English
Gamereactor
articles

State of Play: Xbox One

We consider the fortunes of another major console. This time it's Microsoft's new-gen machine that goes under the microscope.

Subscribe to our newsletter here!

* Required field
HQ

Part re-evaluation, part updated buyer's guide, we take a look at each platform in turn, framing it through the most recent announcements and what they mean for its future, as well as considering what the system offers as of right now and whether it's worth picking up, and giving our own personal recommendations for must-play games.

Now & Tomorrow

Before this console generation was announced and subsequently released, it would've been hard to imagine that Microsoft would be in their current predicament, with a new-gen console struggling in the face of gains being made by their biggest rival and their machine, Sony and PlayStation 4. It's all gone horribly wrong for Microsoft in the last year, since they unveiled Xbox One, released it, and watched it under-perform, all while Sony celebrated their successes (as loudly as possible), sticking the knife in whenever they could in the process. To call it a year of transition would be to put it kindly.

State of Play: Xbox One
This is an ad:

What's even more alarming is that it could have been much, much worse. Recent decisions, u-turns, and policy amendments, have all contributed to put Microsoft back in the game, and while they're not doing as well as they might like, right now they'll simply be pleased that they've made some positive moves and that things don't feel so bleak. Phil Spencer's promotion to the head of Xbox division is central to this turnaround, almost as much as the decision to ditch the Kinect camera and release a new SKU bundled with Titanfall (which is an exclusive - for now - and thus it makes sense for MS to juice that exclusivity for all it's worth, because it's widely expected that the inevitable sequel will land on a variety of different platforms, not just Xbox and PC).

While Microsoft were able to point to a successful launch - their most successful console launch no less - these claims fall flat upon closer inspection (there were stock shortages with Xbox 360 that held it back from what would have likely been superior numbers). All told, this last 12 months have been trying for the platform holder, and not likely what they would have expected after the admirable performance of their previous console, Xbox 360. At least things are getting better.

Looking forward, the picture looks like it'll continue to improve. There's the small matter of Halo, and we know at the end of this year we're getting Halo: The Master Chief Collection (a remaster collection including Halo 1, 2, 3 and 4), and along with that beta access to Halo 5: Guardians, which itself will follow in 2015. Add into the mix some more tasty exclusives like Forza Horizon 2, Fable Legends and Sunset Overdrive, plus all the usual third-party titles like Destiny, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, Assassin's Creed: Unity, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Batman: Arkham Knight, The Crew, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain and Evolve, and there's an ever-growing list of convincing reasons why it makes sense to jump up onto the next generation bandwagon.

State of Play: Xbox One
This is an ad:

Exclusives

One of the things that has saved Xbox One from oblivion at the end of last year was the strength of its launch lineup. There was plenty of decent titles on offer, from the third-party offerings that they shared with PS4 (FIFA 14, Call of Duty: Ghosts, Battlefield 4, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag), to a robust selection of first-party titles and exclusive deals that brought much needed diversity to the table. Forza Motorsport 5 and Dead Rising 3 are two fine examples of this (although other exclusives - Ryse: Son of Rome and Fighter Within - weren't so well received).

Since then we've seen a selection of triple-A and indie exclusives heading to the platform. The headliner is most certainly Titanfall, and it's hard to over-emphasise just how important it has been for the platform. Although not perhaps the game-changer that MS were hoping for (in terms of both gameplay and sales), it's been a positive for them in amongst the many negatives of the last twelve months or so.

State of Play: Xbox One

Apps & Interface

When it was launched, the much lauded interface simply wasn't ready. That they're still tweaking and adjusting it several months later is proof positive that what we were given when the console launched was not the finished product. For example, it's only been recently that we've been able to see how much battery is left in the controller via an on-screen indicator. Since launch there's be a few revisions, and the interface is looking much more settled now.

When it comes to Apps, it's a similar story, although perhaps a more positive one. There's still plenty of new programs set to come online in the coming weeks and months (for example, we're looking forward to getting the BBC iPlayer at some point). There's also the interesting new service that has been announced by EA, whereby players will be able to pay a subscription and play certain EA games on the console. It's too early to draw conclusions on this, but we're certainly going to watch developments with interest.

It has always been a part of Microsoft's vision to create an all-in-one box for the living room, and in this respect they're still leading the way. While the uptake of a new generation of consoles initially hangs on early adoption from the hardcore following, we can't help but think that the plan to focus on a broad spectrum of uses for Xbox One will pay off in the long run. For families or gamers wanting a complete interactive experience, Xbox One is still a viable option, perhaps the most viable.

