Verdict
The Xbox Series X doesn’t win on launch exclusives, however on the subject of options it’s an incredible little bit of package, with highlights together with Quick Resume, Smart Delivery and Xbox Game Pass. These are all components that can outline Xbox for years to return, and usher in a brand new period of gaming with spectacular fashion.
Pros
Sleek and premium design is a daring departure from earlier consoles
Xbox Game Pass presents a shocking degree of worth
Quick Resume is a sport changer for the platform
SSD makes video games and functions quicker than ever
Cons
Lack of huge exclusives may flip away informal gamers
User interface and general design may be very acquainted
Key Specifications
Review Price: £449
Capable of Native 4K and 120fps
Storage: 1TB
Support for Dolby Atmos and Bluetooth 5.1
Release Date: November 10, 2020
Backward appropriate with Xbox One video games and peripherals
Microsoft’s plan for the way forward for gaming is to not depart anybody behind. It hopes to make sure that a variety of gadgets – no matter what they’re able to graphically – will have the ability to entry an unlimited library of video games, on-line mates and a rising, service-driven ecosystem.
The Xbox Series X sits on the forefront of this imaginative and prescient, appearing as Microsoft’s flagship console for the approaching era, and a direct rival to Sony’s PlayStation 5. According to Microsoft it’s probably the most highly effective video games console ever launched and can act as a benchmark for brand spanking new experiences. If that wasn’t sufficient to tempt you, it additionally hopes to embrace the model’s legacy via backwards compatibility.
So, has it been profitable on this mission? Or does the present lack of worthwhile exclusives within the early months of launch stop it from being a machine price proudly owning? I’ve spent weeks with the console, and might confidently say the Series X is a monster. It’s able to obscenely quick loading occasions, crystal-clear efficiency and a degree of fluidity I’ve by no means seen earlier than.
Microsoft has spent years making an attempt to earn again the gaming identification it relinquished with the mediocre launch of Xbox One, and below the management of Phil Spencer, it’s now nearer than ever to main the pack. So, let’s break down precisely what makes this next-gen console so particular, and think about whether or not you could need to decide one up.
Related: Best Xbox Series X Games
The controller is a strong enchancment due to the addition of a share button and a textured grip.
Xbox Series X Review – Design and connectivity
Microsoft has deserted earlier design conventions with the Xbox Series X, choosing one thing extra akin to an workplace desktop PC than a standard gaming console. It’s a courageous departure, and certainly one of which I’m positively a fan. At first look it might seem needlessly cumbersome, but it surely has slotted below my desk, alongside my present TV setup with ease, the sharp corners and distinct profile making it a really perfect match.
Measuring 301 x 151 x 151mm and weighing 4.46kg, the Series X has a noticeable heft, however one which additionally exudes a level of premium high quality you’ll see in solely top-quality electronics. You could or could not respect the design, however you definitely wouldn’t have the ability to deny the craftsmanship. Taking sure elements of the Xbox One X blueprint, Microsoft expands upon them right here, sustaining visible motifs that set it aside from the much less highly effective Series S.
The energy button sits remoted within the left-hand nook, whereas the eject and sync buttons are seen alongside the disc drive and a single USB 3.1 port on the alternative aspect. Once once more, it’s a minimal but impactful method that Microsoft is aiming for, and each side of the Series X oozes this sense of favor. The remaining sides are left utterly clean, except 4 small nubs that cushion the console if it’s positioned on its aspect. Be warned, it’s additionally a fingerprint magnet.
Related: Halo Infinite
Unfortunately the Xbox button doesnt rotate to accomodate those that desire a vertical view
Be conscious of air flow although; the fan resides on the highest of the unit, indicating {that a} horizontal place is arguably the Series X’s ideally suited. On the rear of the unit you’ll discover the console’s ports alongside the decrease half, with the quantity lowered considerably subsequent to the Xbox One household of machines. Inputs embrace an HDMI 2.1 port, 2 USB 3.1 ports, an Ethernet port and a storage enlargement slot.
Memory enlargement is dealt with by bespoke SSD drives produced by Microsoft in partnership with Seagate. You’ll require a selected drive pace to deal with titles which can be optimised for Series X. They’re costly, and we’ve but to check one for ourselves, however the insertion and elimination of such gadgets is extremely seamless.
