Banjo-

@Ilyn I have a fancy TV, indeed (LG OLED G4).😁

Hey! Story-wise, you are not missing much if you skip Tactica. To be honest, I felt that the story was a tad boring. As my first game of this genre, it took me a long while getting used to the gameplay, but I enjoyed it eventually. I beat it, but I still haven't beaten the first Mario+Rabbids and have never played Xcom. I need to beat that Mario+Rabbids game, not sure what I quitted so quickly.

I also started with Persona 5 Royal on Xbox, then 4 Golden, then Persona 5 Tactica and finally Persona 3 and the DLC as soon as each was available. The DLC starts slow, you may feel that it's just putting more battles at you with nothing new to tell, which was worse in my case because I had beaten the game months before and the battle addiction was over. I guess this is what many players felt, but then the DLC starts giving more context, story elements and motivation to the player. Since you keep your personas but restart your characters, you can learn different skills this second time. I was surprised how long I played the DLC and how fast it felt, because levelling up seems faster. So I was disappointed in the beginning, but hooked after a few hours. I recommend it 100% as a freebie on Xbox.

PS: I loved Soul Hackers 2, especially because of the soundtrack and the story. I still think about it.

@Ilyn What I enjoyed about MGSV is how realistic it feels, not just the graphics but the gameplay. I beat that game, including the last, repeated, super difficult last missions, in spite of the final loop and the pointless end... I see that Death Stranding is a divisive game, but at this price and enhanced for Series X is a no-brainer.

@Tatoun It sounds like at times relaxing, at times intense and overwhelming.

@16BitHero That sounds good! I like subtle horror.

@16BitHero I have also played MGSV and although the graphics and gameplay are great, the story doesn't make any sense. How would you compare Death Stranding with other games?

@Savage_Joe Thanks. The poster updated that information already.

@kelomaniack I agree. Notice that Marathon, a new IP developed and owned by Sony, will be released for PS5, Windows and Xbox at launch.

@K1LLEGAL What's the matter with him now? 😂

@Godot25 @K1LLEGAL OK, so then the sequel also comes to Xbox, no doubt now.

EDIT: It's optimised for Series X|S, so another reason to get it on Xbox.

@Godot25 That's what I thought, that the original game was published by Sony and that it was a shared project between Sony and Kojima. If Sony funded the development, owns the IP and provided the engine, it's wild like @K1LLEGAL said, that they are letting this go to Xbox after Jim Ryan's antics around the world during the acquisition of ABK. That said, the new CEO said that the future of Sony is "multiplatform", PC and mobile, at the very least. It's similar to Square Enix, that also got a new CEO and more recently stated that they were going fully multiplatform.

@K1LLEGAL Yeah, I almost regret my first comment here seeing the notifications bubble going up, but if I remove it, the thread won't make sense LOL. Anyway, I didn't play the PS4 version, so I might consider this for my Series X.

@K1LLEGAL @UnusedBabyWipes Right, I meant the original version. Not that it matters much, more important is that Sony owns the IP and engine, according to the first poster.

@chesheer Was not the original version published by Sony? Not that it matters much, but I think you're wrong. The PC port was the one published by 505 Games.

@Godot25 Not only that, but it was published by Sony. Interesting. I guess that Sony is just following Microsoft's steps and becoming multiplatform, slowly.

Removing Sega Mega Drive Classics can only mean that another compilation is coming. The other titles will probably be replaced by remastered versions. I got everything I wanted just in case, including Jet Set Radio that was delisted because of the licenced soundtrack.

I could not be happier with Series X: FPS Boost, enhanced and free backwards compatibility and Quick Resume are my favourite gaming features ever! I only wish there was more FPS Boost support, Activision games for instance, and the return of Banjo and Kazooie. 😁

The exclusive Digital Foundry video about how Series X was engineered is a mandatory watch. Best thing since Xbox One X.

Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio, Streets of Rage, Shinobi and Virtua Fighter, on top of back to form 2D and 3D Sonic games... Sega fans can't complain!

@Stamnoso I have played all the Persona games that have been available on Xbox! I would recommend all of them, "Tactica" not so much unless you are fan of that particular genre (battlefield tactics), but start with Persona 3 and the DLC if you have Game Pass because it's all included. The DLC is included as a Game Pass Ultimate perk.

@The-Chosen-one It wouldn't mean that Xbox is leaving the console market because it wouldn't make sense and they have stated that they won't. If they release a handheld, it would be another option to play the same games you'd play on the home console. A hybrid device with enough power inside the dock could also be a possibility. One of the existing handhelds has an option for extra power when docked.

