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aion-rsa · 4 years

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How Xbox One Shaped the Future of Console Gaming

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I never owned an Xbox One, and to be honest, I’ve never really regretted that decision, even as I prepare to get my hands on the Xbox Series X.

In some ways, the legacy of the Xbox One is defined by shortcomings. Microsoft’s infamously botched reveal of the console was lowlighted by the console’s investment in the now-defunct Kinect peripheral as well as its apparent dependence on a constant internet connection. And even though Microsoft addressed most of these issues over time, the tech company faced one problem it never entirely solved: an inability to consistently deliver compelling exclusives.

From Sunset Overdrive to Forza Horizon 4, there are definitely Xbox games from the last generation that you need to play that you can’t on a PlayStation 4 or Nintendo Switch. The problem is that there just never seemed to be enough Xbox One exclusives released in any given year. The GameCube suffered from a similar problem, but that console is at least fondly remembered for gifting the world with some all-time great games. It’s highly debatable whether there are any Xbox One console exclusives worthy of that honor.

All of these problems — and other factors, such as Microsoft’s continued struggles in certain international markets — led to what many see as a sound defeat for the Xbox One in the console war against the PS4. The numbers are never quite as bad in that area as some fans would lead you to believe, but the fact remains that current tallies suggest that PlayStation outsold Xbox in the last console generation at an almost a 2:1 ratio. When you’re talking about a margin as substantial as that, it’s easy to argue that something went wrong.

That’s the fascinating thing about the Xbox One’s legacy, though. It’s the rare video game console that deserves to be remembered as much for how it benefited those who owned it as it benefited those who did not.

The reason I can tell you about the Xbox One’s great exclusives despite never owning an Xbox One is that I got to play most of them on PC. While Microsoft has always had a closer relationship with PC gaming than other console manufacturers, the Xbox One was the console that broke down nearly every barrier that kept certain titles on consoles in the apparent hope of tempting PC gamers to purchase a new device for just a handful of games. It’s not a stretch to suggest that Microsoft’s success in the current PC market is a big part of the reason why studios like Sega and even the PlayStation team are supporting PC gaming in ways they never did before.

Remarkably, Microsoft’s continued support of the PC platform may be the least impressive example of the company’s two greatest virtues during the Xbox One generation: accessibility and consumer-friendly ways to play on the platform.

When I say accessibility, I’m of course talking about the Xbox team’s initiative to develop devices, such as the Adaptive Controller, that allow gamers with various disabilities to enjoy the titles they love with as few restrictions as possible. This is something that Microsoft doesn’t always get enough credit for (likely because it’s another measure of success that can’t be measured in sales figures alone), but it’s arguably a big part of the reason why we’re seeing so many developers work to include expanded accessibility options in their games.

But I also want to use the word in a broader sense. The fact remains that Microsoft championed accessibility during the Xbox One generation in ways that Nintendo and Sony often did not.

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Microsoft began supporting cross-play at a time when Sony was arguing that the feature wasn’t good for its userbase. Sony eventually relented, especially as cross-play games like Fortnite and Call of Duty Warzone grew more popular, and gamers now expect nearly every multi-platform multiplayer title to have some kind of cross-play functionality.

The Xbox team also began developing cloud gaming technology when many still rightfully believed it was a pipe dream. But with services like Google Stadia, Amazon Luna, and NVIDIA GeForce Now, it’s clear Microsoft was ahead of the curve on this one. Even Sony confirmed in 2019 that it has partnered with Microsoft to further the advancement of cloud gaming on the PlayStation platform.

Microsoft also championed the importance of backward compatibility at a time when players had surrendered to the idea that the only way to play classic games on modern consoles was to purchase remastered re-releases. The company’s efforts in that field may be part of the reason why the PS5 will feature a (comparatively limited) backward compatibility system that the PS4 infamously lacked. With extensive backward compatibility options on Xbox Series X, Microsoft remains at the forefront of innovation in terms of finding new ways for more people to play more games than ever before.

Of course, you can’t talk about Microsoft’s consumer-friendly innovations without mentioning Xbox Game Pass. A “Netflix for gaming” has always been a hollow talking point, but Microsoft has made great strides in offering a service that almost replicates the streaming functionality of Netflix, especially with the cloud-based Xbox Game Pass app on mobile devices. Game Pass has cleared many of the hurdles of starting a gaming subscription service while also proving their growing necessity. Thanks to Game Pass, the idea of buying one $60 (or more) game at a time is beginning to feel archaic.

Game Pass wasn’t the first video game subscription service, but it was one of the first to feature the right combination of features and compromises. No, it doesn’t let you stream game on consoles, but it does let you download them with the option of purchasing them later at a reduced price. It even debuted for under $10 a month even though similar services proved that Microsoft could have easily charged more and few would have batted an eye, which is still a highly competitive price point when compared to other services.

From the very beginning, Game Pass was designed to be functional and accessible. Microsoft’s philosophy was that if you got people to try it, they wouldn’t want to go back. From there, the company grew Game Pass in ways that nobody anticipated. Who would have thought that Game Pass would eventually include day one Xbox exclusives at no additional cost? Who would have thought that Game Pass would grow to feature titles from EA’s own subscription program? It’s no wonder the service now boasts 15 million subscribers across all compatible platforms. The service is simply one of the best deals in gaming, even if you don’t own an Xbox and want to use it on PC.

If you break down all the ways that Game Pass eventually grew into the greatest subscription service in gaming, you’ll find that nearly every milestone was something that was ultimately good for Game Pass subscribers. Game Pass has proven to be valuable for Microsoft in ways that the Xbox One hardware never really was. It’s a big part of the reason why the next-gen console wars likely won’t be measured purely in terms of hardware sales. As the industry becomes increasingly reliant on engagement as its primary metric, it becomes harder to deny the long-term value of a service such as Xbox Game Pass. Even PlayStation Now has struggled to compete, largely due to Sony’s hesitance to port day one exclusives to the service.

That isn’t to say that Microsoft has been perfect or that it’s making all the right moves across the board. The Xbox Series X’s limited launch library shows that Microsoft hasn’t quite remedied its software shortcomings. And while the company’s acquisition of Bethesda might seriously beef up the next-gen console’s first-party lineup, the deal has also left gamers with serious questions regarding whether Microsoft will do the “consumer-friendly” and make future Bethesda titles available on competing platforms. When it comes to the games, Microsoft has to figure out how its going to balance accessibility and exclusivity in a way that makes sense for the fans and (let’s be honest) the shareholders.

When I think back on the legacy of the Xbox, it’s difficult not to view the mistakes Microsoft made through the lens of how it learned from those same mistakes. You could argue that the early version of the Xbox One was a little too forward-thinking for its own good, but I’d say that the biggest problem with the early days of the Xbox One was Microsoft’s inability to convey what it was trying to achieve. With its eyes on the future, Team Xbox overlooked what people wanted in the present. It would have been easy for Microsoft to stubbornly stay the course, but the company instead opted to admit what it did wrong, take a step back, and make sure the issues were addressed before it tried to take a bold leap forward again.

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You may not have owned an Xbox One, either. You may have no real desire to purchase an Xbox Series X based on its current library of games. Yet, when we look back on the evolution of console gaming, it’s going to be hard to deny that the Xbox One paved the way for a more exciting path forward that will continue to unfold in the next generation.

The post How Xbox One Shaped the Future of Console Gaming appeared first on Den of Geek.

from Den of Geek https://ift.tt/3kobY3w

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entergamingxp · 4 years

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The Collection on Switch Finally Makes Good on the Franchise’s Promise to Appear on a Handheld

June 5, 2020 3:02 PM EST

While the dreams of BioShock for Vita have long been dead, the full series is now playable on the Switch in a remastered collection that is quite well-done.

All the way back in 2011, Ken Levine, the creative director of what was then Irrational Games, announced that a new installment in the BioShock series was being planned for Sony’s PlayStation Vita platform. At the time, much wasn’t known about the project, but the thought of seeing the critically-acclaimed shooter franchise come to a handheld platform in some manner was exciting for a multitude of reasons.

Unfortunately, as we all now well know, BioShock for Vita never saw the light of day and was canceled due to what seemed to be a lack of an agreement between Sony and 2K Games. Even though this planned title wasn’t going to be your typical BioShock experience and was instead set to be a turn-based tactics game, the falling through of this Vita iteration closed the door on bringing the series to a dedicated portable platform.

Nearly a decade later and the BioShock series has now at long last come to a handheld via the Nintendo Switch. While what we’ve been given isn’t anything altogether new like the Vita game would have been, all three mainline BioShock titles make for wonderful additions to the larger Switch library and each has the benefit of being a solid port to boot.

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BioShock: The Collection on Switch is identical to the package that released on PS4 and Xbox One back in 2016. All three entries — BioShock, BioShock 2, and BioShock Infinite — can be found in this bundle along with each respective game’s accompanying DLC. The overall collection remains solid and has enough content to keep you busy for quite awhile, if you choose to play all of it.

Of course, the real question with this version of the game though is, “How does it run and perform on the Switch?” Perhaps unsurprisingly, all three games play and look relatively great on the platform. This isn’t a major shock considering the roots of all three titles were from the last generation, meaning that they have more easily been ported to the console compared to games from the current generation.

Visually, each BioShock game retains the iconic feel and look of its given locations without having to sacrifice too much on the graphical front. The eerie, dark corridors of Rapture from BioShock and BioShock 2 are still haunting to explore, while BioShock Infinite’s Columbia still makes for one of the more breathtaking and unique locales ever seen in any video game. The only noticeable difference, other than a general dip in the resolution compared to other versions of BioShock: The Collection, comes in the way of the textures being a bit less defined. Character models don’t look as sharp as normal and getting too close to walls and other objects in each game prove that they’re a bit muddied. In the end, though, this isn’t too much of a problem and didn’t lead to any unenjoyment while playing.

On the performance front, I noticed no dips in frame rate in all three games, even once combat situations ramp up a bit. This stayed true in both handheld and docked modes, which was definitely a big positive. Performance seems to be one of the areas that a lot of games go back and forth on with the Switch, even when it comes to first-party games from Nintendo. For it to be largely great here with BioShock: The Collection on the Switch made me realize how good of a job that Virtuos did with this port.

Strangely enough, the only time I really saw any hitching or frame rate problems came during the hacking portions of the original BioShock. I’m not sure what it is under the hood that would make these pipe-making puzzles cause the game to slow down, but this was one of the only instances that I saw any particular problems.

One of the things that I also noticed was a bit odd came in the way of the options presented in each game. From what I examined, all three BioShock games largely have identical settings, except for one minor change in the original title. The first BioShock has the option for an expanded FOV, meaning that your peripheral view can be widened if need be. This is something that was true in other versions of BioShock: The Collection on PS4 and Xbox One, too, but I always wondered why it was never added to BioShock 2 or Infinite. It still remains an odd thing to me here as I revisit this package.

I also have to just say that in a general sense, I still cannot get down with shooters on the Switch. I might very well be alone in this, but I find the Joy-Cons to be so uncomfortable when it comes to playing shooters for extended periods of time. I got way more enjoyment out of BioShock: The Collection once I switched (pun intended) to my Pro Controller and began playing either on my TV or via my Switch with it sitting upright thanks to the kickstand. All in all, if you like the Joy-Cons, then more power to you. I wish I liked them more with first-person games.

If you’re a big-time BioShock fan who is looking to revisit the series for the umpteenth time like myself or you’re primarily a Nintendo console owner who has never had access to these games, BioShock: The Collection on Switch is well worth your time. While it obviously can’t match up to The Collection’s counterparts on other current-gen platforms, the work that Virtuous has put into this Switch port has proven to be quite exceptional. At the very least, hopefully this re-release can help satiate the appetite that many have for a new installment in the series, which 2K Games is actively developing right now.

June 5, 2020 3:02 PM EST

from EnterGamingXP https://entergamingxp.com/2020/06/the-collection-on-switch-finally-makes-good-on-the-franchises-promise-to-appear-on-a-handheld/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-collection-on-switch-finally-makes-good-on-the-franchises-promise-to-appear-on-a-handheld

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illusivegore · 6 years

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Gore Reviews Dust: An Elysian Tail

Release Date: August 15, 2012 Platforms: XBLA (reviewed), Microsoft Windows, Linux, OS X, PlayStation 4 (reviewed), iOS, Nintendo Switch

Dust: An Elysian Tail has been in development for some time now. It was originally designed to be released on the indie games section of Xbox Live, but ended up winning Microsoft’s Dream. Build. Play Challenge back in 2009. This victory won the game a contract to be released as an official Xbox Live Arcade game. Another notable fact worth mentioning is that Dust was almost completely designed by one man, Dean Dodril. On those merits alone Dust is an incredible feat, but can it truly stand with the biggest XBLA games or was it better left as an indie release?

As the game begins, Dust (our hero) awakens in the middle of a wooded area with no recollection of who he is or what has happened to him. Shortly after coming to, he is greeted by a talking sword name Ahrah, who has come to lead Dust on a journey of self-discovery. Ahrah is accompanied by a flying orange nimbat named Fidget, who soon becomes Dust‘s trusty sidekick. If you couldn’t tell already, the story of Dust is a little cliché. We’ve seen the amnesiac story so many times before, but this one ends up being pretty decent, all things considered. One aspect of the story that I was pleasantly surprised by was just how dark it got at times. There is much discussion and focus on death and it gives the game a real sense of soul.

While the story at its core is decent, the voice acting almost pushed it over the line to bad at times. It really did seem like a majority of the actors had the talent to make this story shine, but most ended up playing their parts so dramatically that I couldn’t take it seriously. The worst offender of the over-dramatic (and just plain annoying) is your little buddy Fidget. She tries far too hard to be funny and most of the time that falls flat. There were a few times where she’d crack off a line that made me smile or chuckle, but more often than not I was wishing she’d just pipe down. Even with the complaints I have about the voice acting, it is still quite impressive to see an XBLA game fully voiced and adds quite a bit to the experience, for better or worse.

The main focus of Dust is combat. In the beginning, the hack and slash combat was enjoyable and satisfying, but by about midpoint in the game I found myself rather bored with it. This is due in large part to the combo system, or lack there of. You’ll learn every combo that is possible in the tutorial area of the game. You have something like five total attack options and there’s no way to unlock or learn new moves at any point in the game.

You can also utilize Fidget in combat. She can shoot out projectiles and when used in combination with an attack you have called “Dust Storm”, you’ll be able to attack multiple enemies with some pretty flashy moves. These can be fun for a while and really rack up the hit counter, but even with three different projectile types to find in the game, it still gets played out pretty quickly. With that said, from a technical standpoint the combat is just fine, but the limited options hold it back from being great.

One aspect of Dust that I really wasn’t fond of was the platforming. While it wasn’t inherently bad, it did get frustrating at times. There are times when you’ll jump and just completely whiff when you thought you had it timed perfect. This is fine in most cases as there is no fall damage and you can just try again, but there are also times when you are either being chased or there are environmental hazards and your jumps need to be perfect. The last third of the game is filled with instances like this and ended up being a bit of a pain to get through at times.

