The Nintendo Switch has been a darling for the gaming community for quite a while now, but the fact of the matter is: serious console gamers still largely prefer either the Xbox One or the PlayStation 4. The power on both machines just can’t be trumped by the portability of the Switch.
Between the two powerful consoles, however, it’s a tight race. Sony’s PlayStation have a slim 1.67% lead at 49.11% of the total console gaming market share. This means the Xbox One has around 47.44% share while the Switch has 3.45%.
The fact that PlayStation came earlier, therefore gotten enough loyal fanbase, might give it a slight edge. However, since the release of the first Xbox is more than 10 years ago, it’s just not convincing that the bulk of the advantage of the Sony console can be attributed to this. It’s more likely that the slight lead is due to a factor that’s more current. It is my opinion that this is a gamer’s decision on whether to get a current gen Playstation or Xbox is largely attributable to what console-specific games are available on each platform.
Xbox One
Microsoft is focusing on the social aspect of gaming. Multiplayer, therefore, has become a priority for the Redmond software company. Titles like Halo and Forza are the prime examples of this investment in multiplayer gaming.
Halo
If there’s a game that’s quintessentially Xbox-exclusive, it’s HALO. The game is arguably the one that started it all for a console that came as a challenger to Playstation’s dominance in the early 2000s.
Now on its 5th generation, Halo 5: Guardians has become a refined piece of software whose multiplayer mode is on par with the best of them. It pushes the envelope when it comes to co-op mode. The new Warzone feature that includes the environment in a bigger way than the traditional Arena mode commonly seen in other first-person-shooters is so refreshing that even non-Halo fans are going to have to take notice.
The additions to the gameplay itself are also something to take note of. While the original controls are already rich, developers 343 adds some more to them. You can now surprise attack enemies from above, sidestep enemy projectiles and many more gameplay refinements that you're going to have to try out for yourself.
Forza
Often seen as a direct competitor to Playstation’s Gran Turismo’s dominance in the motorsport simulation world, Forza has become a formidable force. The visuals are phenomenal, the handling is realistic, and the in-game incentives are unobtrusive.
In the latest addition to the series, Forza 7, the career mode encourages players to get serious about diving head first into the wide assortment of competitions. It puts less emphasis on the beautiful cars that previous versions and more on honing your skills as a driver. For some players, this quality is what’s most enthralling in a racing game. For others, not so much.
The common ground for both types of players is that environmental realism pushes the Xbox One's hardware to the limit. It's like driving through the courses in real life.
PlayStation 4
PlayStation has embraced the confluence of videogames and cinema. This is why games like the Last of Us and Spiderman, which are both bestselling titles, are PlayStation-exclusives. The gaming public seems to be embracing this ethos too as seen in the lead that Playstation is experiencing.
Last of Us
When it comes to videogame storytelling, the Last of Us can probably take the proverbial cake. It’s a third-person action adventure game that seems to be designed around the plot. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it has a kind of fluid integration that only helps players move on with the plot.
Combat controls, while not revolutionary, are generally refreshing. But more than the controls themselves, it’s the suspense that gives players that edge-of-your-seat feeling that pundits laud so much.
It also doesn’t hurt that the post-apocalyptic environment is jaw-droppingly beautiful and the renders of the characters are as realistic as the hardware can get. The cinematography is so top-notch that even the movie buffs are taking notice. It also has awesome scoring which only adds to the emotional quality of the videogame.
The success of The Last of Us is evidence that the confluence of movies and videogames is an inevitability. It’s truly transcendent. The planned sequel should, therefore, be another solid step in this direction.
Spiderman
The current generation Spiderman, in both film and videogames, has become the most critically and financially successful for the Marvel hero. The videogame version has even become in the running as Playstation’s most popular titles.
This is another third-person action adventure that puts the narrative in the forefront rather than the gameplay. There is emotional heft to the game. But, all of that is intertwined with your usual Spiderman humour that audiences love so much.
The gameplay, unlike the Last of Us, however, is interesting here. It's mostly because the way Spiderman gets around is incredibly unique. He swings around the beautifully rendered New York giving us, the players, a unique view of the famous city that never sleeps. It also helps that the massive city that you can explore is rendered in high definition that almost feels like you’re there yourself.
Pick Your Poison
There seems to be an obvious attempt by each console to distinguish itself from the other. If you're the type to put the story over gameplay, then the PlayStation is the obvious choice. If, on the other hand, you’re the type to want to crush your opponents in a multiplayer game, then choose the Xbox.
What's exciting is that while the next-generation consoles are currently under development, the current-gen consoles are getting cheaper. What's more, is that improved versions such as the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X have been made available if the base models no longer excite you. Both consoles are cheaper than they had ever been so, it may not even be a matter of choosing between the two. Why settle with one when you can have both, right?
