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Forums - Sony - Technically inferior Xbox One games have higher metacritic, WHY?

freedquaker on 20 March 2014
SlayerRondo said:

Having seen metacritic averages for Tomb Raider and Metal Gear Solid Ground Zero's I was surprised to see the Xbox One versions scored higher despite Tomb Raider having a lower framerate and Metal Gear Solid having a lower resolution. Even games that 100% similar like Rayman Legends scored higher on the Xbox One and it makes no sense? Is it just a case of people having lower expectations for the Xbox One?

Why has this occured in your opinion?

Examples

Tomb Raider: Xbone - 86 PS4 - 85

Metal Gear Solid Ground Zero's: Xbone - 77 PS4 - 75

Rayman Legends: Xbone - 93 PS4 - 90

Fifa 14: Xbone - 88 PS4 - 87

NBA 2K14: Xbone - 86 PS4 - 85


There are two very simple answers, leaving no shred of doubt.

a) The reviewers are different and the XB1 reviewers are way less critical and more forgiving especially in graphical terms. When you only take the COMMON reviewers, the discrepancy disappears entirely.

b) They are being "apolgetic", and "politically correct" with regards to the console parity, downplaying the graphical differences. In most common reviews, although they clearly state / know that the PS4 is technically superior, they still grant exactly the same scores to both versions, not even a tiny advantage to PS4 (unless there is a drastic difference). This is because they avoid controversy and stay politically correct (as there is hardly anything to gain otherwise).



Playstation 5 vs XBox Series Market Share Estimates

Regional Analysis  (only MS and Sony Consoles)
Europe     => XB1 : 23-24 % vs PS4 : 76-77%
N. America => XB1 :  49-52% vs PS4 : 48-51%
Global     => XB1 :  32-34% vs PS4 : 66-68%

Sales Estimations for 8th Generation Consoles

Next Gen Consoles Impressions and Estimates

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the_dengle on 20 March 2014

My interpretation is that Western journalists are generally very slightly biased in favor of American products. Obviously it's barely noticeable even on a large scale and few individuals are legitimately guilty of this in a way that affects their work. But the opposite is true in Japan, and the trend this gen and last gen is for equal experiences to score higher on Xbox, so that's my little theory.



SlayerRondo on 20 March 2014
EB1994 said:
Because they have more reviews.


Given what I have seen I think you are probably right.



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SlayerRondo on 20 March 2014
dreamcast210 said:

Interesting observation.

Remember, each reviewer is their own person with their own opinions. And also remember that graphics and resolution don't make a great game. They add to it, but certainly aren't the deciding factor.

I see this as evidence that Xbox One has the superior controller and thus merits a higher average score because it adds to the ease of playability, enjoyment, and fun. ;)


But the PS4 is a superior controler especially sinse the Xbox One's controler is a step back from the Xbox 360's.



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SlayerRondo on 20 March 2014
pokoko said:
Usually just a case of different reviewers--which, in turn, highlights how ridiculous it is that some people care so much about Metacritic. A plus or minus of a few points is nothing.


I both use all the time and hate metacritic.



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SlayerRondo on 20 March 2014
VitroBahllee said:
It's a statistical anomaly, most likely. But the controller is better on the X1.


The Xbox 360 controler was better than the PS3 controler.

Now its even given the PS4's controler improvements and the steps back the Xbox One controler they are even from what I'm hearing.



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starcraft on 20 March 2014

Some could be attributed to more generous reviewers.

Others are aided by a better online system, improved controller, limited additional Kinect functionality etc.



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dreamcast210 on 21 March 2014
SlayerRondo said:
dreamcast210 said:

Interesting observation.

Remember, each reviewer is their own person with their own opinions. And also remember that graphics and resolution don't make a great game. They add to it, but certainly aren't the deciding factor.

I see this as evidence that Xbox One has the superior controller and thus merits a higher average score because it adds to the ease of playability, enjoyment, and fun. ;)


But the PS4 is a superior controler especially sinse the Xbox One's controler is a step back from the Xbox 360's.

Yes. But the Xbox One controller has letters on it.



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roman838892 on 21 March 2014

Really????????? The scores are separated by 1 or 2 points. Why would that make a world of difference????



WebmasterX on 21 March 2014

Answer: Better games. The graphic not all