At its core Dust is an action-RPG. However, it’s really only an RPG in the sense that you collect XP and level-up because after that there is absolutely no depth. Upon leveling up you’ll have very limited options, which was pretty disappointing. You’ll get a “skill gem” with each new level that you can use to increase your health, attack, defense or projectiles (Fidget‘s attack). That’s it. This is where a nice section of combo unlocks would have been great, but sadly that wasn’t to be. Another interesting choice is that no one skill can be more than four points higher than the rest. So if you want to go all-in on health and attack power, you won’t have that option. I’m guessing this is done to keep the game balanced for leaderboard reasons, but I wasn’t a fan of them limiting my already limited options.

Even with the balance from limiting where you can use your skill gems, I still felt extremely overpowered about halfway through the game. This was mostly because of the crafting system. Throughout the game you’ll be able to find blueprints that will allow you to create items such augments for your sword, armor and other trinkets, each of which increases one of your attributes. You can craft these by collecting materials from fallen enemies. Crafting is a little too easy in Dust though. Once you find a certain material and sell it to a shop, all shops will stock that item. So as long as you have the cash (which you more than likely will) you can buy whatever items you need for any blueprint you have. This makes crafting more accessible, but sort of makes picking up these materials from enemies almost pointless later in the game.

On the topic of enemies, there is actually a pretty good variety of them to be found. Each has their own attacks and patterns and this makes combat a little more fun. Well, until you get so overpowered that you are taking most enemies down in a couple of shots. Boss fights on the other hand are kind of a joke from the start. Spam Fidget’s attack and Dust Storm throughout the fight, while throwing in a few standard attacks to let those recharge, and you’ll make short work of nearly every boss. This was another disappointment for me because utilizing bosses with difficult, yet distinct patterns would have been perfect in Dust. I will say that they do try to change things up with the final boss, but rather than giving you an epic fight, they resort to cheap tactics to create pseudo-difficulty, which is more frustrating than anything.

I feel like everything I have to say about Dust is negative, so let’s move on to some positive aspects of the game. The biggest standout for Dust is the beautiful art used in it. With everything being hand drawn I was honestly surprised with the amount of unique backdrops and set pieces displayed throughout the game. The combat animations are also fantastic, if you can take the time to watch them amidst the chaotic fighting.

Dust is also at its best when you’re exploring. You’ll get to explore a majority of the areas in the game simply by completing the main quest and the sidequests. However, thanks to new abilities you unlock throughout the game (ala Castlevania or Metroid) you’ll have to do some backtracking and further exploration if you want to find every piece of treasure Dust has to offer. From time to time there are also puzzles to solve in order to acquire some treasure, but sadly these are so easy that they barely qualify as puzzles. Going back through old areas with new powers and seeing how they could be utilized was definitely some of the most fun I had with Dust though.

While it may seem like I was pretty critical of this game (which I kind of was), there is still fun to be had with it. Almost everything about Dust is great in small doses, but when experienced over the course of 10 to 15 hours they can grow pretty tiresome. The lack of depth in both combat and RPG elements really hold this game back from being something special. I want to stress that it is in no way a bad game, but as is, Dust: An Elysian Tail ends up just being another unmemorable XBLA experience.

Score: 3.5 out of 5

#games #video games #review #reviews #dust an elysian tail #dust

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tryshareware · 6 years

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Best Xbox One VR headset 2019 (Latest News, Tips, Reviews)

Xbox One X VR: Is it Still a Reality or Fading Fantasy? The answer is “Probably not”. I know you are seeking for a VR headset for your Xbox One and want to know the real case at this time.

In this buying guide, I am going to walk you through the latest news in VR worlds, as well as 10 hand-picked VR headsets that really work with Xbox One

Xbox One X VR: What’s the Latest News?

The realm of Virtual Reality (VR) is still advancing on all grounds to steer past the standard and conventional method of video gaming. The last few years has been a number of introductions for the head-mounted displays (HMDs), that is for easier access from phone iteration into more high-end devices that are even more capable of handling the boundaries of VR. With an abundance of competitors still in the game, there are some top players like the Sony Interactive Entertainment’s PlayStation VR, this raves about a large number of PlayStation lovers all around the world. And Microsoft’s Xbox One lacks behind without any support for VR in a stand against that.

The Beginning

Microsoft started the talk about the idea of VR surrounding the Xbox One X and in the time period of the Electronic Entertainment Expo of 2016, it was stated during the press conference that it is coming soon so that the console will be able to support VR without any hindrance. Although, in the following year when the console was actually released, it had no signs of VR support and the giant company readily avoided to give any statements regarding the same.

In November 2017, the Xbox One X was finally released and by this time, the VR from PlayStation was already celebrating a one-year completion of its release and it had been performing greatly beating most of the competitors in the field. Although, for Xbox One X, nothing was spilled about the compatibility support for VR. Many had been anticipating that the Oculus Rift would be readily supported by the Xbox One X as it was being offered with a headset back in the time. Now, it has been long since the release of the mixed reality headsets but there is no sign of its compatibility with Xbox One X. From the look and feel of things, it is probably never coming. Even though the console comes with all the right connections for inside-out tracking and controllers for motion, Microsoft is a let down in the current stance of VR.

