Im amazed at how people need hands-on to come to this conclusion.

Yes, next gen is just slightly prettier graphics. Theres no new amazing tools that let you do new things. Its more pollys that are now hardly noticeable to the human eye, lighting and performance.

Read this earlier, I agree with the leap not being so big that it stops it from feeling next gen, Ps4 will have the same problem.

Augen said: Maybe I am more easily impressed, but I've seen a few games where the lighting and textures make me see "next generation graphical capabilities". Current Generation iteration of a series Next Generation iteration of a series

The draw distance and pop-up need sorting out: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=64821861&postcount=1113 but other than that it's fine.

All that is happening is Diminishing Returns, a lot more happening on screen technically but also a lot harder to see with the naked eye

This lot of next gen systems are supposed to be easier to program, but the noticable improvements are less obvious, the gen after this one will be a fascinating one

I feel the same way about the Xbox One and the PS4. Nothing really seems next gen to me, just looks like current gen games with a fresh coat of graphical paint. I mean, the big launch window games:

Forza 5
Killzone 6
Killer Instinct
Knack
Dead Rising 3
Driveclub
Ryse
Infamous 3

None of it looks next gen gameplay wise from what I have seen. Particularly games like Infamous 3, Killzone, and Forza 5.

But isn't this true of all non-SEGA consoles? I felt the same for 360 and PS3 for the first year or so they were on the market. I mean, "next gen" began this gen when Gears launched imho.

From what I saw from these games for now...

Ryse - Pretty graphics but boring gameplay (Crytek said the gameplay will be completely different in final version)
Killer Instinct - Meh graphics with good gameplay.

hardware:
Controller is awesome.
Design of the console is great.

Software:
Ryse looked and played really cool.
Killer Instinct played very well, but did not impress him visually.

verdict: Xbox One is "hmm", because he expected a bigger jump.

Strange logic.

Well, typical Kotaku, unsatisfied with everything....

"When the original Xbox gave way to the Xbox 360, there was no mistaking one system's games for the other's. Even the worst Xbox 360 launch titles were distinctively Xbox 360 games, plastic-looking textures and all."

Eh... I remember people saying exactly the opposite.

"It's very frantic and pretty, but nothing that couldn't run on an Xbox 360 without trimming away much in the way of gameplay and visuals."

Yes, sure. According to Digital Foundry it's 1080p with 60 fps while still looking surprisingly good and has very nice effects not possible this gen.

DF: "We've never seen this excess of on-screen particles in the current generation of console hardware and the effect is fantastic."

Who is this guy again?

What? Killer Instinct looks amazing! You should read more on the GAF-Thread, they have many gameplay-videos of this gorgeous game.

Btw, did you notice his comment on the Xbone-controller? :)