It’s been a hella busy week, as we’ve had not one, but two next-gen consoles to review. The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X are both exceptional new bits of gaming hardware with power to push stunning graphics and/or high frame rates, carefully considered designs and interesting new possibilities, especially with the DualSense controller.
So… let’s break with the usual format and start this week’s round up with our console reviews. I hope you like my dinosaur planter!
Next-Gen Consoles in Review
I have a feeling that many of you in the comments will be more interested in our PlayStation 5 review. We separately discuss the capabilities of the DualSense controller as well, and how it truly transforms the feel of games.
We also took a long hard look Microsoft’s rival in our Xbox Series X review, describing it as “the continuity candidate” for next-gen gaming. It’s still powerful, fast and nigh on silent, but as we look at the nigh on identical new Xbox controller, will that be enough?
The consoles done, let’s check in on the news, and then visit some of the cross-gen and next-gen games we’ve been able to review.
In the News This Week
- Take-Two in talks to acquire Codemasters for almost $1 billion
- The PlayStation 5 versions of PS4 games do not support PSVR
- You can’t backup PS5 games on an external HDD, but you can on Xbox Series X|S
- Warframe is heading to PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, see the next gen trailer here
- Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order joins EA Play next week
- Sackboy: A Big Adventure online multiplayer will not be available at launch
- The Medium has been delayed until January 2021 for Xbox Series X|S and PC
- Control: Ultimate Edition PS5 & Xbox Series X|S release delayed to 2021
- Star Wars Squadrons is getting a next-gen upgrade with up to 120fps on Xbox Series X|S
- Here’s a look at the PlayStation 5 camera adaptor and details of how to get one
Games in Review
It was another strong week for the reviews, proving that this generation is ending on a high:
- Re:Turn – One Way Trip – PS4, XBO, NSW, PC – 9/10
- Supraland – PS4, XBO, NSW, PC – 9/10
- Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales – PS5, PS4 – 8/10
- Dirt 5 – PS5, XSX|S, PS4, XBO, PC – 8/10
- The Falconeer – XSX|X, XBO, PC – 7/10
- Jurassic World Evolution Complete Edition – NSW – 7/10
- Cloudpunk – PS4, XBO, NSW, PC – 6/10
- Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? – PS4, XBO, NSW, PC – 5/10
- Commander ’85 – XBO, PC – 4/10
- Fuser – PS4, XBO, NSW, PC – Review in Progress
- Yakuza: Like a Dragon – XSX|S, XBO, PS4, PC – Review in Progress
Featured Articles
Stepping away from the reviews, Francis Kenna blogged about Shadow of the Colossus and 15 years of storytelling mastery. Alan Wen also joined us to look back at the legacy of the Yakuza series, by ranking every Yakuza game from worst to best. Alan also interviewed Mizuki Hosoyamada on Puyo Puyo Tetris 2and some of its new ideas and inspirations.
Steve said that Twin Mirror looks set to be the culmination of Dontnod’s work so far, and I went hands on with Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition on PlayStation 5, soaking in its super sexy frame rates with the 120fps mode, and its thoroughly next-gen ray tracing effects.
Finally, What We Played featured Spider-Man: Miles Morales, the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X as our gaming highlights.
Trailer Park
Demon’s Souls State of Play released, watch 12 minutes of PS5 gameplay
Watch nine minutes of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla gameplay captured on Xbox Series X
Godfall’s launch trailer has landed, see some more gameplay here
Outriders post campaign content is called Expeditions, will feature the toughest challenges
Your Achievements
Here’s what you in our community has been up to this week:
- Crazy_Del got us going by completing the Star Wars Squadrons single player, started Watch Dogs Legion and is hoping to snatch his 499th platinum trophy with Diablo III this weekend.
- Earning his 14th platinum trophy, hornet1990 has been playing Horizon Zero Dawn. He’ll take a break before he returns for the Frozen Wilds DLC, but with what?
- MrYd has spent a lot of time in VR with Star Wars Squadrons and No Man’s Sky, while checking out Rage 2 and Warhammer: Vermintide 2 from PS Now.
- It’s been more Bloodborne for TSBonyman who has returned to an old save to see if he could get any further. (Spoiler: he couldn’t!)
- And to celebrate getting his internet access back, Andrewww has finally finished off The Last of Us Part II.
Well that’s it for this week, I’ll see you again soon!