If they are still young, the
Xbox Series X and Series S
have something to offer hours and hours of play. Whether or not they are specifically developed for the new range of Xbox consoles, the games in this selection display serious graphic and playful arguments. They even emerge as essentials and whatever your tastes, you will inevitably find what you are looking for. From the terrifying Resident Evil Village, through the huge Assassin's Creed Valhalla, not to mention the very muscular Mortal Kombat 11, there is already plenty to do. And you are also free to wear the assassin costume in Hitman III or take the wheel of sublime cars in Forza Horizon 4. If your desires take you towards Japanese action-RPG or experiences close to a Zelda,there again the Xbox Series have something to delight you with high quality productions. At your controllers to discover the best games on Xbox Series X and S.
our selection
Resident Evil Village, Capcom
Gears 5, Microsoft
Immortals Fenyx Rising, Ubisoft
Watch Dogs Legion, Ubisoft
NieR Replicant Remake, Square Enix
Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Ubisoft
Forza Horizon 4, Microsoft
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, Activision
Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate, Warner Bros
Hitman III, Square Enix
The two new Xbox Series X / S consoles
The latest addition to the Xbox family, the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S are naturally more efficient than the Xbox One and One X. This new range offers two very distinct philosophies.
Let's start with the
Xbox Series X
, which establishes itself without problem as the monster of power of the mark.
If you are looking for a definitive experience in terms of display and fluidity, this is the model that should be looked at.
The ability to display native 4K and 60 frames per second is an unstoppable argument.
Let us not forget either the presence of a hard disk of the SSD type which drastically reduces the loading times.
The storage capacity is 1TB, although in reality it is around 800GB once the basic installations have been carried out.
The exploits of which the Xbox Series X is capable are accessible for the sum of € 499.99.
If for its part the
Xbox Series S
is less efficient, it still contains great assets. Already, its price is very attractive since it is set at € 299.99. A competitive price due to the absence of a physical drive. And yes, it is impossible to use a game in the form of a disc, it is imperative to go through the download box. Equipped with an SSD too, the Series S is also sold as the smallest Xbox ever. Which is very appreciable because the console knows how to be discreet, even in small spaces. This featherweight template is also explained by a material relaxation. No 4K here but good old 1080p, even 1440p when possible. This does not prevent games from running with panache, but we must admit that the Xbox Series S is closer toan Xbox One X stung by hormones than an Xbox Series X. We could also blame it for a little low storage for a console dedicated to dematerialized games. With 512 GB of theoretical storage, we actually go down to 360 GB after the first system installations. Another parameter to be absolutely taken into account: you need an excellent internet connection to download games in a reasonable time.
The Series range also includes very useful features.
The Quick Resume, for example, which allows you to navigate very quickly between several games in progress.
For technophiles with a compatible screen, it is possible to opt for a display in HDMI 2.1 and to push the rendering up to 120 images per second.
On the sound side, the two models are armed for 3D audio and have enough to power home cinemas.
Do all of these features make the Series X serious contenders for the PlayStation 5?
While the Xbox Series S can't compete with Sony's new console technically, the Series X has nothing to be ashamed of.
Overall the two heavyweights from Microsoft and Sony are at the same level in terms of performance.
Do I have to have an Xbox Game Pass subscription?
While not required,
Xbox Game Pass membership is highly recommended
because it stands out as the blunt argument of the Xbox environment. The basic offer is € 9.99 per month and gives you access to more than a hundred games. Some titles are even available in the Game Pass from the day of their release, such as productions signed by Xbox Game Studios. If you play on PC in addition to your Xbox, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate can be attractive. The latter effectively includes the Xbox Game Pass Console and PC plus an Xbox Live Gold subscription (for online gaming), all at a price of € 12.99 per month. Another advantage of Game Pass Ultimate is that it gives access to xCloud at no additional cost. Remember that the xCloud allows you to stream your favorite Xbox games on other media, such as a computer, tablet or smartphone.
The generosity of the Ultimate offer does not stop there with the presence of EA Play and its farandole of hits published by Electronic Arts. The content is therefore gigantic, especially since the Bethesda games are also part of the Game Pass, whatever the formula, and this since the acquisition of the studio by Microsoft. So this is an inexpensive way to discover an impressive number of games, without actually buying a single one. And if you feel like doing some shopping, Xbox Game Pass offers discounts (up to 20%) on the purchase of certain games in the catalog. It is also important to specify that the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is included in the Xbox All Access offer. A subscription system that allows you to purchase an Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S from 24, in some stores,€ 99 per month for 2 years.
