The Emulation Thread

[Gummy]

I think we should have just 1 topic for all discussion of emulating LCS (and VCS) whether it's controls, optimization, etc.

 

I need some help in optimizing LCS for PCSX2. I changed some of the Gsdx settings, put some speedhacks, yet it still slows down. I can play VCS with no slowdowns but LCS is different for some reason. If anyone knows any workaround, or wants to see my PCSX2 config, then shoot.

[darkdraggy]

LCS has god-awful optimization on PCSX2 and PS2 in general, your best bet is playing it on a PSP emulator.

[mde2]

PS2 emulation in general still has a long way off from being completely optimised. Like darkdraggy said your best bet is PSP emulation since it's the superior emulation platform atm. I recommend PPSSPP, I've never had a problem with it. Just keep in mind you will need to tweak settings in order to play LCS optimally.

[RationalPsycho]

Unless you build your own mid-to-high-end PC by today's standards (pre-built ones are usually a scam), chances are you're going to have slowdowns on PCSX2 with these games. I have done everything I could optimising this thing except changing the resolution to that of a freaking Game Boy, and the "best" result I got was tricking the speed and FPS counter into showing nearly perfect performance, but with the same slowdowns

 

That said, performance-wise, the PS2 version of LCS is a f*cking mess. It occasionally suffers from excessive FPS drops by default, even on the actual console, and there is only so much the emulator can do. On PPSSPP, if you tweak the settings a little bit, this game is running fine. Much better than the original PSP itself, and, according to official sources, it is going to get even better in the near future. Regarding PSP emulation, I haven't had any problems with PPSSPP bar some minor audio bugs that can be fixed by pausing and unpausing the game, and some Save State issues; if the game crashes and you reboot PPSSPP, the emulator has a chance to crash again when attempting to make a Save State - the screenshot is saved, but the progress is not, to mock you even more But, apart from these inconveniences, as far as emulators go, PPSSPP is your best bet at playing LCS.

 

If you still insist on playing the PS2 version, you can try PCSX2's latest automated builds, if that helps (I'm not sure if it is allowed to post a link here, but you can easily find them with search engines).

[Paisan™]

I think we should have just 1 topic for all discussion of emulating LCS (and VCS) whether it's controls, optimization, etc.

Good thinking 99.

 

Now, I have no idea on what controls to map for LCS on PPSSPP. Controls are always overriding each other e.g. S key to reverse in a vehicle is the same key to walk backwards. Ideas?

[mde2]

 

I think we should have just 1 topic for all discussion of emulating LCS (and VCS) whether it's controls, optimization, etc.

Good thinking 99.

 

Now, I have no idea on what controls to map for LCS on PPSSPP. Controls are always overriding each other e.g. S key to reverse in a vehicle is the same key to walk backwards. Ideas?

 

 

 

For real dude X360 or third party gamepad. Good investment.

[Gummy]

I think there's also a cwcheat that enables the second joystick for camera movement, I'll post it here if I come across it.

[Igor Bogdanoff]

I know there is some hack for ps vita, but didnt know there is such thing for ppsspp, would be glad if you dig that up.

[darkdraggy]

-

Edited February 16, 2018 by darkdraggy

[Paisan™]

 

@RetroMystic I tried a PS3 controller, but SCP Toolkit doesn't work.

 

[mde2]

 

 

@RetroMystic I tried a PS3 controller, but SCP Toolkit doesn't work.

 

 

 

I'll reiterate what I said here

 

That's why I seriously recommend either X360 or literally any other gamepad. PS3 controllers don't have the best reputation for being PC friendly most of the time.

Edited February 3, 2018 by RetroMystic

[Paisan™]

Oh sorry I didn't realize I had told you about the PS3 controller before.

 

I don't own a an X360 controller and I'm not gonna go buy one to play on PC.

[darkdraggy]

Oh sorry I didn't realize I had told you about the PS3 controller before.

 

I don't own a an X360 controller and I'm not gonna go buy one to play on PC.

My PS3 controller works fine, I don't know what's wrong with yours, I'm also on windows 10.

[Paisan™]

 

Oh sorry I didn't realize I had told you about the PS3 controller before.

 

I don't own a an X360 controller and I'm not gonna go buy one to play on PC.

