Missing in Action: Xbox One X Enhanced Patches We’re Still Waiting On
Post by KostaAndreadis @ 04:47pm 02/03/18 | Comments
... and a few we’d like to see.
The Xbox One X launched on November 7, 2017 and was quite rightly described at the time as the most powerful home console ever made. A bold statement that when coupled with the right 4K display meant that titles like Forza Motorsport 7, Assassin’s Creed Origins, and Gears of War 4 looked, well, stunning. Even smaller titles, like the excellent indie Path of Exile looked incredible running in 4K.
In terms of pure hardware, the Xbox One X represents an almost generational leap compared to the standard Xbox One. A console which struggled in recent years to maintain a consistent 1080p or full-HD resolution for a many high-profile titles. Not so with the X, and even titles that didn’t opt for full 4K still provided noticeably better image quality with faster frame-rates. The performance benefits can also be seen on titles that aren’t specifically enhanced for the Xbox One X, especially for those that adopt dynamic resolution to maintain solid frame-rates.
Tapping the extra power of the Xbox One X though, is seemingly straightforward.
In speaking with Path of Exile developers Grinding Gear Games in New Zealand, they noted that getting Path of Exile to run at a higher resolution on the Xbox One X was a very simple process. A statement re-iterated by Microsoft on several occasions. Including recently with developer Playground Games confirming to IGN that getting Forza Horizon 3 to run in a native full 4K resolution took less than a day.
Prior to the launch of the Xbox One X console Microsoft posted a list of titles that would receive updates that would take advantage of the new hardware. During November 2017 and throughout December many titles received what were dubbed Xbox One X Enhanced patches. Here are the games listed as ‘In Development’ that we’re patiently waiting on Xbox One X Enhanced versions.
As a hardware showcase, id Software’s DOOM was like an explosion when it launched in 2016. On PC that is. The console versions, in particular on Xbox One, couldn’t quite reach the same heights. The lower resolution gave the whole game a slightly blurry look and feel – but still impressed thanks to the blisteringly fast action and wonderful id Tech 6 engine. Even today, on a modern PC, DOOM is an incredible experience. With the additional power under the hood of the Xbox One X we’d love to see the same Xbox One release, running in 4K. Throw in id’s talent for pushing hardware we’d love to see different options for various resolutions and quality settings. This is the sort of game that would offer an almost night and day difference between the Xbox One and Xbox One X versions. Fingers crossed we get it soon.
A big one no doubt, and something that we can understand taking a while. After all this is the Master Chief Collection and features basically every Halo game ever made apart from Halo 5. Now, looking at the Xbox One X version of Halo 5, which took was a sub-900p game into the realm of 4K - the results here should be similarly impressive. And sure, these are much older games but taking one look at the Xbox 360 version of Halo 3 running with enhanced visuals on the Xbox One X, the updates give off the look of a completely different game. As one of the premiere Microsoft game franchises the Xbox One X patch for this huge Halo collection (which will probably be an even bigger download), should be more than enough to tide us over until the arrival of the inevitable Halo 6.
Okay, so this one stings a bit. After receiving a sizable free update in December, and the announcement of a two-year anniversary event, we’ve been patiently waiting for the Xbox One X enhanced patch to drop for The Division for some time now. Partly too because the base game remains one of the most visually stunning Xbox One titles you can play. And really, this was one we expected to see before the end of last year. In terms of what the result might be, getting to experience The Division on PC perhaps provides the best example. Crisper visuals, bigger draw distance, and advanced lighting leading to a more evocative post-viral outbreak Manhattan to explore. Other Ubisoft titles like Ghost Recon Wildlands, Assassin’s Creed Origins, and Steep look fantastic on the Xbox One X, so there’s no reason why The Division shouldn’t too.
At AusGamers we only recently got into Warframe, the free-to-play MMO-like third-person shooter that provides hours of fun. And all without feeling like a pay-to-play cash-grab in the slightest. On the Xbox One X, even without a dedicated patch, Warframe loads quicker and due to the implementation of a dynamic resolution maintains a consistent 1080p image with a quick 60 fps presentation. Still in development we’d love to see the Xbox One X enhanced patch bring the visuals up to speed to match the PC version. Cleaner textures, better effects, and of course an increase in resolution without sacrificing the buttery smooth frame-rate.
Our appetite for 4K doesn’t stop there, here are a few more games that haven’t announced any Xbox One X support but we’re still holding out hope for.
It’s a shame that EA hasn’t made any announcement that Battlefield 1 would be getting an Xbox One patch, especially when you factor in that even now many months after release the game is still getting new content. And people are playing. When Battlefield 1 launched the Xbox One version represented the least visually impressive or what is still one of the best-looking games out there. Running at 900p, there’s a definite lack of crispness that the Xbox One X would solve almost immediately. Even a resolution bump to 1440p, or somewhere close to 4K, would be incredible given the right display. EA and DICE’s Battlefront II, which received an Xbox One X enhanced patch is proof of that. With the higher resolution, HDR, and improved effects it looks worlds better than the base Xbox One version.
Bethesda was quick to jump on the Xbox One X support bandwagon, even going so far to make a notable appearance during the announcement video of what was then referred to as Project Scorpio. Since the launch of Microsoft’s updated Xbox, we’ve gotten impressive and timely patches for all the big Bethesda players – Wolfenstein II, Fallout 4, The Evil Within 2, Dishonored 2, The Elder Scrolls Online, and even Skyrim Special Edition. Absent from the list? Prey, the fantastic sci-fi mind-bender that was one-part System Shock and all parts awesome. Also, it’s one Bethesda release that needs an Xbox One X patch, with the current version suffering from long load times and a noticeably downgraded resolution.
Like Prey, Watch Dogs 2 was a critical darling but failed to reach the sales heights of other titles from the same publisher. Which is a shame because even today, Watch Dogs 2 stands on its own as one of the most fun open-world titles in years. And one that just oozes style. Which is why we’d love to replay it on a 4K display with Xbox One X enhancements. Released at a time when titles were receiving PlayStation 4 Pro support, there’s no reason why a similarly updated version couldn’t tap into all that extra power for a cleaner presentation. We’d even settle for a simple resolution bump.
Ruiner on Xbox One follows several great indies on the console that simply look blurrier or not as detailed as their PC counterparts. Or even, PS4 counterparts. Like the recent release of Immortal Redneck and the brilliant What Remains of Edith Finch? from last year. Naturally, indie studios move on after game launches to work on the next thing so we’re not exactly holding our breath for Xbox One X patches for these titles. But, as one of our favourite indies of 2017, we’d love to be able to play Ruiner in native 4K on our couch-friendly 65” LG OLED display. It’ll make lugging our gaming PC over to the living area a thing of the past.
In terms of pure hardware, the Xbox One X represents an almost generational leap compared to the standard Xbox One. A console which struggled in recent years to maintain a consistent 1080p or full-HD resolution for a many high-profile titles. Not so with the X, and even titles that didn’t opt for full 4K still provided noticeably better image quality with faster frame-rates. The performance benefits can also be seen on titles that aren’t specifically enhanced for the Xbox One X, especially for those that adopt dynamic resolution to maintain solid frame-rates.
Tapping the extra power of the Xbox One X though, is seemingly straightforward.
In speaking with Path of Exile developers Grinding Gear Games in New Zealand, they noted that getting Path of Exile to run at a higher resolution on the Xbox One X was a very simple process. A statement re-iterated by Microsoft on several occasions. Including recently with developer Playground Games confirming to IGN that getting Forza Horizon 3 to run in a native full 4K resolution took less than a day.
Prior to the launch of the Xbox One X console Microsoft posted a list of titles that would receive updates that would take advantage of the new hardware. During November 2017 and throughout December many titles received what were dubbed Xbox One X Enhanced patches. Here are the games listed as ‘In Development’ that we’re patiently waiting on Xbox One X Enhanced versions.
DOOM
As a hardware showcase, id Software’s DOOM was like an explosion when it launched in 2016. On PC that is. The console versions, in particular on Xbox One, couldn’t quite reach the same heights. The lower resolution gave the whole game a slightly blurry look and feel – but still impressed thanks to the blisteringly fast action and wonderful id Tech 6 engine. Even today, on a modern PC, DOOM is an incredible experience. With the additional power under the hood of the Xbox One X we’d love to see the same Xbox One release, running in 4K. Throw in id’s talent for pushing hardware we’d love to see different options for various resolutions and quality settings. This is the sort of game that would offer an almost night and day difference between the Xbox One and Xbox One X versions. Fingers crossed we get it soon.
Halo: The Master Chief Collection
A big one no doubt, and something that we can understand taking a while. After all this is the Master Chief Collection and features basically every Halo game ever made apart from Halo 5. Now, looking at the Xbox One X version of Halo 5, which took was a sub-900p game into the realm of 4K - the results here should be similarly impressive. And sure, these are much older games but taking one look at the Xbox 360 version of Halo 3 running with enhanced visuals on the Xbox One X, the updates give off the look of a completely different game. As one of the premiere Microsoft game franchises the Xbox One X patch for this huge Halo collection (which will probably be an even bigger download), should be more than enough to tide us over until the arrival of the inevitable Halo 6.
Tom Clancy’s The Division
Okay, so this one stings a bit. After receiving a sizable free update in December, and the announcement of a two-year anniversary event, we’ve been patiently waiting for the Xbox One X enhanced patch to drop for The Division for some time now. Partly too because the base game remains one of the most visually stunning Xbox One titles you can play. And really, this was one we expected to see before the end of last year. In terms of what the result might be, getting to experience The Division on PC perhaps provides the best example. Crisper visuals, bigger draw distance, and advanced lighting leading to a more evocative post-viral outbreak Manhattan to explore. Other Ubisoft titles like Ghost Recon Wildlands, Assassin’s Creed Origins, and Steep look fantastic on the Xbox One X, so there’s no reason why The Division shouldn’t too.
Warframe
At AusGamers we only recently got into Warframe, the free-to-play MMO-like third-person shooter that provides hours of fun. And all without feeling like a pay-to-play cash-grab in the slightest. On the Xbox One X, even without a dedicated patch, Warframe loads quicker and due to the implementation of a dynamic resolution maintains a consistent 1080p image with a quick 60 fps presentation. Still in development we’d love to see the Xbox One X enhanced patch bring the visuals up to speed to match the PC version. Cleaner textures, better effects, and of course an increase in resolution without sacrificing the buttery smooth frame-rate.
Our appetite for 4K doesn’t stop there, here are a few more games that haven’t announced any Xbox One X support but we’re still holding out hope for.
Battlefield 1
It’s a shame that EA hasn’t made any announcement that Battlefield 1 would be getting an Xbox One patch, especially when you factor in that even now many months after release the game is still getting new content. And people are playing. When Battlefield 1 launched the Xbox One version represented the least visually impressive or what is still one of the best-looking games out there. Running at 900p, there’s a definite lack of crispness that the Xbox One X would solve almost immediately. Even a resolution bump to 1440p, or somewhere close to 4K, would be incredible given the right display. EA and DICE’s Battlefront II, which received an Xbox One X enhanced patch is proof of that. With the higher resolution, HDR, and improved effects it looks worlds better than the base Xbox One version.
Prey
Bethesda was quick to jump on the Xbox One X support bandwagon, even going so far to make a notable appearance during the announcement video of what was then referred to as Project Scorpio. Since the launch of Microsoft’s updated Xbox, we’ve gotten impressive and timely patches for all the big Bethesda players – Wolfenstein II, Fallout 4, The Evil Within 2, Dishonored 2, The Elder Scrolls Online, and even Skyrim Special Edition. Absent from the list? Prey, the fantastic sci-fi mind-bender that was one-part System Shock and all parts awesome. Also, it’s one Bethesda release that needs an Xbox One X patch, with the current version suffering from long load times and a noticeably downgraded resolution.
Watch Dogs 2
Like Prey, Watch Dogs 2 was a critical darling but failed to reach the sales heights of other titles from the same publisher. Which is a shame because even today, Watch Dogs 2 stands on its own as one of the most fun open-world titles in years. And one that just oozes style. Which is why we’d love to replay it on a 4K display with Xbox One X enhancements. Released at a time when titles were receiving PlayStation 4 Pro support, there’s no reason why a similarly updated version couldn’t tap into all that extra power for a cleaner presentation. We’d even settle for a simple resolution bump.
Ruiner
Ruiner on Xbox One follows several great indies on the console that simply look blurrier or not as detailed as their PC counterparts. Or even, PS4 counterparts. Like the recent release of Immortal Redneck and the brilliant What Remains of Edith Finch? from last year. Naturally, indie studios move on after game launches to work on the next thing so we’re not exactly holding our breath for Xbox One X patches for these titles. But, as one of our favourite indies of 2017, we’d love to be able to play Ruiner in native 4K on our couch-friendly 65” LG OLED display. It’ll make lugging our gaming PC over to the living area a thing of the past.
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