The controller is a small but worthwhile enchancment over the Xbox One peripheral. It feels extra comfy to carry due to a textured grip throughout the again and alongside the triggers. A share button has additionally been launched, making the act of capturing your epic gamer moments much more easy. Those who use rechargeable battery packs would require a USB-C cable, which is now the usual enter for the controller. Unfortunately, one isn’t included within the field.
Dolby Atmos and HDR are absolutely supported on Xbox Series X, receiving strong implementation within the majority of enhanced video games I’ve examined and searching positively attractive on my Sony X900H LED. Automatic HDR has additionally been included into backwards compatiblity, making use of the function to titles which had been by no means meant to assist it.
The outcomes might be combined, however are in the end spectacular given it may be unfold throughout three generations of {hardware}. More vibrant colors, sensible lightning and a sharper picture general throughout the vast majority of my library is a beautiful little bonus, and can probably solely enhance as Microsoft hones it additional in future updates. On my show I needed to disable Dolby Vision when switching to a 120fps output, which is a worthwhile compromise given the efficiency achieve.
Related: PS5 vs Xbox Series X
The console design is sharp, angular and downright monolithic
So, what concerning the omissions? The infrared blaster and HDMI passthrough have been deserted, largely as a result of that is now a devoted video games console, slightly than an “all-in-one media station”, just like the vanilla Xbox One. I’ve welcomed the flat, angular design of the Xbox Series X, which has made inserting cables from behind a relative breeze; slightly than having to fiddle hopelessly at the hours of darkness or having to elevate the heavy unit out of its resting place.
Overall, the design of the Xbox Series X is more likely to be polarising, particularly for many who are used to extra conventional consoles. To me, it’s clear that Microsoft is following a roadmap with this design, constructing creatively on what got here earlier than it to make sure the Series X is seen as its strongest console but. The monolithic nature of its design is purposefully impactful, making it the best older sibling to the comparably dinky Xbox Series S.
Xbox Series X Review – Specs and know-how
The Series X is probably the most highly effective console Microsoft has ever made, each by way of its specs and the tech being employed to push video games from the previous, current and future to new limits. I’ve seen the corporate’s daring claims come to fruition over the previous few weeks, with the console remodeling gaming experiences that after felt clunky and archaic into one thing that feels futuristic.
First, let’s begin with the foundations. Xbox Series X is powered by a customized AMD Zen 2 CPU with eight particular person cores working at 3.8GHz, certainly one of which is devoted solely to working system and consumer interface capabilities. While its structure stays largely unchanged, siphoning off such concrete assets to the UI ends in unfound ranges of fluidity. Even with ample quantities of energy, at occasions the Xbox One X continued to wrestle with system navigation; conversely, the Series X decimates obstacles with out hesitation.
As for the GPU, Microsoft as soon as once more groups up with AMD, with RDNA 2 structure being carried out into the graphics processor. Boasting a powerful 56 compute items with 3,584 cores, it’s able to pushing choose video games as much as a 4K at 120fps efficiency, which is spectacular even when in comparison with the most recent PC gaming {hardware}.
While the decision ceiling at present sits at 4K for gaming, Xbox Series X is in possession of HDMI 2.1 – which, technically, makes 8K output doable. However, you’ll probably solely see 8K resolutions for media playback on streaming companies equivalent to Netflix and Disney Plus as soon as assist surfaces. You’ll additionally want a high finish telly or monitor to really see the enhancements.
Related: Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S
On the again you’ll find a choice of small but important inputs
You’re most likely sick of listening to about teraflops as a nonsensical buzzword for probably the most highly effective consoles in the marketplace, so I’m delighted to report that Xbox Series X has 12.15 of the suckers. That’s roughly 4 occasions greater than the Xbox One X. Given that the aforementioned console continues to be able to pushing trendy blockbusters to native 4K with an honest degree of efficiency, this can be a frankly astounding specification.
Alongside the almighty teraflops you’ll discover 16GB of GDDR6 reminiscence, 10GB of which is being prioritised to video games themselves, The remaining 6GB goals to concentrate on computing capabilities, just like the consumer interface. In the long run, it’s probably that gifted builders will have the ability to focus useful resource administration to essentially assist this console sing.
Moving away from the innards, what does the Xbox Series X obtain outdoors of the field? With an absence of unique launch titles, there are third-party choices, backwards compatibility and a choice of optimised upgrades. Given the compromises which have weighed them down, Microsoft has executed a shocking job of showcasing the explanations its new console must be taken significantly, and it’s now the quickest console cash can purchase.