My PS3 controller works fine, I don't know what's wrong with yours, I'm also on windows 10.

 

I'm on Windows 10 as well, SCP says everything's installed and working, but then as soon as I start a game, the controller doesn't work.

[mde2]

 

 

Oh sorry I didn't realize I had told you about the PS3 controller before.

 

I don't own a an X360 controller and I'm not gonna go buy one to play on PC.

My PS3 controller works fine, I don't know what's wrong with yours, I'm also on windows 10.

 

I'm on Windows 10 as well, SCP says everything's installed and working, but then as soon as I start a game, the controller doesn't work.

 

 

70% of the time it doesn't work. I don't know why you're surprised a company that is fiercely against open-platform and cross-platform gaming and that your controller won't work on an emulator.

 

Is there any other software that allows PS3 controllers? I'm not educated on the topic but I'd be surprised if there weren't other options for you. I can understand not wanting to buy a controller strictly for PC gaming but it's a good investment if you ever get around to it.

Edited February 3, 2018 by RetroMystic

[BurningDukeNuke]

I think we should have just 1 topic for all discussion of emulating LCS (and VCS) whether it's controls, optimization, etc.

 

I need some help in optimizing LCS for PCSX2. I changed some of the Gsdx settings, put some speedhacks, yet it still slows down. I can play VCS with no slowdowns but LCS is different for some reason. If anyone knows any workaround, or wants to see my PCSX2 config, then shoot.

I'm using PCSX2 v.1.5.0 which you can't get on their website yet, but if you search for their github page, the latest one should be there.

 

Video Plugin Settings:

Adapter: Select your Graphics Card

Renderer: OpenGL Hardware

Interlacing: Auto

Texture Filtering: Bilinear (PS2)

 

Tick - Allow 8-bit Textures

Internal Resolution: Native (If you've got a powerful PC, you can crank this up all the way to improve graphics, and less jagged lines)

Mippmaping: Automatic (Default)

CRC Hack Level: Automatic (Defualt)

Blending Unit Accuracy: Basic (could probably crank this up too, might not run fast though)

 

I HAVE these settings for: LCS, VCS, III, Vice City.

For San Andreas i just use OpenGL Software.

 

Also i use a ps4 controller. Just had to map it out in the controller input settings.

 

BUT THIS is on PCSX2 1.5.0. There are problems with some GTAs using 1.4.0. So if you can find an updated version, thats what I suggest.

 

Usually play fullscreen + widescreen, and little to no, slowdown. If there's a lot of cars in the scene then it will drop a bit, but not as much as any other settings I've tried.

Edited February 8, 2018 by BurningDukeNuke

[dpgbv]

I tried PPSSPP, it is very ok as performance but I don't really like the controls, can't fit them on a controller with two L and R buttons, it's kind of tricky and a little bit hard for me to get used to PSP controls, that's why i try to use PS2 emulator to run LCS and VCS !

 

I have the same problem with the PCSX2 - PS2 Emulator v 1.5.0 !

 

I can run VCS and LCS ok at a 1920x1080 custom resolution 16:9 ratio, but sometimes in VCS for example in the mission "White Lies" i get a lot of fps drop because of the helicopter flying to close to the water causing fps drop, oh and a lot of fps drops in the mission "Burning Bridges" becuase of the fire details !

 

In LCS in certain areas, the emulation probably or the game itself is causing fps drop, next to Sal's house, Red Light District near pay'n'spray and of course in some missions becuase of the details PCSX2 can't emulate properly instead of having a GTX 750, 8GB of RAM, and i5 4660 series with 3.6 Ghz !

 

I tried many different settings for the configuration, none of them with a result ! It's kind of annoying you know !

Edited February 10, 2018 by dpgbv

[BurningDukeNuke]

I tried PPSSPP, it is very ok as performance but I don't really like the controls, can't fit them on a controller with two L and R buttons, it's kind of tricky and a little bit hard for me to get used to PSP controls, that's why i try to use PS2 emulator to run LCS and VCS !

 

I have the same problem with the PCSX2 - PS2 Emulator v 1.5.0 !

