Yesterday marks the new beginning for Microsoft's gaming brand, as the review embargo has been lifted off and reviewers from all over the world were finally able to spill the beans about the Xbox Series X.
Now, it seems like everyone agrees on one thing: Xbox Series X has a very bright future with very powerful hardware packed into a quiet case, but what it lacks at launch that would surely contribute to the overall impressions are the games. Especially first-party games.
Halo Infinite was supposed to be a game that would carry this launch on its back but was unfortunately postponed to 2021. Reviewers had plenty of games available through Backwards compatibility but these are not titles that will demonstrate the power of the most powerful Xbox console, as Microsoft calls it.
As we sit tight and wait for the PlayStation 5 reviews to go live, here are a couple of highlights for the Xbox Series X review around the world wide web:
GameSpot - Unscored
"The Series X is an extremely refined Xbox and a great piece of tech that sets a strong foundation for Microsoft to better serve its console users. If you factor in the brand's development studio acquisitions and upcoming lineup of games, the future does look bright for the Xbox platform."
CNET - Unscored
"Now, I can't promise that future games won't eventually split off into Series X and Series S versions, with different visual features for each--but if you're a casual gamer, have a smaller TV or just want to spend less, I'm very comfortable recommending the Series S. As a long-time PC gamer who likes to play everything at the highest resolution and detail settings, I'll be opting for the Series X myself."
Game Informer - B+
"The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S introduce superb quality-of-life improvements like Quick Resume and the reduced load times over Xbox One or even Xbox One X, but don't expect a markedly different or revolutionary leap forward when you first power on the system. If you're simply looking for the best place to play your library of past, present, and future Xbox games, look no further than Xbox Series X/S."
IGN - 8/10
"We can only assume that the Xbox Series X will wow us with new and spectacular next-gen games eventually, because there isn't much to judge it on right now. But in the meantime, no matter what current games you throw at it, your loading times will be drastically cut, your framerates will be smoother, and your resolutions will be higher. This bold and minimalistically designed box is quiet, compact for both the power it packs and especially how it compares to the PS5, capable, and loaded with convenience features like instantly resuming and cycling between any of your recently played games."
Kotaku - Unscored
"All of this cross-platform play and sharing of the older Xboxes’ gaming libraries support my initial impressions. The Xbox Series X is not a traditional next-generation system. In fact, it challenges the idea of console generations as we know them. Continuing the model it established with the Xbox One X and One S, Microsoft is evolving the Xbox One rather than replacing it entirely."
Polygon - Unscored
"The Xbox Series X isn't the home of Microsoft's gaming universe; it's just one of many nodes, connecting outward to your phone, your tablet, your computer, or just a different (and cheaper) Xbox. It's not the place to play video games. It's a place to play video games--not only from the future, but also from the present and the past. The Xbox Series X is boring. I wouldn’t have it any other way."
The Verge - Unscored
"But the best part about the Xbox Series X is that it's not actually a PC. I don't have to worry about drivers, copious game launchers, or Windows updates ruining how my PC works. You turn the Xbox on, and you play games. If developers embrace the choice and performance options I've experienced on the Series X, I'd certainly be tempted to play far more on an Xbox with crossplay, cross-save, and keyboard and mouse support all becoming more prominent on Xbox."
Vicbstard - 4.5/5
"The Xbox Series X is a next-generation console that embraces the legacy of Xbox. Rather than brushing away all that has gone before, this new console builds upon and improves upon the Xbox One in every way. This is the Xbox of the future."
As a bonus here's a very heartwarming Xbox Series X|S Ad from Walmart, that strikes right in the feels:
