Xbox Series X More Powerful Than PS5, Claims Devs Of Exclusive The Gunk

According to the creators of Xbox Series X exclusive The Gunk, the choice for the next console generation is clear when it comes to power versus the PS5. Image & Form, the same developers who created the highly successful Steamworld franchise, are bringing their talents to Microsoft’s console exclusively. Their newest title, called The Gunk, is a departure from their past work, which has all been 2D. This new 3D action/adventure made its debut during the Xbox Games Showcase with a quick reveal trailer. While there hasn’t been much news in terms of gameplay, the video did showcase a lovely new world and an impressive vacuum mechanic.

The official description for the game unveils a bit more insight into the world that Image & Form has created. The Gunk centers on two “gritty space haulers” arriving on an alien world looking to gather plants and valuable resources. As they start mining the place, they discover the titular Gunk, a gooey parasite that is overtaking the entire planet. The playable hauler will be able to vacuum fragments of the Gunk off the world and watch plants grow back in its place, forming the basic gameplay loop that everything’s built on. Of course, this is a different kind of project for these developers, and they took a much different approach to its expansion.

In a recent statement on Xbox Wire, head honcho of both Image & Form and publisher Thunderful, Brjann Sigurgeirsson stated that The Gunk is only technically possible on the more powerful hardware provided by Microsoft. Elaborating, he stated, “We had to make a choice: either we quiet it down considerably, or we go talk to the guys with the most powerful hardware. We decided to go talk to the guys with the most powerful hardware.” Creating a game that pushes the limits of technology is new for the company, requiring a “fresh start” after years of making Steamworld games, but the developers agreed that it was time to upset expectations.

One of the limiting factors of The Gunk‘s world is frame rate. Brjann said that without the power provided by Xbox hardware, the game would have been limited in other ways. They chose to go with a grand vision that “frightened” the developer from its inception. explaining, “In the past, we’ve produced indie hits and been the underdog that (just about) everyone roots for. The games have been cartoonish and harmless. Here’s a game about really scary stuff, slimy things and real conflict.” Like a special episode of a ’90s sitcom, there’s a message to take away from The Gunk, and that could elicit a different reaction from the developer’s existing fanbase.

Of course, The Gunk is not a Series X exclusive, it will launch on Xbox One and PC in Fall of 2021, so it wouldn’t be impossible to run on comparable hardware on the Sony side. However, if there is a significant difference on the development side between the two next-gen consoles, The Gunk could be the start of a trend where Xbox Series X gets free exclusives over PS5 because their console better aligns with what developers are looking for.