Podcast Summary
Exploring the Next Generation of Video Games on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S: Triple Click team will discuss new Xbox consoles and share their thoughts, take a break for a special Mel Brooks episode, encourage memberships, and record during election night without discussing results.
Triple Click, the team behind the podcast, will be discussing the next generation of video games focusing on the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S in their upcoming episodes. They are excited to explore these new consoles and share their thoughts, while also taking a break from the console launch extravaganza to revisit some classic Mel Brooks movies in a special "Beanscast" episode. The team encourages listeners to become members for exclusive content and to support the listener-supported show. They also remind everyone that they are recording during election night and will not be discussing the election results in this episode.
New Xbox consoles: Affordable and efficient upgrade: The Xbox Series X and Series S offer faster loading times and improved graphics, making them an affordable and efficient upgrade for college students or those without a high-end gaming PC. Xbox Game Pass remains a major selling point.
The new Xbox Series X and Series S consoles offer incremental upgrades with fast loading times and improved graphics, but they don't bring any major innovations to the table compared to the last generation. Maddie, who has been using the Xbox Series S, shares her perspective as someone who skipped the Xbox One generation and sees the Series S as an affordable option for college students or those who can't afford a high-end gaming PC. The consoles' operating systems and Xbox Game Pass functionality remain largely the same as the Xbox One. While the consoles don't wow with new features, the fast loading times and ability to play Xbox Game Pass titles make for an enjoyable gaming experience.
Experience the game like never before with Xbox Series X's high frame rate: Xbox Series X's high frame rate provides a more responsive and immersive gaming experience, making games feel and look better, even at a lower resolution compared to high-end PCs. Fast loading times and affordable price point are additional advantages.
The high frame rate capability of the Xbox Series X is a significant innovation for many gamers, providing a more responsive and immersive gaming experience, even if the resolution isn't as high as some other options. The speaker found that playing games like Madden 21, Yakuza, and Assassin's Creed Valhalla at 60 frames per second on the Xbox Series X made a huge difference in the way the games felt and looked, even compared to their high-end PC counterparts. Although the speaker acknowledged that some people might prioritize resolution over frame rate, they personally found the frame rate to be the more noticeable and impactful improvement. The Xbox Series X's fast loading times and ability to run next-gen games at high frame rates were also highlighted as major advantages, especially considering the relatively affordable price point of the console. Overall, the speaker's experience with the Xbox Series X has been impressive, and they believe that the high frame rate capability is a game-changer for many gamers.
Next-gen gaming: 4k, variable resolution, adaptive frame rates, and more: The next generation of gaming brings advancements like 4k resolution, variable resolution, adaptive frame rates, and proprietary technologies for better graphics and performance. However, not all games will support these features, and specific hardware is required for optimal experience.
The next generation of gaming, as represented by the discussion about The Hobbit movie's frame rates and various console technologies like the Xbox Series X and PS4 Pro, offers significant advancements in graphics and performance. These improvements include 4k gaming, variable resolution, adaptive frame rates, and proprietary technologies like DLSS and ray tracing. While some of these features are already available on current consoles, the next generation is expected to offer even more impressive optimizations and capabilities. However, it's important to note that every game will be different in terms of how it utilizes these technologies, and some may not support certain features or may not run at optimal frame rates. Additionally, many of these advancements will require specific hardware, such as high-refresh-rate TVs, which not all consumers may have. Overall, the next generation of gaming promises exciting improvements, but it's important for consumers to consider their individual needs and budgets before upgrading.
Xbox Series X: Faster Loading Times but Not a Major Upgrade for Some: For some gamers, the Xbox Series X's faster loading times may not justify the cost if they already have a powerful gaming PC or have played most games on other platforms. However, its backwards compatibility with older Xbox and Xbox 360 games and potential exclusive titles make it an attractive option.
