Why the launch library on Xbox Series X|S is so disappointing
I’ve experienced quite a few console generations in my lifetime, and I have to admit, I love getting sucked into the hype of it all: the constant speculation, learning about the technology under the hood, and of course, all of the new games. That last part is the most important, and it’s one of the biggest problems I have with the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S launch library — where are all the new games?
Xbox Series X|S New console, old games
The Xbox Game Pass is Microsoft’s digital gaming subscription service that offers more than 100 titles, including all of its first-party releases, and allows you to access them on the Xbox One, Windows 10, Android, and now Xbox Series X|S. The value on offer here is tremendous, and even greater when you consider that new first-party releases drop day one on Game Pass. Factor in the new console’s backward compatibility, and you have three generations of Xbox games available to you the moment you connect your console to the internet.
While this may be enough of a draw for some people, it’s a shame that there’s not one game at launch that makes use of the massive power contained in this machine beyond reflections in a puddle of water or a building window. And just to be clear, the PlayStation 5‘s launch lineup is just as lackluster, though it does have a few first-party exclusives, namely the remake of Demon Souls and Astro’s Playroom.
That not to say the Series X|S is just delivering 1:1 versions of current-gen games. The power of the system is not to be understated. The optimizations seen in select titles offer a glimpse at the real power of the Series X|S. Through the console’s Smart Delivery service, the Xbox Series X and S can update current generation games with new updates that give older games a fresh coat of paint. Gears 5, for example, will support higher resolutions on Xbox Series X and can support 120 FPS in multiplayer, which brings the game to that of a PC running at full ultra-level settings.
Next-gen? Maybe next year
So what are we left with then? A launch lineup of games that can mostly be played elsewhere on older machines, a back catalog of games I played 10 years ago, and optimized versions of the games I’ve already been playing.
With everything that has happened in 2020, it’s nothing short of a miracle that a new system launched at all, and what Microsoft has made available at launch makes the Xbox Series X|S an excellent value, I just wish there was a game or two that offered a truly next-gen experience at launch.
But I remain hopeful — new consoles tend to hit their stride after the first few years, and with 15 game studios in their camp, including Fallout and Elder Scrolls publisher Zenimax Media, Microsoft is poised to have an army of heavy hitters once they’re able to harvest the fruits of their labor. I’m excited to see what is in store for this generation of gaming, we’ll just have to wait a little longer to find out what the system is really capable of.
Leading 4K
Xbox Series X
The full next-generation experience.
Xbox Series X is Microsoft’s new flagship, as its most powerful console with over 12TF GPU performance and a custom SSD. It boasts up to 4K resolution and 120 FPS, full backward compatibility across four generations, and ray-tracing support.
Next-gen in HD
Xbox Series S
Experience next-gen gaming for less.
Microsoft serves the next-generation for less with its budget-friendly Xbox Series S. The console packs the same high-performance CPU and SSD technology as Xbox Series X, while scaling back the GPU and removing the disc drive.