What does its ‘greatest games lineup in history’ say about Xbox?

Let’s start the year with good news – that’s what Microsoft is doing as it pins an epilogue of sound-good statistics to what commercials and Gamestop posters call Xbox One’s “greatest games lineup in history.” Halo 5: Guardians, Forza Motorsport 6, Gears of War: Ultimate Edition and Rise of the Tomb Raider each sold more than a million copies over the holidays and reviewed well enough to all fall between 82 and 87 percent on Metacritic. That’s a good turnout for a system in second place, and helps prove (partially) that the Xbox One is healthy enough to make exclusive games a worthwhile investment, not only for Microsoft and publishers but for players seeking signs of longevity and commitment in their console choice.

More importantly, it backs up what the lineup is ultimately trying to say about Xbox: Hello, we’re back, and we’ve made some more of those games you like. Sorry, what’s that? “Ki-nect?” A CAMERA? Goodness, no, you must be confusing us with someone else.