Rivalry among the two top brands is the essence of competition. The gaming industry is no stranger to this as both Xbox and PlayStation are regularly competing with each other. This year, however, their rivalry has reached new heights, thanks to the two AAA titles they have released. Entering the market first, Xbox presented its ambitious sci-fi title Starfield on September 6. 

Now PlayStation has released its GOTY contender with Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, the much-awaited sequel of the web-slinger’s adventures. Fans of both consoles, however, are targeting the release of the other brand, leading to heated debate online. But if they set their debate aside, they will find both titles are unique in their ways and are worthy of the hype around them.

Starfield: the game that started the debate of Xbox vs. PlayStation in 2023

Arguably Starfield was the most criticized release from Xbox this year. When the game first came out in September, it was a smash hit right out of the gate. Fans loved this new IP from Bethesda and Xbox which took them on a space-faring adventure with the classic RPG feel. The hype around the title was at an all-time high due to the fact this game was going to be exclusive to Xbox consoles. 

But soon after the release, criticism for the game started to pile up. Many fans started to accuse Bethesda of making a game filled with bugs. Much of the criticism came from the end of PlayStation fans. But the game is still running strong. Meanwhile, the game has a new competitor from PlayStation, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2.

This time, however, it is Xbox fans’ turn to criticize the PS5 exclusive. And surely they are not holding back right now. The latest title from Insomniac Games is receiving criticism on the same level received by Bethesda’s Starfield. The Xbox fans are dissecting the game’s mechanics and are pointing out any minor flaw they find in the game.

However, this sadly has ruined the experience for many casual gamers who seek to play games for the fun of it. Looking at the two titles from the gaming industry giants, it is hard to compare the two or call one better than the other.

Both titles deserve the hype around them as they offer two different themes

Fans of Xbox and PlayStation are pitting Starfield and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 against each other. And they have every right to do so, as both titles are worthy contenders for Game of the Year 2023. However, they should not pull the other game down while uplifting their personal favorite. Both games are unique in their ways as they appeal to different types of gamers.

In some ways, Starfield is the polar opposite of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. On one hand, Bethesda intricately developed Starfield to give players a lot of gameplay. They have many customization options in suits, spaceships, and player characters. Further, the game is open to modding too.

The game boasts a total playtime of around 148 hours. But Bethesda implemented their tried-and-tested perks system from earlier titles, Fallout and Elden Ring, into Starfield, making it a game players come back to again and again. With over 50k concurrent players still, it can be argued they are succeeding in their goal.

On the other hand, however, the storyline is the king in Spider-Man 2. The game has a total main story playtime of approximately 20 hours. Spider-Man 2 is a game that gamers can play in 2 days and have everything accomplished. It’s an action game. Starfield begins after 2 days of playing and takes much longer to complete. It’s an RPG. 

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However, the devs at Insomniac have emphasized making the game as vibrant in gameplay as possible. They have offered many easter eggs in the game, making the players curious for more releases. The game follows an invigorating storyline that captures gamers the moment they start playing.

Furthermore, the game brings in classic Spider-Man villains and allies to keep the players wanting more. Coupled with two playable characters and numerous spidey suits between them, fans are in for a treat.

The takeaway from Starfield vs. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

Despite two very different approaches from the devs, both games have ended up clashing with one another. Both Starfield and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 have their positives and negatives. It may sound like an unpopular opinion, but review scores or bugs are not going to change anything in the long run.

Both titles are still going to sell millions of copies and are highly likely to be nominated for Game of the Year 2023. The games can be enjoyed by casual gamers equally and offer two different worlds which come along with their unique perks.

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