A new Xbox and PlayStation.
2021 brought a new console generation in PS5 and Xbox Series X. That’s (not) reflected in Akhil Arora’s video game reviews from 2021.
Forza Horizon 5
“Forza Horizon 5’s Mexico is a joy to drive through, be it when I’m speeding on the super highways at speeds in excess of 350 km/h in the ultra-quiet all-electric Porsche Taycan Turbo S, swinging through the curvy inner streets on the prowl for bonus boards in the hungry and powerful Lamborghini Centenario, or cutting through forests and jumping off rolling hills in the mood for some skill points and collateral damage in a heavy-duty big-tyred pick-up truck.”
Far Cry 6
“[Not] a great game. It often retreads what have become Ubisoft clichés. But at times, it’s a really fun game. Far Cry 6 has moments of genuine inspiration where its combination of tropical paradise, co-op support, and new ideas fuse together to deliver something memorable. But between those admittedly enjoyable adventures, Far Cry 6 will also make you do a series of things that aren’t too different from one another. That sameness is pervasive.”
FIFA 22
“But even if EA does get its head out of the pile of gold, it’s got troubles on the pitch too. FIFA doesn’t feel like football anymore to me. To be fair, it never really was—thanks to pitch size, pace dominance, and all that—but now it just seems to be going away from the sport it claims to represent each year. Maybe a new challenger can shake things up. We badly need it.”
Far Cry 6 x Cuba
“The accents in Ubisoft Toronto’s Far Cry 6 are again heavily based in Cuba, with variations based on socio-economic location, whether it’s a rural area, or the capital Esperanza that takes a bit after Havana. Even inside the capital city itself, a working-class Yaran will sound different from someone from the upper middle class.”
Kena: Bridge of Spirits
“[By-the-numbers] 3D action-adventure game. It might look like a modern Zelda game but doesn’t play like one. It’s largely just a series of arena-based combat routines, stitched together by long stretches of traversal, and cutscenes that are well-designed but feel like a forgotten Hollywood B-movie. Too often, Kena: Bridge of Spirits reminds you of better games you’ve played and that it’s borrowing from—which is not a good sign.”
Psychonauts 2
“As with Psychonauts, the USP for Psychonauts 2 remains its eclectic nature, filled with all sorts of new and returning goofy characters. Add to that its visual aesthetic that mimics hand-drawn comic books, channelling an inner Tim Burton-esque vibe, and as if it’s been launched through a Technicolor post-processing system.”
Outriders
“When it all comes together, Outriders can be good fun. The gunplay felt a little stilted and laboured to me early on, but I’ve found it to be really satisfying at times, especially when you empty a volcanic-charged cartridge into an enemy’s head—and they plop to the ground. And Outriders keeps you on your toes as you’re constantly balancing various elements: where to find cover, dodging grenades, when to jump back out, who to target first, how to maximise your powers, and working with your squad.”
PS5 vs. Xbox Series X
“[Between] Sony and Microsoft’s next-gen console offerings, which one is the best choice? The short answer is that there isn’t an obvious winner. That’s why I decided to compare them across the board. It’s all in the video. I talk about games, from what’s available right now … to what’s coming up. How the games perform. The varying strategies to sell those games. How the two new controllers shape up. The problems with storage. And the unique features they offer.”
Xbox Series X
“If it’s a next-gen console you’re after, the Xbox Series X is a solid proposition. [Xbox] Game Pass is a great money-saving idea in a world where Rs. 5,000 games are becoming the norm. Microsoft’s new console also lets you play games from every console Microsoft has ever made. New games look and perform better than ever, without breaking the bank. And the Series X belongs to the only console family that supports Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos for gaming.”
PlayStation 5
“[Both] a bold and safe bet from Sony. While Microsoft is out there looking to rewrite the playbook—a more affordable starting price with the Xbox Series S, an increasing focus on Xbox Game Pass, including game streaming … and the option to buy the console piecemeal … — Sony seems confident in its approach: sell a swanky console upfront, and then charge individually for games. The approach worked with the PS4, which beat the Xbox One by a margin greater than 2:1, so why meddle with that?”