We'll Name the Greatest Game of the Console Generation: Semi-Finals
The past two days have been incredibly eventful. On Monday, we marked the half-decade milestone of the PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles with a competition to determine the best first-party game of this console generation. You were given eight PlayStation 5 titles and eight Xbox Series X games to compete against each other, all heading towards a final showdown where the leading contender from each console would go head-to-head. We've witnessed some incredibly close calls in the first two rounds, especially yesterday’s razor-thin votes. Now, it's time to crown the leading PlayStation and Xbox titles ahead of the championship on Thursday.
PlayStation 5 Contenders
On the PS5 side, we have the giant-slayer, Astro Bot. Perhaps it's expected considering that it took home the top prize at last year’s Game Awards, but its victory over God of War Ragnarök feels like a true upset. But to get to the finals, it'll need to defeat the MVP of the PlayStation 5 era: Insomniac Games. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 enjoyed an easy journey to the semi-finals, leaping past Ghost of Yōtei and Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart (another title from the same studio!) to secure a spot in the final four. Can Spidey topple a home-grown Sony mascot, or is he fated to become a miniature appearance in the upcoming Astro Bot title?
Xbox Series X Contenders
The Xbox Series X side has been even juicier. Emerging victorious from a diverse lineup of contenders is Forza Horizon 5. It's a big victory for the open-world driving game already, proving that a more specialized genre game earns to be on the same pedestal as classic platformers and story-driven epics. Its last roadblock en route to the finals is a major challenge, though. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle has proven to be a fan favorite, defeating critical darlings like Pentiment and Hi-Fi Rush. Will it overcome a larger-scale title from an well-known franchise that's closely tied to Xbox itself? Should anyone manage this feat, it's likely Indiana Jones.
Place your ballots to decide the best PS5 and Xbox Series X games of this era, and come back tomorrow to see who will be competing for the grand prize in the finals!
Polling Timeline
First Round: Monday, Nov. 10 at 11 a.m. EST - Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 9 a.m. ESTQuarter-finals: Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. EST - Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 9 a.m. EST- Semi-final round: Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 11 a.m. ET - November 13, 9:00 AM Eastern
- Championship: November 13, 11:00 AM Eastern - Friday, Nov. 14 at 9 a.m. EST
- Winner announced: November 14, 11:00 AM Eastern
Matchups
PlayStation 5 Bracket
Astro Bot versus Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Xbox Series X Bracket
Forza Horizon 5 vs. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle