Welcome to this week’s version of the Steam Deck Weekly. I bear in mind pondering Could could be a leaner month to atone for the backlog with. I couldn’t have been extra improper. There are simply too many nice video games releasing currently, and I’ve been taking part in most of the ones I used to be considering on Steam Deck. A few of these have been coated right this moment by way of critiques and impressions. Along with that, an excellent Humble Bundle, attention-grabbing information, and Steam Deck Playable & Verified titles from Valve, spherical off this week’s function. Let’s get into the critiques and impressions first.
Steam Deck Sport Critiques & Impressions
Cryptmaster Steam Deck Overview
Cryptmaster may simply be probably the most attention-grabbing recreation of 2024 up to now that feels completely tailor-made to my style. I like phrase video games and dungeon crawlers, and Cryptmaster blends each collectively whereas always shocking me throughout its runtime. I’ve even began replaying it simply to attempt to see how a lot the builders considered with the textual content enter mechanic and dialog.
Cryptmaster is stuffed with thriller, pretty NPC interactions, good fight (that isn’t too deep), and lots of wordplay (inputting phrases to guess misplaced abilities) that ended up making it one among my favourite video games of the 12 months up to now simply after my first play session of three hours. I’ve since continued that, began over contemporary, and mainly tried my finest to exploit this recreation of all it has to supply in its voiced dialog and whereas additionally making an attempt the alternate fight possibility. I positively suggest taking part in in turn-based mode to your first run.
Cryptmaster enables you to select between keyboard or controller enter whenever you boot up the sport. You’ve got just a few management choices to allow you to modify rotation velocity, stick sensitivity, skipping dialog choices, on the spot rotation snap, and headbob. The graphics choices allow you to modify decision from 720p all the best way as much as 3840×1600 on Steam Deck when docked. There are high quality presets from low to extremely, draw distance choices, a coloration tint possibility in the event you aren’t a fan of the black and white aesthetic, FOV choices, and three audio sliders for speech, results, and music. I left all the pieces on default other than decision that I tweaked relying on the show I used.
Taking part in at 1440p on my monitor labored out effective for a 30fps goal on Deck. If you need a locked 60 or 70fps, it’s good to play at 720p. Setting all the pieces to the bottom or off resulted in round 95fps when performed at 720p. The aesthetic scales properly by way of decrease resolutions as properly, and it seems to be glorious on the Steam Deck display screen.
I needed to play Cryptmaster on Steam Deck for 2 causes. The primary is as a result of the sport’s premise was fairly rattling cool, however I additionally needed to see how a recreation that was clearly constructed for keyboard gameplay would really feel on Steam Deck. The builders have made positive it’s playable even for individuals who solely use a controller or play on the Deck itself, however I might nonetheless suggest taking part in it with a keyboard connected for the absolute best expertise.
Except for the management points in the event you don’t use a keyboard and a few problem spikes I bumped into, I’ve no complaints with Cryptmaster as a recreation. It’s a sensible mix of two genres that labored out properly, and I hope it does properly sufficient to get console ports down the road. I do hope the PC model will get patched with Steam Cloud help although.
When you like phrase video games and dungeon crawlers, Cryptmaster will seemingly be one among your favourite video games in years. It oozes humor, allure, and always retains you engaged with its putting aesthetic and mechanics. I additionally like how the builders cater to those that play with a controller right here, although I like to recommend a keyboard for the smoothest expertise.
Cryptmaster Steam Deck Overview Rating: 4.5/5
Gigantic: Rampage Version Steam Deck Overview
I initially was skeptical of Gigantic: Rampage Version on Steam Deck as a result of it’s a MOBA, and on-line video games can typically have points with Proton due to anti-cheat measures. Once I finally did get despatched overview codes for Gigantic: Rampage Version, I used to be shocked to see it work out of the field. I’ve slowly been taking part in it with randoms and with pals since launch to see the way it feels. I’m going to cowl the way it performs on Steam Deck and whether or not it’s value your time proper now.
Gigantic: Rampage Version is a brand new model of an older recreation that I hadn’t heard of till studying about this new launch. It hit PC and consoles final month with cross platform play. When you, like me, have been new to Gigantic, Gigantic: Rampage Version is a 5v5 MOBA hero shooter that goals to attraction to each genres with its mix of attention-grabbing heroes, modes, and extra. Proper off the bat, I’m going to say that I hardly ever play MOBAs, and the final one I really hung out with for greater than a month was Heroes of the Storm. With that out of the best way, I’ve loved the gameplay throughout the modes in Gigantic: Rampage Version with pals. I’ve nonetheless not seen what all heroes have to supply, and I want there was some kind of correct story mode to construct up the heroes right here.
In its present state, Gigantic: Rampage Version is a paid launch at $20 or regional equal. Extra hero skins and a ranked mode are due by way of free updates. I used to be shocked to see this arrive as a paid launch, however I gained’t fault the builders for making an attempt. It being a one and completed buy has positively made it simpler for me to get pals to attempt it out, however the ones who bounced off it have comparable complaints as I do. Gigantic: Rampage Version wanted a bit extra time to cook dinner and flesh out sure elements of the sport extra. It isn’t remotely a nasty expertise, and I like to recommend it, but it surely might’ve been extra.
The PC model of Gigantic: Rampage Version enables you to modify show mode, decision, toggle v-sync, graphics high quality, texture particulars, dynamic shadows, and numerous ranges of anisotropic filtering. With out altering something, Gigantic: Rampage Version held 60fps fairly properly even in visually busy parts of the sport. Turning all the pieces to low resulted in much less drops from 60fps, however I like to recommend leaving issues on the default preset.
Gigantic: Rampage Version is formally marked as Steam Deck Playable by Valve on account of needing to manually invoke the keyboard for some textual content entry and for small textual content measurement. In my expertise with it taking part in on my Steam Deck OLED and likewise on my monitor by way of the docking station, I’ve had no points even grouping up with pals the world over. There have been some hiccups, however these have an effect on all platforms.
In future updates, I’d like to see an offline mode added to play with simply bots, however I perceive that may not be doable.
Gigantic: Rampage Version with cross platform play and with how properly it performs on Steam Deck is value your time you probably have individuals to play with regardless of the few points I’ve with sure elements of the expertise. I fear for the net inhabitants, however it is a stable base at a low asking worth. I simply hope some kind of story mode might be added as future DLC or in an replace.
Gigantic: Rampage Version Steam Deck Overview Rating: 3.5/5
Crow Nation Steam Deck Overview
Once I performed Signalis, I assumed it will mainly haven’t any competitors for throwback horror video games given how good it was. It seems I used to be improper, and I’m glad about that. SFB Video games’ Crow Nation is an excellent 90s fashion survival horror recreation with a surprisingly good mix of contemporary options to make it really feel proper at residence right this moment. SFB Video games nailed what I pictured in my head for a retro horror recreation constructed for contemporary audiences right here.
Crow Nation is stuffed with surprises, attractive 90s visuals, easy controls, glorious puzzles, riddles, and even an choice to play it as an exploration recreation in the event you aren’t a fan of horror. The builders actually considered nearly all the pieces right here with it even having a touch system. One other facet I like is the final design language that applies to environments, character designs, enemies, and the UI. SFB Video games completely knocked this one out of the park as its first survival horror recreation.
Crow Nation on Steam Deck is formally Steam Deck Verified, and it mainly is the model of the sport I like to recommend. I beloved taking part in Signalis handheld on Change and Steam Deck, and might be replaying Crow Nation if it ever hits Change. I’ve zero complaints with the way it runs on Change each taking part in on my Steam Deck OLED and when docked on the 1440p monitor. The one graphics choices it has are adjusting display screen mode, displaying exit arrows, and exhibiting the gameplay HUD.
The one factor I don’t like about Crow Nation is the traps unfold throughout the sport. They aren’t at all times unhealthy, however in some situations I simply obtained irritated with the location and regardless of a few of them additionally engaged on enemies, I might fairly the quantity be diminished normally as an possibility. Except for the roadmap already introduced, I hope Crow Nation involves Change and will get a bodily launch.
Crow Nation joins Signalis as probably the greatest survival horror video games lately. It’s shockingly good, and I can’t wait to revisit it when its subsequent replace arrives. I urge you to not less than attempt the free demo. It feels excellent on Steam Deck. What I assumed could be a pleasant throwback horror recreation ended up being probably the greatest in years for the style, and a standout title in an already superb 2024 for video games.
Steam Deck Overview Rating: 4.5/5
INDIKA Steam Deck Overview
INDIKA is a really attention-grabbing third-person journey recreation that at all times tiptoes between just a few kinds, however manages to be its personal factor by the tip with surreal and humorous moments. You play as a younger nun in the midst of self discovery with spiritual themes, torment, and extra. When it launched, it had points on Steam Deck, and nonetheless does in elements, however it’s now at a degree the place I can suggest experiencing it on Valve’s handheld.
In terms of gameplay, INDIKA is mainly a strolling simulator, albeit one which feels a lot larger price range than the norm, and one which has some mini-games sprinkled throughout. It performs properly and appears glorious on Steam Deck, however suffers from drops beneath 30fps in some elements. General, it’s a recreation I’m glad I obtained to play, and one you need to attempt in the event you’re within the premise.
