Xbox Series X six months later — here's what I love and hate
Xbox Series X six months later — hither'due south what I dearest and hate
Information technology'south gone by in a flash, but this week marks vi months since the release of the Xbox Series X. In that time I've put dozens of hours of play into Microsoft'south powerful flagship gaming arrangement and tin barely remember the days before it nestled underneath my television.
In Tom's Guide's original Xbox Series X review, nosotros praised the console for a wide variety of factors, including its impressive performance, speedy loading times, and slick design (even more apparent now that the curiously shaped PS5 is also in our easily). At that place was no argue, the Xbox Series Ten earned its Editor's Selection honor.
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Reviewer, Roland Moore-Colyer, said in November terminal yr: "The Xbox Series X is the one Xbox to rule them all. Information technology's a single automobile that'll run generations of Xbox games, and run them well. Furthermore, it'll do so without looking fussy or making a racket."
The question is now that the machine has been out in the wild for one-half a year, and the sheer novelty of having a new console is starting to wearable off, does the Xbox Series X nevertheless stack up, or take its flaws become more credible over fourth dimension?
Nothing gets in the way of playing
Because the PS5 merely has the ability to append a single game at a time, the Xbox Serial X managing up to five is a serious boon for Microsoft'south console.
One aspect of the Xbox Series X that remains extremely impressive fifty-fifty six months later on, is how seamless a gaming feel information technology provides.
During Tom'south Guides review, loading speeds of nether 10 seconds were clocked for graphically intense games similar Gears v. Fifty-fifty massive open-world games like Red Expressionless Redemption 2 had their loading screen cut down from a infinitesimal and a half to less than 40 seconds. That remains impressive to this 24-hour interval.
New releases such as Resident Evil Village (8 seconds of loading from carte to game) and Hitman iii (ix seconds) are games that take benefited greatly from the Xbox Series Ten booting up in an astonishingly quick time. The days of turning to my phone to mindless curlicue while awaiting the end of a lengthy loading sequence are well and truly gone!
Quick Resume is another feature that removes barriers between the user and actually playing. Information technology was heavily promoted as 1 of the panel's biggest innovations prior to launch, and while it's not a feature I find myself using daily, it'southward extremely convenient when the situation calls for it.
Considering the PS5 simply has the power to append a unmarried game at a time, the Xbox Series X managing up to v is a serious boon for Microsoft's console. I'm rarely playing iii games simultaneously, but beingness able to jump into a multiplayer match with friends without needing to shut down whatever single-role player RPG I'k currently working my mode through remains revolutionary.
Backwards compatibility done right
Microsoft has invested heavily in backward compatibility tech, and while it was a fun distraction on the Xbox One, it's with the Xbox Series X that the effort has truly paid off.
The Xbox Series X really is the ultimate Xbox console, giving owners full access to the previous generation'southward library, likewise equally a pregnant portion of the Xbox 360's itemize and a big handful of original Xbox games besides.
Being able to play archetype games like the complete Dead Space trilogy, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and the entire Halo saga, thanks to The Master Main Collection, on a single panel makes the Xbox Series Ten borderline essential. Plus, every bit someone who missed a fair chunk of Microsoft exclusives over the years, information technology's offered me an like shooting fish in a barrel way to grab up.
Microsoft hasn't stopped at merely enabling classics games to be playable on its latest hardware, with its Game Boost initiative dear titles from previous generations are actively being updated to accept advantage of the power of the Xbox Series X. Auto-HDR, which was noted as a big pro in Tom's Guides review, is another way the console gives older games a new lease on life.
There has never been a panel that has launched with a library every bit deep as the Xbox Serial X'southward and in the last six months, where game delays take unfortunately go very frequent, that has been a existent advantage for Microsoft's bulky black box.
Game Pass is a gamechanger
I have notwithstanding to buy a unmarried game for my Xbox Series X. Why would I? I have dozens of incredible experiences available to me for just the cost of a couple of pints a calendar month.
