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The stage is set for the next-gen console battle as Sony and Microsoft clash this November with the launch of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S.
If you’re looking to onboard from launch, it’s time to pick a side, as pre-orders kick in in anticipation of a surge in demand.
The Green Corner: Xbox, Game Pass and Infinite Halo
On November 10, 2020, two new Xbox consoles will launch worldwide: the X Series and the S Series. The X Series ($ 499.99) is an ultra-HD powerhouse, targeting a native 4K resolution. . The S Series ($ 299.99) aims for a lower resolution, 1440p (half 4K), and forgoes a disk drive as well.
Both devices will target a baseline of 60 frames per second. Microsoft claims both will hit 120 frames per second in titles like Infinite Halo and Gears 5. However, without seeing the hardware in action, we’ll have to take Microsoft’s word for it (especially when it comes to the S Series).
Buying a console at launch can often seem like a unfair deal. Few titles are available and those that are tend to be iterative sports titles or disappointing technical demos. Microsoft plans to address this problem with Game Pass, providing a library of more than 100 titles that people can play right out of the box. Most of these are titles that are already available on next-gen systems.
Game Pass doesn’t skimp on quality either. Own titles, such as Forza Horizon 4, Minecraftand Sea of Thieves (plus each aura game), will be available at launch. There is also a rotating selection of decent third party titles. As I write this, Resident Evil 7, Monster Hunter: Worldand Wasteland 3 they are all available.
Microsoft also announced that it will partner with Electronic Arts to bring EA Play to Game Pass over the holidays. This means that you will get all Microsoft exclusives, EA’s own titles, and a rotating line of third-party games with your subscription.
The biggest disappointment for many who were looking forward to the launch of next-gen Xbox consoles was the news that Infinite Halo it was pushed back to 2021. This was Microsoft’s killer title to bring consoles to living rooms for the 2020 holidays. The new consoles will now launch without big-budget exclusives and will rely heavily on Game Pass and future promises.
Fortunately, that future looks bright. Here are some of Microsoft’s own Xbox exclusives:
- A new Fable game.
- The next generation Forza Motorsport Title.
- A new game from Rare called Everwild.
- Obsidian Entertainment’s first foray into the open-world fantasy RPG genre, Declared.
There are other “timed exclusives” and “Xbox console debuts” next year. These include a follow-up to the legendary PC shooter from the mid-2000s, STALKER, Geiger-inspired horror show Disdainand Hellblade II—the next chapter of Senua Saga from Ninja Theory.
How much?
The Xbox Series X will cost you $ 499.99, while the S Series will cost you $ 299.99. Game Pass Ultimate, which includes Xbox Live Gold (required to play online) and access to Game Pass for PC costs $ 14.99 per month, but you get your first month for $ 1.
If you prefer to pay for a regular Game Pass console, it costs $ 9.99 per month. However, you will also need Xbox Live Gold to play online, which costs another $ 9.99 per month ($ 24.99 per quarter). Game Pass Ultimate is by far the best value, with over 100 games (even more on PC) and online games.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvnYVcp1oqk
Microsoft also offers Xbox Series X and Series S under its All Access plan. For $ 34.99 (Series X) or $ 24.99 (Series S) a month, you can get an Xbox console with Game Pass Ultimate. After two years, the console is yours and you can extend Game Pass if you want. This option is slightly cheaper than buying each console and a Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
Besides the hardware, a game can cost you up to $ 70 for this generation. Some publishers have already committed to the $ 10 price increase over the $ 60 of the last generation.
For the best possible savings, we recommend that you avoid the all-digital S Series. So you can always buy physical releases anywhere, including the second hand market.
What about backward compatibility?
Microsoft confirmed that both Series X and Series S will be fully compatible with previous versions of Xbox One, Xbox 360, and Original Xbox. The X Series will play titles that have been enhanced for 4K, while the S Series will have its own enhanced versions.
For maximum backward compatibility, be sure to choose an X Series with a disc drive so you can play any of your older discs. Digital titles will work too, whether you have them in your library or buy them from the store.
The Blue Corner: PlayStation, PS Plus Collection and Spider-Man
Sony will also launch two consoles in November: the PlayStation 5 ($ 499.99) and the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition ($ 399.99). Both will be released on the same day, but the release is staggered into two waves. The consoles will launch on November 12 in the US, Japan, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea, and on November 19 in Europe and the rest of the world.
Outside of the price, the only difference between the two devices is the presence of a physical disk drive. If you want the best possible deals or you also want to use your PS5 as a Blu-ray player, the more expensive console is probably the best option.
Sony’s first “exclusive” for PS5 will be Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, a continuation of the critically acclaimed 2018 Spiderman. While exclusive to Sony consoles, the game will also launch simultaneously on PS4.
You can expect a game with a shorter range, with Sony also promising a more compact experience, reminiscent of Uncharted: The Lost Legacy. The game’s release window is “Holidays 2020,” which means it might not be ready for the November 12 release.
The PlayStation 5 includes a bundled game called Astro Game Room. A follow-up to the PSVR Astro Bot rescue mission, the game guides new players through the PlayStation 5’s two-way controller. It should provide a fun distraction for new owners.
Sony’s answer to Game Pass is the PlayStation Plus collection. Required to play online and provides members with additional benefits such as free monthly games and discounts. On the PS5, members will also be able to download 18 of what Sony calls “generation defining” PS4 games.
This list includes titles of its own, such as God of War, Uncharted 4and Days gone. There are also a handful of third-party titles, such as Battlefield 1, Fallout 4, Person 5and Final Fantasy XV. It’s a far cry from the 100+ games available on Game Pass, especially since titles like Spiderman and Horizon zero dawn strangely missing.
When it comes to proprietary exclusives, Sony’s future lineup includes West horizon forbidden, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart, and the long awaited Demon souls Redo. Final Fantasy XVI It will be a PlayStation exclusive and a continuation of the 2018 one God of War it has also been teased for 2021.
How much will it cost me?
The PlayStation 5 will cost $ 499.99 or $ 399.99 for the all-digital edition. PlayStation Plus is required to play online and will now provide access to a collection of games for $ 9.99 per month or $ 59.99 per year. Sony has yet to announce any monthly payment plans that compete with Xbox All Access.
Like Xbox titles, some PlayStation 5 games will also cost $ 70 this generation. However, you can always save money by buying or buying second-hand copies if you buy the console with a physical disk drive.
What about backward compatibility?
Sony announced that the PlayStation 5 will be 99 percent compatible with PlayStation 4 titles. The company also confirmed that the “100 Best Games” for PS4 had been tested and worked on the new console. However, the company stopped short of stating general compatibility.
Unfortunately, none of the PS5 consoles will be compatible with titles created for Sony consoles prior to the PS4, at least not at launch.
Struggling to choose?
If you have a hard time choosing the console you want, you can always wait. Alternatively, if you have cash, you can buy both. For most people, the decision will be guided by the exclusives available on both platforms. Unfortunately, at launch, those games are very rare on the ground.
It’s no secret that Sony exclusives have been consistently excellent throughout the life of the PS4, with Microsoft somewhat lacking in this department. However, all of that could change this generation, with big-name studios such as Obsidian Entertainment and Double Fine joining Microsoft as own developers.
If none of the consoles pique your interest, it’s probably best to wait. If you don’t have an Xbox One or PlayStation 4, those consoles will have a significant price drop.
Of course, you can’t just buy any and build your own gaming PC.
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