The Confusion

The main reason why Microsoft is neglecting the VR might lie in the fact that it does not consider it big enough to be implemented even though the SIE has readily shown that there is a good market for consumers using the consoles for VR. But at the same time, it is to be noted that the company is investing much in this technology. This is through the Windows Mixed Reality or it is mainly focused on Augmented Reality or Mixed reality devices that is the HoloLens. There is no ground left for the company to just ignore the VR console and it cannot afford to do so even. Microsoft is lagging behind its competitor PlayStation with Xbox One.

What lies ahead

If Microsoft were to release anything about the same, then it has to be at the E3 in 2018. It will definitely be a show stealer and will amplify its presence with a new headset. Although, there always have been cases about product specifications leaking in the video game industry and so far, there has been no news about it. In the current scenario of the market, if Microsoft fails to make an appearance about the VR, then it is bound to lose some major traction.

The Bottom Line

The VR support on Xbox One X is still a pipe dream and has no permanence as of now as time goes on. Maybe Microsoft will take notice of the demand of VR and finally get to do something about it.

Top 1 HTC vive Pro review

The HTC vive Pro is the bundle of beauty. It offers the visually which games which would look more beautiful that we can see in the virtual reality. It has much higher resolution than the previous HTC wife and with a better design. It will offer much better value for your money and each feature will provide you with an experience to remember. It has got a pair of building headphones which phone make its usage much easier and manageable. The one thing that you would wish for is a much clearer or image which the HTC vive Pro provides you with much less of screen door effect. So now your eyes can experience the best visuals and best gaming experience.

Pros and cons

The headset is itself a pro with its improved visual fidelity

It provides you with built-in headphones for the pro sound and makes your gaming feel better

The price might be its con but it does justice according to its features provided. Also, it can be nervy with old hardware

Bottom line

We can see with the features mentioned above that the HTC vive Pro is better then the other and older version in every way. It has motion controls and room scaling along with the needed system requirements. Such high resolution and 4 GB RAM is there to store your experience.

Top 2 TiYiViRi virtual reality VR headset review

The classy black colored VR headset comes with a lot of features. It can connect the VR to PS4 Xbox and PC with HDMI Input and can be considered as an all in one virtual reality glass. It is a battery power that lasts for minimum 3 and a half hours for you to enjoy your game and would also last longer if the power consumption is comparatively less. It has the 400 mAh high capacity Li-polymer battery because of which it has a longer battery life. The TiYiViRi virtual reality VR headset also comes with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth which allows you to download many apps to have a better gaming experience. The latest look at the pros and cons.

Pros and cons

You get the benefit of the HDMI input which phone help you to connect to other external devices.

It has a high resolution of 2560 X 1440P screen and also IMAX theatre mode for videos playing

The con can be low battery life with higher consumption and in between charging

Bottom line

According to me, there are no such disadvantages of this VR headset and also you can get the excellent features that provide you with a much better experience for gaming. You can also have the experience of your VR headset serving as a monitor with its special HDMI input function.

Top3 Oculus Rift virtual reality headset review

The oculus rift VR headset is considered as the second most popular VR headset with its early models. Can we call as they had said that ignited the interest of The Gamers in VR? With a resolution of 960 by 1080 per eye, it gives the in-game experience undoubtedly. Along with the room scaling and the monitor controls that also has an 8GB RAM and comes in within affordable price according to its features. The design of the headset looks like a mask and it feels like wearing a pair of glasses and comes with a great fit. With a 965×1080 display to each side, be ready to get a thrilling experience in your game. Be sure before buying the VR.

Pros and cons

The headset is lightweight and very comfortable to wear so you would be able to play games for hours without any hassle

One of the downfalls of this model is that it has heavy system requirements and you need to have a third dress in the sensor for the better experience.

Bottom line

The VR headset is definitely worth to buy in respect to its features and the price. It provides you with an 8 GB RAM and 2 USB 3.0 ports. Your investment would be worth it with the 360 degrees recorded sound. So make your decision and get the best VR headset.

TOP 4 Virtual reality headset All-in-One 3D VR glasses review

With this VR glasses used at the best 3D experience along with the benefit of the 2D and the 3D apps. You can have the 2D and 3D apps, Google Play, YouTube and other third-party apps because of the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth that the VR possesses. It has a NIBIRU operating system and supports all of its app and YouTube. It also has the HDMI port which can connect you to the various gaming platforms such as VR, PS4, Xbox One and other PC. 2D and 3D panorama models for the films that you can download easily through its connectivity. So have an immersive 3D experience while indulging in the game and also enjoying the movies. Let’s see more.

Pros and cons

Along with the 2D and 3D panorama models you can also change different models and can control the playing progress for your game.

The VR headset is easy to carry with a unique design but can be uncomfortable if worn for a long period of time while playing the game.

Bottom line

With a 64GB memory card, Bluetooth 4.0 and Wi-Fi you will have a better gaming experience in all the aspects. Along with the resolution of 2560 x 1440 p, you can have a clear screen for a better viewing experience with respect to gaming. So buy the VR headset now.

TOP 5 All in one 3D VR glasses review

As the name suggests this VR glasses would give you the best and immersive 3D experience. You can also 360-degree panoramic videos and photos and have the building movies and gaming platform. You can also watch the 3D IMAX movies in your private theatre. For this, you have the HDMI Input and easy connection to the blu- ray 3D player, DVD player, PlayStation, Xbox, PC, iPhone, iPad, Apple TV and many more. You can connect through the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth that has been provided in the VR. With we are all in one headset you don’t need phones and can enjoy the gaming experience with convenience. It also has all the system requirements needed to perform the best.

Pros and cons

It provides connectivity to many gaming platforms and also has Bluetooth which will help you to download many apps to enjoy watching videos and play games.

The headset mind not being very convenient to wear for a long period of time which can be proved to be a con for this VR.

Bottom line

With this headset, you can have the experience of the virtual world along with the refraction compensation of 600 degrees and angle of more than 90 degrees. Provide you with the resolution of 2560 x 1440 for a better visual for gaming experiences and 2GB RAM for storage.

TOP 6 PlayStation VR launch bundle review

The PlayStation VR launch bundle can be called as a new radical dimension in the virtual reality gaming. It has the advanced VR display which can keep you connected to the virtual world through an expensive 5.7″OLED 1080 p display. It runs at up to 120 frames per second so, the FPS is also strong enough to give you a powerful display and visual. The design will keep you astonished in the gaming words and would avoid you to distract from the other things. It also has the 3D audio Technology and would give you the minute details of sound for better gaming. So from of footstep to a blast, you would be able to know it all. Let’s explore.

Pros and cons

The design of the headset is such that it is very balanced and comfortable to wear and can be adjusted easily.

The classes of this VR is very comfortable and easy to wear but you can get dizzy if you are wearing it for a long period of time while playing.

Bottom line

With this PlayStation VR launch bundle, you can explore a new gaming world. It has the PlayStation VR core bundle along with the camera. This bundle of joy would also have the motion controller and VR Worlds game disc. So put your step forward into the incredible virtual world.

TOP 7 Oculus go standalone virtual reality headset 32GB review

This excellent piece of headset does not need any wires or PC to get connected to and will give you an amazing experience of the VR. The design of this model will impress you with its crystal clear HD optics and optimized graphics. The name itself suggests that you don’t need any additional hardware computers or any other devices in order to get the better Experience at gaming. It is portable and all you need to do else switch it on and enjoy a movie on the big screen of 30 foot. Play games, enjoy the movie which is comfortable and easy to put VR headset. You can carry this headset anywhere and everywhere you want to go.

Pros and cons

The Oculus go VR headset comes with an easy to use a controller which would make your giving better and in control of your hands

The con is that there is no expandable storage been provided and not enough adjustments. Apart from this, it is highly comfortable to use and wear

Bottom line

You have to love the standalone VR headset because of its features and the experience it provides you with. It has a higher resolution built-in speakers and a controller along with high FPS. This VR headset is a lightweight headset with innovative design and improved visual clarity for you.

TOP 8 360 viewing VR box 3D glasses private video cinema headset review

The 360 degree VR box 3D glasses private video cinema headset gives you the experience CMS watching screen of 200 inches from a distance of 20 m. The headset is also filled with high resolution to provide you with better visuals at 1080 p HD video. So now you can enjoy the 360 degrees VR Box with 3D videos and better and clear displays with one 24° field angle. It also has the HDMI input which is compatible with devices such as PlayStation, TV, PC, and Xbox. You can also enjoy the movies in your computer through the 3D glasses and also get the support of the audio and video. Let us look at the pros and cons of this headset.

Pros and cons

It has an immersive panorama virtual reality experience and also surrounds output which can expand your Horizon for a better experience. It is manageable and comfortable to wear.

This model can be quite costly but it does provide you with the available features to give you a better Experience at gaming.

Bottom line

The design of dress headset is made of w environment in protecting materials and is very soft and comfortable for you to wear them. With a 5 inch HD display of 1920 by 1080 and the battery life for about 4 to 4.5 hours is the perfect package for you.

TOP9 Oculus go standalone Virtual reality headset 64GB review

As I have discussed earlier this model is the same as the oculus go standalone virtual reality headset 32GB but the only difference is the higher storage power. It also has an emotion standalone VR feature and is the all in one headset. It is easy to carry and comfortable to wear and you can take it anywhere that you want. Also, it is portable and you just need to put it on and switch on to have a 180-inch screen. You can enjoy your movie, watch a concert and play the game along with your friends with this VR. This headset is also lightweight and as the impressive design develops for professional athletes. It has an innovative and breathable fabric used.

Pros and cons

It provides you with a fast switch LCD which gives you a better visual clarity and also reduces the screen door effect.

It also has been integrated special audio so making it easy to share with anyone else.

The system might get hotter if used for a long time.

Bottom line

You get the portable and affordable VR with the Oculus go standalone storage space of 64GB. Also, you can download the apps easily from the app store Android offers a wide field of view and reduced glare. Get the best experience of each audio with its inbuilt speaker and video.