State of Play: Xbox One

Peripherals

Obviously the most obvious peripheral to comment on is the Kinect, which has recently been stripped away from the console for the latest SKU. It'll be available to buy separately soon enough, though we can't envisage that many people pick it up. Is it any good? Well, that comes down to preference at the end of the day. While it's a marked improvement over its predecessor, there's still plenty of people who own one who don't even have it plugged in.

Elsewhere there's the standard controller, which we still really like; it feels like a genuine improvement over the Xbox 360 controller, even if the plastic finish on RB and LB is one element that leaves something to be desired. Another things that leaves something to be desired is the price, and the controllers are still ludicrously expensive (especially if you want the charger kit to go with it).

State of Play: Xbox One

Recommendations

Titanfall

State of Play: Xbox One

We mentioned earlier that Titanfall wasn't quite the revelation that we'd hoped it would be, but that's not to say that it isn't a very good multiplayer shooter. Visually it's decent enough, even if it never really blows you away, but it's the fusion of CoD-esque combat on the ground and piloting giant mechs into epic firefights that sets it apart from its peers. It's fast-paced stuff, and while the single-player-multiplayer campaign fusion didn't quite work for us, everything else about the game is hugely enjoyable, from the surrounding lore, the artwork, the level design, the playlists and the burn cards. Months on from its release, it's still easy to recommend.

Peggle 2

State of Play: Xbox One

Back on Xbox 360, it was Geometry Wars that broke the dam on Microsoft's digital gaming offerings. With Xbox One, it was the (timed exclusive) return of the PopCap champ Peggle 2 that properly ushered in the new generation of Xbox Live. Arguably it feels less robust, less rammed with content, than the original was (though the free multiplayer update earlier this year smooths things somewhat), but you'll still get a lot of joy - and lose too much time - because of this title.

FIFA 14

State of Play: Xbox One

With FIFA 14, football has never looked or played better than it does on Xbox One (and PS4). The visual update and the slight lowering of the camera did plenty for the formula, as did the new animations, improving an already solid and comprehensive football offering. Next season we're expecting to see more going on behind the scenes, with improve player AI and that sort of thing, and thus the incremental improvements that hit the FIFA series every year will continue. It's solid stuff, and currently the best football game on the planet.

Super Time Force

State of Play: Xbox One

In Super Time Force, wonderful pixel art is combined with a truly memorable time-rewinding mechanic, and the results are nothing short of spectacular. Throw a dash of off-beat humour into the mix, and you've got a console exclusive platformer that's well worth your time and money. Just don't blame us when your brain starts to hurt because of all the time manipulation.

Dead Rising 3

State of Play: Xbox One

The complaints that we'd had regarding the first two games in the series were nearly almost all fixed in this third game, and we enjoyed it immensely as a result. It still wasn't perfect, but it was great fun, and the zombie-filled sandbox world was worth exploring, and there was plenty to do (and craft) along the way. Perhaps it could have done with a bit more time in the oven, and it felt a little bit like it was rushed out the gate, but it was still a decent game and Dead Rising 3 is worth the price of admission.

Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare

State of Play: Xbox One

We never thought we'd spend as much time in PopCap's humorous multiplayer shooter as we have, but there is real depth to the class-based battles in Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare. The addictive pull of buying packs of cards to unlock new content and fill the sticker album, along with regular free updates with new modes, maps and characters, has us coming back to this addictive offering time and time again. It may not be as balanced and focused on individual skill as other shooters on Xbox One, but it makes up for it with humour and character.

Forza Motorsport 5

State of Play: Xbox One

The only major criticism we can really level at Forza Motorsport 5 is a lack of content, and it that respect it seems corners were cut in order for the game to make it out as a launch title (we didn't like the Top Gear voice-overs either - though we accept we're in the minority on that one). Every other aspect of the game had us impressed, from the crisp visuals and beautiful tracks, to the car handling and Drivatar system that uses other player's actions to define the AI in the single-player game. More content is being added, and you can buy additional cars via DLC bundles (though given the relatively slender selection that comes with game, perhaps these could/should have been given for free), and Forza 5 is still the racer to beat on new-gen.

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag

State of Play: Xbox One

There was the question of whether it should be Black Flag or Watch Dogs in here as our recommendation, but it's Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag that gets the nod from us, and for a variety of reasons. We're sure that Watch Dogs will warm up and improve in future iterations, but as far as we're concerned Ubisoft has almost perfected the art of the open world Assassin's game with their latest entry. The world is beautifully constructed, the story is well-written, and there's no Desmond to sour things in-between historical missions.



Loading next content