Now that the first reviews of Microsoft"s Xbox One are rolling out, many outlets have had the chance to play and review both it and Sony"s PlayStation 4, marking the true start of the next-generation console war (Nintendo"s Wii U had no competition at its launch with the exception of the current-generation PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360). So how do the consoles stack up next to one another? Pretty well, actually.
The following review outlets assigned scores to both consoles:
| Outlet | PlayStation 4 Score | Xbox One Score |
|---|---|---|
| CNET | 3.5 out of 5 (7.5 out of 10 Expanded) | 3.5 out of 5 (7 out of 10 Expanded) |
| Gizmodo | Should you buy it? Not Yet | Should you buy it? Not Yet |
| Kotaku | Should you buy it? Not Yet | Should you buy it? Not Yet |
| Mirror | 5 out of 5 | 5 out of 5 |
| PCWorld | 3.5 out of 5 | 4 out of 5 |
| Pocket-lint | 4 out of 5 | 5 out of 5 |
| Polygon | 7.5 out of 10 | 8 out of 10 |
| Tom"s Guide | 3.5 out of 5 | 4 out of 5 |
| USA Today | 3.5 out of 5 | 3.5 out of 5 |
| The Verge | 7.7 out of 10 | 7.8 out of 10 |
As seen above, most outlets are giving the two consoles roughly the same score, with some giving the Xbox One a slight advantage. Despite the enthusiasm for both consoles, almost all the outlets have said it"s too early to say which console will prove a better buy in the long haul, however.
Even with the above scores, some of reviewers have chosen to decline assigning a hard number to the console. Joystiq, for instance, praised the Xbox One for its home theater features while noting some issues – such as inconsistent Snap multitasking functionality – could easily be ironed out in future updates.
While some of the scores seem to give a slight nod to the Xbox One, it"s not a consensus. ArsTechnica"s Xbox One review, for instance, says consumers should only buy it if they want Microsoft"s exclusives, "not for the bells and whistles. Otherwise, save $100 and get a PS4." Other outlets have similarly noted the price advantage Sony has, though many also note the added functionality Microsoft"s console features in terms of television and apps.
In terms of launch games, most reviews have been in agreement that the Xbox One has an advantage with titles such as "Dead Rising 3," "Ryse: Son of Rome" and "Zoo Tycoon." Sony"s big-name exclusives such as "Killzone: Shadow Fall" has received lackluster reviews, but many outlets have noted the PlayStation 4 has a performance advantage, which could bolster its benefits down the line.