Between the two powerful consoles, however, it’s a tight race. Sony’s PlayStation have a slim 1.67% lead at 49.11% of the total console gaming market share. This means the Xbox One has around 47.44% share while the Switch has 3.45%.
The fact that PlayStation came earlier, therefore gotten enough loyal fanbase, might give it a slight edge. However, since the release of the first Xbox is more than 10 years ago, it’s just not convincing that the bulk of the advantage of the Sony console can be attributed to this. It’s more likely that the slight lead is due to a factor that’s more current. It is my opinion that this is a gamer’s decision on whether to get a current gen Playstation or Xbox is largely attributable to what console-specific games are available on each platform.
Xbox One
Microsoft is focusing on the social aspect of gaming. Multiplayer, therefore, has become a priority for the Redmond software company. Titles like Halo and Forza are the prime examples of this investment in multiplayer gaming.
Halo
If there’s a game that’s quintessentially Xbox-exclusive, it’s HALO. The game is arguably the one that started it all for a console that came as a challenger to Playstation’s dominance in the early 2000s.
Now on its 5th generation, Halo 5: Guardians has become a refined piece of software whose multiplayer mode is on par with the best of them. It pushes the envelope when it comes to co-op mode. The new Warzone feature that includes the environment in a bigger way than the traditional Arena mode commonly seen in other first-person-shooters is so refreshing that even non-Halo fans are going to have to take notice.
The additions to the gameplay itself are also something to take note of. While the original controls are already rich, developers 343 adds some more to them. You can now surprise attack enemies from above, sidestep enemy projectiles and many more gameplay refinements that you're going to have to try out for yourself.
Forza
Often seen as a direct competitor to Playstation’s Gran Turismo’s dominance in the motorsport simulation world, Forza has become a formidable force. The visuals are phenomenal, the handling is realistic, and the in-game incentives are unobtrusive.
In the latest addition to the series, Forza 7, the career mode encourages players to get serious about diving head first into the wide assortment of competitions. It puts less emphasis on the beautiful cars that previous versions and more on honing your skills as a driver. For some players, this quality is what’s most enthralling in a racing game. For others, not so much.
The common ground for both types of players is that environmental realism pushes the Xbox One's hardware to the limit. It's like driving through the courses in real life.
PlayStation 4
PlayStation has embraced the confluence of videogames and cinema. This is why games like the Last of Us and Spiderman, which are both bestselling titles, are PlayStation-exclusives. The gaming public seems to be embracing this ethos too as seen in the lead that Playstation is experiencing.
Last of Us
When it comes to videogame storytelling, the Last of Us can probably take the proverbial cake. It’s a third-person action adventure game that seems to be designed around the plot. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it has a kind of fluid integration that only helps players move on with the plot.
Combat controls, while not revolutionary, are generally refreshing. But more than the controls themselves, it’s the suspense that gives players that edge-of-your-seat feeling that pundits laud so much.
It also doesn’t hurt that the post-apocalyptic environment is jaw-droppingly beautiful and the renders of the characters are as realistic as the hardware can get. The cinematography is so top-notch that even the movie buffs are taking notice. It also has awesome scoring which only adds to the emotional quality of the videogame.
The success of The Last of Us is evidence that the confluence of movies and videogames is an inevitability. It’s truly transcendent. The planned sequel should, therefore, be another solid step in this direction.
Spiderman
The current generation Spiderman, in both film and videogames, has become the most critically and financially successful for the Marvel hero. The videogame version has even become in the running as Playstation’s most popular titles.
This is another third-person action adventure that puts the narrative in the forefront rather than the gameplay. There is emotional heft to the game. But, all of that is intertwined with your usual Spiderman humour that audiences love so much.
The gameplay, unlike the Last of Us, however, is interesting here. It's mostly because the way Spiderman gets around is incredibly unique. He swings around the beautifully rendered New York giving us, the players, a unique view of the famous city that never sleeps. It also helps that the massive city that you can explore is rendered in high definition that almost feels like you’re there yourself.
Pick Your Poison
There seems to be an obvious attempt by each console to distinguish itself from the other. If you're the type to put the story over gameplay, then the PlayStation is the obvious choice. If, on the other hand, you’re the type to want to crush your opponents in a multiplayer game, then choose the Xbox.
What's exciting is that while the next-generation consoles are currently under development, the current-gen consoles are getting cheaper. What's more, is that improved versions such as the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X have been made available if the base models no longer excite you. Both consoles are cheaper than they had ever been so, it may not even be a matter of choosing between the two. Why settle with one when you can have both, right?