While the Xbox Series X offers faster loading times and the ability to quickly switch between games, it may not feel like a significant upgrade for those who already have a powerful gaming PC or have played most of the games from the last console generation on other platforms. The console's backwards compatibility with older Xbox and Xbox 360 games is a plus, but the performance of these games may not be optimized for the Series X, and there's currently no way to convert physical discs to digital versions. The console's marketing focus on faster loading times is valid, but the true value for many gamers may depend on the quality of the game optimizations and the library of exclusive titles.
Next-gen console performance is uncertain despite faster GPUs: Both Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 have powerful GPUs, but game optimizations and ongoing software demands may impact performance, and Microsoft plans to release a new console soon.
While the Xbox Series X has a faster GPU than the PlayStation 5, it's still unclear which console will run games better, especially in terms of 4k 60 frames per second. Many games are not yet optimized for next-gen consoles, and some optimizations may not come until later this year or even next year. Additionally, both consoles are marketed as the most powerful devices ever, but they will also be running the most demanding software, which may lead to ongoing issues with loading times and frame rates. Microsoft is expected to release a new console within the next few years, which is another factor to consider when deciding whether to purchase a new console. Lastly, the Xbox Series X promises 512 gigs of storage, but only about 364 gigs are actually available due to the operating system's requirements.
Xbox Series S vs X: Storage Differences and Budget Considerations: The Xbox Series S has a smaller 512GB SSD compared to Series X's 1TB, but smaller game sizes allow for more installations. Budget-conscious gamers may prefer Series S, while Series X offers faster loading times and potential future upgrades.
The Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X have significant differences in terms of storage capacity and game size. While the Series X comes with a 1 terabyte solid state drive, the Series S has a smaller 512 GB drive. However, many games on the Series S are smaller in size, allowing for more titles to be installed compared to the Series X. For instance, Assassin's Creed was 49 GB on the Series X and 43 GB on the Series S. Although both consoles can be expanded with external storage, the Series S's limited storage capacity and smaller game sizes make it a more budget-friendly option for everyday gamers. However, keep in mind that the Series X offers faster loading times and potential future upgrades due to its larger storage capacity and more powerful hardware. The choice ultimately depends on individual gaming preferences and budget constraints.
Xbox Series S: Budget-friendly console without disk drive: Consider Xbox Series S for budget-conscious gamers or those with last-gen Xbox, strong backward compatibility, and recent studio acquisitions. Delay investment due to pandemic-related game release delays.
The new Xbox Series S, while identical in appearance to the Series X, lacks a disk drive and hard drive, making it more suitable for budget-conscious gamers or those who already own a last-gen Xbox. The Xbox platform's strong backward compatibility and recent studio acquisitions are compelling reasons to consider it for console purchases. However, the ongoing pandemic causing delays in game releases argues for waiting a year before investing in new hardware. Ultimately, the decision depends on individual gaming priorities and financial situation.
Consider waiting for more optimization and potential price drops before buying Xbox Series S: Wait for improved optimization and potential price drops before purchasing the Xbox Series S for best value.
If you're considering investing in a new console, especially during the holiday season, it might be worth waiting a bit longer. The Xbox Series S, in particular, may not provide a noticeable difference in resolution on a 4k TV, and the optimization for various games is not yet available. The speakers in this discussion, who have tried the Series S on their 1440p monitor, noticed a significant difference in frame rate, leading them to prefer the Series X instead. While the Series S may be a good option for those jumping into the new console generation or without a PC, it's essential to consider whether you'll use it beyond the review period. Overall, the consensus is to wait for more optimization and potential price drops before making a purchase.
Exploring Watch Dogs Legion's Unique Qualities: Watch Dogs Legion stands out with its focus on hacking and diverse experience, thanks to Clint Hocking's direction.
