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Xbox Series X Review: Microsoft Blurs The Lines Between Console And PC
Butcher79
With the Xbox Series X, Microsoft aims to set a new standard for consoles when it comes to graphics power and performance. However, faced with tough competition in the form of the PlayStation 5, it will need to deliver on that promise, and then some others.
Leaving aside the rivalry of older consoles, it's undeniable that Microsoft's long-awaited Xbox Series X and S are exciting for all gamers. Not only do they boast lightning-fast loading times and rich graphics, but they also come with fast resume and ray tracing features never seen before on consoles. The X Series is the more powerful of the two, and if you want to see next-gen Xbox games at their best, then this is the one to invest in.
As soon as you turn on your new Xbox and boot up, say, Gears of War 5, it's clear that the Xbox Series X is a huge step up from the Xbox One, and rather than comparing it to the next PlayStation, it makes more sense to contrast it with a PC with a mid-range graphics card as the new Xbox blurs the lines between PC and console gaming.
However, let's not get too carried away with the specs. There are those who love to study every GHz and teraflop, telling their mates about it, claiming that my console is better than yours, but for most people, what really matters is how their favorite games look and feel on the Series X screen. You can expect a detailed understanding how the Series X works in this hands-on overview.
Lightning download
Say goodbye to long loading screens.
Consoles have long lagged behind PCs on many technical fronts, but one thing that continues to bug past generations in particular is terrible hard drives. This storage device is not only very outdated, but also painfully slow, especially when it comes to loading your system and games.
However, the Xbox Series X has finally saved console gamers from this time-consuming process. A custom 1TB NVME SSD reduces boot times so you can get started in seconds. It even helps to avoid lengthy boot times, as it only takes eight seconds to access the Series X home screen. Gone are the days of having to check your phone or make tea between particularly time-consuming loading screens.
A quick resume is more than just a gimmick
Peak Performance also allows both the Series X and S to use the Quick Resume feature, which allows you to pause a game and load another at the same time. Microsoft has been toying with this idea since the launch of Xbox One, but it's only now that this once-misguided feature has been fully implemented. Unlike its clunkier predecessor, the Xbox Series X lets you pause and start multiple games at the same time.
While the Quick Resume feature works with multiple titles, it works incredibly well and provides smooth, quick transitions. In just a few seconds, you can be transported from the gore-soaked battlefields of Gears of War 5 to the beautiful, hand-drawn environments of Ori and the Will of the Wisps.
Switching quickly between multiple games is a liberating experience.
However, what really comes as a surprise is how well the Xbox Series X does this feature. Even with multiple games paused in the background, the frame rate of each title does not noticeably drop. In fact, every compatible game that's been tested with the Quick Resume feature has worked like a treat, but only time will tell how it handles the system's more intense gaming.
In addition, the Quick Resume feature also remains active even when the console is completely turned off. You can finally say goodbye to those annoying moments when you're in a hurry to find save points or have to leave your console idle in a particularly important section.
This feature may seem like a relatively small addition and probably won't be the Series X's primary selling point, but it's exactly what showcases just how capable this console really is.
High performance at a low price
While the Xbox Series X may not have all the bells and whistles of the best PC builds, it offers great graphical fidelity and performance at a more affordable price. The X-Series aims to deliver stable 4K performance at 60fps with support for up to 120fps depending on the name. Those with 8K TVs will also be able to enjoy greater picture clarity, albeit at the cost of performance.
While there's no way to test the FPS of the Xbox Series X from the inside, every game tested seemed to maintain a consistent framerate at 1440p. Even when the on-screen action got particularly hot, the Series X kept performance consistent and never got in the way of the overall experience—an area that was often a rarity in past console releases.
This resulted in a very fluid gameplay that felt like playing on a mid-range PC. If it weren't for the hefty Xbox Series X controller, it would be hard to remember that you're actually playing on your home console. This is especially true when the Series X is paired with a high refresh rate monitor. Shooters feel nimble and fast, platformers are incredibly responsive, and racing games make for smooth, fast-paced play. There wasn't a game we tested that the Series X couldn't handle.
Ray tracing and higher resolution bring every world to life
Improved visuals and lighting effects in Gears of War 5 are a teaser of what lies ahead.
If you've been following the latest developments in gaming technology, then you know how passionate developers are about using ray tracing. This harsh lighting effect brings every game's world to life by creating dynamic reflections and shadows, providing more visual fidelity than ever before.
Both the Xbox Series X/S and PS5 will mark the first time consoles will ever have access to this graphical enhancement, making it an important selling point for those looking to truly immerse themselves in the game's world.
While a number of upcoming games will feature ray tracing at launch, it was Gears of War 5 that showed off how these dynamic reflections and shadows would look on the Series X. Not only do the visuals look absolutely amazing on the Series X, but the shooter also performs very well. well. In fact, Azura's ruins proved to be the perfect environment to test the Series X's superior lighting capabilities, and it doesn't disappoint.
