04-18-2009, 04:16 AM

Tidus' hair right? Ya I noticed that discolouration. It's there like half the time I think? I totally overlooked it every time. I still looked like hair to me lol.

^Ya that's the thing with the Dark Cloud games. The game isn't structured to really let you know or guide you on a path to leveling your stuff in a balanced way. I always thought for both games they should've instructed the player more and made the gameplay facilitate switching between each.

Plus it was simply very tedious and time consuming to level anything... so once you got on the track of leveling one particular style and it got more powerful you start using your other weapon less...

When you think about it actually... each Level 5 game from Dark Cloud to Dark Cloud 2 to Rogue Galaxy got increasingly more difficult in this way. That's really my qualm with RG lol, it's just not 'easy' enough... in the accessible and just-want-to-have-fun-while-not-thinking-too-much sort of way.

**Dralor** · 04-18-2009, 04:23 AM

Rogue galaxy was pretty easy if you had a seven star sword that was lvl'd up.

**curryking1** · 04-18-2009, 04:25 AM

I didn't know how to get that though. Getting anywhere just required too much paying attention for me. I wasn't willing to do it lol. I dunno, I always thought the game was too tedious.

It seems like such a fun game though once you get past that which annoyed me lol. I'll probably try it again with PCSX2 now and see if I fare any better.

**Dralor** · 04-18-2009, 04:26 AM

The sword you were given originally was a seven star sword if you just lvl'd it up by combining it with increasingly powerful swords it became pretty bad ass.

**curryking1** · 04-18-2009, 04:49 AM

Nice nice...

Btw... well ***t! That's lucky. Dark Cloud 2 is easier than I thought. Apparently they give you the ability to absorb magic attacks and send them back with the girl (they only tell you when you defend against a magic attack... couldn't say that before lol).

And bomb items are pretty sweet against big bad guys which you can't really fight with a sword. The game puts you pretty short on money though to get a good supply of anything. At least the item gathering is pretty forgiving, you often get items in twos, threes, or fours from boxes.

That's convenient. I was able to get out of a situation by using some items. I need to level the robot though otherwise it might become useless lol.

I found RG harder than both DC and DC2 though. Ah well, I'll get around to it. It shouldn't be so bad if I do that combining. I didn't feel they really explained how to use it well... that's a thing about the Dark Cloud games and RG lol... when you start it's pretty hard to understand and actually see the effect of upgrading your items because it looks so ambiguous at first. And plus the first items don't help much. My synthing in DC2 is finally showing some tangible changes in damage lol.

Edit - Oh great... I forgot about needing resources to build in DC2 lol. I need some light element. I like how I have no idea where to get that... *facepalm

Anyway... the interface is always awesome in Level 5 games lol. Beautiful, beautiful games.

**Dralor** · 04-18-2009, 05:39 PM

Yeah and don't forget taking pictures of things allows you to make some cool items too.

I found it easier then both I was reaming pretty much everything without a chance of death. There was only one or two battles I died multiple times on.