The podcast "Watch Dogs Legions: A Game Beyond the Ordinary" by Kirk and the team discusses the unique qualities of the video game "Watch Dogs Legion," directed by Clint Hocking. This game, which is the third installment in the Watch Dogs series, offers a fresh take on Ubisoft's open-world games, known for their focus on stealth and hacking. Hacking is a significant aspect of the game, allowing players to interact with their environment using their phones as an elite hacker. However, what sets "Watch Dogs Legion" apart is its distinctiveness from other Ubisoft games, offering a more diverse and interesting experience. Kirk highlights Clint Hocking's involvement in the game, who is known for his work on "Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory" and his famous blog post on ludo narrative dissonance in BioShock. Overall, the podcast emphasizes the game's intrigue and uniqueness within the Ubisoft open-world game genre.
Exploring the innovative gameplay mechanics of Watch Dogs with unique themes and approaches: From prison breaks to teamwork against authoritarian rule, each Watch Dogs game offers a fresh perspective on hacking and exploration
The Watch Dogs series showcases innovative gameplay mechanics with a focus on hacking and exploration, but each game offers unique themes and approaches. The first game, with its prison break mission, exemplifies the layered world design, allowing players to access different areas and manipulate environments in creative ways. Watch Dogs 2 introduced a goofier tone and a focus on teamwork against authoritarian rule. The latest entry, Legion, stands out for its lack of a single protagonist, instead allowing players to recruit and control various NPCs in a near-future dystopian London. Despite its flaws and the intense timing of its release during a politically charged period, Legion offers a fresh perspective on the series' core mechanics.
Exploring the depth of Watch Dogs: Legion's open world: Watch Dogs: Legion's open world is richly detailed, with each character having a simulated life and daily schedule, adding to the game's immersion and potential for interesting interactions. The absence of a traditional protagonist and ability to recruit and play as any character creates a unique and diverse team.
Watch Dogs: Legion offers a richly detailed and interconnected open world, where each character has a simulated life and daily schedule. This depth adds to the game's immersion and makes every character potentially interesting, unlike the superficial facts in the first game. The absence of a traditional protagonist and the ability to recruit and play as any character adds to the game's uniqueness and creates a diverse team. However, while the open world design is impressive, it doesn't quite match the narrative depth found in games with multiple protagonists and permadeath, such as XCOM. Despite this, the game's approach to character development and the potential for losing characters permanently adds to its distinct identity and challenge. Overall, Watch Dogs: Legion's innovative setup and depth of character interaction sets it apart in the open-world genre.
Watch Dogs: Legion's unique permadeath system and open world don't fully deliver on narrative depth and character attachment: While Watch Dogs: Legion offers an impressive open world and unique permadeath system, it falls short in delivering the emotional attachment and team storytelling found in games like XCOM.
While Watch Dogs: Legion offers an impressive open world and a unique permadeath system, it falls short in delivering the same level of narrative depth and character attachment found in games like XCOM. The game's focus on various gameplay styles and character builds results in a lack of distinct stories and team dynamics. The speaker found the game to be more of a stealth experience than a shooting game, but wished for a different genre that prioritized relationships and social interactions instead. The speaker also shared their positive experience playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons during Halloween, highlighting the holiday's perfect fit for video games with its focus on collecting, giving, and decorating. Despite enjoying Watch Dogs: Legion for its stealth mechanics, the speaker expressed a desire for a game that could deliver the emotional attachment and team storytelling they found in XCOM.
A critically acclaimed TV show about Russian spies in the US during the 1980s: The Americans delivers great performances, writing, production, and an engaging plot about subterfuge between Russia and the US during the Cold War, with Margo Martindale's standout performance and a satisfying ending, despite some slow seasons.
"The Americans" is a critically acclaimed TV show about a Russian spy couple living in the US during the 1980s. The series features great performances, writing, and overall production, with a heartbreaking yet satisfying ending. However, some seasons, like season 5, can be slow and boring. Margo Martindale delivers a standout performance in the show. The plot revolves around subterfuge between Russia and the US during the Cold War, making for an enjoyable and engaging watch. While it may not quite make it to the top of some personal tier lists, it's still a highly recommended show. The soundtrack is also worth mentioning.
