Xbox Showcase Reaction: New Hardware, Final Fantasy, and More
Xbox Hardware Reveal: The Xbox Ally and Ally X
The showcase featured a new collaborative project between Microsoft and Asus: the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X. These Windows-based handhelds are designed as a console-like experience, though the team expresses pronounced skepticism regarding these claims.
• Hardware Concerns: The devices are notably heavy, and there are doubts about whether the Z2A and Z2 Extreme chips can deliver a console-tier performance in a handheld form factor.
• Windows Gaming UX: Microsoft is introducing a new games-first interface that boots into a full-screen mode, bypassing traditional desktop clutter. While this revamp attempts to solve longstanding Windows handheld pain points, it remains to be seen if it can match the ease of use found in Valve's SteamOS.
• Software Compatibility: A major point of confusion persists regarding whether these devices will support the native Xbox digital library or if users are essentially stuck with PC-only titles.
Final Fantasy on Xbox
The surprise reveal included Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade and the arrival of Final Fantasy XVI.
Technical Analysis of FFXVI
"The Series X is softer and lower resolution... favoring the PS5 by quite a large margin."
Oliver and John analyzed the FFXVI port, noting bizarre technical discrepancies where the Xbox Series X version exhibits lower resolution and strange contrast issues compared to the PS5. While the 60 FPS performance mode is appreciated, the title's heavy resource demands and reliance on Intel XeSS and FSR 1.0 create a visually inconsistent experience.
New Titles: Ninja Gaiden, Persona, and Game Freak
• Ninja Gaiden 4: Co-developed with Platinum Games, this reveal has sparked excitement, though questions about which engine (possibly an Astral Chain variant) will power the action remain.
• Persona 4 Revival: A surprise teaser that suggests a departure from Persona 3 Reload's lighting flatter aesthetics toward a more dynamic, stylized look.
• Beast of Reincarnation: A surprising Souls-like from Game Freak. While visually interesting, the pre-release footage showed significant performance issues that could hamper the experience if not addressed.
The Call of Duty "Bait and Switch"
The showcase concluded with a CG trailer for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. The panel felt this was a letdown, especially since it was positioned as the "one more thing" despite providing no gameplay or compelling reason to invest in yet another annual installment.