Xbox Games Showcase

[Ambrose Burnside]

I really do respect the lack of bullshots in the Halo reveal. But surely what was shown off was the Xbox One version. It looks worse than Gears 5 FFS. That's insane, and I don't think I'm exaggerating.

PS5 hasn't been much better. Their big launch game is an expansion pack for Spiderman.

Covid would have fucked things up big time, but still. I'm probably in the minority because "woo shiny things!", but I wouldn't be against them delaying next gen until Christmas next year if this is what they're shitting out for a 2020 launch.

But hey, instant loading right? Woo!

[t0mby]

Regardless of whatever version it was it was shown on PC which gives me a chuckle.

[Peppermint Lounge]

Much better. All looks in-engine:

Psychonauts and Stalker 2 a couple of other standouts for me.

[Madmya]

I thought Halo Infinite looked pretty good. There's clearly work to do, but it was nice to see an honest demo. I'm surprised no one is really talking about the open world move for Halo. That's going to have an impact, and I'm suspect it's the right move. But then again, 343 Halo games... they're okay but hardly setting my loins alight (really Ambrose? Halo needed to shit on everything? Or are you talking purely from a visual standpoint?), so a change in direction may not be the worst. At least we know multiplayer will be rad. This whole releasing an unfinished game thing is pretty bullshit though.

Was hoping we'd see more of Fable.

I just do not understand the point of crying that all of these games are on PC. If you've got a kick arse PC that can run these games, be thankful you don't have to buy an Xbox. Use that money to buy a Nintendo or Sony. It's win/win.

[unfnknblvbl]

Halo Infinite looks... OK. Maybe not "next gen" but aside from ray tracing, there's not really all that much room for improvement moving on from the Xbox One X, IMO.

Not keen on it being a rolling development platform though. That shit works for Minecraft, not not a story-driven campaign.

Forza looks like tits, of course, and that Everwild game looks gorgeous.

...but given that it's all coming out on PC, why should I bother?

[Candy Arse]

I thought Halo Infinite looked pretty good.

[Candy Arse]

I just do not understand the point of crying that all of these games are on PC. If you've got a kick arse PC that can run these games, be thankful you don't have to buy an Xbox. Use that money to buy a Nintendo or Sony. It's win/win.

This I 100% agree with, it just opens up their audience and leads to more sales.

Forza Horizon 4 max settings on PC

[lestat]

Much better. All looks in-engine:

Psychonauts and Stalker 2 a couple of other standouts for me.

This game intrigued me, Remedy are involved and I played the MP beta a few weeks back which looked good.

I had no idea they were working on a single player campaign.

[lestat]

Forza Horizon 4 max settings on PC

Looks like Series X might get some higher LOD settings than the PC version. Similar to Gears 5 which is getting some even more enhanced settings not available on PC.

DF also commented what we saw in the Forza reveal was better quality reflections than GT.

[flipswitch]

Is there any new content?

Oh. If you own it digital you get the free download on XBSX.

[lestat]

No word on new content being added, I think they're focusing now on Fable and the next Horizon game.

[Madmya]

Similar to Gears 5 which is getting some even more enhanced settings not available on PC.

Weren't you arguing with me recently that Gears 5 wouldn't be 60 fps on SeX?

[lestat]

Yeah they was that benchmark they showed earlier in the year where it wasn't running 60fps.

I think MS need to show people some actual vides with all the improvements Games will get. Pretty much that seems to be the main benefit/reason to own the system day 1 it now seems.

DF brought up how little we know about the actual day 1 experience you'll get plugin this thing in. We're only 3-4 months away now.

[Madmya]

Pretty sure you just misinterpreted the video.

[Ambrose Burnside]

really Ambrose? Halo needed to shit on everything? Or are you talking purely from a visual standpoint?

No Forza, no Gears, next gen games showcase headlined by Halo.

Halo needed to show us all why we need to upgrade. But they showed us (what I really, really hope) is an Xbox One game. Nothing about it screamed next gen, yet it was Microsoft's big first party exclusive.

Sony haven't been much better (Spiderman expansion pack) but Sony haven't had their arses handed to them this generation either.

I do admire Microsoft's strategy and support for the OG Xbox One, through the Series X, right up to high end PCs, but when you're showing off the latest Halo game 4 months out from next gen launch, you show off the best you've got, and if that's it, boy oh boy wowee

I don't buy the argument that supporting the OG Xbox One is "holding them back" either. Games on their lowest settings (with mods, but still, it shows what's possible) on PC look almost unrecognisable. And they're not held back:

[Madmya]

So yes, you are coming from a visual standpoint.

[Ambrose Burnside]

Well, it's Halo, and most people just want more Halo, so I wouldn't expect too much innovation in a gameplay sense.

Although I am worried the "10 years of updates" thing means it'll be a game as a service, and that's an innovation I do not want

[Madmya]

They've got more Halo.

[Ambrose Burnside]

I thought Halo Infinite looked pretty good.

[Madmya]

Get your shit together.

[Candy Arse]

Ambrose stop your bitching. Were you expecting next-gen visuals or something?

Check yourself before you wreck yourself. It's XBONE Halo running at 60fps! True next-gen

[Madmya]

I was just trying to help him out!

Phil Spencer has done so much right, but he's really got the whole unveiling of SeX very wrong. From the very first game showcase being comprised of lower-tier development houses to Halo lacking one of the biggest features of the console - ray tracing.

[Ambrose Burnside]

Ambrose stop your bitching. Were you expecting next-gen visuals or something?

Check yourself before you wreck yourself. It's XBONE Halo running at 60fps! True next-gen

Silly me! Gotta get my shit together or something.

[Candy Arse]

Ambrose stop your bitching. Were you expecting next-gen visuals or something?

Check yourself before you wreck yourself. It's XBONE Halo running at 60fps! True next-gen

Silly me! Gotta get my shit together or something.

Get with the program bro. Not sure what you were expecting in your next-gen Xbox reveal?

[t0mby]

I'm sure that when some titles get shown running on Series X hardware we will be impressed but so far nothing has been confirmed as running on a next gen console from Microsoft.