Sacred Symbols+, Episode 142: 15 Predictions For The 2021 Game Awards (Video)

Froza and Psychonaughts both have higher metacritic scores then Spider-Man. Forza Horizon is a masterclass in gameplay and graphics. That game literally makes me laugh out loud it’s so fun. The tech in that game being used for Fable is going to be insane. If anything Microsoft is proving that they can make those high 80 and 90+ metacritic games in a much wider range of genres. Isn’t it fair to say that Sony’s output is pretty samey? I just think anybody saying Xbox studios can’t release games on par with Sony isn’t paying attention. They’ve put tons of money and talent into almost all of their new studios. I’m an RPG gamer so the PS1 is my favorite console of all time But the upcoming list of AAA RPGs Xbox has on the way is pretty staggering. Love your content Colin but I just really think you’re wrong on this one.

bix hutch

Thank you!

Colin Moriarty

Great episode!

Zachary Martin

I have a walk-in closet now, so I'll just throw it in a corner and forget it exists.

Colin Moriarty

Colin - raffle that sweater off man.. give it to a Patron as a fun Christmas gift. It's dope.

Tony Rivera

That’s too bad dude, people like you built the foundations that site sits on

Michael Thew

I doubt I'm in it.

Colin Moriarty

I'm not sure I disagree with you in the main... but I do give Xbox credit. A whole lot of credit. So I don't think that's really a fair predicate. That said, while Xbox has had a great year with its first parties, it's one year. And I don't think these games are at the level of a The Last of Us or a Spider-Man or a God of War, no. I still think Sony has that advantage. It's only an advantage so long as they continue to consistently create great games, though, and as you said, there's plenty of competition. I think Sony is vulnerable. P.S. I'm stoked for people that are happy about Starfield, but I was excited-as-fuck about Fallout 4, and it was completely underwhelming. People seem to forget that.

Colin Moriarty

Get better!

Colin Moriarty

@Charlie Fraiser I’m sorry but saying that Sony’s heavy hitters have been with them from the beginning is an out right lie. Guerrilla Games, Insomniac and Naughty Dog were all purchased and those are Sony’s three most important studios. Also Bethesda has been making exclusive games for Xbox for almost 20 years now since morrowind came out so also you don’t seem to understand how close those two have been for a very long time. Mostly everything in your comment is factually inaccurate.

bix hutch

Hey Colin, have you seen the IGN 25: the game? I wonder how much they acknowledge the people that built the company (aka you)

Michael Thew

That'd probably mean a lot more if the plethora of Sony games weren't delayed outside of the time window. I think there's a difference between saying Xbox has no games (categorically not true), and Sony has better games (ehh, I could see it). Granted, I was impressed by Psychonauts, and Halo's shaping up to be awesome, but that reputation is something only earned over continuous execution. I hope they both do great.

Tick Dickler

I'm not sure what your point is. You say they deserve the credit, and Colin gives them plenty of credit. But if the argument is that Microsoft arguably makes better games, I absolutely disagree. You said it yourself - it's only been one year. It will take monumental work and time to make up for last generation. And, ultimately, Sony's library of games is still leagues ahead. There's a commitment to quality and immersion that you don't much see with Xbox. And you'll see that quality about five times a year on Playstation. Quality and quantity, consistently, for over a decade. Not to mention, there's no doubt Sony would take pride in its ability to incubate these games and studios internally. Virtually all of Sony's heavy hitters have been with them from the beginning. That's not something Microsoft can say about most of its studios, Bethesda especially.

Those are some great points. Colin does often say that they make better games, and usually brings that up about the PlayStation collection vs Gamepass. Those games can only take you but so far. If you're a PlayStation fan of a certain level you've probably played a majority of the exclusive games on that list. They need to cycle in some new or different games. At a certain point quantity trumps quality if you're continuously getting new experiences with Gamepass. Great, good, or medium games, you're bound to enjoy something out of 100 games. I love Xbox and Playstation so I want good games on both. Nintendo too.

Russell Robinson

Colin I know you keep saying that PlayStation can say “we make better games!” But isn’t that narrative basically dead after this year? I know it’s only one year but Microsoft first party studios have the two highest rated new game releases this year in Psychonauts 2 at 91 on metacritic and Forza Horizon 5 at 92 on Metacritic. Microsoft Flight Sim console edition at a 91 and Deathloop at 89. Yes, because of prior deals not all of them were exclusives but they are in fact Microsoft studios and DoubleFine has been pretty clear that without Microsoft’s money, patience and Managment that gave them full artistic freedom that Psychonauts 2 would not be anywhere near the same game. Halo 5 is about to launch with people absolutely raving over what we’ve seen and played so far and most outlets claiming that we appear to be returning to the glory days of Halo. If Halo releases and maintains this praise then Microsoft would have 4 first party game of the year contenders in 2021. I think one thing as an Xbox fan that I love is the incredibly wide range of genres that Xbox is giving us. I think it’s pretty clear at this point that when it comes to games, Xbox is absolutely in the conversation with PS and Nintendo. Not only do they have more AAA studios, they have more money. Phil Spencer had to not only turn the ship in the right direction, they had to damn near pull it out of the bottom of the ocean. It’s pretty amazing the turn around under Phil Spencer and they seem more confident now then they did in the 360 days that they aren’t in anybody’s shadow when it comes to gaming. Todd Howard said the leap from Fallout 4 to Starfield is bigger then Morrowind to Oblivion. If Starfield releases next year and has the kind of impact a fallout 3 or Skyrim had then I think that narrative would be completely dead. I guess I wrote that whole thing to say that your narrative on Xbox’s games don’t seem to be from this generation anymore. Things have changed big time and they deserve the credit.

bix hutch

Great episode, guys. I recently got covid and have been waiting patiently for a new episode so I can have an hour to forget about every function of my body failing.

yosh_wah

<3

Colin Moriarty

No, thank YOU!

Colin Moriarty

Thank you!

Jackie Rheu

My day just got a little better. Thank you poultry penetrators. <3

Johannes