Related: Upcoming Xbox Games
The vents have a beautiful inexperienced hue which modifications relying in your viewing angle
The ceiling of efficiency sits at 4K/120fps, however the Series X isn’t able to propelling each sport to this graphical normal. Instead, experiences will range wildly, particularly with backwards appropriate earlier gen’ titles. This is a machine that may play tons of of video games unfold throughout the unique Xbox, Xbox 360 and Xbox One, offering profound efficiency and visible enhancements to the vast majority of them.
While this can be a constructive in each conceivable manner, it additionally means we’ve few choices to essentially push the Xbox Series X to its restrict proper now, which can probably delay the extra informal customers who would possibly as an alternative go for the Series S. It’s when graphical strategies equivalent to ray tracing and better body charges grow to be extra commonplace that Microsoft will really push the digital boat out to sea.
For now, we’re ready on the docks and enjoying with toys we’ve had for months, even when mentioned trinkets occur to look extra attractive than ever. Putting the delay of Halo Infinite apart, the long run is extremely vivid for Xbox Series X with the likes of Fable 4, Hellblade 2 and extra ready to be unleashed. The launch window additionally teases a heavy wave of third-party assist, with a selected concentrate on Japanese franchises equivalent to Yakuza, which appears to be like beautiful on the brand new console.
Xbox Series X Review – Graphics and efficiency
To take a look at graphics and efficiency on Xbox Series X, we performed a choice of video games via native backwards compatibility and people with particular optimisations for the platform. Following the set up of an replace, we’ve but to discover a sport outdoors of those who assist Kinect, which received’t play properly with the Series X. It’s merely a case of inserting a disc or putting in the appliance out of your digital library earlier than diving proper in.
The seamless nature of sustaining your present console expertise, however with so many quality-of-life enhancements, is extremely welcome – and that is evident within the loading occasions of each sport we examined. Whether or not it has obtained a bespoke replace to assist the console, Xbox Series X is able to reducing the time it takes to leap into video games considerably, whereas concurrently pushing decision and efficiency. For context, the beneath metrics discuss with loading from the title display straight into gameplay.
Backwards compatibility does have its disadvantages, nonetheless. If, previously, a title hadn’t obtained an replace to allow assist for the Xbox One X, it will possibly look significantly tough visually. While it’s clean and satisfying to play, Watch Dogs 2 is a multitude of aliasing artefacts and poor draw distances, because it’s working from the technological compromises utilized by the unique Xbox One {hardware}.
Similar complaints might be levelled at video games equivalent to Alien Isolation and Wolfenstein: The New Order, which don’t reap all the advantages of Series X merely on account of their unique state. This isn’t a deal-breaker, however one thing price taking into consideration for many who plan to dig deep into their present libraries. Those titles with devoted updates are a distinct story solely, with Final Fantasy XV being given a second lease of life with dramatically enhanced loading occasions and efficiency that’s now locked at 60fps.
It’s an analogous story with Monster Hunter World and NieR: Automata, which present that earlier era titles with unlocked body charges are actually capable of go a lot additional with out making the Series X break a sweat. Games with locked body charges can’t be modified on Series X, so it’s solely doable to learn from backwards compatibility to a level earlier than you hit a wall. Nevertheless, getting access to so many video games at your fingertips is a web constructive, even when they may very well be pushed additional with a little bit of tinkering.
Related: Best PS4 Games
The gang is all right here, and the scale variations are a tad overwhelming
As for video games which were optimised particularly for Xbox Series X, I tinkered with the next whereas testing for my evaluation:
Gears 5
Tetris Connected
Yakuza: Like a Dragon
The Touryst
Watch Dogs Legion
Gears Tactics
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Forza Horizon 4
Exactly what the phrase “optimised” means will range relying on the title, however you possibly can often count on improved efficiency, visible constancy and graphical options equivalent to ray tracing and 120fps efficiency that merely weren’t doable on the earlier era of consoles. Gears 5 is well probably the most spectacular instance, taking a third-person shooter that already ran fantastically on Xbox One X and enhancing it even additional.
(Left: Xbox One X, Right: Xbox Series X)
The Coalition has put its personal private contact into a brand new replace that builds on the visible constancy with elevated element throughout its characters and environments. Series X additionally allowed the studio to lower latency in controls, leading to a far smoother expertise general when actively reloading amidst hordes of locusts. The massive takeaway is 120fps multiplayer for these with appropriate shows, doubling the smoothness of the motion in a really vital manner.
