kuu_nousee

After all these years (almost 2 generations) just like ~15 exclusives. I really hate to say this but Xbox is just a island PC in a console box.

Without some big incentive to get an Xbox console next gen the console space for Microsoft is a total loss moving forward. I need more than GamePass and more than just some games being PlayAnywhere. If we are going fully digital we need all new Xbox games to work on the new console and PC, no exceptions. We need digitally 'owned' OG Xbox, 360, One, Series games to be playable on PC as well. Without exclusives you need other big reasons to keep spending money on this ecosystem.

Been here since almost the start of the Xbox brand and beta tested Xbox Live this is feeling like they are wanting to become a 3rd party company without a dedicated console.

@Lup it was top 5 for me this year, but also majority of gamers don't buy physical media like me either so...yeah.

We live in an age of most games that are AA-AAA games are by third parties and land in a middle ground where the divide is large for ranking games from #10 though #4 of top 10 games every year. This was bound to happen one good/great game is completely missing/shafted.

Next generation 'Xbox' branded console hardware is likely the LAST 'Xbox' console. Either the brand will fade into irrelevance vs Nintendo & Sony (& Steam for that matter) or move to branded 'GamePass' branding for hardware.

I'd be shocked if we even have an Asus, HP, Acer , etc. branded 'Xbox' "console sized'/portable PC after 'next-gen Xbox'/PS6 generation.

The only exception for this is Microsoft just eats all the cost and losses on extremely low sales on hardware.

Don't care, just release either games that have been delisted (Activision Marvel or Transformers games) or actual new games to the Xbox ecosystem.

@Steel76 this is exactly what I've tried to explain to people. Yes Series and PS5 have been good from launch until year 2 or 3 but consoles are NOTHING like they used to be during 360/PS3/Wii and before. At a likely halfway or further already in life we are set to have seen mostly the best graphics available on this hardware.

Now everything is spec'd out COMMON PC parts as semi-custom APUs based on laptop CPUs with desktop-like GPUs smashed into the APU.

This means there is very little time on 'waiting to see what developers do'. Unless a new game engine optimizes features for consoles or a developer builds a brand new in house engine to cater to consoles we hit the peak within the last year (year 3) into the generation. If Unreal 5 only beefs up new features (which require even more powerful hardware) the consoles won't be able to take advantage until a 'next gen consoles' happen.

This is why I don't understand why people wait to buy into next generation consoles. They don't get price cuts like 10-20 years ago and the highest graphics potential happens within the first few years (sure games of equal or slightly better could happen in a year 5/6/7/etc) so there is nothing to really wait on, especially with backwards compatibility is included with previous generation games.

@Sol4ris you can or don't even have to be a GamePass subscriber and we get small ads AND console turning on to FULL SCREEN ads to games you did buy, have access to via GamePass, or will never buy.

I hate the ads on the Xbox with an absolute passion. It almost makes me want to just go into offline mode so the ads cannot load.

Let's just be real here too this means screw you to most if not all new games getting physical releases even though the most powerful Xbox has a disc drive.

Can't have one great thing (GamePass) without destroying something (disc games) else unlike how PlayStation & Nintendo operate. They both sell plenty of digital games but still give OPTIONS for most games released new.

Rough, but here we are most Xbox gamers don't care about ownership. So he's not wrong, it is what it is and we miss out.

The biggest game known for 2025 on Xbox (Avowed is there but seems more AA) and it's directly on PS5. It's fine since the first one was on PlayStation but after Indiana Jones this month and playing Flight Sim 2024 here and there why would I turn on my Xbox? A disc game here or there for a 3rd party release is likely all. Very few disc Xbox games these days so the dust might be collecting very soon.

@Tainted I'm glad to hear others think it is a 9/10. Isn't that a good thing? Some select people don't think it is, o well. The only solution for 'fixing' reviews are group reviews for sites with a collective score to get a balance... Otherwise again subjective and don't treat one site as the end all be all for alignment of everyone's opinions.

@FraserG This is one article I didn't expect to blow up here tbh for a popular IP for first party on GamePass with great performance on console and not the worst review if you omit just the score. It still seems like it's worth playing for fps or Indy fans, especially with other sites reviews taking into consideration as well.

I'm more pissed off the physical copy is one 50gb disc and not multiple so the full game isn't playable without a download (likely full redownload of the whole game). That's WAY more of an 'issue' than a review score.

Much better than the past 2-3 years, mainly just due to to BLOPS6, FS2024, Stalker2, and Indy all smashed into the fall of 2024.

Sucks I gave up after spending money for ultimate for years mainly just playing through the Yakuza series. That is the only thing I don't regret with the sub. Hey at least everyone now benefits, I'm too far gone to be paying their Ultimate sub. They burned me for too long so I'm back to buy what I want and discs only.