It's certainly an exciting time to be an Xbox fan.
Bright beams of natural sunlight filter through the jungle treetops and bounce off a glistening waterfall, while the dimly lit depths of the COG bunkers make shadows dance on the walls whenever bullets fly down the flooded corridors.
It's amazing to see a feature that doesn't result in a significant performance drop when running at 1440p. Of course, this may change in games with intense lighting and shadow effects, but it's encouraging to see performance like this so early on.
Cool and quiet
The Series X works great no matter what you throw at it.
The Series X isn't loud at all. In fact, you can only hear the fan sound when you remove your headphones and turn off the sound in the game. Unlike the Xbox One, the Series X also keeps you cool after hours of intense gaming. This is largely due to the vertical placement of the console's fans, which helps dissipate heat right above the console. For those with limited surface space, vertical fan placement is a godsend.
Minor controller changes make the game run smoother
A few minor changes make this the best Xbox controller to date.
The Xbox Series X controller doesn't boast any groundbreaking features, but there are a few minor changes that make it more attractive than its predecessor. First, the tactile mini dots on the lower grip and triggers help keep the controller firmly in your hands, no matter how sweaty your palms get. This makes it a great option for late-night grind sessions or when you need to stay put in adrenaline-filled multiplayer modes.
The Series X triggers don't share Sony's adaptive functionality, which makes it difficult to hit the triggers when using certain items like the bow - however, they are very responsive and comfortable to press.
Along with the usual pushbutton inputs, there's now a dedicated share button - one tap on that little button and you can effortlessly take screenshots and save those montage-worthy clips in a separate instance.
However, there is one old feature that has made a comeback - the return of the classic round d-pad design. While the very thought of it might bother many gamers, the Series X D-pad does work like a charm. Unlike the nightmarish D-pad of doom 360, Microsoft's latest controller provides even more precision when it comes to registering vertical inputs.
Stronger indentations on the diagonal D-Pad buttons provide more precision than ever before. Gone are the days of trying to use the D-pad to make those all-important directional inputs. Now you can simply flick the D-pad in the direction you want to use deadly combos.
No launch day exclusives
You need to wait a bit if you want to get your hands on Halo Infinite or Fable.
The only issue with Series X is the lack of available launch day exclusives. This obviously won't be a problem for those looking to purchase a Series X or S after the console's initial launch, as upcoming exclusives include Halo Infinite, Fable, Forza Motorsport, Senua's Saga: Hellblade II, and State of Decay 3. However, right now, we miss the killer games only available on Xbox.
That's not to say that some popular games aren't on the new console, and as described above, they'll look great. Games like Dirt 5, Assassins Creed: Valhalla, Destiny 2: Beyond Light, Tetris Effect: Connected, and Yakuza: Like a Dragon will launch alongside Series X and S on November 10th. Xbox Game Pass will also be added, allowing players to enjoy over 100 games and backward compatible titles.
In addition to new releases optimized for both Series X and S, Microsoft is also targeting previously released games. These include Forza Horizon 4, Gears 5, Gears Tactics, Sea of Thieves, and The Touryst, all of which have undergone various changes to take advantage of the console's improved performance. To make things even better, Microsoft's acquisition of Bethesda will give Xbox Series players access to the likes of the ever-popular Elder Scrolls and Fallout franchises.
Netflix games
Game Pass and backwards compatibility makes the X and S series.
Microsoft continues to make gaming more accessible than ever with its affordable Game Pass subscription service. The ability to play over 100 games for just $9,99 / £7,99 per month will always be a huge bonus for any gamer, especially those looking to flip through the digital pages of its ever-growing catalog.
While the lack of launch day exclusives may disappoint many Xbox fans, it's Microsoft's emphasis on Game Pass and unwavering commitment to backwards compatibility that makes the Series X so enticing. This backwards functionality is an area that remains the focus of gaming, especially when you consider how weird it really is.
Imagine if every five years there was a new wave of Blu-Ray/DVD/Video players and you couldn't watch any of your old movies on your new machine, it would definitely look a little different. However, Microsoft is fixing this issue and allowing Series X and S players to enjoy higher resolutions, faster load times, and more stable frame rates in Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox games.
Not to fan the fires of the console war, but it's important to note that the Sony PS5 doesn't offer that luxury to its users. If you want to play any PS2 or PS3 games, then you are out of luck when it comes to this area.
Is the Xbox Series X worth your money?
The Xbox Series X aims to further blur the lines between PC and console with its killer combination of fast loading times, smooth gameplay, and high graphical fidelity. While it won't beat the best PCs on the market, it's certainly hard to turn down for those who want fantastic performance for a fraction of the price.
Microsoft certainly intended to make a strong statement, and the Xbox Series X is more than capable of making its mark in the highly competitive world of console gaming.
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