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The Next-Gen Launch Lineups: Strengths And Weaknesses
The PlayStation 4 and Xbox One are nearly here, and their respective software launch lineups are finalized. Do both systems offer something for everyone? We break down the software lineups by genre to see how the early offerings compare.
First-Person Shooters
First-person shooters are immensely popular amongst console
gamers, and both next-gen launches are debuting with the latest installments of
Battlefield and Call of Duty. While Infinity Ward confirmed that Call of Duty:
Ghosts is running at 720p
on Xbox One versus 1080p on PS4, Xbox One users are getting first
crack at the game's DLC, along with early access to Battlefield 4's Second
Assault map pack. On the other hand, PlayStation 4 has the only major
platform-exclusive shooter at launch: Guerilla Games' Killzone:
Shadow Fall (along with the lesser-known free-to-play shooter Blacklight:
Retribution). Microsoft will likely get the last laugh with next year's
launch of (the
forever exclusive) Titanfall,
but as far as launches are concerned, we're giving a slight advantage to Sony.
Advantage:
PlayStation 4
Racing Games
No system launch is complete without the release of the
latest and greatest racing title – but don't tell Sony that. The company's
flagship racing sim has always been Gran Turismo, but when GT 6 launches on
December 5, it will be available only
on PS3. Sony was prepping DriveClub as a next-gen replacement, but its
recent delay leaves the company without a first-party racer. PS4 owners
will at least have the action-oriented Need
For Speed: Rivals, but so do Xbox One owners - along with the first
next-gen entry in Microsoft's lauded Forza
Motorsport series.
Advantage: Xbox One
Fighting Games
Another longtime staple of system launches, the fighting
game genre has become increasingly niche over the years. Xbox One offers fans
the only new fighting game available at launch (aside from Ubisoft's
Kinect-oriented Fighter
Within), with the download-only revival of Killer
Instinct. The game features just six fighters at launch (with more planned
as DLC), which can be bought piecemeal or altogether. All is not lost for PS4 owners,
however; the system will launch with Injustice:
Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition, which includes all of the previously released
DLC characters for NetherRealm's acclaimed superhero-focused fighter. Whether
Killer Instinct can live up to Injustice remains to be seen, but seeing as how
most gamers buy a next-gen console for new experiences, we're giving the
advantage to Microsoft.
Advantage: Xbox One
Sports Games
While not a huge factor in most system launches, many sports
game franchises enjoy large and dedicated fan bases. That said, both Sony and
Microsoft are leaving the genre up to the third-party publishers. Both systems
will have next-gen versions of FIFA
14, Madden
NFL 25, and NBA
2K14 available at launch. While not strictly a launch title, NBA
Live 14 will release a few days after the PS4 launch on November 19, and
will also be available for Xbox One on day one. The only difference between the
sports lineups of the two systems is Xbox One's cartoony budget title Powerstar
Golf; while the title might not appeal to all sports fans, it's still one
more option than PlayStation 4 owners have, giving Microsoft a slight
advantage.
Advantage: Xbox One
Coming Up Next: Some modern genres to consider...
Indie Games
Sony has been aggressive in its pursuit
of indie titles, and although only a handful of titles will be available at
launch, it's still more than Microsoft has lined up. Two of PlayStation 4's
indie titles – Resogun
and Contrast
– will be free
to PlayStation Plus subscribers in November, with others like Super
Motherload and Trine 2: The Complete Story, available for purchase on day one.
While Microsoft announced its ID@Xbox
self-publishing program back in August, the company currently has no indie
titles slated for Xbox One's launch (the closest is Twisted Pixel's LocoCycle,
which is owned and published by Microsoft).
Advantage:
PlayStation 4
Family Games
Many gamers don't just buy a console for themselves, and
both Xbox One and PlayStation 4 have solid lineups that are appropriate for the
whole family. Both systems will have Lego
Marvel Super Heroes, Skylanders:
Swap Force, and Just Dance 2014 available at launch, along with
Activision's casual hit, Angry
Birds: Star Wars. While only Xbox One owners can pick up Zumba Fitness:
World Party on launch day, Sony fans have the better exclusive in the form of Sony
Japan Studio's Knack.
Advantage: PlayStation 4
Open-World Games
Console gamers have become increasingly enamored with
open-world titles, and the added power of next-gen systems offers tantalizing potential.
Xbox One's Dead
Rising 3 looks like another promising installment in Capcom's
zombie-slaying series, and one of the early standard-bearers for next-gen's
potential. With Infamous: Second Son not
landing on PS4 until February and Watch
Dogs being delayed for both systems until next spring, Sony only has Assassin's
Creed IV: Black Flag to appeal to open-world fans. While the PS4 version of
AC IV does come with some
timed exclusive content, Dead Rising 3 gives Microsoft a clear launch
advantage in this increasingly important category of games.
Advantage: Xbox One
Free-To-Play Games
More and more developers are exploring alternative business
models for games, and both the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 aim to accommodate
them. The PlayStation 4 is launching with three free-to-play games: Sony
Online's superhero MMO, DC
Universe Online; Digital Extremes' co-op focused action game, Warframe;
and Zombie Studios' futuristic FPS, Blacklight:
Retribution. In contrast, Microsoft is taking a free-to-play
approach with Killer Instinct, allowing fighting fans to download the game
and play as one character (Jago) for free.
Advantage: PlayStation
4
The Verdict?
If you were hoping for a definitive conclusion about which
launch lineup is better, brace yourself for disappointment. The truth is this
next-gen showdown all comes down to which types of games are more important to
you. Rather than try to render a one-size-fits-all verdict, we'd rather hear
which launch lineup you're more excited for and why. Are you a shooter fan
who's swayed by Killzone: Shadow Fall (or Xbox One's timed DLC for COD and
Battlefield)? Or a gearhead who can't wait for Forza Motorsport 5? Are indie
and free-to-play titles more important to you than triple-A games? Or are you
excited for games that didn't fit neatly into any of the above genres, like Crimson
Dragon or Ryse:
Son of Rome? Share your thoughts (respectfully) in the comments below.
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