PS4 vs. Xbox vs. Switch: Which Console Had the Best Year in 2018?
Xbox
Sea of Thieves and State of Decay 2 were the Xbox’s marquee exclusive titles in the first half of 2018, and neither of them went down particularly well with critics or fans.
Rare’s Sea of Thieves, in particular, was a sore spot considering that its multiplayer concept felt like a giant waste of potential. The cooperative exploration and combat was such a blast, but it’s yet another game that’s launched this generation without any substantial content.
State of Decay 2, on the other hand, launched with a bit of whimper, plagued by bugs and limited scope to its design. Despite recording impressive player numbers, it was hardly the sort of AAA experience to drive consumers to the Xbox brand.
Forza Horizon 4 was the console’s saving grace. Newly acquired by Microsoft, Playground Games latest iteration of the popular arcade racer is arguably the best yet. Typically sublime graphics, satisfying gameplay, and the addition of new multiplayer features went down a real treat.
Ultimately, though, it has been another painfully dry year for Xbox exclusive content on the whole. Yet the lack of games doesn’t quite tell the whole story for Microsoft in 2018.
Under pressure to keep pace with its rivals void of software, the company has spearheaded the initiative with some superb services and console features.
Game Pass has been a revelation, not just for Xbox but the entire industry as a whole. The concept of subscribing to what is effectively a game rental service for a monthly fee is one that was initially met with skepticism.
Gamers are a loyal bunch when it comes to physical media, for starters, but the notion of not actually owning the games in one’s collection was an even harder one to come to terms with for some.
But it’s hard to look past its value and effectiveness. Microsoft just keeps adding games, and it appears to be building a collection of newly acquired studios to keep the wheels turning.
It’s reminiscent of Netflix’s strategy to churn out original content rather than licensing third-party content as Amazon does, and though it’s a long-term solution to the Xbox’s lack of exclusives problem, it could prove very effective down the road.
Elsewhere, Xbox All Access lowered the barrier to entry for new consumers even further with a sort of higher purchase arrangement in which one simply pays a monthly fee for a console, Game Pass subscription, and Games with Gold membership in a single bundle.
With All Access, users benefit from no start-up costs and the ability to keep the console after finishing the monthly installments. It’s a stunning deal and yet another forward-thinking program that’s helped keep Microsoft competitive.
