It's been a year since the launch of both Microsoft's Xbox Series X and Sony's PlayStation 5. Both have been critically and commercially successful, and remain in high demand today, in spite of the shortages. We take a look today at both of the consoles' successes, strong points, and points of improvement in our Xbox Series X Year One Review.

For our PlayStation 5 Year One Review, check it out here.

Price and Hardware

One year in and the Xbox Series X's hardware is still impressive. Technically speaking, the Xbox Series X's hardware is superior to the PS5 in some respects. The XSX has a stronger GPU, more SSD storage, and a slightly stronger CPU. At $500, both consoles actually are worth what you're paying for, but more so for the Xbox Series X in terms of hardware.

This, in theory, allows developers to create better-looking and more performance-intensive games on the Xbox Series X than the PS5. Both Sony and Microsoft have strong in-house studios making the best out of these specs, and we'll discuss this further later.

In terms of external hardware and accessories, the Xbox Series X also has a wide array of amazing add-ons. On top of this is the proprietary Xbox Series X specific external SSDs that carry serious upgrades in terms of storage. The SSD only works specifically for the Xbox Series X, which limits its versatility. However, it's amazing how it acts almost exactly like an internal SSD in terms of load and installation times. It comes with a high cost, but it does its job perfectly.

We also can't skip Xbox Series X's amazing controller. While the Xbox One controller can still be used to play games on the Xbox Series X, it still feels way better when playing with the gamepad that comes with the console. Although compared to the PS5, the jump between the Xbox One and the Xbox Series X doesn't feel substantial. The Series X controller improves upon the Xbox One's strong points, which makes the Series X an upgrade of the Xbox One controller, rather than something completely new.

Game Performance and Optimization

In terms of development, it's important for these consoles that they nail both game performance and optimization. No amount of strong hardware would be useful if the games in it are broken or malfunctioning. Hence, we look at how well optimized non-exclusive games are on these consoles.

Thankfully, both consoles experience little to no optimization and performance issues in major titles specific to them. It appears that most bugs and technical issues are due to development issues, and not caused by the consoles themselves. But in that regard, there's also the factor of how easy it is to develop for these consoles. There are claims that it's a bit easier to develop for the PlayStation 5 than the Xbox Series X, which could mean that games are better optimized for the PS5.

This was most noticeable with The Ascent, where the Xbox Series X inexplicably had graphical features absent. However, these are rare, and XSX versions of games, by and large, run just as smooth as their PS5 and PC counterparts.

Console Exclusives

Thanks to Microsoft's sales model for the Xbox Series X and Microsoft on PC, there's no longer any concept of a strict exclusive for Microsoft games. That is, all Xbox Series X “exclusive” games are also available one way or another on PC.

However, that doesn't mean there aren't console games that you can only play on the Xbox Series X. With games like Forza Horizon 5, the Xbox Series X's technical capabilities are fully demonstrated. That's amazing, considering how it's only been a year into the console's life cycle. Usually, highly-optimized games only come way later into the console's life. But Forza Horizon 5 already wowed us right off the first year. This makes us wonder what else we can expect out of the console in the next couple of years.

One good consequence of Microsoft's no-exclusives policy is Microsoft Flight Simulator finding its way to the Xbox Series X. While in our opinion the best way to experience MFS is through a PC, getting to play MFS on the XSX is still amazing. Getting the XSX to run MFS is nothing short of a miracle.

Games like The AscentThe Artful EscapeTwelve Minutes, and other games that launched through the Xbox Game Pass also add more value to the console. There are also a lot more games to look forward to, and they are considered to be the games that will make you buy an Xbox Series X: Halo InfiniteFable 4Starfield, and Hellblade II: Senua's Saga. With Bethesda under Microsoft's wing now and having a strong library of backwards-compatible games from Xbox One and Xbox 360, the Xbox Series X has a formidable never-ending list of exclusives players can enjoy.

Xbox Game Pass

RECOMMENDED (Article Continues Below)
MOUSE, Solium Infernum, Last Epoch Top 10 new Upcoming PC Games Exclusives

Franz Christian Irorita ·

Top 10 New Upcoming Xbox Series X Exclusives Fable 4 STALKER 2 Senua 2

Franz Christian Irorita ·

Finally, one of the most important features of the Xbox Series X that makes it a worthy console for your $500 is the Xbox Game Pass service. As we speak, Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass service just keeps on getting better and better, giving you access to the best new releases and to the Xbox's greatest hits for a meager monthly fee. If you're someone who always likes to try something new, then Xbox Game Pass would be great for you. You will never run out of options on what to play, as each monthly selection always offers a wide array of games to choose from, and Microsoft rarely fails to deliver on the titles they include in the Xbox Game Pass.

Part of Microsoft's marketing of the Xbox Game Pass includes timed exclusivity for games on the Xbox Series X if the games launch under Xbox Game Pass. This is very beneficial to the players, as they get their hands on new games at launch, just like how Xbox Game Pass owners enjoyed playing Forza Horizon 5 at launch without spending any more extra.

Conclusion: The Verdict for the Xbox Series X Year One Review

The Xbox Series X is superior to Sony in terms of its hardware, and it floors Sony in terms of its online subscription service in the form of the Xbox Game Pass. But at its current state, there hasn't been enough exclusives out there that could justify picking up an Xbox Series X. Not to mention the fact that all games coming out on the Xbox Series X can also be played on the PC. This gives way less incentive to pick one up, especially if you already have a beefy computer that can run games in max settings.

However, the future looks very bright for the Xbox Series X, with a ton of exclusives that can really turn your head. Future Bethesda games are also coming mostly better optimized on the Xbox Series X, if not completely exclusive to the console. Hence, getting an Xbox Series X today would be more like an investment for the future, when the XSX's library continues to grow bigger and better.

But regardless of all that, in a vacuum, the Xbox Series X pulls its own weight for its price. At $500, you can not build a PC with the same gaming options that the Xbox Series X provides. With the Xbox Game Pass, you gain access to a plethora of games for you to play at your own leisure. The Xbox Series X is a gateway for you to experience next-gen gameplay at a way lower price than it'd demand you with a PC with the same specs. And to us, that makes the Xbox Series X a worthy purchase, one year after its release.