For Xbox? They could announce the next console but with what is going on with supply, China banning some imports, potential tarrifs for US incoming... I don't think we will have anything shown at all. Only thing that would make sense is maybe more on Gears E-Day or Doom The Dark Ages with potential release dates.

Pretty much everyone preaching what I've said on and off since forever. The worry this gen of current gen games on disc for Xbox games is the last/end. Next gen might have an external disc drive (extra cost) for previous gen games but sounds like that's it at best. If they do any games on disc next gen I'll be completely and utterly shocked then I'll be there for the console to support it.

GamePass 'poisoned the well' for game sales and well more specifically disc Xbox game sales. The less disc based releases happened the less now newer games came to disc so then "Smart Delivery" games are primarily happening with cross gen lasting way too long without Series X builds on a single 50gb disc and here we are in "Xbox Series gen disc botched hell" for new disc releases. You have to go to doesitplay, looked at a reddit list someone put together with community help for testing since doesitplay barely bothers with Xbox, or just take the chance with buying and finding out how bad a new game "on disc" ends up for each release that does make it to disc for Xbox.

Rarely are Series X games full playable start to finish without the internet nowadays for a large download due to the 50gb disc limit unless the publisher pays for 2-4 discs printed. Which happens but not often. Especially 1st party games that you want to keep but nope Microsoft cheaps out to save a few dollars per copy on games Halo Infinite and Starfield without multiple discs, just absolutely shameless.

Microsoft takes 30% of the cut from publishers on the Xbox store itself.....you put your store on another store that's what is going to happen.

Literally any game stuck at 30fps.
If the power is there on console why also end at 60fps give us 120fps upgrades.
End of story.

When all of SEs current and previous gen games come to Xbox the better, hell even Switch 2 if the hardware can handle it.

I'll only double dip if there are physical releases. Waited and waited for FF Pixel Remaster to get physical on Xbox, still no word. Bit the woot deal for $45 PS4 disc. Still wanting a disc for Xbox & SE.......

It's gameplay and organization of missions is good. But the asset pop-in is extremely embarrassing to the point it is a LEGIT PlayStation 1 quality models. Maybe even worse.

After playing a few missions today getting this on Series X over PS5 due to lower VRR window, I'm happy to say 'SPEED mode' (Performance Mode) is very good and hard to spot/feel any drops. The only downside is the texture pop-in for better assets. Time to try Quality Mode to see if assets look better and if it's worth the drop in fps.
Otherwise this is a very strong entry with fun and a bit different gameplay merged together. Definitely worth $50 USD on sale.

@Gkobz correct it's not all games but larger games are the most common with the issue.

@Major_Player also this could help. I love the better down to even 40hz VRR window, VRS, Dolby Atmos sound and Quick Resume on Series X vs other platforms. But I've grown tired of not full games on disc, or having to re-download more GBs versus the original FULL game download day one again when a major patch happens on Series consoles but not on PS5 or PC. Seriously tiring and unnecessary stuff.

At minimum 4-6 AA or AAA heavily MARKETED (one every 2 months is ideal) NEW games releases (not remakes/remasters) of 1-3 being 1st party owned Microsoft IPs (even done by a 3rd party) with physical disc releases within 3 months of digital release.

Is that gonna be too hard to ask for 2025 ffs?

I use mine at least once a week for one reason or another with a Series controller mostly even. You don't have to settle for the 360 controller if you don't want to just get a Brook adapter.

Still one of the best libraries of games on a console to date (even if OG is my fav Xbox) and vastly superior versions of most (not all) games of 7th Gen. Just make sure if your looking into buying one now in 2024 or early 2025 get an S or an E version they will last way longer.

Nothing!
Waiting for disc deals of course. Nothing even decent yet but looking for SW Outlaws if it hits under $40 USD.
I have most Series X games I want on disc that even have released and played them.

It's been a complete disaster.
No backup way to play, I've learned my lesson with an online only game.

If Kadokawa group goes to PlayStation that's much bigger blow than Activision going to Microsoft in a 3rd party state.

Likely means no From games on Nintendo or Xbox again.

Yeah, they are not wrong.

Still $20-$30 too much for the size of storage and speed.

More polish for a performance mode would be helpful to get more players (engagement) as too many people are done with 30fps (unless it's an old game non remade or remastered).

Doesn't matter how many games are coming this month or next not every game is for everyone. But a little space for marketing is a good idea.

@nomither6 it's easy to forget because they generally are okay general usage or light work but sick for anything related to gaming. They are the Apple-like hardware Microsoft makes at super high prices.

@Balaam_ same, I'm probably gonna invest in recaps for my OG Xbox and a cleanup before mine gets too old. Since full BC doesn't exist I still need my OG to go back or pick up a new to me game here and there.

@nomither6 Surface is made by Microsoft. Tablets, laptops and desktops.

The ship officially put up the white flag.
Sad to see the Xbox brand not go for big exclusives or timed third party games when their own games are timed to their consoles.

And for us that want to use old or current gen Series Xbox discs the future is a SUPER unclear if next consoles will have a disc drive built-in or optional.

The masses have spoken and they destroyed the physical option. Thanks jerks.

The biggest issue is if the push is for digital only platforms then the likelihood for a disc-less next generation console(s) only are starting to become more real.

There is a small chance the first launch units will have a 4k drive or they will offer an external drive for older games. Though next generation games might not get disc versions. Really sucks and hope I'm wrong but their focus on digital content and GamePass mostly is at the doorstep of killing the Xbox console physical game option.

Then why would I get an Xbox console over a PC? Especially if they are catering more towards PC gamers in their growth? The only reason I can think is console price vs PC that's it.

@JH64 we are probably at least a decade to 15 years from something like that unless big breakthroughs happen in AI or AI hardware.

100% correct. It could be anything today and something else completely tomorrow if the design/contracts are yet to be finalized. BUT we are about 2 years out of a 2026 console so if that is coming the design should be basically done. If 2027 it's still up in the air.

I mean....that's Zelnick the head of 2K, not Rockstar nor a dev/director at Rockstar.

I'm sure it will run on Series S but it will probably be 'not a good experience'. I hope I'm very wrong for everyone with a Series S.

All the BC support we got and FPS Boost for older games. Also Halo Infinite Multiplayer beta and the first 2-3 months of Infinite Multiplayer.

Otherwise...maybe seeing Flight Sim 2020 actually running at all on console. Also yesterday when Death Stranding came to Series consoles.

That's about it, generation might go down as worse than Xbox One besides much much much better hardware in the Series consoles.

Not like Silent Hill at all.
Only reason to state anything related is the creator and composer are doing this game, otherwise it's an action game with horror elements.
Silent Hill is more walking horror puzzle simulator with action elements.

Mass Effect 1, loved ME2 besides the bizarre ending. Just thinking about it again makes me laugh so hard how dumb it was.

@Darylb88 I guess that's true but more than a few saying the story isn't good is a pretty big problem for an RPG. Hell I hated the story in ME2 and ME3 and suffered through them for the good gameplay and actually good side stories/conversations. I guess it isn't much different than old Bioware tbh here either. Maybe I'll give this one a go on sale at some point.

Not even a month wait, no issue from me as November is WAY busier than December.

Really surprised by the review on this site versus MrMattyPlays and Skill Up. This game looks sooo good technically on consoles and PC. The combat as well sounds pretty great. But that's it is it, just a wet blanket for the RPG and the story.

I was interested in this one even with the idiotic discourse going around. I think it's a total skip unfortunately especially for diehard fans.

One of the better CODs

As long as they actually bring new games to the current Microsoft platforms (sometimes timed exclusive at least) and more third parties land on Xbox it's whatever.

@JayJ if buying the game outright was one way or a subscription was another method to have access then that's fine just like GamePass does it, then whatever. But this isn't it, don't wall off features from the FULL paid release. This isn't a skin it's a game feature.

With good reason.... Or at least only multiplatform very select titles.
They are seeing people saying what is the need for an Xbox console which will equal less GamePass Ultimate subs, EVEN less console sales, and in reality less 'purchasing' Xbox ecosystem digital games (and don't get me started on Microsoft basically killing disc games internally too).
Also how are they going to position a "most advanced & powerful Xbox console" that is rumored 2026 or maybe 2027 WITHOUT some console exclusives. Sorry there needs to be at least a few (even just timed) like Sony has for PS5: Demon's Souls remake, Astro Bot, Stellar Blade, Rise of Ronin, etc.

They need to have a real hard look at if the planned multiplatform plans will cannibalize many other avenues of income.

It was just 76 stuff.
I can't say I was underwhelmed, it was more of a 'extreme let down' that not even Fallout 3 remaster was ready for the 1st ever 'Fallout Day'.

What was shown was more of a "E3" update for 76 not a big day announcement. Which I'm sure will be fun but ....yeah. 🤦
Letdown after letdown after letdown at Microsoft. Never ends.

Why do we have to penny pinch FEATURES now in full price games? Also has a TIME LIMIT for the audio service. What the actual F?

This industry sucks.

Seamus definitely a huge part of the reason Xbox exists. Stuff like this makes it sound like it was near impossible back then and almost never happened. Brings everything into perspective.