The Xbox Series X Review: Ushering In The Next Generation of Game Consoles
by Brett Howse on November 5, 2020 9:00 AM ESTGameplay Analysis: Gears 5
As one of the few titles available pre-launch that is “Optimized for X|S” platform, Gears 5 is a great chance to see what some of the optimizations might bring about for the Xbox Series X. With the Xbox Series X offering about double the GPU performance, and far more CPU power on tap compared to the Xbox One X, we should be easily able to see games that ran at 4K 30 FPS jump up to 60 FPS, and 4K60 jump up to 4K120.
Gears 5 Cutscenes
The first optimization that is instantly noticeable moving between the Xbox Series X and the Xbox One X is how much smoother the cutscenes were. With the additional hardware the newly optimized game jumps from 30 FPS on the Xbox One X to 60 FPS on the new console.
Xbox One X Texture Sample
Xbox Series X Texture Sample
Zooming in on individual frames, the Xbox Series X is also able to leverage more detailed textures as well, as everything in the scene is much sharper than it was on the Xbox One X.
Gears 5 Gameplay
Gameplay was a different story, as both the Xbox One X and Xbox Series X both allow for 60 FPS gameplay, although the Xbox Series X will offer 120 FPS multiplayer, at the expense of visual quality. The Unreal Engine 4 used in Gears 5 uses dynamic resolution to keep the framerates at or close to 60 FPS on both consoles, but with the more powerful hardware on the new console it is able to keep the average resolution higher and with a higher framerate.
Gears 5 was first released over a year ago on PC and console, so it is interesting to see Microsoft choose it as a launch title for the Series X. The move to 120 FPS multiplayer should be a boon for smoothness and latency, although it will almost certainly require a new television to get the most out of, and with variable refresh rate available as well. Still, this is a nice update for the Gears 5 game. The optimizations have been around both visual quality, as well as framerate and latency, and show off what tweaking existing titles can do with the new hardware.
Here's a clip of Gears 5, showing the new 60 FPS cutscenes with the high-detail textures on the Series X.
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jabber - Thursday, November 5, 2020 - link
Tough call releasing a very non-essential bit of tech in the middle of a pandemic and economic downturn.Yojimbo - Thursday, November 5, 2020 - link
Gaming is strong because people are going out less, and it's not really an economic downtown. More like a big interruption. It remains to be seen what the longer-term effects are. Gaming tends to hold up well in actual economic downturns, anyway, from what I remember hearing. Evidence to expect strong sales: Typically, console sales are weak before a new console launch, but the PS4 and X Box One continued to sell well this year. And just look at how the Nintendo Switch is doing, much better than last year.cmdrdredd - Monday, November 9, 2020 - link
Not such a tough call when the Nintendo Switch and PS4 Prop have been sold out in most retail channels continuously since April.zepi - Thursday, November 5, 2020 - link
They are so badly supply side constrained, that there is really very little need to spend the marketing dollars right now.I'm sure MS and Sony will start pushing advertising once they have actually something to sell and they can really start competing for the marketshare.
steezebuscemi - Friday, November 6, 2020 - link
I haven't seen anything on TV, but also never really pay attention to free to air. But everywhere I look on the internet for the past 6-9 months has been speculation, rumours and excitement over this console gen. So it might just be where you are looking. I'm getting a PS5, I know numerous people getting Series X's, and I know a heap that missed out on preorders for either.Zagor Te Nay - Monday, November 9, 2020 - link
Don't know, my environment (friends and colleagues) are quite excited... but more about PS5 that XSX.I feel MS took some - or a lot - of edge from the hype with their approach. Games available on older Xbox, new Xbox, PC, and then mushed up in easy to digest subscription. It just doesn't let new consoles stand out of the crowd much, it feels more like "one of many". Plus, there is no real look-what-it-can-do title on launch. Maybe new Forza or something would raise excitement a bit, but as it is, lineup is a bit lackluster.
I work in IT company, so yeah - geeky environment. I hear chitchats about Miles Morales, DualSense, GT7 wishes, fears and expectations... but not much about new Xbox. I know it is anecdotal, still it holds some value for people in my circle; everyone from the circle, looking for new console, will be getting PS5 - as the things are now. I'm yet to hear one person who has set targets on XSX. It also doesn't help that many are PC gamers, too.
d0x360 - Wednesday, November 18, 2020 - link
I'm pretty excited...well I was, I already have my series x so now I'm just happy. Especially since I won't be able to get my hands on an amd 5900 and a 6900xt until probably March due to supply.Jorgp2 - Thursday, November 5, 2020 - link
>This encompasses four key components, the first of which is the NVMe SSD itself which can handle 2.4 GB/s of uncompressed data. But to connect it to the system, and reduce CPU overhead, there is also a hardware decompression block,Then there is no need for them to have used a proprietary memory card, most high end NVMe drives would have been fast enough.
Silversee - Friday, November 6, 2020 - link
It's not proprietary memory. It's a proprietary slot-based package.I surmise that they wanted a design that was plug and play for consumers and did not require opening up the case or messing with M.2 slots. So, they created the card interface.
They have indicated that other vendors may be offering compatible storage as well, so we may see market forces reducing costs.
eastcoast_pete - Thursday, November 5, 2020 - link
My "want it now" for this was significantly dampened when it became clear that Microsoft's own Flight Simulator is not available for the Series X at launch. That was/is weird, and gives me pause about availability of games that can really take advantage of the power this thing has on offer. Don't like saying it, but it looks like SONY is doing a better job there with its PS5, and I am not a PS fan.