Is Sony's first-party exclusives still the deciding factor against Xbox Series X?

[Addison.M]

I'm finally in a position to buy a next-gen console after years with my aging PlayStation 4, and I'm torn between the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X. I know the hardware specs are similar, so my decision really comes down to the long-term library of console exclusives. I loved Sony's narrative-driven single-player games like The Last of Us and God of War, but I'm also intrigued by Xbox's strategy with Game Pass potentially including day-one releases from studios like Bethesda. For those who have owned both platforms, how have the exclusives panned out over the last few years? Is the quality and consistency of PlayStation's first-party titles still the deciding factor, or has Xbox's acquisition spree started to deliver must-play experiences that justify their ecosystem?

[Gary_G]

PS5 still feels like the home for big, narrative-driven experiences. Sony’s exclusives—God of War Ragnarok, Spider-Man 2, Horizon Forbidden West, and the Last of Us series—tend to land with a consistent emphasis on story, character, and production polish. The cadence isn’t as fast as Xbox’s, but the quality bar across studios is reliably high. If your sweet spot is tight, cinematic single-player games, PS5 is still tough to beat.

[John14]

Xbox has shifted a lot with Game Pass and big studio acquisitions. There’s no shortage of variety—Forza Motorsport and Horizon-style racing, Starfield, Hi-Fi Rush, and ongoing Bethesda/Obsidian titles round out a very broad catalog. Day-one releases via Game Pass are a killer value, but not every exclusive hits the same high notes as Sony’s best. You’ll want to curate a bit more,

[Michael81]

Bottom line: it comes down to taste. If your heart leans toward story-driven epics, go PS5 first. If you want a broad library with frequent new releases and a service-first approach, Xbox Series X is worth it. A lot of players end up with both eventually, but one is a strong start.

[ScarlettYM]

Watch-outs to consider: a lot of Xbox’s “must-play” status depends on how much you value day-one access and multi-genre variety, whereas Sony’s exclusives tend to deliver a more unified single-player arc. Halo and Redfall had their rocky moments; Hi-Fi Rush and Forza were standout successes on the Xbox side. Sony tends to lean into narrative focus with fewer live-service experiments—though they’re expanding, it’s still more about the singular experience.

[NathanR]

If you want a practical plan, map your favorite genres first (story-driven action/adventure, dense RPGs, racing/sim). For a one-console setup, PS5 wins for the core narrative library; for ongoing discovery and a broad stable of titles, Xbox with Game Pass is compelling and often cheaper month-to-month. If you can swing it later, grabbing both gives you the best of both worlds.

[Emily_G]

Quick tip: check the current exclusives slate and release cadence in your region, since timing can shift a lot with delays and upcoming titles. Start with PS5 if you’re chasing The Last of Us/Spidey-level experiences; consider Xbox if you want frequent day-one titles and a robust PC tie-in. Either way, your library should stay fresh for years.