16BitHero

@BearFut_1800 the Buildings/Cities will never look perfect as they're using Microsoft Bing maps and satellite data. It would look a lot better with Google data but I digress.

@themightyant I did that Egypt shoot. I crashed upside down but was still able to exit the helicopter and complete the photography challenges - complete with a mini sand storm whipped up by my rotor blades.

It's an experimental technology, we're all essentially beta testers. I'm playing on Series X and a PC (5600X and 3070). It's a lot more stable than at launch but even with 700mbps I'm disappointed with the visuals. I'm going to test VR tonight. Navigating the menus and new bindings isn't at all intuitive but I guess they wanted to try and distinguish this version from 2020 somehow. I do feel like the new features could have been added to 2020 and they could have kept a large install for those without stable or fast bandwidth. I'm currently playing through Gamepass and would like to purchase eventually - I need a few more weeks of play testing!

It's working fine on Series X now- however, it generally doesn't look as good as 2020 in my opinion and that's with 700 Mbps download. Trees and terrain can look better but large cities in particular don't look as lovely as they did in 2020. Not giving the option to do a large install in addition to the cloud streaming technology is a bit of a shame.

@CD456 yes you can just fly helicopters if you choose to.

It ran fine for me on Series X and I actually preferred quality mode. The atmosphere and intrigue kept me gripped for a while but although it is a type of game that is generally up my alley, the high amount of seemingly random and sudden deaths completely broke my immersion. I expect to die a lot in Elden Ring as it's practically part of the overall story and mechanics but in Stalker 2 it just takes you out of the experience too often. You're supposed to be on the edge and yes it's a game where you'll die here and there but it was too relentless for me. I'm glad it's selling well and other hardcore survivors are enjoying it though!

Edit: I didn't rate the game above as I don't think it's fair considering it's simply not a game for me.

I'm going to give it a whirl this weekend regardless. People do also forget it's a relatively niche title. I'm a big Metro series fan who missed the original Stalker game. I think the punishing survival style of this one might be an issue but trying it on Gamepass makes it less of a conundrum. People often have strong emotive responses to other people's reviews and opinions without putting significant time into a game themselves. I'm trying not to fall into that trap.

A 40fps option would be good, I've been using that mode on Avatar and it's perfectly fine for a first person game.

@Markatron84 I did consider that and I'm mostly upset with Microsoft as they can surely help out in the QA department. I've bought the game to support them anyway and going by the reviews, a few patches down the line and it'll be one of the better games this year.

@CallMeDuraSouka Unbelievable. The annoying thing is, even though many like me will skip Xbox and Gamepass next gen, they'll still make money from all the drones buying COD year after year not to mention some pretty decent IPs they own like Doom. I've never seen a game company disrespect it's customer base like Microsoft or maybe they are just plain incompetent? That's a pattern with all business nowadays as younger people with attention deficits, no actual experience and financially short term mindedness take the reigns. Look at customer service almost anywhere. Gaming is not immune.

@MjJmediablogger I know games are becoming more complex but what happened to QA testing? It's like it doesn't exist anymore or devs don't want to pay for it.

Developers - please release games when they are ready. This generation is a bit ridiculous at this point. I'm amazed anyone pre orders or buys a game day one unless it's a Sony exclusive and I'm sure even they have to rush out patches early on.

Sheesh this sounds like another botched launch and for a relatively niche game too. Sounds like they are better off putting some of the new features in the 2020 version for anyone who doesn't want to be reliant on this faulty cloud tech. The Series X 2020 version looked crisp and stunning albeit with the higher install size in addition to decent bandwidth.

@Markatron84 I'm sure Flight Sim may not be for you anyway but Heathrow to Cardiff is about as boring as a flight can be on planet earth 😂

Very excited to try all the new features and modes, especially in VR. Anyone know what the point of a 300mb pre download is though?!

@gollumb82 (See above) and give it a go!

Any self respecting Alien saga fan should definitely check out Dark Descent. I'm not really a strategy gamer but the aesthetic, music, tension and real time gameplay made this a brilliant/essential addition to the Alien gaming library for this huge Alien(s) fan.

