PlayStation 5 vs. Xbox Series X: which system is better? | Entertainment

Reviewing new consoles during a pandemic is like being at a dress rehearsal in a theater. Before starting the machines the software is still going. Part of the experience is still under development. Games are available and not available.

As actors and production groups behind the scenes, everyone is figuring out their roles. It’s an amazing mix of chaos and potential. Until the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 appear in the wild, we won’t know exactly how things will work. Despite this, the time I spent testing the systems gave me a strong impression of how these two machines are the size of a kayak.

I have found that each console has a different vision of the next generation experience, and they follow the hardware, software, and infrastructure built in that direction. Here’s a look at how the Xbox Series X and Playstation 5 unfold and which console is best for gamers today and beyond.

Equipment

Just like the end of the last generation, the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 collide as comparable counterparts. Both have AMD Zen 2 and RDNA 2 chips (but they run at different speeds) and individual hard drives. They will both have ray tracing – a rendering technique that creates stunningly realistic lighting effects – and can run games at 120 frames per second. The download speed of the games will also be lightning fast. This means that multiplatform releases are likely to look the same in both systems.

As for monitor support, the Series X supports multiple resolutions up to 8K. The PS5 runs on HDTV and 4K. Unfortunately, it did not work on the 1440p monitor.

The big difference in hardware is how the two consoles process the sound. The X Series supports several surround sound standards, including Dolby Atmos, DTS: X, and Windows Sonic. This means that if you have invested thousands of dollars in audio tuning, the Series X will support the loud sound you are used to.

The PlayStation 5 features its Tempest 3D AudioTech. The system directs all spatial audio information to this chip and outputs to the speaker and headset. That said, since Sony has its own standard, it won’t work with everything yet. When running audio works with headsets, especially with Pulse 3D’s own wireless peripheral, and spatial audio really makes a difference by giving players a deeper sense of space.

When all is said and done, Microsoft’s support for a variety of audio formats is more user-friendly and flexible for gamers.

Controller

The X Series plays catch-up in this category. Microsoft has taken a conservative approach to its new Xbox wireless controller. It remains basically the same as its predecessor except for a few physical changes. The LT and RT buttons have a textured handle, and in the middle players will find the Share button, a feature that first appeared on the Sony DualShock 4. Internally, the delay and connectivity to other devices have improved, but nothing changes the game.

On the other hand, Sony’s DualSense controller could be a defining update of this generation. Often ignored, the modest controller plays a big part in how players experience games. Due to the fact that with each generation the update of visual effects becomes less impressive, Sony has found a way to create a sense of the new generation by redesigning its controller.

The star of this reboot is the DualSense adaptive trigger system. This essentially creates power feedback on this part of the controller. If you’ve played arcade races like “Daytona USA,” you’ll understand how it works. It’s like feeling like the steering wheel is fighting you when your car crashes into a wall. You will always find such resistance on the shoulder buttons.

This creates tension – and vivid feedback – that deepens your immersion in the game. For example, as you prepare to shoot a bow and arrow, you may feel the tension of the string. When firing from guns you will feel an explosion of recoil at your fingertips.

Adaptive triggers can change the feel of DualSense. When it is locked, the controller feels heavy and thick, when players can easily push buttons, it feels light and light. The experience is magical, almost like DualSense – it’s a plastic technology, not made of metal, plastic and screws.

Aside from the triggers, DualSense has tactile capabilities that are slightly better than the HD hum that comes from the Nintendo Joy-Con. Finally, the controller has a microphone, which probably won’t play a big role in the gameplay, but can be used as a backup microphone if players don’t have a headset.

User interface and smartphone apps

Sony has fixed the interface issues on the PS5. Menu navigation and access to information has become faster than before. Make screenshots more transparent, as players can click “Submit” and choose from a variety of options. In-house broadcast only supports YouTube and Twitch, but the new HD camera, which removes the background around the player, can ideally make videos more professional.

A big improvement in the PS5’s quality of life is the concept of the cards. This feature helps to improve the user experience of players. It ties them to different parts of the game to work on the trophy, or helps them along with a level that delivers them challenges. He is there to transfer players to a positive gaming experience.

Unfortunately, PlayStation’s work on the smartphone lags behind the Xbox. It gets better with the ability to chat at parties and exchange messages through iOS and Android. Players can even purchase games on their phone and track the loading process on the machine, but this is not in line with the tight asset integration seen in Series X.

Microsoft knows how important portable devices are in everyday life, and by using the infrastructure it has, the company has made sharing easier than ever. When players click the Share button, a screenshot or video is uploaded to the cloud and they can access it through the app. From there, they can share them on any social media channel they want. If they want to change the clip, they can download it to PC via OneDrive and edit as they wish.

Both systems have remote play, but again Microsoft has an advantage in this category because of xCloud, its streaming service. This allows players to access Xbox Game Pass Ultimate titles via Android phones wherever they are. This allows players to enjoy games while relaxing or completing errands and then continuing where they left off upon returning home.

As for the Series X user interface, it remains in line with previous consoles. Like its controller, Microsoft hasn’t changed much. Streaming still does not work with programs in which the system supports third-party cameras. Players can still pin their favorite games to the home screen. Game Pass plays a more prominent role in the user interface.

The final verdict

Which is better: Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5? This question is difficult to answer because systems differ in their views on the future. The great ideas of each console are reflected in their appearance and size. Like its monolithic form, the Xbox Series X is stability and consistency. One of its strengths is its backward compatibility – supporting old games with new technology – and the idea that you should have access to games anytime, anywhere.

Players who buy games in the system should be sure that they will be able to play them far in the future. Microsoft’s track record speaks for itself. Unfortunately, the Series X games aren’t as impressive as the PS5, so players will have to wait until major Microsoft releases come out, particularly titles from Bethesda and Obsidian.

Meanwhile, the PS5’s bold design and high lines reflect a system that is committed to the next generation experience. Sony wants to expand the envelope, and it has done so with the DualSense controller and interface improvements – changes that have improved the gaming experience. His releases of new games related to the launch demonstrate the potential of new experiences. The whole system should excite any gamer.

If you’re looking for a next-generation system for the holidays, the PS5 is what you need. But when it comes to the long game, the Series X may have an advantage because gamers ’libraries are likely to last long into the future.

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PlayStation 5

3 1/2 stars out of 4

Release date: November 12

Price: $ 499 (standard edition), $ 399 (digital edition)

Xbox Series X

3 stars out of 4

Release date: November 10, 2020

Cost: $ 499

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(c) 2020 The Mercury News (San Jose, CA)

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

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