Welcome to TAG Roundup!
Ever wonder what you missed in the world of gaming last week? No worries – we’ve got you covered!
We read a ton of video game articles each week and wanted to share some of our favorites with the Average Gamer community. We’ll feature everything from previews to reviews and everything in between.
The articles we share will be from a combination of well-known sources (like IGN) and more niche blogs that you may not have heard of. In the previous TAG Roundup post, we talked about Teardown, MMOs, Portal, and more!
At the top of the hour, we’ve got the latest console war in the realm of gaming! Microsoft and Sony launched their next-gen (I guess current-gen, now) consoles and the heated debates have started!
Console Wars Continue – Two Average Gamers
The gaming hype of the last few years has finally cultivated into the next chapter in the console wars! Microsoft dropped their systems two days before Sony, and gamers around the world now have a fresh debate over which team did it better.
If you’re like most people, you probably weren’t able to get your hands on either console. Both the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S systems have been in laughingly short supply, and fans aren’t happy.
Both companies have stated they’ll have new inventory ahead of the holidays, but this mess has been a terrible way to kick off console wars 2k20. Bots quickly snatch up new listings, online retailers put you into website queues that ultimately crash, and scalpers have been trying to list these consoles for thousands of dollars!
For the lucky handful, including yours truly, who managed to obtain next-gen consoles, the reception has been mostly positive. Games look impressive in 4k resolution running at 60 FPS, a feat that was previously reserved for PC gaming. Additionally, the new quality of life features really boost the UI experience across the board.
However, this stage of the console wars has also been marred by disappointing issues. Smoke coming out of the Xbox Series X, rest mode bugs leading to poor experiences on the PS5, and a high number of online server issues have flooded the Twitterverse.
Aside from these faults and the shortage of supply, Microsoft and Sony have definitely raised the bar when it comes to console gaming. The console war is classically decided by sales – the PS4 won the last round – and hopefully we’ll see some numbers over the next few weeks.
No matter which side of the console war you’re one, I think we can all agree on one thing. SEGA needs to put out a new console within the next 5 years and there should definitely be a screen in the controller!
Spaceflight Sim – Polygon
Epic is one of the reasons why I have too many video games. Their latest free title is Elite Dangerous, a galactic adventure set in a full-scale recreation of the Milky Way. Players start small with a tiny spacecraft and work their way towards power as they climb the ranks of the Elite!
The game will be free from November 19-26, and is a great intro to new players ahead of the 2021 expansion. Elite Dangerous: Odyssey will add “combined-arms combat” which expands that battle across various vehicles and players on the ground. Check out more info on the game’s website!
Demon’s Souls in 4K @ 60 FPS – IGN
Demon’s Souls is notorious for offering a ridiculously challenging experience for any gamers brave enough. The most recent entrant in the series is a PS5 port, and the folks over at IGN had 18 minutes of gameplay to share!
The game is grim, gritty, and looks absolutely stunning in the PS5’s performance mode. Souls’ gameplay footage highlights ray tracing capabilities, smooth combat, and intense action. Pick up the remake now in the PS store for a frustratingly epic experience!
Free Google Stadia Bundle – Polygon
Early this year, I wrote about whether I think Google Stadia’s offering is worth the price. Now that there’s a free promo, it’s hard to pass up if you’re a gamer!
Google’s latest move was to give away free Stadia bundles to anyone who subscribed to YouTube Premium. While the deal quickly ran out in the US, it still looks active in the UK for any gamers across the pond.
This could be a great alternative for anyone who didn’t get their hands on a next-gen console, at least carrying you through the next 30 days of gaming!
Among Us Clones – PC Gamer
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right? In the gaming world, this often means knockoff games that look to copy the style and mechanics of wildly popular titles.
If you’ve been keeping up with my stream (or at least not been living under a rock), you’ll know that Among Us has taken the world by storm over the last 8 months. The clones are here, and Impostor Inside Us might be the most absurd.
Their trailer actually shows off a screen of “Death Peopel”! No, that’s not a typo. Go check out the gameplay vid and see other clones on the PC Gamer site.
Top Games of the Generation – The Ringer
With the introduction of last week’s new consoles, The Ringer took a look back at the previous generation of gaming. They put together a list of their top 25 games released on either Xbox One or PS4, excluding rereleases and remasters.
I’m not surprised to see games like Stardew Valley, Overwatch, and Rocket League on the list. I haven’t gotten around to Celeste, Inside, or Batman: Arkham Knight yet, but I’ve heard great things about all three.
Check out the article to see the other 19 titles and let me know what game you would add for the last-gen!
That’s All For Now
There were plenty of other highlights from last week but these ones really stood out. Be sure to check in next time to read about video game current events.
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What were some of the most interesting things you read last week? Leave us a message in the comments so we can check it out!
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