@carlos82 Yup, I only use the Xbox app for crossbuy on PC and Series X or Gamepass titles. Everything else I get through Steam and begrudgingly, Epic when they have a good exclusive like Alan Wake 2.

Er what? This has been an issue for over a year, probably longer if you look at Reddit threads. Steam and Epic games download at my Internet speed of up to 700mbps. The Xbox app? 5-10mbps sometimes. I was full of regret when I accidently deleted MSFS then had to wait the better part of a day for it to download again. The app is otherwise decent. It's really quite appalling for a major tech company.

I'm glad Microsoft is waiting for the next gen as Series X is a perfectly good console this gen. The first party output has been sluggish but it's still a decent generation overall (I think we've all become rather entitled as gamers but we've never had more choices/games). The focus should be on AI upscaling tech to push 60fps minimum with graphics/resolution that is still cutting edge. If GTA VI releases at 30fps, I might just have the patience to wait for the inevitable better version a few years later. Or not. Time will tell!

As long as current gen looks and plays beautifully, I'm ok with last gen gamers getting to enjoy this too!

And for hardcore fans, I recommend the 'Whitelight' 7 hour review on YouTube!

@awp69 Yeah this is a common problem for many older titles. My recommendation to devs is to avoid licensing music and get someone in to compose it or at least give exposure to a lesser known artist where the game can retain those rights indefinitely. GTA needs a licensed soundtrack, it's part of the immersion factor but racing games? We can easily use Spotify or even a custom playlist on a USB stick with PS5/Series X. I downloaded the amazing Destruction Derby 2 soundtrack and use it with Wreckfest.

I resubscribed for the holiday season and tried Black Ops 6 but it's just more of the same old COD (albeit still relatively polished). Deleted after the paranormal mission so I have space to try Stalker (followed by MSFS and Indiana Jones). I love the Metro series and am hoping for a similar vibe here.

I've seen less than 30 seconds of gameplay. I fully trust Machine Games (and ID software) to deliver on one of my favourite IPs of all time. Can't wait for this one.

@armondo36 Great comment. (I'm in the latter camp also).

I guess it's very much a niche game still but Microsoft Flight Simulator is my favourite part of this relatively underwhelming generation thus far. It is game optimization as it's very best. Something that shouldn't be possible on console but with a good Internet connection, this is an astounding experience - the whole planet in glorious 4K with some of the best weather and lighting effects to date. Can't wait for MSFS 2024 (and it's miraculous file size this time!).

@Titntin that is a fun fact. I remember how smooth and glossy the Xbox version looked in comparison.

@themightyant All very true. It's a rare day one purchase for me nonetheless. The soundtrack and other aspects of cultural immersion like the setting, satire and characters are always the most important part of any GTA game for me.

It's hard to believe that surely the biggest game launch in history thus far will likely start out at 30fps.

@Banjo- You certainly have to buy into Kojimas unorthodox storytelling which may never actually make complete sense but for me his games like many, are about the journey and not necessarily the destination. Like others have commented, the environments are gorgeous and yes a great deal of it is this post apocalyptic-esque walking simulator delivery man gig but I really bought into the sci fi premise and personally think it would make an epic TV show with the right backing. There is inventory management and the encounters are very survival horror in my opinion. This is absolutely not a game I would have imagined liking but again, the sci fi premise and execution is really spot on. NPC characters are great too and not just because they are known actors .I don't really know what to compare it to!

It's certainly not for everyone but for anyone like me that gets completely immersed in its world...it became a top ten all time for me. Maybe top five. I still think it has the greatest game trailer to this day (yes better than Gears 1!). My first Kojima game was MGSV.

If Dragon Age is already on this list then Batman Arkham Shadow should absolutely be here too. I don't think VR will be overlooked too much longer hopefully. Nice mix of genres there though.

Forza series for me. When I was younger and we had FAR less choice of games, no backlogs, no crazy sales and discounts or subscription services, I enjoyed a good racing game. Virtua Racing, Stunt Race FX, San Francisco Rush, Rallisport Challenge, Project Gotham, Burnout, Colin McRae etc Now I have too many platforms, endless backlogs and not enough time; I have had to say goodbye to racing and other sports games like pro Evo/FIFA to focus on my favourite genres. I did play through Gran Turismo 7 and a little bit of Horizon 4 just because I miss the English countryside but those are the first in many many years. It's a time thing more than anything else.

