Original link:
http://www.key103.co.uk/near-you/at-home/computer-games-and-apps/xbox-one-launch-titles/
When it was announced earlier this year, the Xbox
One caused a bit of a stir. Its constant need for an active internet
connection and anti used games policy received a rising tide of
disapproval from fans and potential day one adopters.
So extensive was the internet’s rage that Microsoft decided to do a full 180 on these controversial policies. Just like Sony’s console the Xbox One wouldn’t need to be always online, and would be able to play used games.
Now the storm has cleared, Microsoft can concentrate on the most important bit of what makes a games console special – its games. We were invited to get hands-on (and hands completely off in some cases) with the Xbox One’s launch period line-up.
First off we were given a demo of the impressive tech behind the Kinect 2.0. The updated camera can read slight changes in facial tone and colour to read your heartbeat, has a field of view that has been increased by 60 per cent - meaning you don’t have to have an acre of land to make use of the hardware’s features effectively - and can now recognise up to eight people. The facial recognition technology will sign your profile in immediately, and new systems can pick up muscle pressure and read how much force you are putting behind punches or arm swings. How these features will be used in games is yet to be seen, but the possibilities are very exciting indeed. After playing Kinect Sports Rivals, an updated, finely-tuned version of the 360’s landmark family sports game, we got a real taste of the improvements Microsoft have made. The new hardware works as Microsoft had promised with the previous Kinect – movements don’t have to be exaggerated and are picked up smoothly and accurately. Most importantly though, it was a lot of fun!
Following that we picked up Forza 5, Microsoft’s much-revered driving exclusive. The vibrations in the new (super-comfortable) controller’s triggers gave feedback on accelerating and breaking unlike any racing game we’ve played before. The game runs at a smooth 60 frames per second, and the extra fidelity really pays off. The cars are modelled beautifully, and the racing action is as competently executed as previous games in the franchise.
Although slightly less powerful than its closest rival, Sony’s PS4, the graphics on the Xbox One show a noticeable improvement. A demo of Project Spark, a game where you can create entire games to share with the community, showed off the console’s true graphical capabilities. A cartoony edge adds a delightful charm to the visuals, and the thousands of games already created range from recreations of levels of Angry Birds to entire episodes of Miami Vice or First Person Shooters.
FIFA 14 has exactly what you expect from an iteration of FIFA, with discreet changes to artificial intelligence (AI) that add new challenges, and an obvious step-up in visual fidelity. The revival of 1998’s Killer Instinct will give the fighting fan something to get stuck in to on launch day, with a free to play model putting extra characters at £3.99, and the entire package available at £15.99.
To finish the day we were given a demo of Dead Rising 3. Hordes of zombies fill the streets while your protagonist combines everyday items to take care of them. The franchise’s humour still shines through with silly outfit changes and some incredible weapon combinations (think steam roller attached to a motorbike), and the addition of SmartGlass features allows you to call in airstrikes and support using a smartphone or tablet.
The Xbox One will be released in November. You can keep up to date with information by following @XboxUK, on Facebook at facebook.com/xboxuk, or visiting YouTube at YouTube.com/XboxUK
So extensive was the internet’s rage that Microsoft decided to do a full 180 on these controversial policies. Just like Sony’s console the Xbox One wouldn’t need to be always online, and would be able to play used games.
Now the storm has cleared, Microsoft can concentrate on the most important bit of what makes a games console special – its games. We were invited to get hands-on (and hands completely off in some cases) with the Xbox One’s launch period line-up.
First off we were given a demo of the impressive tech behind the Kinect 2.0. The updated camera can read slight changes in facial tone and colour to read your heartbeat, has a field of view that has been increased by 60 per cent - meaning you don’t have to have an acre of land to make use of the hardware’s features effectively - and can now recognise up to eight people. The facial recognition technology will sign your profile in immediately, and new systems can pick up muscle pressure and read how much force you are putting behind punches or arm swings. How these features will be used in games is yet to be seen, but the possibilities are very exciting indeed. After playing Kinect Sports Rivals, an updated, finely-tuned version of the 360’s landmark family sports game, we got a real taste of the improvements Microsoft have made. The new hardware works as Microsoft had promised with the previous Kinect – movements don’t have to be exaggerated and are picked up smoothly and accurately. Most importantly though, it was a lot of fun!
Following that we picked up Forza 5, Microsoft’s much-revered driving exclusive. The vibrations in the new (super-comfortable) controller’s triggers gave feedback on accelerating and breaking unlike any racing game we’ve played before. The game runs at a smooth 60 frames per second, and the extra fidelity really pays off. The cars are modelled beautifully, and the racing action is as competently executed as previous games in the franchise.
Although slightly less powerful than its closest rival, Sony’s PS4, the graphics on the Xbox One show a noticeable improvement. A demo of Project Spark, a game where you can create entire games to share with the community, showed off the console’s true graphical capabilities. A cartoony edge adds a delightful charm to the visuals, and the thousands of games already created range from recreations of levels of Angry Birds to entire episodes of Miami Vice or First Person Shooters.
FIFA 14 has exactly what you expect from an iteration of FIFA, with discreet changes to artificial intelligence (AI) that add new challenges, and an obvious step-up in visual fidelity. The revival of 1998’s Killer Instinct will give the fighting fan something to get stuck in to on launch day, with a free to play model putting extra characters at £3.99, and the entire package available at £15.99.
To finish the day we were given a demo of Dead Rising 3. Hordes of zombies fill the streets while your protagonist combines everyday items to take care of them. The franchise’s humour still shines through with silly outfit changes and some incredible weapon combinations (think steam roller attached to a motorbike), and the addition of SmartGlass features allows you to call in airstrikes and support using a smartphone or tablet.
The Xbox One will be released in November. You can keep up to date with information by following @XboxUK, on Facebook at facebook.com/xboxuk, or visiting YouTube at YouTube.com/XboxUK
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