Xbox One: What the critics are saying

TORONTO – Just a week after fans lined up outside stores across North America to get their hands on a PlayStation 4, Microsoft Xbox fans are gearing up for the midnight launch of the new Xbox One.

The competing devices have been pitted against each other since they were announced – the PlayStation 4 boasting a redesigned controller and a bevy of social components; the Xbox One being touted as an “all-in-one” entertainment system complete with voice controls.

But, for the past two years, Microsoft’s Xbox 360 model has outsold its rivals and the latest version of the gaming console has many features that Sony’s PS4, and the recently-released Wii U, do not.

READ MORE: What the critics are saying about PlayStation 4

For example, the device allows users to connect their cable or satellite set-top box and watch TV through the Xbox One, as well as stream context from Netflix. It will have its own channel guide and allow viewers to change channels by voice command – all for only $100 more than the PS4.

But does the device really live up to Microsoft’s promise of an all-in-one entertainment system, aimed at taking over your living room?

The critics have mixed opinions on that one.

Kotaku’s Kirk Hamilton, for example, wrote in his review that the Xbox One is a “testament to Microsoft’s towering ambition,” but noted that the console has a “surprising number of weak spots” including the widely-talked-about voice command feature which works Xbox Kinect.

“After a couple weeks of testing in a couple of different rooms, I’d say the Xbox One’s Kinect works about… 80-85% of the time. Not a terrible percentage, but not enough to call consistent, either,” said Hamilton in his review.

“The camera mishears me frequently enough to be annoying. Each time I have to repeat myself—”Xbox. Xbox. Xbox go to Skype”—I’m that much closer to just ditching it and picking up the controller.”

READ MORE: Xbox One voice detection requires some repetition

Hamilton also noted that setting up the console with your home theatre system can be tricky if you don’t follow exact directions Microsoft laid out.

“The Xbox works well if you set it up exactly as Microsoft has intended, but minor deviations in your home theater setup can quickly throw things out of whack. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from checking out other people’s home entertainment rigs, it’s that almost everyone’s has some sort of minor deviation,” he wrote.

Hamilton was reviewing the beta version of the Xbox One.

Wired’s Chris Kohler, who gave the console a seven out of 10 rating, raved about the experience of using voice commands to watch TV but noted that unexpected updates and long start-up times can make TV watching a hassle.

“Once your TV programming is controlled by the Xbox, it’s controlled by the Xbox. There’s no passive signal — if your Xbox One is powered off, you can’t watch TV anymore,” wrote Kohler, noting that there were at least two times he booted up his Xbox One to find an unexpected update installing.

“I timed it once: Four minutes from power on to watching TV. I don’t want to watch live TV four minutes from now; I want it now.”

Though many have discussed the console’s voice command issues, Xbox’s Kinect technology has received good reviews for its facial recognition abilities – which include recognizing and greeting its owner when they enter the room.

Ben Gilbert of Engadget said in his review that the Kinect camera represents the $100 difference between the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One, adding that the facial recognition works without fail.

“Something about the Xbox One recognizing your face and saying hello makes the whole interaction more welcoming. Kinect’s body tracking is also significantly improved. That our in-game character in Kinect Sports Rivals reflects real-life arm twists and dance moves (while aboard a jet ski, no less!) is a marvel,” read his review.

The device has also been getting good reviews for its tech specs, Engadget raving about how powerful and robust the machine itself is calling it a “beast of a game console, capable of running beautiful games.”

Overall, the Xbox One seems to impress most critics, despite not every feature working as it should. Many note that the Xbox One is a work-in-progress, which could pave the way for more development from Microsoft soon.

The Xbox One goes on sale Friday in North America, with many stores celebrating with midnight launches.