The Xbox Series X Review: Ushering In The Next Generation of Game Consoles
by Brett Howse on November 5, 2020 9:00 AM ESTGameplay Analysis: Gears Tactics
Although already released on PC (and even part of Ian’s CPU benchmarking suite) Gears Tactics will be available on Console on November 10th, making this a console launch title for the Series X|S. Although it will also be available on Xbox One, the title has been enhanced and improved visually, much as Gears 5 was, with higher framerates and likely better textures as well.
One of the first noticeable differences between the Xbox One X and Xbox Series X versions of the game is the options page. The Xbox One X allows you to choose a Performance or Quality mode, trading off visual fidelity for framerate, but the Xbox Series X asks you to make no such sacrifice. In fact, it does allow you to set the framerate on the cutscenes to 30 FPS, matching the Xbox One X, if you prefer the more “cinematic” choice, or 60 FPS.
Gears 5 Cutscenes
Gears Tactics includes cutscenes that are not rendered on the fly though, so these ones are visually identical on both consoles, and both run at 30 FPS.
The rendered cutscenes do swing up to the 60 FPS mark on the Xbox Series X, as expected. Unlike Gears 5 though, there does not seem to be any texture differences between the two consoles in the cutscenes.
Gears Tactics Gameplay
On the Xbox Series X, players are treated to a 60 FPS version of the game rendered in 4K, unlike the Xbox One X which is limited to 30 FPS. The framerate was very smooth on the Series X.
As a new title for launch day, fans of the Gears franchise will finally get a chance to try this strategy version of the game, and without a doubt, the experience is definitely enhanced on the new console, with higher framerates across the board.
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eastcoast_pete - Sunday, November 8, 2020 - link
Yes, that (shuffle with off-unit storage) is what I meant. At least early on, I'd like to keep enough free space on the built-in SSD to allow for fast saves and resumes.Brett Howse - Sunday, November 8, 2020 - link
It doesn't display the copy speed but I was able to copy a 75 GB game to the internal SSD in about 15 minutes, which works out to about 700 Mbps or 83 MB/s. This was with a 2.5" HDD.eastcoast_pete - Monday, November 9, 2020 - link
Thanks Brett! So, no speed demon, but not extra slow either, and this is about what I currently get with my external HDD over USB 3 to my PC. If the Series X does likewise with an SSD over USB 3.1 (same speed as external to PC), it'll be usable.cmdrdredd - Monday, November 9, 2020 - link
Digital Foundry did a test like this for backwards compatible games and in Fallout 4 the game loaded in 15seconds on the internal SSD and 17seconds from an external SSD(860evo) via USB3.15j3rul3 - Saturday, November 7, 2020 - link
Is there any SONY Playstation 5 Review？Brett Howse - Saturday, November 7, 2020 - link
We didn't get sampled the PlayStation 5. Ryan has one ordered but it obviously he won't get it any earlier than when customers start to receive them.5j3rul3 - Monday, November 9, 2020 - link
I hope I can read the PS5 review soon :)CoderScribe - Saturday, November 28, 2020 - link
DittoAssimilator87 - Sunday, November 8, 2020 - link
Great article, Brett! Are you able to increase the resolution of the embedded pictures? The frame rate pics specifically are so soft it hurts my eyes haha.Also, is it possible to use a USB Blu-ray drive on the digital only consoles?
Brett Howse - Sunday, November 8, 2020 - link
If you click on the images you will get them full size.No you can't use an external Blu-Ray with the Series S.