TOP 10 Virtual reality headset all in one review

These headsets provide you with a 3D gaming experience along with a higher resolution of 2560 × 1440. So now with better clarity and visuals, you be able to enjoy the game. Gives you an experience of FOV 110 with the custom-made VR lenses and 110° field of view. It also has the Bluetooth BT 4.0 version as well as many USB extensions. It also has a high capacity Li-polymer battery with 4000 mAh which rule give you a battery life of around 3.5 hours. You don’t need to break down between the game because of its long service life. With such design and features, you would be able to have an overall experience in gaming. Let us see more

Pros and cons

It is an all in one VR headset which gives you easy connection to the one Xbox, PC, Android, IOS, and PlayStation.

Does a built-in 9 Axis gyroscope which helps you promote the interaction between the wearer and the device and making it compatible though it could get heated up fast.

Bottom line

This virtual reality headset all in one especially for the Xbox, PC, PlayStation, IOS, Android with a high resolution of 1440. You can get all of these features at an affordable price and also the benefit of the features like 2K screen IPS 5.5 inch and HDMI input for gaming.

Comparison: Top 5 pics: What I really think of

According to me the top 5 pics for a better gaming experience and at an affordable price or a price that would be worth it are:

Oculus Rift virtual reality headset

PlayStation VR launch bundle

HTC vive Pro

Virtual reality headset All-in-One 3D VR glasses

Oculus go standalone Virtual reality headset 64GB

All these 5 VR headsets have certain disadvantages which depend from a person to person and cannot be a such called the cons. This VR headsets possess the features and have the design which would make your gaming experience and the field come alive. You can also get the field of the 3D display and a more clear visual with these models. Oculus go standalone is more portable so you can get that if you want to carry the headset along with you anywhere you go and have to travel more. So get the best according to your need and which fits in your requirement list.

Short buying guide: 5 things you should know

The first and foremost in that you need to take care of the headset itself. The goggles should not have an adverse effect on your eyes and should be comfortable and easy to wear.

Get a high quality for the headphones which gives you a better display and experience.

It should have easy connectivity to your laptop computer or any other device and hand controller if needed.

Make sure that the price of the headset brings justice to its features and to your budget.

It should provide you with a higher resolution and image which is Blur-free for the better gaming experience.

Further reading time: Read the best ultimate guide

Forgetting the best Xbox One VR headset you need to take care of the certain specification of the system of the VR. The VR headset should be able to connect to the Xbox One and should provide you with better clarity and gaming experience. The VR headset should be comfortable to wear so that you don’t have any problem while enjoying the game.

Final words

With this review and sure that you would be able to make up your mind to buy which VR headset. There are certain recommendations provided by means to that you would be able to choose the best Xbox One VR headset. Make sure that you have an immersive gaming experience

The post Best Xbox One VR headset 2019 (Latest News, Tips, Reviews) appeared first on Try Shareware.

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kaiserdingus · 6 years

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The Return of Classic Sonic - Part 2 - Sonic Generations/Sonic CD

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Over the past couple of years, and especially recently with the release of Sonic Mania, we’ve seen a resurgence in media depicting the classic version of Sonic the Hedgehog from the 1990’s. He’s shorter, he’s voiceless, and he represents a simpler time in video games from before voice acting and cinematic cutscenes.

In recent games he’s been offered as an alternative to the modern aesthetic and play-style that’s been the standard since Sonic Adventure. How did we get to this point? How has Sonic changed over the years, and why are there now two Sonics?

In this series I plan to observe the time period in Sonic history where SEGA decided to shake things up and make what was once old new again. This is The Return of Classic Sonic.

Sonic Generations

In April of 2011, after the success of Sonic Colors and lukewarm reception of Sonic 4 Episode I, Sega announced Sonic Generations. A new game made to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise featuring modern Sonic teaming up with classic Sonic on a time traveling adventure where we revisit old levels remixed for both modern and classic playstyles. Sonic 4 might’ve been an easily forgettable snooze fest, but after how great Sonic Colors wound up being there was confidence in Sonic Team again. This was one of the definitive hype moments of the Sonic fandom.

To prove they weren’t bluffing with this game, and perhaps to gauge fan insight, Sega released a playable demo of the game on June 23rd, 2011, aka Sonic’s birthday. The game wouldn’t launch until November, but now fans could spend the next two weeks playing the classic Sonic version of Green Hill Zone. It was obviously a demo of a game still in development, but I knew it was going to be good. Sonic was back, and this time no werehogs or swords or any gimmick.

For Sonic Unleashed, the excuse as to why they forced the player to become the slow, clunky werehog for several 20 minute levels was to make the game longer, since the 2D day stages took a long time to produce. They ditched that idea in Sonic Colors by replacing the werehog with shorter stages in-between longer stages. For Generations, they made optional missions for each stage. Classic Sonic could be argued as filler, as his stages wouldn’t need to be as complicated as Modern Sonic. That could be a solid argument for Sonic Forces (which we’ll talk about later), but I feel that Classic Sonic felt important to Generations rather than something shamelessly tacked on.

Generations was released in November of 2011 and it was amazing. Finally, a Sonic the Hedgehog game that felt like it was prepared with love and care. It was a love letter to the series, as well as to the fans. At least, that’s how it was marketed.

