Successor to the Xbox One – Prediction

These thoughts are based solely on observations and creative thoughts. None of these conclusions have been backed up by any official statements.

The future of video games is always a fun topic to ponder. From the next big hit to the next generation of consoles, there’s always something to wonder. With the continuous growth of PC gaming, there’s always discussion on how consoles will stand out against powerful gaming computers. After Microsoft’s presentation at E3 2016, an idea popped into my head – I think the XBox One successor will be more of a gaming PC rather than a traditional console.

The Microsoft Company as a whole, including both their gaming and computer divisions, is an interesting case when it comes to modern video games. Plenty of people purchase XBox consoles, but the majority of computer gamers use PCs running Microsoft operating systems. However most PC gamers simply use the OS as a means to an end when gaming – the actual purchasing and playing of games is done most popularly through store fronts, such as Valve’s  gaming platform, Steam. With many AAA games appearing on both PC and consoles, many have forgone the purchase of an Xbox One or a PS4 in favor of a gaming PC simply because it is more versatile than a gaming console. And I think the XBox team might try to get ahead of this by the next console generation.

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Rise & Shine - Game Review

Release Date: January 13, 2017
Developer/Publisher: Super Awesome Hyper Dimensional Mega Team/Adult Swim Games
Platforms: Steam, XBox One
MSRP: $14.99

Rise & Shine combines the action of a classic side-scrolling “run-and-gun” game with shooting-based puzzles and many strong enemies to create a cool blend in mechanics. Whether its using cover to fight space grunts, guiding a slow-mo bullet through a maze or jumping from rock to rock, this game requires both a steady aim and some clever thinking.

The game is impressive at the onset with all aspects of the game feeling quite fresh and exciting. And while many of these aspects do hold up, the amount of gameplay progression regrettably slows down by the midpoint.

Story

The game begins on GamEarth, which has just been under attack from aliens from NextGen (you can see where this humor is going). The first scene shows a distraught young boy in an orange hoodie standing among the ruins of his hometown city. His name is Rise and after witnessing the death of a friend, who is shaped like an alien from space invaders, he comes face to face with a giant city-destroying robot (that is conveniently marked as “lvl 999”). The game then cuts to 1 hour earlier where we are treated to the fateful encounter between Rise and Shine – a mythical and magical pistol with a smart mouth and the power to grant “infinate spawns”

The game is littered with references to classic and modern games, countless instances to break the 4th wall, and the dialogue is campy enough to keep things moving.

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PSIBO - Game Review

Release Date: October 6, 2016
Developer/Publisher: Toxijuice/Nami Tentou 
Platforms: Wii U, Steam (Pending Greenlight)
MSRP: $4.99

A recipe for chaos: Add 1-part Pong, 2-parts Breakout, and a helping of Space Invaders for good measure.

Following behind Nami Tentou’s title Ping 1.5+ comes another arcade-inspired android game ported to Wii U.  In PSIBO (I’m assuming it’s rhymes with psycho), you’re met with gameplay that combines parts of the 3 games above to create a challenging, chaotic and retro-feeling title.

Gameplay

PSIBO features two game modes. Endless mode is the essence of its arcade ancestry with the goal of achieving a high score. The game also features 36 original levels ported directly from the android version. In both cases, gameplay and controls are the same.

You control a blue paddle that can launch and bounce balls (much like in Breakout) and the goal is to break all of the hexagons at the top. Opposing you is an AI controlled enemy paddle that tries to block your shot back at you (ala Pong). If you miss the ball bounced back at you, it’s returned to your supply, however an alien also spawns and begins firing lasers at you. Taking hits lowers your health (cue Space Invaders) and reaching 0 health ends the game. If you can follow that, good. If not, check out the image below.

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E3 2016 Broadcasting

From live broadcasts and trailers to real-time commentary, The Geek Generation has you covered all through E3 2016. We'll be live for most of each day so check us out! There will be giveaways!

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