 

I can run VCS and LCS ok at a 1920x1080 custom resolution 16:9 ratio, but sometimes in VCS for example in the mission "White Lies" i get a lot of fps drop because of the helicopter flying to close to the water causing fps drop, oh and a lot of fps drops in the mission "Burning Bridges" becuase of the fire details !

 

In LCS in certain areas, the emulation probably or the game itself is causing fps drop, next to Sal's house, Red Light District near pay'n'spray and of course in some missions becuase of the details PCSX2 can't emulate properly instead of having a GTX 750, 8GB of RAM, and i5 4660 series with 3.6 Ghz !

 

I tried many different settings for the configuration, none of them with a result ! It's kind of annoying you know !

 

Don't run it at 1920 x 1080, unless you've got a powerful PC. Just run it at what it was at default at 640 x 480, and you can use the widescreen aspect ratio too. It wont look as great, but will run better. Doesn't really matter if it doesn't look that great, it's suppose to be a PS2 Emulator anyway.

 

Also have you tried the settings I posted just above your post?

If its still the same, then i guess you just have to keep trying different settings in PCSX2.

[dpgbv]

Seems to work very very ok and more smooth at 1280 x 720 ! However in LCS some places still make the game crack a little bit, but i don't think it's the emulator, the game itself or ISO image may be the problem !

 

And yes I tried even the settings you mentioned before, tried many types of configs, but as you said the resolution may have been the problem ! Guess I have to buy a more powerful CPU or GPU to run it at full HD smooth with no problem !

[darkdraggy]

Seems to work very very ok and more smooth at 1280 x 720 ! However in LCS some places still make the game crack a little bit, but i don't think it's the emulator, the game itself or ISO image may be the problem !

 

And yes I tried even the settings you mentioned before, tried many types of configs, but as you said the resolution may have been the problem ! Guess I have to buy a more powerful CPU or GPU to run it at full HD smooth with no problem !

LCS itself has bad optimization for PS2, it even lags on the original console.

[Gummy]

The thing about the emulator is, rather than having low framerate, the game's speed literally slows down. I'd rather have the low framerate like the PS2 release than constantly changing speed.

[dpgbv]

Try playing the PAL versions with 50 fps ! It's more stable ! For example: In VCS emulating at a normal decent resolution and details will give you 60 fps in-game, BUT in some cases like the waves the helicopter does in the water or being next to the fire will drop the framerate at 40-45 ! That's why I think it's better to play the PAL versions ! You can find them at coolroom dot com !

[Gummy]

I might just try using the PAL version. What about VCS? Does it speed up stuff as well? The only thing I'm worried about is the save files not being compatible with each other (at least for VCS where I already have substantial progress) unless there is a method of converting PS2 LCS save between regions.

 

EDIT: Tried the PAL LCS, it seems like I have more fps, but I need to play it more.

Edited February 11, 2018 by Gummy 

[dpgbv]

VCS is very constant as speed, both PAL and NTSC versions. The only problems in VCS are with the details, when you are close to fire (example: mission burning bridges when Mendez's guys are torching and the camera is close to that kind of fire) or the wind that helicopters make when they are close to the ground or water (mission White Lies), guess it's the plugins that can't emulate those details properly.

[Gummy]

That happens in both PAL and NTSC versions? And if you tried both, is the speed difference really significant? I may switch to it since there apparently is a way to convert region saves. (VCS)

[dpgbv]

The speed seems a little bit higher on NTSC versions !

 

Anyway use the open GL renderer (hardware) in VIDEO plugin settings with a resolution of 1600x720 for example (don't increase the width more than 720p), it shall work ok, try using bilinear (PS2) filterting ! Mipmapping and CRC hack level at automatic (default)

 

Get the latest version from here buildbot.orphis.net/pcsx2/ ! It doesn't include BIOS !

[Gummy]

Bad news, I've just been playing around with the LCS PAL version but it seems like the framerate is still going down. No difference than the NTSC version. But I will try to play with different settings.

[dpgbv]

Idk what to say !

 

Anyway I have find out why in VCS the fps drops a lot in the mission White Lies ! It's because of the Bovver 64 vehicle, idk what textures that vehicle generates, but I tried all types of setting even lowering resolution but it still lags af ...

[darkdraggy]

I'm pretty sure it's the smoke effects the vehicle creates when it's driving

[dpgbv]

Well yeah ... it sucks