Do previous Xbox games work on Xbox Series X?
The Xbox Series have the elegance of not denying the history of the brand and especially its greatest games.
Thus, it is quite
possible to relaunch your Xbox, Xbox 360 and Xbox One titles in an Xbox Series
and find them in a better light. It always has its small effect. Seeing the Xbox 360 version of Grand Theft Auto IV running at 60 frames per second is quite startling. And there are many such examples. Obviously, not all the old games are taken into account yet. But the list of the lucky ones grows steadily and Microsoft maintains an online listing to monitor the arrival of new compatible titles. Regarding the Xbox One games taken into account, we find them in their Xbox One X version once inserted into a Series X or S. The loading times are much shorter and a multitude of graphic improvements are present. Microsoft's efforts in this area are really to be applauded and it is a pity that the competition does notNo more inspires this almost total backward compatibility which gives an all the more important role to the Series range.
Accessories for a complete experience on your Xbox
Once the console is installed, it is advisable to be well equipped to make the most of it.
Let's start with the most important:
the controller
.
Much like that of the Xbox One, the basic controller is a big accomplishment.
It is ergonomic and pleasant to handle.
A dedicated screen capture button has been added to share your exploits.
To avoid running out of battery and to avoid consuming mountains of batteries, official batteries for these controllers are marketed by Microsoft (between 20 and 35 € depending on the brand).
The
joysticks batteries
Xbox One are also compatible (unlike cables) and this represents a more economical and environmentally friendly solution. This controller is therefore a must and if you do not want to invest too much in additional controllers, it is always possible to bring out those of the Xbox One. These are fully compatible with the Xbox Series. The same goes for
your arcade sticks, keyboards or mice
. Car racing game enthusiasts can continue to use their
Xbox One steering wheel
, it will be taken care of without worry.
If your budget allows it, take a look (and even two) at the
Elite Series 2 controller
, the Rolls of its kind.
Analogue sticks with adjustable tension, enveloping rubberized grip, internal battery and various customizable elements.
A little wonder that costs € 179.99.
Another essential point: storage.
If your gaming appetite is straining your Xbox Series X or S hard drive,
Seagate storage expansion cards
are a good solution.
Easily connectable, they bring an additional 1TB external memory.
The price is a bit high (249.99 €) but the performance of the SSD disk is preserved for the games stored on these cards.
The most anticipated Xbox Series X and S game releases
We have good news: the Series X and S consoles will be welcoming other premium productions in the coming months. From June 25, the action-RPG
Scarlet Nexus
(Bandai Namco) will shine with its dynamism and its anime / manga look. The futuristic universe as well as the general design promise a nice change of scenery. As for Formula 1 buffs, they can already chomp on their brakes and wait for the release of
F1 2021
(Electronic Arts). The race starts on July 16 and at the wheel there is a studio expert in the field, namely Codemasters (GRID, DiRT, Project CARS). Dated for this summer but without a specific landing slot, the Microsoft
Flight Simulator
phenomenon
(Xbox Game Studios) and its striking photorealism will also delight the Xbox Series. This ultra realistic flight simulator has already capsized the hearts of (big) PC owners.
The start of the 2021 school year will mark the return of a strong license in the field of Japanese role-playing games with
Tales of Arise
(Bandai Namco). Particularly awaited, this episode, scheduled for September 10, clearly marks a new stage as it seems visually ambitious. How not to also mention
Halo Infinite
(Xbox Game Studios). After a very disappointing first presentation in 2020, the title is currently being reworked by the studio 343 Industries. This new Halo has no other choice but to shine when it is released in the last quarter of 2021. Let us also mention two future hits without a specific date and which will be talked about: the big FPS
Battlefield 6
(Electronic Arts ) and
Far Cry 6
(Ubisoft). Finally, let's end with a pious wish, that of seeing the very promising
Senua's Saga: Hellblade II
deliver to our Xbox consoles this year. The sequel to Senua's Sacrifice, which intelligently explored the theme of mental disorders, promises to be an even more intense experience.