Time and age have made me cynical, and I admit I was excited as hell for Sonic Generations when it was announced up to its release. I played it, I loved it, I still revisit it every year. But now I can safely admit that the game was not perfect.

The biggest argument, which nobody would’ve really picked up on if it wasn’t for Sonic 4, is Classic Sonic’s physics. Sonic 4’s god awful physics have made fans keen to pay attention to how every Sonic game plays now, and Generations definitely has better classic physics than Sonic 4, but it still doesn’t come close to the feeling of momentum you experience when playing the classic games. Sonic Team’s excuse is that they were building Classic Sonic off of the ground work they had for Modern Sonic, and so they couldn’t implement exact Genesis physics. Either way, the level design and less-than-stellar physics keep me from proclaiming this as the second coming of Sonic.

Except, in a way, it was. The game was released almost a year after Sonic 4 Episode I and was able to make us forget all about it. Sega re-established Classic Sonic as part of the Sonic franchise as a separate character all his own. Though the producers said Generations was simply a one-time thing, and they warned there would be another reboot of Sonic in the near future (cough Sonic Boom), they still showed the fans they were listening. We’d been asking them for years to bring back Classic Sonic in some form or another, and they did it in a way that showed they cared.

The Classic Sonic shown in Generations, through his design, to his animations, to his lack-of-voice and pantomiming, Sonic Team have crafted a loving interpretation of a character that has had more interpretations than most video game characters. Classic Sonic’s levels were charming. The one’s from the Genesis games were nice to see again in 3D, while the classic variations of Modern Sonic’s levels were a lot of fun.

Generations is probably my favorite Modern Sonic game, as they’ve tweaked some ideas and mechanics from Unleashed and Colors. Of all the “boost” games, this version of Modern Sonic is probably the most fun to control with the best levels. The key to good Modern Sonic gameplay is cinematic levels that make you feel like you’re running through a movie, which can easily be said about Chemical Plant and City Escape.

The boss fights in this game are probably the weakest of the series. Classic Sonic gets a cool re-imagining of the Death Egg Robot from Sonic 2, as well as the race against Metal Sonic from Sonic CD. Modern Sonic, on the other hand, gets Shadow and Silver as mid-bosses, and Perfect Chaos from Sonic Adventure and Egg Dragoon from Sonic Unleashed as area bosses.

The final boss features both Sonics going super before flailing wildly at some wild Eggman creation. For a series famed for its epic boss fights, this was a little disappointing. Boss fights aside, the game itself is really fun, especially for longtime fans of Sonic the Hedgehog.

Sonic CD (2011)

For years fans had wished that Sega would offer a proper release of Sonic CD on a modern console. Unlike the widely re-released Genesis titles, Sonic CD was only ported twice - once to PC, which in turn was ported to the Gamecube and PS2 by way of Sonic Gems Collection. The PC version was good, it even had a higher resolution version of the opening animation, but it still only had the base regional soundtrack with no option to switch to the alternative soundtrack.

In 2009, game developer and Sonic fan Christian Whitehead created a proof-of-concept demo of Sonic CD running on an iPod Touch. This wasn’t a port or emulation, but rather a complete remake of the original game in Whitehead’s new proprietary engine - the Retro Engine. Sega ignored his proposal at first, but once the Sonic fan community caught wind of this remake there was high demand to see it through.

The perfect way to close a successful 20th anniversary, especially after the release of the highly anticipated Sonic Generations, was the re-release of Sonic CD for modern devices. Whitehead’s remake of Sonic CD finally saw the light of day and it immediately stood out. Previous Sega re-releases were poorly done emulations with next to no enhancements, but Sonic CD was loaded with enhancements.

Knowing how Sonic games work like the back of his hand, Whitehead crafted an engine that could successfully recreate the gameplay of classic Sonic games, but also has optional modern features such as full 1080p or 4K HD, smooth 60 frames per second animation, and secrets such as Tails being a fully playable character.

Sonic CD plays exactly as it did 25 years ago, except now there are a few extras. As I mentioned before, Tails is a fully playable character who carries over his moves from Sonic 3. You can unlock Tails by completing the game once with Sonic. There’s also an option to switch between the US soundtrack and the original Japanese soundtrack. One neat little bonus was the option to switch between the Sonic 2 version of the Spin Dash, or stay with Sonic CD’s less… animated version.

Whitehead also hid some more secrets within his enhanced remake of Sonic CD. A mock-up image of a proposed new level called Desert Dazzle was found within the game, as well as a new true final boss called Final Fever. A combination of lack of time and budgetary concerns, as well as the possibility of trying to respect the original game, may have caused these new elements to be scrapped.

Those scrapped levels would eventually lead the fans to speculate about more potential collaborations between Whitehead and Sega. Maybe they would have Whitehead use his Retro Engine to remake obscure games like Knuckles’ Chaotix or SegaSonic the Hedgehog. Its possible they could have him remake the Genesis games for similar releases, or even games from other franchises like Ristar. The biggest pipe dream of them all, though, was Sega hiring Whitehead to make a new, original Sonic game in the classic Sega Genesis style.

Where to Buy

Sonic Generations (PS3, Xbox 360, PC, 3DS)

Sonic CD (Android, PC)

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