Xbox One
CUSTOMER REVIEW
This system has seen it all in a short amount of time as it pertains to controversy and scrutiny, but rest assured that it's a great system worthy of the price tag.
First off, when you power it up you'll notice the spectacular UI (user interface) that comes packaged in that delivers the Windows 8 OS-like setup. It's easy to to get to where you want, and it has a nice clean look to it. Very attractive.
If you buy the Kinect (optional) you'll be walked through a quick setup that'll have you ready to go in about a minute or two. The Kinect makes navigating the UI that much more simple if you don't mind talking to a device that is. I personally don't and it's so cool in action. It has a fair share of people who refuse to give it a chance ranging from tin foil theories of being spied on to feeling silly talking or moving around to have it function in specific games but the device is impressive.
But if you're not interested in the Kinect, you still have quick access to wherever by use of the excellent controller and it's "Menu" button, which was formerly the "start" button.
The Xbox One also allows for different apps to run simultaneously via a feature called "Snap". It's nifty if a bit cumbersome in certain areas.
There are a number of ways to use Snap, such as making a Skype call to a loved one or friend while watching Netflix, or playing a game and playing music through Microsoft's "Xbox Music" app. It's fairly intuitive and unique but they could use an update minimizing the sizes you choose to dedicate to it in my opinion.
Going back to the controller, it's hands down one of the best ever created keeping up the trend of great controllers for Microsoft systems since the Controller S from the first Xbox, leading the way to the second system's controller in Xbox 360's revered pad to now.
Completely comfortable and now a bit lighter due to the removal of the battery hump from the 360's pad as it's now within the body of the controller.
It now sports rumble triggers which vibrate and move depending on the game giving you specific feedback. A prime example is in Forza 5 where the triggers feedback rumbles while racing around and hitting curbs or other cars and it all feels so spectacular.
The controller features 40+ new improvements from the 360 controllers features which honestly had me scratching my head in what possible improvements they could add as it was already so good.
The only cons I can think of for the controller is the D-Pad, though improved from the 360's stiff and at times unresponsive D-Pad, and the fact that it still requires batteries (2) to operate, unless you purchase the "Play and Charge Kit" that comes with a rechargeable lithium battery, which I'd highly recommend.
Design-wise, the system is fairly large, though surprisingly lighter than I would've imagined. It measures 274 x 79 x 333 mm, making it longer and taller than a PlayStation 4 or an Xbox 360, so be ware that if you plan on setting this up in your entertainment setup to have a bit of space ready for it.
It has been criticized, and rightly so for it's less sleek design and "vcr"-like appearance and I can understand the criticisms, especially coming from the ultra sleek Xbox 360 design.
The system houses more than a few ports. It has all your standard nodes: ethernet, HDMI out, power, S/PDIF (commonly used for optical audio), dual USB 3.0 ports and an IR out. Additionally, there are two proprietary ports, one for hooking in the Kinect, and an HDMI-in, for use if you decide to plug in your cable or satellite signal. There's also a third USB 3.0 port found on the system's right side.
Within the box, you'll get the console (obviously), a power cable and adapter (a.k.a. the power brick), a decent headset, the headset adapter, an HDMI cable and controller with batteries. You'll also get a 14-day free trial of Xbox Live Gold. Fairly solid packaging for the price honestly.
You can record gameplay clips of your various adventures by using the systems "Game DVR" which is Youtube friendly and easy to use and if set up with the Snap function allows up to 5 minutes of recording which then goes to the systems "Upload Studio" which features a bunch of editing tools, and allows you to record a voice over commentary if you so choose. You can also share your stuff over Xbox Live for other gamers to view and rate.
Xbox OneGuide is a built in guide, you can navigate channels and search for specific shows, using the controller or your voice via Kinect as the HDMI-in turns the Xbox One into a cable box essentially.
It's fairly cool and extremely easy to use but as I learned, you need to have your Xbox on all the time while watching long with your cable box. It's not exactly an energy saver.
You can also use an app for tablets and phones called "Smartglass" in conjunction with this as a remote control, as well as send messages to friends, check uploading videos of yours, etc. if you have such a device. It's unique and a nice free little app if you choose to use it but not necessary.
For the systems core components, the Xbox One is powered by an 8 core AMD processor, backed by 8GB of DDR3 and 32MB of ultra fast ESRAM. For storage, there's a 500GB hard drive to keep your media, gameplay videos and game installs. Unlike the PlayStation 4, there's no swapping out that mechanical drive for solid state without some trouble, and of course voiding your warranty, though it's entirely unnecessary to begin with as another positive for the system is that they regularly update it and the newest update as of June 9th 2014, allows for external Hard drives up to 16TB's. You'll never run out of room in other words.
Speaking of the most recent update, there is no longer a need to have an Xbox Live Gold membership to access paid apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu and such which was one of the smartest things Microsoft could've done.
Games. The system boasts some of the best exclusives at launch with many more recently announced and still being developed with some of the most breathe taking, air gasping visuals I've ever seen.
You have the ultra gorgeous Forza 5 for racing fans and aficionados, the life-like and beautiful Ryse: Son of Rome that top that list immediately.
You also have the killer apps in, Titanfall, Dead Rising 3 and the well received Killer Instinct for first person shooter, action/adventure zombie and fighting fans.
Future exclusives include...
The Master Chief Collection, containing all 4 Master Chief focused games from Halo 1-4, which includes the anniversary version of Halo 2 with improved graphics and increased frame rates, and over 100 multiplayer maps to fight with and against others on.
Halo 5: Guardians, which continues the epic tale of the Master Chief and Halo lore. A beta will be included in the MCC mentioned above that goes live later this year in December..
Quantum Break, which is a third person action adventure game developed by the creators of Alan Wake and Max Payne 1-2 with stunning visuals and from what has been shown interesting and unique gameplay mechanics controlling time.
Sunset Overdrive, from Insomniac Games, the creators of the Spyro, Rachet and Clank, and Resistance games, is an over the top action/adventure game in a colorful and vibrant city where you create your own character to take down zombie-like creatures who mutated from drinking this new flavored drink called Overcharge Delirium XT all while blazing around anywhere you want to go with flair and relative ease. It looks extremely fun.
Forza Horizon 2, The sequel to Forza Horizon, an open-world driving game where you get to sit behind the wheel of some of the world's most fastest and gorgeous cars. It's set in southern Europe, where a musical festival is taking place. A day and night cycle also brings with it a new dynamic weather system, so you could be tearing up the roads with the friends in your club when you suddenly have some wet roads to contend with.
Fable Legends, which is a new addition to the Fable franchise from Peter Molyneux's Lionhead Studios. However, this game is different to the previous titles, as its bringing co-op play to the forefront of the experience and not directly tied to past Fable lore.
Scalebound, developed by Platinum Games, creators of Bayonetta which apparently features a character in the vein ofDante from DMC, who uses a dragon to help take down various large screen filling monsters.
Ori and the Blind Forest, which is a beautiful 2D side-scroller which sees you playing as a white guardian spirit named Ori. Inspired by classic games of old such as Metroid.
Phantom Dust, which was a game released in Japan on the original Xbox back in 2004, and later in North America in 2005. Created by Yukio Futatsugi, who directed Panzer Dragoon on the Sega Saturn, Phantom Dust was set in a post-apocalyptic Earth where a dust that covers its surface renders it an unlivable wasteland. A few humans, Espers, have the ability to harness the dust, meaning they can survive on the Earth's surface and leave their underground homes. The Espers search the wasteland to find clues to how the planet became the way it is.
And last but not least, Crackdown, which had two releases to varying results on the Xbox 360 was announced which is more or less, Saints's Row 4 with powers and fully destructible environment.
The system has it's share of flaws, such as not being as powerful graphically as the main competition in the Playstation 4, but the gap isn't so wide that it's worthy of a con.
If you were reluctant to try this before with the Kinect, all of your worries should be alleviated with this Kinect-less version here.
The Xbox One is a great system and well worth a purchase.
GadgetT
