Finally, after a long month of painstaking yet thrilling news, I feel confident to tackle the Xbox One – the final contender to review regarding the 2013 Console War. Microsoft encountered an extremely chaotic stance battling against the Wii U and PlayStation 4 ever since articles and videos regarding the Xbox One began circulating. One of the most notable issues: the price. It was announced that Xbox One will hit the market with a price tag of $499.00, which is a hundred dollars more than its acclaimed “mortal enemy” the PlayStation 4. I believe it will be one of the underlining factors people will take into consideration when wavering between which one of the new generation consoles will sit in their living rooms for years to come – especially in these present times of economic decline around the world. After watching the 2013 Electronic Entertainment Expo, I can honestly say that Xbox One and PlayStation 4 each have their own unique features to offer to the public. For example, Xbox voice control via Kinect device is pretty awesome. But do I think it’s something $100+ worth? Not really. At the beginning, yes, I can see people going insane overusing the voice commands. But after a while, I can see it becoming tedious, unnecessary, and annoying to an extent.
Speaking of the Kinect, Microsoft announced numerous features the device will provide with the launch of the Xbox One. Kinect will not only recognize your voice commands, but also it will be able to identify your gestures. You’ll be able to change from movies to a game back to movies with only the sound of your voice or hand movements. Also, Kinect will be able to identify players and switch profiles and preferences by recognizing how you hold the controller (isn’t clear if the feature will be available for all games made for the Xbox One). The features are indeed cool, but why would I pay $500+ for a console that just lets me interact with my television? To help me “not waste time” pressing an input button on a remote control? As a fan of efficiency, the Kinect fails to impress me. This is a gaming console, plain and simple. Catering to other forms of entertainment I believe strips the Xbox One from its essence.
In addition to the underwhelming qualities Kinect has to offer, Microsoft engulfed its followers with policies and restrictions that resulted in one of the most scorching backlashes I’ve read about in quite some time. I was not surprised with the negative reaction overhaul Microsoft had to endure. Even though Microsoft explained during E3 that the company was moving towards a more internet based market, it doesn’t take away the fact Microsoft basically force fed those new regulations to its followers. You want to move into an internet based market, by all means, try it. But you have to ease YOUR people into it and not shoved it down their throats. I can understand how Xbox One’s previous features now gone can upset some people. Whay I do not understand is why Microsoft could not enhance the system by adding the new features and giving the choice to gamers on how they would like to manage their gaming experience. Below you will find a table explaining the “Xbox 180 phenomenon” with the before and after of the policies along with the effects on the Xbox One:
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Though the Xbox One is still suffering from repercussions of their horrendous first impression, I have to say that Microsoft did a rather excellent job presenting its roster of games. During E3, Microsoft started off strong by showing Konami’s Metal Gear Solid, The Phantom Pain. The graphics looked so polished and refined. And the song playing in the background while the trailer was playing was a treat. I was thoroughly impressed and would not expect anything less coming from Hideo Kojima (director of Kojima Productions and creator of Metal Gear). Microsoft maintained a powerful image of the Xbox One throughout the presentation by disclosing games like Dark Souls II and Ryse: Son of Rome. Dark Souls II’s trailer shows this kickass motherfucker PWNING enemies with a sword on one hand and a crossbow on the other while guarding your back from colossal elemental creatures – fucking amazing. It gave me a God of War feel to it, but still phenomenal. In Ryse: Son of Rome you find yourself in the midst of a war slashing a few throats, piercing people’s torsos with spears, and dismembering a few others before the trailer ends. Then before I could digest all the awesomeness, Killer Instinct shows up in the screen. You read right. Killer FUCKING Instinct. Needless to say I geeked out like no other. I have to admit it actually made me jealous that game is only for Xbox One. Such a classic fighting game and SO well done… And it didn’t stop there. Sam Lake, Remedy’s creative director and writer, came to the stage and presented Quantum Break where you’ll be able to stop time and manipulate the outcomes of time itself. Can’t say I didn’t love it. Or what about when Dave McCarthy (a general manager at Microsoft) presented Project Spark? A game where you “make a game a game itself.” You play a god like role by creating a world from scratch to your very own liking. Use your voice to start building landscapes and create life! Then shit gets real with Josh Bridge and Mike Jones from Capcom Vancouver bestowing the world of Dead Rising 3. Thrilling and anxiety provoking, clearly on of the best zombie games I’ve seen in a while. The HORDES of zombies make it “realistic,” kinda like The Walking Dead. We’re not talking about 3 zombies in a room and once you shoot them you’re good. More like 142 undead on your back while having another 357 looking at you in the face. Your only chance of survival is not only taking a hold of anything you can use as a weapon – whether it’s a gun, sledge hammer, or an electric saw –, but also you ingenuity in combining those weapons to massively increase your chances of survival! Kudos to Microsoft.
There you have it! The gist of this 2013 Console War, exposing each company’s strengths and weaknesses for you to decide which one will make it to the top. Is Nintendo going to triple jump to the top? Will Sony annihilate the competition? Or Microsoft plans another compelling comeback?