Steam Deck (handheld from Valve) - shipping is 4-8 days from NL to UK

[Gotters]

so many games, it has stopped me buying cheap codes for a few days though.

 

so far my nailed on purchases are Tape to Tape (april release I saw for this), Mr Suns Hatbox (brilliant rogue platformer with a few clever twists) & Rallygator (physics side on trials like puzzler with great controls) & Beyond the Long Night (another rogue with floaty character and balloons).

 

lining up more to try, Mars First Logistics is a striking mars based cartoon looking Banjo Nuts & Bolts alike, may be too clever for me as stumped on first puzzle and many of these demos just lob you in, controls very nicely though and looks lovely. Also got Plan B Terraform lined up to see how it plays, but i tend to find these things a bit fiddly on the deck

[ChewMagma]

12 hours ago, Rorschach said:

Playing Spider-Man Miles Morales on this, seems to run well. Not sure I want to play main missions on the Deck, but it's great for just swinging around the city and doing side content stuff.

 

The Deck and WFH is a dangerous combination, anyone else found that? I can get into a game in seconds without leaving my desk, and still keep half an eye on work emails, instant messages, a massive bunch of tests that I'm running, etc. I wouldn't ordinarily dream of literally playing a video game while on the clock, but a combination of this device existing, and being on a job where my level of output isn't actually very dependent on what I do, has led to temptation getting the better of me. Thing is the company want people to come into the office more... starting with one day a week, now two. I assume part of that is that they don't want people to be doing what I'm doing! But if they had a decent working culture, and ways to measure actual productivity, they wouldn't need to be literally physically looking over the shoulder of your employees to check they're working, would they?

 

Oh yes. We do 50/50 WFH. If I'm honest, if I can, I stack my work for when I'm in the office so I am busy the whole time I am there and my days at home I keep one eye out for urgent stuff but otherwise play on my Deck/Switch, do my chores, or watch snooker.

 

Pre-pandemic I would have been in the office trying to look busy, feeling miserable. In my experience over the years, senior managers love to have people in the office to keep an eye on them, but most middle managers I have worked with have a lot on their plate and actually don't appreciate keen people asking for more work all the time because it creates more hassle for everyone. As long as you are doing the work you are given to a high standard and aren't AWOL when they need you, they don't REALLY care what you are up to otherwise.

[Chthonic Boom]

Planet of Lana is great. They've absolutely nailed the animation and the sound design on the little alien cat thing. The first time I fell off a cliff, it made this really upset noise, and I genuinely felt bad for it. This is now my best friend and if anything bad happens to it in this game I am not going to be accountable for my actions.

[Strafe]

I played the planet of Lana demo and spent most of it trying to get the cat killed. I feel nothing.

[Dr_Dave]

34 minutes ago, Chthonic Boom said:

Planet of Lana is great. They've absolutely nailed the animation and the sound design on the little alien cat thing. The first time I fell off a cliff, it made this really upset noise, and I genuinely felt bad for it. This is now my best friend and if anything bad happens to it in this game I am not going to be accountable for my actions.

 

Yeah. There's one part in the demo where my partner and I audibly gasped at what happened to the pet...

 

Spoiler

The creeping rock thing ate it!

 

[bradigor]

For anyone fancying Metroid Prime on the deck. Runs well. (30fps handheld, 60fps docked mode) 

 

[Siri]

1 minute ago, bradigor said:

For anyone fancying Metroid Prime on the deck. Runs well. (30fps handheld, 60fps docked mode) 

 

Do you just mean Yuzu handheld/docked settings? Because Steam Deck doesn't have modes.

 

(Well, it wouldn't on my handheld, I'd run 60fps all the time and have half an hour of battery life)

[bradigor]

Just now, Siri said:

 

Do you just mean Yuzu handheld/docked settings? Because Steam Deck doesn't have modes.

 

(Well, it wouldn't on my handheld, I'd run 60fps all the time and have half an hour of battery life)

 

Sorry, yes the Yuzu setting. Also turning off SMT in Powertools 

[Siri]

7 minutes ago, bradigor said:

 

Sorry, yes the Yuzu setting. Also turning off SMT in Powertools 

 

Makes sense, although I did read somewhere that even Switch in handheld mode is running at 60, although that's from users and not FPS bean counters like FPS.

 

What's the battery life like? I'd imagine you can save a little more with capping the GPU, although that is very extra.

[bradigor]

18 minutes ago, Siri said:

 

Makes sense, although I did read somewhere that even Switch in handheld mode is running at 60, although that's from users and not FPS bean counters like FPS.

 

What's the battery life like? I'd imagine you can save a little more with capping the GPU, although that is very extra.

 

No idea, I am plugged in when at my sofa. 

 

Tested both handheld and docked in yuzu and it is a definite 30/60. According to the stats. It does feel smoother docked, even for someone like me 

[Fry Crayola]

Out of interest, @bradigor, what's the process here? Do you rip the download from a hacked Switch, or find someone else's rip on the darker corners of the web?

 

I'm not of a mind to do this sort of thing myself at the moment, but I've recently ripped games from older consoles for emulation support and convenience, and with a sizeable Switch digital collection I'm inclined to do similar at some point down the line there too.

[bradigor]

Just now, Fry Crayola said:

Out of interest, @bradigor, what's the process here? Do you rip the download from a hacked Switch, or find someone else's rip on the darker corners of the web?

 

I'm not of a mind to do this sort of thing myself at the moment, but I've recently ripped games from older consoles for emulation support and convenience, and with a sizeable Switch digital collection I'm inclined to do similar at some point down the line there too.

 

I've bought the game on eShop (thank you unused credit!!) and then grabbed it from a darker corner as I no longer have a Switch (until I can afford a Lite). 