Another flagship title is Yakuza: Like a Dragon, a collection that’s been a PlayStation mainstay since its inception – but it surely’s now hopped into Microsoft’s open arms. With the PS5 model set to launch in March 2021, that is the one method to expertise the seventh instalment on next-gen {hardware}. The eccentric RPG might be performed in two modes, one which prioritises efficiency, and one other that amps up the visuals to unprecedented ranges. You can discover screenshots evaluating the 2 beneath.
(Left: Xbox One X, Right: Xbox Series X)
Given its standing as a turn-based RPG, the vast majority of my playthrough was spent at 4K/30fps, pleased with the decrease degree of efficiency so the luscious cities of Yokohama and Kamurocho may actually shine. But in case you’d slightly play at 60fps at 1440p, the choice is there, and it marks the primary time the engine has achieved such a benchmark on console.
The reflections of streetlights in shallow puddles possess a luminescence on Series X that’s missing in older consoles, whereas the elevated decision permits characters and buildings to pop with aptitude. Aliasing and jagged edges are vastly lowered on each modes, exhibiting that some critical effort has gone into making Yakuza shine.
Xbox Series X – User expertise
The consumer interface for Xbox Series X is just about an identical to the earlier era, though the ability of the console permits for all the pieces to really feel much more cohesive and satisfying throughout moment-to-moment navigation. You can transition between menus and functions inside seconds, as an alternative of getting to attend for belongings to load on Xbox One. It’s such a stark distinction, and I discovered it arduous to return when revisiting older {hardware}.
Sharing screenshots and movies has been part of the Xbox ecosystem for a number of years now, and the brand new controller permits you to seize them with a contact of a button. It’s seamless, and all the pieces you’re taking might be mechanically uploaded to Xbox Live for saving and sharing after the very fact. Or, you are able to do it straight out of your console.
Related: Cyberpunk 2077
There’s nonetheless a number of extra hoops to leap via earlier than sharing a screenshot than I’d like, and the expertise lags behind the PS5 by way of general pace – but it surely’s a far cry from what got here earlier than it. Much like earlier generations, it’s probably that Microsoft will proceed to innovate the consumer interface in forthcoming years, however proper now I really feel it’s in a superb place.
Accessing your video games, partaking with on-line communities and even swapping video games between totally different drives is a breeze, demonstrating the affect of the SSD. Quick Resume is a revolutionary new function that’s modified how I method gaming on Xbox platforms.
It helps you to seamlessly swap between a most of six video games virtually immediately, dropping you straight into the motion with out having to load progress or anticipate an onslaught of logos to cross by. I used to be shocked by the fluidity of this function, branding it as witchcraft after Quick Resume was capable of recall the states for a number of video games after having been unplugged in a single day.
Related: Best PC Games
The SSD is caching situations of every sport into its storage, which the Series X is ready to swap between instantly. There’s no detrimental affect on efficiency or visuals consequently; you’re merely returning to a sport as if it’s been freshly booted. Certain titles that depend on a relentless web connection don’t assist the function proper now, which is comprehensible, however the truth that the vast majority of experiences each outdated and new assist this function out of the field is staggering. I did encounter a number of bugs, most notably being shedding all audio in Yakuza: Like a Dragon upon booting up by way of Quick Resume
Xbox Series X additionally comes with a 4K Blu-ray participant, which is much extra succesful than what was packaged with the One X and One S. Testing a movie that helps each 4K and HDR, the expertise was clean, responsive and the picture on-screen seemed positively attractive.
Should you purchase the Xbox Series X?
If you’re a passionate fan of the Microsoft model and have invested closely in its video games and {hardware}, the Xbox Series X is a necessary piece of package.
It builds upon the Xbox One household of consoles with a frankly startling vary of enhancements that places gaming on the centre of its ecosystem. While the choice of launch exclusives are gentle, the concentrate on backwards compatibility and optimisation of video games each previous, current and future lightens what may have been a blow to little greater than a prod.
Outside of the exclusives it does a incredible job bettering the general consumer expertise with the likes of Quick Resume, Smart Delivery and Xbox Game Pass. These are all components that can outline Xbox for years to return, and usher in a brand new period of gaming with spectacular fashion.
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Gaming Editor
Jade is the Gaming Editor at TechSwitch. She handles all issues gaming whether or not or not it’s information, critiques, occasions or foolish options. Seen at shops equivalent to MTV UK, Kotaku and TechSwitch (clearly…
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