this post was submitted on 18 Dec 2023
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My main problem with the steam deck is probably portability and battery life. I have used it very seldom on the train to work, but I imagine it would be very cumbersome.
I will try it again when I am finally done with TOTK on my switch.
And then there is always the question: Is the steam deck really an unique gaming platform when it's really just a small laptop.
If you ask me, the Steam Deck’s battery is its biggest weakness, however it completely depends on what you’re playing. I can play Cyberpunk 2077 on the Steam Deck graphics preset for roughly 90 minutes but I played Arkham Knight for 30 minutes and lost only 10% of the battery. Dead Cells takes only 5% in 30 minutes. That is to say battery life is completely dependent on the game you choose to play, but at least you have the choice, whereas many crossplatform AAA games just aren’t on the Switch.
The portability difference is also notable. The Deck is a chonky boi, though imo it’s not as big a difference as some people would say. They both fit well in a backpack.
However, I completely disagree with you saying that the Deck isn’t a new platform. Nothing has existed like the Deck before because yes, it’s a gaming laptop that’s dramatically more portable and more gaming-oriented than any gaming laptop ever before. The control options alone make it the best controller ever invented (here’s hoping for a Steam Controller 2.0) and the flexibility to plug anything in via that USB C connector is fabulous.
Sharing my Steam library between my PC and my Steam Deck is just the icing on the gravy.
Love love loved my steam controller. I wish I bought 50 when they were 5 bucks.
The deck doesn't feel right in my hands, im glad I was able to sit down and use one before I spent the money.
I would love a Steam Controller 2.0, or even just another run of the original.
I still use my Steam Controller fairly regularly. It’s so handy and I love the dual track pads.
I really want a 2.0 because as much as I love the trackpads, having only one stick for something like a driving game just doesn’t work well. I also can’t get over how nice it is being able to have a full 16-button controller PLUS buttons that can invoke keyboard shortcuts like alt-tab or move the mouse if focus gets lost or something.
I’m surprised you don’t like the feel of the Deck. It’s honestly the most comfortable any controller has felt sitting in my hands. It beats the ergonomics of the Switch by a mile too
Something about the travel of the analog sticks was immediately and immensely off putting to me. Not the feel of the plastic surface that your thumbs rest on, but the physical feedback of moving the sticks.
I dunno it's parhaps a nitpick but I went from 'holy shit I need this' to 'eh it's a cool device' within 30 minutes of play time.
Lol I can respect that. Everyone’s got their preferences.
I do think it’s funny that at first I was like “eh, it’s cool” then I bought into the hype, got one, and touched it maybe a dozen times the first year I had it. But now the more I use it the more I fall in love lol
The Steam Deck really is a very unique gaming platform. The Proton compatibility layer is a work of art. Crossover, Valve, and the WINE community should all be regarded as gaming heroes. I can play so many games on my Steam Deck that I never would've thought possible 5 years ago.
Being able to add your own external or custom games to your library, and still being able to make custom controls for those games, is just pure joy.
What's really exciting is seeing the constant flow of games go from unverified to verified. It just keeps getting better.
The best part about the Steam Deck one might argue is being able to install ANY operating system you want on this thing. Want to play Destiny 2 and Fortnite really badly? You have the nuclear option of installing Windows. Want to take Linux gaming to the next level? Install Bazzite. Its up to you. YOU are in control.
Sorry, I just really wanted to speak my 2 cents about how much I love the Steam Deck. I hope I made some salient points.
I even find the Switch a bit too cumbersome for transit use! The PSP was the perfect size for me, but a modern version would be too underpowered for everything nowadays I guess.
I take my Deck with me when I travel. The case is a little on the larger side, but it fits in a backpack under a plane seat. I do tend to have the opposite problem with the switch though, my hands cramp up because the joycon grips are so small. Battery life is an issue though, I can get maybe 3 hours out of it if the plane doesn't have an outlet.
It is a little hard to call the Deck a platform on its own because the library is all borrowed from an existing client and Valve doesn't really make games anymore, but for people who have a PC library or are looking to start one and don't necessarily have the money to throw at a whole gaming PC, the Deck is a solid choice for something portable-yet-powerful - it's good enough to run Elden Ring pretty stable. It's also really good for gen 6 and older emulation, both because the hardware is capable and because Valve doesn't give a fuck what you do with it.
Akin to portability, the Steam Deck’s sheer weight is a factor even when it doesn’t leave the house. The SD will sometimes give me strain in my hands or wrists while the switch feels like a feather in comparison. If a game is on both steam and the nintendo eshop, I usually will get it for the switch.
I love my SD a lot, but battery life and weight are influential in a handheld for me.