[Siri]

I still need to hack my switch to get Xenoblade Chronicles 2 off of it.

 

I got the jig, I just can't be arsed, tbh. I can wait until Yuzu is further refined or I got time to play. Maybe when Zelda is out.

[Gotters]

Only 5 weeks til GotY contender Forklift Extreme launches - get it on your wishlist deckers.

 

This just feels so perfect on a handheld, such crisp clean graphics, bitesize levels, precise controls with lovely camera changes for lining up your lifts.

 

[bradigor]

1 minute ago, Gotters said:

Only 5 weeks til GotY contender Forklift Extreme launches - get it on your wishlist deckers.

 

This just feels so perfect on a handheld, such crisp clean graphics, bitesize levels, precise controls with lovely camera changes for lining up your lifts.

 

 

Just tried it and yep I am in.

[Gotters]

I suspect the answer is 'yes it's a PC' but would the deck be able to access this 1TB drive - currently under £100 so looks good value ?

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08GTYFC37?&linkCode=sl1&tag=eurgam-m-21&linkId=ee46eec05bcd6d3886b28068822255ca&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

[thesnwmn]

I mean "yes it's a PC" although I've not tried myself.

 

I'd do some reading to see how seamless it is. Then some research to understand impact on battery life (and if you need to charge at the same time you'll need a solution to that at as well).

 

Others might be able to say from personal experience.

[Gotters]

i was just thinking as a backup solution for ROMs rather than running stuff off it

 

looks like it may be faffy and involve Konsole and desktop

[thesnwmn]

As a cold storage which you plug in to to transfer files around it makes sense if you don't have a PC or some other solution to hand. If I had a need I suspect I'd be using my networked storage in the house through some means. But without that then it's a reasonable approach.

 

But yes, my initial search when you mentioned it didn't seem to be quite plug and play. Which amazes me. It's why, for all that Linux has come on, and SteamOS is great, it also continues to be a bit of a clusterfuck in real day to day for non-technical people.

[Fry Crayola]

12 minutes ago, Gotters said:

i was just thinking as a backup solution for ROMs rather than running stuff off it

 

If it's just a backup, is there a need to bother with the added expense of an SSD? Mechanical portable drives would be half that price for the same storage. 

[Wiper]

I would broadly agree, except if the Deck is being transported a lot, in which case an SSD's greater durability and smaller and lighter build are significant points in favour; a backup drive you can just chuck in a bag/slip in a pocket without fuss is convenient.

[bradigor]

Really want NBA 2K23 but fuck me 110gb it is ridiculous. 

 

Is super cheap right now, but not at that size.

[deerokus]

 

6 hours ago, thesnwmn said:

As a cold storage which you plug in to to transfer files around it makes sense if you don't have a PC or some other solution to hand. If I had a need I suspect I'd be using my networked storage in the house through some means. But without that then it's a reasonable approach.

 

But yes, my initial search when you mentioned it didn't seem to be quite plug and play. Which amazes me. It's why, for all that Linux has come on, and SteamOS is great, it also continues to be a bit of a clusterfuck in real day to day for non-technical people.

It's not exactly a Linux thing, even on Windows Steam has always been a bit fiddly about games stored on drives that aren't permanently connected I've found. Probably a vestige of steam originally being just a DRM method rather than the all-encompassing storefront/launcher/console UI it is today.

[thesnwmn]

Just now, deerokus said:

 

It's not exactly a Linux thing, even on Windows Steam has always been a bit fiddly about games stored on drives that aren't permanently connected I've found. Probably a vestige of steam originally being just a DRM method rather than the all-encompassing storefront/launcher/console UI it is today.

 

That's true. In this case just mounting a drive for basic storage seems to be more than pure plug and play. For which there is no excuse really.

 

If even half of the below is required then fuck me. Its not really a Steam Deck thing but it's just amazing this shit persists.

 

https://retroresolve.com/how-to-set-up-external-hard-drives-on-steam-deck/

[Stanley]

9 hours ago, Strafe said:

I played the planet of Lana demo and spent most of it trying to get the cat killed. I feel nothing.

Tbh whilst it looks lovely it did feel a bit like, haven’t I played this before? Not bad by any means but not hugely challenging or innovative either. Full game might obviously change my mind. 

[Chthonic Boom]

7 hours ago, Gotters said:

Only 5 weeks til GotY contender Forklift Extreme launches - get it on your wishlist deckers.

 

This just feels so perfect on a handheld, such crisp clean graphics, bitesize levels, precise controls with lovely camera changes for lining up your lifts.

 

 

From the art style I'm half expecting a goose to jump out and fuck your shit up at any point.

[Mr. Gerbik]

Sorry if this has been posted before but I lol'ed so I wanted to share:

[HarryBizzle]

@bradigor How far are you able to get in Metroid Remastered? Mine froze in the run away sequence after the first boss. Not sure I can be bothered installing Power tools as my brother is collecting the Deck from me next week and just wondering if that fixes it or Yuzu needs updating or whatever. 

[bradigor]

1 hour ago, HarryBizzle said:

@bradigor How far are you able to get in Metroid Remastered? Mine froze in the run away sequence after the first boss. Not sure I can be bothered installing Power tools as my brother is collecting the Deck from me next week and just wondering if that fixes it or Yuzu needs updating or whatever. 

 

I am into the Tallon Overworld now and no issues. 

[Siri]

I understand that Yuzu had some updates (I would imagine on Canary branch) to fix freezing, as well.

 

Nearly the weekend, I can finally get to have a proper sit down with some of these next fest demos. Especially GOTY Forklift Extreme.

 

I might even treat myself to GOTY Pizza Tower as my legs are a little burnt out from a trade show.