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PlayStation 5 vs Xbox Series X: Launch Titles

We are now counting days or maybe hours until the launch of next-gen gaming consoles – PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. Another important part of launch apart from consoles itselves are games. So, what are the launch titles you’ll be able to play on day one?

Games and especially exclusive games are essential for game consoles to succeed. Exclusives can help sell the system, because they are the titles which you cannot play anywhere else. But we are just at the beginning of the new console cycle and it will take time to build a massive library of next-gen games. 

Let’s look into the launch titles for the new PlayStation 5 and Xbox One Series X/S which gamers will be able to play on day one. I will focus mainly on exclusive titles. And right at the beginning I must tell, that I consider these line-ups pretty weak for both consoles. There is no game that I have the urge to immediately play. But if I should choose the winner, then I think Sony has a bit stronger launch titles than Microsoft. Let’s see why:

Launch titles for PlayStation 5

With every PlayStation 5 console you’ll get pre-installed Astro’s Playroom, a platformer which is more like a tech demo to showcase the new features of the DualSense controller. It has a score of 82 on Metacritic, so it may be worth checking it out. 

Then there is Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales and this will be probably the first choice for PS5 buyers. The first game on PS4 was great and we can expect similar experience with Miles Morales. But on the other hand, if you are expecting a full sequel, then you might be disappointed. It’s more like a spin-off with similar gameplay, but much shorter one. And you will be able to play it also on PS4, so it’s not PS5 exclusive only.

Demon’s Souls started the series of nerve-wrecking, really hard games from From Software. Now we are getting a full remake of this PS3 game. It’s welcomed by die hard fans, but it may be intimidating for new players.

Another “almost” exclusives are looter slasher Godfall (alson on PC) and Sackboy: A Big Adventure (also on PS4), a game with a cute hero which is well known from popular Little Big Planet platformers. These launch titles will be probably the first picks for PS5 buyers. Although there is not a single one really standout, true to its name exclusive. All these titles, except from Astro’s Playroom are either also available on PS4, PC or in case of Demon’s Souls, it’s a remake of an older game. We will need to wait a bit more for a true next-gen exclusive which will define the new PlayStation console.

Launch titles for Xbox Series X/S

It’s a bit disappointing that Microsoft doesn’t have a single big name exclusive game ready for their Xbox Series X/S launch titles. No latest Forza or Halo, we’ll need to wait for these to come. Instead they are offering a few new brands.

Bright Memory Infinite is a fast paced first-person shooter mixed with sword slashing and using various perks. It’s running on Unreal Engine 4 and visually looks quite good. In The Falconeer you are flying on a falcon and exploring the open world, while fighting in aerial dogfights. Quite an unusual concept, but doesn’t sound as much fun to me.

Renowned developers from Obsidian will launch survival title Grounded on new Xbox Series X/S. In this game you’ve been shrunk to the size of an ant and obviously, you need to survive. There is plenty of danger in the backyard – like spiders or ladybugs.

There are other launch titles like Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Manifold Garden, The Touryst or Yes, Your Grace, but none of these games is especially new and they all have been released on various different platforms. Basically every new Xbox exclusive will be also available on PC, so if you are a PC gamer, there is no system seller to draw you the Xbox side.

Conclusion

To sum it up, as I said at the beginning, launch titles line-up for new consoles is not the strongest one. Xbox Series X/S day one games are disappointing to me. Sony at least have Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Sackboy: A Big Adventure, or Demon’s Souls if you like to torture yourself. 

But these are not the only games, which will be available on new consoles this week. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Dirt 5, Borderlands 3, Fortnite or Watch Dogs: Legion are also coming to both of these consoles. Not to forget, that there is backward compatibility, so you can play your older games from Xbox One and PlayStation 4 on your new Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5.