Microsoft has doubled down when it comes to using the Kinect with the Xbox One, making it a mandatory part of the experience. While this seems like a great idea, I’m a bit torn over it. The fact that developers now know that everyone has a Kinect means they can keep that in mind when coming up with new ideas, but it’s also something that can feel tacked on at times.
You can use the Kinect for almost anything you would use the controller for when on the dashboard, but this ends up being part of its downfall too. Sure, I can wave my arms to switch screens or use my voice to change the TV channel, but often times these things can be done faster by simply grabbing the remote. I have high hopes that there’s still room for improvement on this tech, so maybe by the end of this generation it’ll be a flawless experience, but for now it falls just a bit short of what it could be.
The only other issue I really had with Kinect is that it does still take in the wrong commands from time to time. Stepping away from a film to check on dinner, I must have said something to my buddy that sounded like “play” as the film we were watching resumed even though nobody was in the room. I had similar problems playing Need for Speed too as it would sometimes restart missions if I wasn’t being careful about what I was trying to say.
One last thing I want to touch on that I really do thing is great is Kinect’s auto log-in feature. Simply by walking in front of the camera, it will recognize me and sign in my account automatically. For households where multiple people play regularly, this is an extremely useful and welcome feature.
The Kinect undoubtedly has a lot of promise, and there are things that I’ve come to rely on it for to the point where I have to wonder how I ever survived without it. However, it’s obvious that this tech is still in its infancy and has some growing to do before we can see its true potential. If Microsoft can continue to improve the voice recognition, it may become a crucial part of the experience for many gamers, but as of right now, it’s not always the best option.
Great
Xbox One