The Xbox Series X is awesome, just not for the reasons I expected
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[Hi, I’m Chris Plante, and you’re reading Postgame, a weekly newsletter collecting the best games, stories, and videos in the video game community into a fun, digestible package on Sunday mornings. Learn more on the Postgame About page. Postgame is edited by Stephie Grob Plante. Want to support Postgame? Please share it with a friend! Or even better, visit my work-home at Polygon.com!]
I’ve been playing with the Xbox Series X
I asked folks on Twitter for questions about the Series X, then answered 25 of said questions!
The Series X not only makes HDR simple, but it also adds shiny, bright visuals to classic games like Fusion Frenzy and Crackdown.
Don’t get too hyped for the visual upgrades of the new consoles. The real benefit will be quality of life improvements, like drastically reduced load times.
And the screenshot button! Finally, the Xbox controller has a screenshot button!
Basically, the Series X reminds me why I loved the Xbox 360 — largely because I’ve been replaying so many Xbox 360 games via backward compatibility.
Halloween season
The true story of the Goosebumps video game, starring Jeff Goldblum as an “Elvis-impersonating Count Dracula.” (Cian Maher, The Gamer)
“In World of Horror, eldritch forces threaten to devour your hometown of Shiokawa, Japan. These old gods manifest as disembodied limbs floating around public transportation, masses of possessed high-school students, and conspiratorial online message boards. In Our World, they manifest as ceaseless forest fires, an international pandemic, and conspiratorial online message boards.” (Celia Lewis, No Escape)
“The liberating beauty of the Final Destination movies.” I know, this isn’t games related. However, it’s A+ Halloween content and you deserve the best. (Bilge Ebiri, Vulture)
Speaking of: I’m still running a diary of Halloween-friendly films that updates each day.
Five stories to read
“Vintage Nintendo games are good vibes made playable.” (Allegra Frank, Vox)
For years, Amazon has tried to build a home in the games industry, pouring cash into big-name hires, expensive projects, and a custom game engine. Things haven’t gone as planned. (Cecilia D’Anastasio, Wired)
Wonder why you couldn’t pre-order a PS5 or Xbox Series X, despite loading Gamespot and Amazon at the moment pre-orders went live? Blame Sneaker Bots. (Patrick Klepeck, Vice)
Among Us has reached “New York Times” threshold of popularity. (Taylor Lorenz, The New York Times)
“The National Videogame Museum is launching The Animal Crossing Diaries project with this in mind. Alex Roberts, a curator at the museum, explained that the research project aims to "expand the possibilities of what it means to collect experiences in games and document how to go about doing it in an ethical and sustainable way.” (Florence Smith Nicholls, Eurogamer)
Two videos to watch
A layperson’s introduction to Blaseball
Abby Russell plays Fortnite with St. Vincent
The best of the rest
I am finally giving Genshin Impact a try after reading these guides by Julia Lee and Ryan Gilliam at Polygon. Honestly, I’ve found the idea of diving into the game quite intimidating. This is the service of good guides: removing the barrier between us and games, making new systems accessible and familiar. (Julia Lee and Ryan Gilliam, Polygon)
If you’ve ever wanted a JRPG about middle-aged gig workers, then Yakuza: Like a Dragon is the game for you. (Mike Williams, US Gamer)
Microsoft’s video game streaming service still needs work but the service hints at how we’ll play together in the future. (Nick Statt, The Verge)
Here are some steps that video game studios, managers, and co-workers can take to retain and foster women in the games industry. (Marie Dealessandri, GamesIndustry.biz)
Via Twitter, Max Lowenthal, the co-editor of The Pause Button, flagged that The MADE needs our help. The Museum of Art and Digital Entertainment, founded in 2011, is a video game museum, preservation group, and play space. It’s struggling amidst the pandemic. Here’s how to donate. And here’s a documentary on The MADE (and its fight for survival) by our pals at NoClip.
The character creator in Baldur’s Gate 3 is good but could be so much better. (Ash Parrish, Kotaku)
“She Dreams Elsewhere mixes hip-hop and R&B music, a classic 16-bit JRPG aesthetic, and a battle system akin to the likes of Persona to tell its story. But perhaps the most notable aspect of the game is that it’s being developed by one person, Davionne Gooden. I talked with him to learn more about the game’s inception, inspirations, and more.” (Phillip Russell, Fanbyte)
Ephemera
The 100 best scenes in animation: the rare list in which I agree with every choice. (Vulture)
How are audiences adapting to the age of virtual theater? (Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker)
Sports: still good.
But what do you think?
Send links, tips, comments, questions, games, and portable haunted houses to @plante.
That’s a wrap. See y’all next time. Wear a mask!