My Steam Deck, the smallest version from the second wave, has exceeded my expectations. While some may have opted for higher-tier versions, I found the standard specs, which include a smal SSD options and a reflective screen, perfectly suited my gaming needs. Whether I'm playing on the couch or in bed, the 400GB Samsung SD card I added provides ample storage for my games. In fact, even 256GB would have sufficed.
What truly surprised me is the Steam Deck's performance with AAA games. Titles like Guardians of the Galaxy run smoothly at 1280x800, mostly delivering 60 fps, more than satisfactory for me. The only trade-off is that it can drain the battery in 1.5 to 2 hours. This is fine for shorter gaming sessions, but for longer ones, games like "Vampire Survivors" or "Anno: Mutationem" are better choices, offering up to 3 hours of gameplay.
However, where I faced a personal challenge was with the controls. While the Steam Deck accommodates various profiles, especially thanks to the supportive community, my discomfort with first-person shooters on a gamepad persisted. Even with gyro and trackpad features, I struggled to adapt. It seems I'm the real NPC in this scenario, as the Steam Deck offers a comprehensive control setup. The problem lies with me, I am the problem, its me.
The display on my deck is quite serviceable. While my phone boasts a better screen with a higher resolution, I must admit that during gameplay, I never find myself thinking it's inadequate. Once I immerse myself in the game, the 800p resolution seems more than sufficient. I'm aware that there's a third-party 1080p upgrade available, but surprisingly, I haven't felt the urge to make the switch. This comes from someone who typically enjoys tweaking every aspect of his gaming setup.
Valve seems to be in overdrive, consistently delivering updates and bolstering compatibility on an almost weekly basis. What's truly remarkable? They've maintained this rapid pace for over a year now. The Steam Deck is driving the Linux gaming scene forward at an unprecedented rate. The momentum is so compelling that I'm confident developers are now involving Linux in their initial plans. Even if they aren't actively supporting Linux for a project, the mere consideration of it marks a significant departure from the Windows-centric norm.
Let's dive into the world of games. The Steam Deck has become my top choice for gradually reducing my pile of unplayed titles. It's the perfect platform for tackling those 'sale bycatch' games and revisiting titles that I initially sampled but wanted to fully immerse myself in later. I've even curated a special 'Steam Deck' list. Exploring my backlog is a joy, with the exception of first-person shooters, the problem is still me.
Emulation is a topic we'll save for another day. To be honest, I only have a handful of older games that I truly want to experience on the go. Titles requiring hard mods, like the Metroid Prime series (which might be a discussion for another time), are best suited for my main computer at home. As for some classic SNES games, they feel a bit out of place on a powerhouse like the Steam Deck.
And finally, the Steam Deck might just be the closest thing you can buy to a Cyberdeck in the real world right now. I can easily envision it as a piece of tech right at home in Night City. Its black and industrial design perfectly resonates with my cyberpunk sensibilities.