Game changer. These install files have been absurd to the point I've avoided COD for years. An Ethernet cable and cloud gaming to the rescue.

Gross. Just like pro athlete contracts nowadays. What a world.

I'd argue the big release of this week was Batman Arkham Shadow but yes, revenue wise I guess it's COD like every other year.

@OldGamer999 There is still a good amount of action, it's well balanced with narrative segments. Overall the game oozes style in typical Remedy fashion. If you're a fan of their games in general then this is a must play. I also love the way they've incorporated and combined the lore between Control and AW. We need more developers like Remedy who make these brilliant interactive single player tales.

Without spoiling anything, AW2 has one of the most memorable video game chapters I've seen in 35 plus years of gaming. The DLC has been short but sweet too. Enjoy!

One of many reasons this generation has actually been pretty great for me. I skipped the Xbox One but got the Series X with 24 months of Gamepass bundled in. Catching up on previous gen exclusives was a necessity and Ryse is a simple yet fun game that looks technically excellent to this day. An all too rare lengthy article on PX.

@Titntin All Fair and true points. I just think this game is such a fantastic achievement in pure cooperative 'multiplayer' fun (without most of the negatives associated with other live service games) that it's a shame it isn't multiplatform. You succinctly conveyed the business reality we live however.

Sony should release Helldivers 2 on Series consoles. Xbox might not have the user base of PS5 but it's still considerable and I don't really consider Helldivers 2 one of Sony's high profile first party system sellers. I have Helldivers 2 on PC. I own a PS5. But this fabulous game is the 'Starship Troopers' game we all needed and should be playable for all! That's democracy. I think.

Anyone heard any mention of cross play/cross-buy?

I have 600mbps. Series X downloads quickly but the Xbox app on PC? Terrible. I probably get about 10% the speed of Steam or Epic downloads. I've tried every fix from Reddit threads. Still appalling.

I think I might be in a minority demographic for Xbox nowadays. We're a long long way from the 360 era with it's huge library of single player/co-op fps and 3rd person shooters. Thank goodness we have at least one Sony-esque cinematic single player game coming in Indiana Jones. Stalker looks decent too.

@GotRedOnMe73 I can't imagine how they're going to do it with such a small install size if folks don't have at least 100mbps internet connection but I guess we'll all find out soon enough.

It's still the 'game' of the generation for me thus far. Staggering technology and scope. The Series X version is the best optimized console game I've ever seen/played - I have no idea how it runs MSFS better overall than my 3070 PC but it does.

Edit: if you have a PC and Xbox, buy this through the Microsoft store so you can play on both platforms. This is always a consideration for me when thinking about Steam or other storefronts.

@Ricky-Spanish I'd prefer it play like an action movie from the 80's 😉

This series has been uninspired for a long time. I've admittedly only played trials since last buying FIFA 23 (before that it was 19). The presentation and licenses are obviously the high points but we desperately need a good competitor to enter the fray. Football games used to be fun, somewhat technical but not Tekken like. It's biggest problem is how repetitive most games feel in my opinion. I also still have a rose tinted nostalgia for Pro Evo but I think there is a market for something like that today, full priced, albeit with updated graphics/mechanics etc. If the 2K rumours are true then I hope they give EAFC a run for their money.

@NEStalgia I use Virtual Desktop to stream MSFS 2020 from a Ryzen 5 3070 rig to Quest 3 and it's wonderfully smooth - although I'd love a higher resolution, alas the 5090 is around the corner.

I'm curious if this is going to be an entirely new simulator requiring existing owners to pay full price or if there will be an upgrade option priced accordingly. Will marketplace purchases somehow carry over? Will it be cross-buy on the Microsoft Store again? I've been on several forums and there doesn't appear to be a consensus as of yet. My biggest asks, other than the welcome install size is for it to be easier to scale optimization perhaps for various PC rigs (I must have spent hours on YouTube videos!) and finally to ensure a nicely optimized VR experience too. Or maybe playing with settings is all part of the fun!