Information technology'southward basically impossible to talk about the pros and cons of the Xbox Serial X without heaping praise on Xbox Game Pass.
This subscription service is arguably the best bargain in gaming at the minute, and the inclusion of new releases as such MLB The Show 21 and Outriders on the service from day 1 has but increased its value in the months since the Xbox Series X launched.
The depth of the Game Pass library is truly staggering, which is proven past the fact that (aside from a couple of archetype 360 games) I accept yet to buy a unmarried game for my Xbox Series X. Why would I? I have dozens of incredible experiences available to me for just the cost of a couple of pints a month.
Refinement, not revolution
While information technology comes to the core functions of a video game console, the Xbox Series X took a fairly rubber approach. The PS5 aims for innovation with a controller blimp with new tech, and a fancy new UI built around a card system.
The Xbox Series X instead retains the UI of its predecessor, and while this did mean upon first booting upwardly the system I was inappreciably wowed, as it felt simply I'd simply turned on my one-time Xbox One, over time the benefits of this arroyo have become apparent.
I've had quite a few issues with the PS5'due south UI since launch, information technology might look flashy but it'south lacking a significant corporeality of basic functionality. The Xbox Series X instead has basically every UI feature I accept ever needed and had them all since twenty-four hour period one.
The controller is another expanse where Xbox Series X opted for refinement rather than revolution. Roland said this of the decision to use a very similar controller to the Xbox One: "that's not a bad affair, equally it's a fantastic controller. Small improvements like textured triggers and an improved D-pad have a familiar controller and simply make it improve."
It'southward a sentiment I somewhat agree with. While I can't deny the Xbox Series 10 has a very solid pad, I do miss the next-gen features of the PS5's DualSense such as adaptive triggers and haptic feedback. Though I accept already had to send i of my PS5 controllers for repair after the triggers broke.
Since launch, Microsoft has also released an official Xbox Series X headset, which once again follows the mantra of nailing the fundamentals rather than focusing on flashy tech like 3D Sound.
Still defective exclusives
While the PS5 already has Spider-Homo: Miles Morales, Demon's Souls, Returnal, and the upcoming Ratchet & Clank: Rift-Apart, the Xbox Series Ten has a very underwhelming exclusive lineup.
Information technology'southward been a mutual criticism of the Xbox platform for years, simply it'south definitely the biggest knock against the Xbox Series X for now: The panel desperately lacks killer exclusives.
While the PS5 already has the likes of Spider-Homo: Miles Morales, Demon's Souls, Returnal, and the upcoming Ratchet & Clank: Rift-Apart, the Xbox Series X has a very underwhelming lineup of sectional titles.
Sure nosotros got The Medium in February, but that was a mid-tier game, and remarkably Halo Infinite is still not out yet. Though rumors are swirling that Starfield, Bethesda'due south next massive RPG, could launch afterward this year and it'll likely be an Xbox exclusive at present that Microsoft owns ZeniMax.
The lackluster lineup of exclusives does make the Xbox Series Ten harder to recommend if yous're non planning on using the system as your chief gaming device. If you've already got a PS5 or a powerful gaming PC, then y'all might exist better off waiting till major exclusives similar Fable 4 and Avowed are a little closer to launch.
Should you buy an Xbox Serial X?
Roland concluded his original review by maxim, "the Xbox Series X is a triumph in the here and now. But I can't wait to run across what it will be able to do in a year'southward time."
It's a sentiment that still rings truthful today. So information technology's a little disappointing that Microsoft hasn't really moved the needle frontwards in whatever substantial manner since release. Xbox Series X owners are still pending that offset killer exclusive that volition really showcase the console'due south true potential.
Nevertheless, vi months into its lifecycle the Xbox Serial X remains a fantastic gaming car that does more than enough to justify the $499 entry toll. Information technology doesn't make the almost compelling argument as a supplemental device, but if the Xbox Series X volition be your primary gaming car then y'all've no reason not to purchase one at present — assuming yous can find an Xbox Series X restock of course.
Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/features/xbox-series-x-six-months-later-what-i-love-and-hate
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