Regarding your question about the current handhelds, check this:

https://www.purexbox.com/forums/px_other_gaming/gaming_handhelds

@HonestHick Right! Microsoft has the OS, the cloud saves since Xbox 360 that still work and the biggest cloud infrastructure, so they head for an Xbox multiplatform future. I have no doubt about it. It will be their key to consolidate their gaming business (even more LOL). What they started with Xbox One, Play Anywhere, and continued with Xbox Cloud. PC, console, hybrid console, mobile devices and TVs. Native gaming and cloud gaming.

An Xbox handheld will be both exciting and extremely popular. A kind of evolution of Series S, now that the mobile specifications can be boosted significantly.

@mac_da_man Your conclusion is childish and wrong. I have been watching DF's videos for many years, and I know exactly what I'm saying. Your prejudices are also wrong, because I got a PS4 before an Xbox One when I noticed that most Xbox One games were 900p. I also used to compare Wii U, Xbox 360 and PS3 games back in the day. So, doubly wrong. Or thrice, because the outcome is not bad for Series X, performance is almost the same as PS5 and he does not even analyse the resolution -dynamic in this case- like the other DF members, Series X being the platform on which I'm playing it. I guess it's just so easy for you to say nonsense like that about other users for no reason, instead of saying something, you know, meaningful.

@PapaGlitch The opposite here. I came late to Xbox (Xbox One) and loved Gears of War, except 5. Halo is more serious, more boring in a sense, someone above said "flat", but I enjoyed the first entries and Infinite. Fallout is one I haven't even played yet. My favourite Forza Horizon is 3, perhaps because it's the first one I played. Okay, I ticked the three mandatory checkboxes now and I would choose Gears of War as the best. 😁

@MjJmediablogger Although I understand your view, I think that Xbox will always have a console, as long as there is a console market, because it makes sense financially. Xboxes are basically Windows PCs. The console market is evolving. I'm sure that the handheld PCs are pressuring Nintendo's overpriced and underpowered offerings and that Microsoft has realised that they need to go there, too. Sony is following Microsoft's steps slowly, although with many drawbacks: late ports, upgrade fees, no free cloud saves, no cross-platform saves... The fact that Sony created service and mobile studios and games is telling, although they haven't found success there yet. The future is multiplatform for Microsoft and Sony and a mystery for Nintendo (based on Wii U and Switch).

It plays and looks great on Series X and it's included in Game Pass Ultimate. The problem with PS5 Pro is that it makes any alternative look better, PC included because of the console price and PS Plus for online. Besides, if you already have a PS4 or a PS5, you probably need a separate disc drive for the games. PS4 Pro sold 88% less than PS4, and not only PS4 Pro was the same price as PS4 earlier, but it was actually almost worth it for 4K displays. How much will the new Pro sell? I am starting to believe that PS5 Pro is just a marketing tool for Sony and they only care about PS6.

Call of Duty Black Ops 6 has the best shooter campaign since Goldeneye 007, it actually reminded me a bit of it.

All Thomas Morgan's videos tend to favour PS. The PS5 version has almost the same frame rate drops. He almost rules the Xbox One X version out! I haven't found any issues on Series X in 120fps mode, although I use VRR as well. The Xbox One version is decent enough looking at the video, although not ideal. He also gives too much importance to the checkpoint saving interruptions.

@Gamer83 That's the great thing about Game Pass. I would add that you are playing the final version, because sometimes demos are different. It's also a joy not feeling forced to beat games that you are not enjoying for some reason, in my case, Wolfenstein Young Blood before Call of Duty Black Ops 6 was released.

@Henchdog Same. I checked 2D and 3D stages today and it's running flawlessly like before.

@NEStalgia Try it. There is a training course and you're saving $70. 😜

@HonestHick Yep, no problems with my Xbox One, Xbox One X and Series X either. My PS4, on the other hand... 🤣

The Switch version is the worst by far, as expected: not just half the frame rate but there are quality and frame pacing issues galore. What is shocking is that, according to John, the flawless Series X version of the original Sonic Generations is no longer flawless.

There are stutters and skips in both the gameplay and the audio.

I will need to check that out. What the heck happened?

@robe Another easy option is select the game tile, press Menu button, select Manage game and tick and untick whatever you want, then Save changes. That will keep, erase and install your choice.

For instance, BO6 Campaign (56.5 GB) and BO6 Multiplayer (43.3GB).

@HonestHick Oh, I remember telling you PS5 Pro is not worth it when it was revealed! 😁 It's a minimal GPU upgrade that will be vastly underused, and by the time next consoles come, it will be a very expensive paperweight. I'm curious about the noise and heat levels because Sony is not very good engineering consoles in that sense. It's like they take off-the-shelf components and then overclock them for the Pro model. Since Xbox One X, it's fascinating how incredibly well Microsoft engineer the Xbox consoles.

@HonestHick I forgot that Sony purchased Haven, a new studio developing Fairgames, an online multiplayer shooter. I hope it doesn't end like Concord.

