Now that we are more than year into current generation of gaming consoles, it is time we finally lay down the hammer on both of these devices and pick a winner.
Games
The Xbox One certainly didn’t have a big library on Day One; Forza 5 didn’t live up to expectations, Dead Rising 3 and Killer Instinct was only for niche groups, and despite the hype Titanfall didn’t bring in as much sales as expected. But fear not, games like Sunset Overdrive, Scalebound and the Master Chief collection are coming along with other third party offerings. It will still be a while before it can catch up to the PS4’s downloadable library, however.
As for the PS4, most of its biggest games were sequels to established titles, but the indie selection is definitely big with Octodad, Outlast and Don’t Starve being some of the more notable names. LittleBigPlanet 3, Deep Down and The Order: 1886 would certainly be interesting, with plenty of advantages for the PS4 on the third-party front with top performance to boot.
Winner: PS4
Sharing functionality
XBox One
Twitch wasn’t available at the start, but it certainly has improved immensely on how you can share your media. The Upload app remains solid for capturing quick clips, editing and sharing and downloading through Onedrive. Twitch is great enough in its current form, with archiving, multiple audio source support and picture-in-picture function with Kinect.
PS4
It started off with Twitch which is pretty big, but older streams will sadly no longer be available. There’s a limited picture-in-picture function that needs the PS4 Eye. It does have a more fool-proof sharing functionality with a simple “Share” button to capture a screen, video or both. Even without video editing, what’s available is already impressive and that sharing is built into the controller, there would be much hope for more in the future.
Winner: XBox One
Online Play
Xbox One
Xbox Live has always been great despite the Xbox One missteps, especially when it came to console-based online play. Favouriting players was highly useful and there remains hope for Skype support for slower games. The release of Titanfall also accompanied a more accessible friend’s list and party chat, and bringing back party invites and a list of recent players you’ve played with for friending or reporting.
PS4
Sony finally put online play behind a paywall, and while it’s brought the service up to Xbox One’s level, but most features, like social features, seem to be behind Xbox Live’s. It does deserve a shoutout for the ability to request player real names for people on the friend’s list for easier recognition.
Winner: Xbox One
Online extras
Xbox One
Xbox has always been behind the Playstation Plus in the extras department, lacking free video applications and the constant stream of free games. Xbox One’s extras have been made more attractive, for Gold subscribers or otherwise; Gold subscribers of course have access to bigger titles like Halo: Spartan Assault and Max: Curse of the Brotherhood. However, unlike the 360’s forever free after download, Xbox One bonuses disappear on subscription expiration.
At least non-Gold subs will be able to get almost any video-delivery application, from Hulu to NFL to Twitch.
PS4
Playstation has frequently delivered in subscription based gaming, giving free games month after month and bigger titles than Microsoft’s Games with Gold too. Even if Sony doesn’t follow the two free games that comes with Gold, it’ll be a while before they are equal in value. Playstation Plus is also tied to Playstatio Now that could give gamers access to three generations of streaming games.
Winner: PS4
Controller
Xbox One
It can’t be denied the Xbox 360 controller is one of the most intuitive and comfortable controllers, but the Xbox One’s is a step down from it, at least by a small margin, by still being ergonomic and a better D-pad and joysticks with great grip. The “impact triggers” are cool, but the triggers can feel unresponsive and still troublesome bumpers.
PS4
The Dualshock 4 has been an improvement in every way; great D-pad, satisfying buttons and wider gait on the joysticks for less thumb collisions. The new touchpad may not see much use, but it is extremely responsive when it is. The integrated audio player may not be as good as the Wii Remote, but it is interesting and you can plug headphones into it too.
Winner: PS4
UI
Xbox One
It may be initially hard to use, but the learning the voice commands would make it much easier. Say the name of the game and you can have it, but controller-based navigation is rather lacking, which hopefully would improve when the libraries start getting cluttered. The speed between switching out of games and apps is noticeably better, and games also resume from the point you left even after you shut down the system.
PS4
The UI for the PS4 hasn’t had a grand facelift, but definitely useable. It can be difficult to use at first as well, as well as a certain downgrade to the PSN Store, but it is easy enough to find what you want. Installations are faster than the Xbox One, in-progress downloads available to play earlier and CD installations taking mere seconds.
Winner: Xbox One
Potential and momentum
Xbox One
Xbox has been plagued by reveals that hasn’t lived up to expectations, backtracking and executives, making consumers less than confident. Microsoft has worked on fixing this, with more focus on indies and putting more value into the console itself and Xbox Live. If the sales gap between the Xbox One and PS4 closes, then Playstation content could move over. Future exclusives also promise a better future for the console.
PS4
PS4’s been doing great; the longer standing indie darling, bigger headstart in free games, and multiplatform titles performing better on the system and attractive next-gen hardware. Sony’s condition as a whole could be worrying, but Sony’s investment in Project Morpheus does open it up to bigger things and shows the company is following the right trends.
Winner: PS4
Conclusion
Sony has come up with another winner yet again, having tripped in the last generation. There is no better time to pick up a Playstation 4 than now, so be sure to do so by visiting the link below:
Sony Playstation 4 for RM 1499 only
If you think that the Xbox One has something that you might like, head on over here instead: