The Steam Deck practically screams first-generation hardware in every way. It occasionally even creaks and is a touch clumsy and awkward. Because of the large bezel, the screen appears small when compared to the bulky body. The button layout may use some ergonomic improvement. And especially during its initial months, getting games to play on it sometimes required wrestling the system into submission, using updates, tweaks and hacks to get software running passably.
Despite this, I kept returning to this portable gaming PC from Valve after writing my initial review.
Initially, I stated that it was most suitable for devoted PC players who were accustomed to the tinkering and trial-and-error process of getting games to operate on various sorts of computer hardware.
The Steam Deck is now a very different animal after a year of consistent feature upgrades to its SteamOS software, a number of add-ons that fill in some of the hardware gaps, and greatly expanded out-of-the-box compatibility for big game releases. I’d say it’s good enough now that even gamers used to the plug-and-play ease of a Nintendo Switch could probably swing it.
steadily evolving
The functionality of the Steam Deck has been improved or added since its initial release in February of last year. These improvements include better overall performance, intelligent cooling and fan speed options, increased compatibility with a huge variety of Steam games, better control and sorting of your game library, numerous UI improvements, midgame suspension for quick shutdowns, significant improvements to control customization, and better support for expanded microSD storage.
With accessories, both Valve and other businesses have increased the Steam Deck’s functionality. They include a variety of skins, cases, and kickstands as well as docking stations for connecting the system to a TV or monitor.
With two increased storage configurations priced at $529 and $649, the Steam Deck now feels like a respectably finished PC gaming tool, which is amazing considering it starts at $399 (£349).
The new Razer Edge and other items have a similar price but perform less well.
putting the focus on the games
The actual hardware, frankly a bit on the underpowered side for a budget gaming PC, isn’t the big selling point. It’s the ability to play PC games, from big new releases to cult indie games, with the convenience of a handheld.
I’ve recently been playing Marvel’s Midnight Suns, which took a few months to get properly patched for Steam Deck, and Hogwarts Legacy on the Steam Deck, where it performs well (and better than a predicted eventual Nintendo Switch version ever could). Hard West 2, Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection, and Baldur’s Gate 3 are some games that have worked incredibly well for me. Elden Ring, No Man’s Sky (despite a problem that erased my saved progress), Vampire Survivors, and The Witcher 3 are further games that naturally fit the Steam Deck format.
Accessing games that are not part of the Steam ecosystem, such as cloud streaming games, is still difficult because you have to install Microsoft Edge using the Linux-based desktop mode and take further steps after that. Adding titles from other PC gaming portals like GOG and the Epic Game Shop works the same way. Although this is a Steam-based product, PC gamers rightfully anticipate being able to play games from many sources.
source from: msn.com
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