Shane
Microsoft have achieved the seemingly impossible.
Packing mid to high spec PC components in to an all entertainment console, the Xbox One X. And now, it’s here.
Releasing on the 7th of November, 2017 Xbox fans around the globe will be collecting their pre-orders as Xbox gaming goes in to the real 4K HDR gaming territory.
When the initial Xbox One released back in 2013 the battle began for visual eye candy and indepth play.
Only 4 years on and two Xbox One console versions (also the Xbox One S) the Xbox One X is indeed the world’s most powerful console right now.
A few weeks back STG received a console from Xbox NZ to Unbox and take for a test drive.
Slimmer than it’s predecessor, the size and girth of the X takes steed from the Xbox One S.
The ports are a no fuss, simplistic affair.
The front of the device sees the Bluetooth sync button next to a very handy placed USB 3.0 to the lower right with two more around the back. Two HDMI ports are also there, one naturally to plug directly in to your 4K TV and another as an input for your Cable or Satellite box – making the Xbox One X your one stop media centre.
The very pleasing aspect is that Microsoft have done away with the ‘brick’. The power transformer that was bigger than huge and for some gamers tended to play up or blow up over time.
Microsoft have also done away with all touch functionality on the console.
Again, as with the Xbox One S, the Power On and Bluray disc eject buttons are tactile (clickable).
As for accessories, well there’s not alot in the box, except for the cabling you need and a Xbox One controller, that is not rechargeable.
Xbox appear to be taking a step back from the Kinect days (which is sad really as I still feel that was not explored indepth by developers) with the new and tasty X being compatible with pretty much any Web Cam. True this does mean that you don’t have to shell out a small fortune on a proprietary camera, instead, grab a 4K or similar Logitech USB one and begin streaming and Twitching like a Boss. Instantly.
Inside the black matte finished console is the Scorpio processor (yep you may recall the Xbox One X’s codename).
The Scorpio engine can handle 6 teraflops of data processing at 326GB per second bandwidth. This is either on par or out rivals most gaming PC’s.
A triumphant 8GB’s of RAM will also ensure that there is no lag whether gaming on or offline or executing any other media. It also means that you can multitask real easy, especially with Xbox’s new customisable Dashboard released a month back where you can flip and switch around options without any need to actually ‘exit’ out of anything.
Also builtin is 1TB of storage. With the size of games now this gets gobbled up pretty quick, so make use of an external HDD via one of the USB ports to expand your gaming hoard.
The Xbox One X also has a supreme inner cooling much like a gaming RIG and it’s quiet. Super quiet.
The most favourable aspect for the Xbox for me was always the Instant On function. Console goes in to a hibernation mode until you are ready to play again. The original Xbox One has this function too – but over the years it tended to get more and more hit and miss. Over the last several months the Instant On tended to be like trying to start an old car on a cold morning and it was actually quicker to Power the console down and hope the game had auto-saved.
Naturally with the powerhouse that is the Xbox One X this is seamless and instant.
Audio is interesting however. Microsoft have partnered up with Dolby, and while you can opt to use the ‘Free’ Dolby Atmos, builtin is Dolby 5.1.
I’m hoping with an eventual update (if not restricted by hardware) this is updated to 7.1.
On release date there is a slew of 4K titles on offer, Forza 7, ReCore Definitive Edition, Quantum Break, Gears of War 4, Super Lucky’s Tale for the kids or bigger kids and from third parties, Assassin’s Creed Origins, Call of Duty: WWII, Middle Earth: Shadow of War, Madden 18 and Star Wars: Battlefront II.
The Halos have also had a 4K re-do-over; Halo Wars 2, Halo 3 and Halo 5.
This is really only to touch the surface of what goodness has had a visual overhaul and of course what is yet to come.
Playing Forza 7 on the Xbox One X is noticeably smoother, crisper and sharper. You will notice the difference if you have the driving simulator already for Xbox One and purchase an X to play it on on a 4K TV. If you do not own a 4K TV, not to worry – even still you’ll see and feel the noticeable difference in detail, response and command speed – but of course without 4K you’re not going to get the full experience.
The Xbox One X will work with your Xbox One controller (as mentioned the console comes with a Xbox One controller in the box) and most other accessories that you may already own.
It is also completely backwards compatible – this has always been a big plus for me aswell as the Microsoft Play Anywhere – meaning that first party titles (Microsoft published) will cross play from the Xbox One X to PC (Windows 10).
So, if you did not pre-order, is the Xbox One X worthy of running out and buying from the store if you already own an Xbox One or One S? Is it just a sooped up Xbox One?
Kinda yes, but mostly no.
It does take some design elements and UI from the Xbox One, but it is in no way the same or similar spec to any of its predecessors. As the march of 4K TV’s progresses and eventually we will begin seeing 5K screens as mandatory, also bearing in mind future video game releases and what juice they will need to run smoothly from basically now, yes you do need the X.
See it is an upgrade, or a completely new console. Either way there’s no denying the extraordinary power that gamers now have at the their fingertips, at a push of a button.
The Xbox One X is now.
Xbox One X Launch in New Zealand.
