We'll Crown the Best Title of the Gaming Era: Final Four
These last 48 hours have been incredibly eventful. On Monday, we marked the half-decade milestone of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X with a competition to determine the top exclusive title of this hardware cycle. You were given eight PlayStation 5 titles and eight Xbox Series X games to compete against each other, culminating in a championship round where the top game from each console would go head-to-head. There have been some nail-biting finishes in the first two rounds, particularly yesterday’s razor-thin votes. At this point, 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 Kratos-killer, Astro Bot. Perhaps it's expected considering that it won top honors 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 PS5 generation: the acclaimed developer. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 had a smooth path 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 chibi cameo in the next Astro Bot game?
The Xbox Series X Side
For Xbox Series X has been even juicier. Coming out on top from a more eclectic field of contenders is Forza Horizon 5. It's a significant win for the open-world driving game so far, proving that a niche category title earns to be on the same pedestal as traditional jump-and-run games and cinematic action-adventure games. Its last roadblock en route to the championship is a big one, though. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle has shown itself as a fan favorite, beating critical darlings like Pentiment and Hi-Fi Rush. Will it overcome a much bigger game from an established IP that's synonymous with Xbox itself? Should anyone manage this feat, it's likely Indiana Jones.
Cast your votes to decide the top PlayStation and Xbox titles of this era, and return on the next day to see which games will face off for the ultimate trophy in the championship round!
Voting Schedule
First Round: Monday, Nov. 10 at 11 a.m. EST - November 11, 9:00 AM EasternQuarter-finals: Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. EST - Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 9 a.m. EST- Final Four: Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 11 a.m. ET - Thursday, Nov. 13 at 9 a.m. EST
- Final round: November 13, 11:00 AM Eastern - Friday, Nov. 14 at 9 a.m. EST
- Winner announced: November 14, 11:00 AM Eastern
Head-to-Head Battles
PlayStation 5 Bracket
Astro Bot vs. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Xbox Series X Bracket
Forza Horizon 5 versus Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
