Roundtable: Our Thoughts On The Current Console Cycle

Is X going to give it to ya? Or is PS where it’s at? Find out in this Roundtable on the current cycle of consoles!

With the Xbox Series consoles and the PlayStation 5 in the hands of those who were able to overcome the odds of fighting a bot for their console of choice, we here at VGUTV have both or in some cases one of the two. Because we are opinionated over here at VGU we (probably Graydon), will have at least one or two hot takes.
Hey, I resent that! – Graydon

Allan Muir – EiC/Site Admin/Fiddler on The Xbox Series X

Microsoft Is Going To Bring Out The Best In Sony

Appearances can be deceiving. One can look at the current console cycle and see the acquisition of smaller studios by Sony and Microsoft as an arms race in the video games industry. My view is that of good sportsmanship and bringing out the best in each other. We had the iconic moment from the 2018 iteration of The Game Awards of the three heads for the major console manufacturers united as one force so to speak.

Unlike Josh and Graydon I own both a PlayStation 5 and an Xbox Series X and sure, there are big differences between the two platforms such as the embrace of the past by Microsoft with backwards compatibility with Series S and X while over on the PlayStation 5 they are seemingly only focused on the here and now rather than the days of yore. But with the rumors of Sony working on an equivalent or possible “Game Pass Killer” service with backwards compatibility and the integration of the existing PlayStation Now service in a tiered plan system.

As for the Series X, it is great. It loads fast, it resumes fast, it even shuts down fast. Add to it the Auto HDR feature which works well most of the time, the Game DVR function that is a godsend for VGU Game Nights (which you can check out here), and other times I need to capture gameplay for a video for a potential VGU Plays or First 30. Features of a new console are great and all but it’s all about the games for said console and that’s where the Series X shines. The games look and feel incredible. Mid-tier games like Aliens: Fireteam Elite look like what previous Aliens games were dreamt of by fans of the series. Halo: Infinite especially looks phenomenal and deserves all the praise it is currently getting.

Now, onto the PlayStation 5. I… I don’t believe the PlayStation 5 has earned all the praise it has gotten. I understand being excited for a new video game system, especially the successor to the PlayStation 4 which is right up there with the PlayStation 2 and PSPGo. But there are those who are making the PS5 out to be the second coming of the PlayStation 2. Again, this could just be my point of view. With that said, the exclusive PlayStation Studios games such as Spider-Man Miles Morales, Sackboy: A Big Adventure, Returnal, and Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart have been well worth the time invested. I’ll be honest, I haven’t finished Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut or Final Fantasy VII: Intergrade both of which have received upgrades from PS4 to PS5 with added content.

With all of that said, I genuinely believe that things will balance out between Sony and Microsoft.