It took a while, but now Xbox is firing on all cylinders. The world's biggest blockbuster and now Flight Simulator 2024, Stalker 2, Indiana Jones... plus the smaller titles.

@HonestHick Yeah, I will share my view which is necessary amongst so much negativity. Most of the daily posters here are anti-Xbox, you can see it, and that is sad because it makes the site worse and also because one can't help wonder what are they doing on an Xbox site every day, posting wrong things, if they don't care or like it, anyway.

I also enjoy your comments here and on Push Square, they are sensible and necessary. What you mention now is very important. On Xbox, you get the Windows version for no additional cost. The cloud saves are free and the same on console and PC. Achievements are the same. However, on PS, you need to make a different purchase to get the PC version. Trophies are separated, there are no free cloud saves and the save files are not compatible. Not even PS5 remasters of PS4 titles share trophies nor save files, an users need to pay the upgrade fee. While I always say that Sony is following's Microsoft steps, when I analyse both, I realise how many things Sony is doing wrong in the process.

@HonestHick Absolutely. The future is a combination of PC and all those devices that are PC-friendly and share features, libraries and payments. Today, they are PC handhelds. Soon, Xbox will join them as a PC-console with no barriers. It's impossible that Sony is able to sustain an expensive, consumer-milking and limited ecosystem like this. If Xbox removes the paywall for online, then there's nothing left on PS. No more Call of Duty early access or exclusive content, no more Final Fantasy exclusives and no more Sony exclusives either! I guess that it's why they are following Microsoft's steps, slowly and with more limitations.

@HonestHick 🙌 The strategy of Xbox is more future-proof than Sony's. Sony just closed their online studio and a mobile studio and lost half a billion. They are slowly approaching the PC market and just stated they needed more time to tackle the mobile market. They don't have many studios and have little more than one genre mastered, and it's their fault because they killed Wipeout and others just to focus on the interactive movie template. The rest of the budget was wasted on moneyhatting deals, not to mention their gigantic debt ($13.663B, a 3.57% increase year-over-year). This is what Sony has become.

Look at how Sony fans said that Microsoft would destroy Call of Duty and that Xbox will disappear, they still say it LOL. Truth is the Xbox ecosystem is ahead of Sony and Nintendo now.

@HonestHick 🤗 That's as desperate as Jim Ryan whining during the acquisition. They want third parties to skip Xbox specifically, but it doesn't benefit third parties. They realise that they need to stay multiplatform and avoid Sony's moneyhatting because it's just a short-sighted strategy. Then, Sony ports everything to PC. Basically, Sony paid third parties for skipping Xbox and now they are looking for more platform to publish their games. How does it make any sense? If all the money that Sony wasted on preventing the Call of Duty deal and on Call of Duty marketing and early access deals was spent on in-house projects, PS5 would have more than two AAA games so far.

@nomither6 The game looks great so far and I think it will be excellent, but damn, that jaw equals two men together. I'm still surprised that Microsoft didn't acquire Crystal Dynamics when Square Enix got rid of them, as they came later to rescue The Initiative. Missed opportunity.

Firing on all cylinders.

It's good to hear all these nice words about the campaign. I can't wait to start it on Series X. I was curious about Push Square's review, but they decided to review a PS4→PS5 remaster and post three articles about it today 😜.

I'm glad that it's being critically acclaimed and a resounding success on all platforms (including Xbox and Game Pass). I enjoyed Modern Warfare III, but this is much better. As for the studios versus Game Pass narrative, Sony just shut down two more studios and every big publisher has done the same since 2020, so it's not related to Game Pass. There are so, so many "indie" studios, that it's impossible that all of them are successful, but Game Pass is a great deal for those small (and big) studios included. Nintendo has a different strategy, they have become a skeleton company that barely makes games, but hire or buy small studios to make them with small budgets, while exploiting their fans (including myself). I'm not going to say no to the good value available on Xbox!

Nice. Critically acclaimed so far. Perhaps we should watch the original trilogy in the meantime?

@HonestHick Right. Things are not looking very bright for Sony at the moment and nobody plays their online games, but if they publish their single-player games everywhere (Windows PCs at least), they will find a way to sustain a business they can't on PS5 alone. Meanwhile and quietly, Xbox has become a multiplatform behemoth with a very solid software output on Xbox and PC on top of the very profitable mobile/Cloud business.

@OldGamer999 I'm looking forward to playing Avowed and of course the most anticipated reboot ever, Gears of War E-Day.

Excellent news! I literally waited until Starfield got a 60fps update to play more than a few hours. I don't care about resolution unless it's Switch-level resolution 🤣. I will play Indiana Jones at launch.

@cburg Where did you read it? I would love a 60fps mode and I would celebrate that. I don't care about resolution... unless it's Switch-level resolution 🤣.

EDIT: Just confirmed on Pure Xbox!