The PC model of INDIKA doesn’t have any graphics choices outdoors disabling the UD, movement blur, and gamma. You may modify the FOV or controller sensitivity, however haven’t any management over capping the body fee or anything in-game. I capped it to 30fps from the Steam Deck’s personal menu. I additionally suggest turning the subtitle measurement to 150% in the event you plan on taking part in in handheld mode solely, and likewise disabling the pixel font. The pixel font would’ve been effective in the event you might tweak the UI measurement throughout the board.
INDIKA was a contemporary journey expertise that repeatedly shocked me all through with how its narrative flowed, and one I’m positively going to replay on PS5 when it releases there. As a fan of strolling simulators, that is one among my favorites within the style, and I’m simply shocked it even exists. It’d even be one among my favourite video games 11 bit studios has printed up to now.
Steam Deck Overview Rating: 4/5
Hatsune Miku – The Planet Of Surprise And Fragments Of Needs Steam Deck Overview
Hatsune Miku – The Planet Of Surprise And Fragments Of Needs is a recreation I had no thought existed till I noticed it get Steam Deck Verified pre-release. It initially launched on Change final 12 months, and arrived on Steam a month in the past. Whereas most Miku followers know and love the rhythm video games, she does additionally see video games in different genres. Hatsune Miku – The Planet Of Surprise And Fragments Of Needs is a brief journey recreation with mini-games included you can get by way of in about two hours or much less.
At its asking worth of $30, that’s a tough tablet to swallow. When you look past the value, Miku followers will benefit from the interactions and mini-games. I positively favored the time I put into it, however I simply can’t suggest it at that worth. Hatsune Miku – The Planet Of Surprise And Fragments Of Needs is Steam Deck Verified like I discussed, but it surely has a scrolling concern the place the sport doesn’t really feel easy at 60fps or 90fps. I mounted this by forcing the Steam Deck’s show to 50hz. This can be a bug I’ve skilled in just a few different video games as properly, and I hope it may be mounted so the scrolling is easy even at larger body charges.
Hatsune Miku – The Planet Of Surprise And Fragments Of Needs is a recreation I like to recommend on a giant low cost in the event you like Miku. I attempt to play nearly each Hatsune Miku recreation I can throughout platforms, and Hatsune Miku – The Planet Of Surprise And Fragments Of Needs would’ve been simpler to suggest if it value about half of what it does and didn’t have a continuing scrolling concern. As a brief journey recreation for Miku followers, it will get the job completed, however the asking worth makes it a non starter proper now.
Hatsune Miku – The Planet Of Surprise And Fragments Of Needs Steam Deck Overview Rating: 2.5/5
Samurai Warriors 4 DX Steam Deck Overview
I’ve very fond reminiscences of Samurai Warriors 4 as a result of it was mainly the primary correct Warriors recreation I performed after moving into the style by way of Hyrule Warriors. Once I purchased Samurai Warriors 4 again on PS4, I used to be blown away by how easy it felt, but additionally with how addictive the gameplay was all through the principle story. I ended up sticking with the collection and shopping for Samurai Warriors 4-II and Samurai Warriors 4 Empires (my favourite of the lot) as they got here out. Again then, additionally Koei Tecmo ported Samurai Warriors 4-II to PC, but it surely was a middling conversion that used previous era property and simply wasn’t nearly as good of a port. Occasions have modified since with Koei Tecmo video games often finest on PC nowadays.
Samurai Warriors 4 was PlayStation unique, and it hadn’t seen any re-release till Samurai Warriors 4 DX hit PS4 and Nintendo Change in just a few years in the past in Japan. Since Koei Tecmo launched Dynasty Warriors 8’s full (roughly) version on Change, I hoped Samurai Warriors 4 DX would make its approach over. That ship appeared to have sailed because the years glided by, however we had a shock announcement and launch of Samurai Warriors 4 DX for Steam this week, and it arrived Steam Deck Verified to my shock.
When you’ve by no means performed a Warriors recreation earlier than, Samurai Warriors 4 DX is among the finest introductions to the style, and a incredible model of Omega Pressure and Koei Tecmo’s hack and slash motion video games. Samurai Warriors 4 particularly additionally has glorious storytelling and has you slowly experiencing completely different characters throughout areas that each one construct in the direction of the grand finale. It stays one probably the greatest Warriors video games on the market as properly even in its base format. With Samurai Warriors 4 DX, it contains all of the DLC from the PS4 model, and simply shopping for the DLC on PS4 seems to be like it will value greater than Samurai Warriors 4 DX does on Steam. This DLC contains edit elements, costumes, eventualities, weapons, BGM, and extra. You may see all of the DLC on the PSN retailer web page right here.
Samurai Warriors 4 DX on PC additionally contains on-line co-op help and splitscreen. I didn’t check the latter, however taking part in on-line labored completely with a good friend of mine out of the country. There was no delay, and we obtained out and in of a mission near-instantly.
The PC port of Samurai Warriors 4 DX enables you to modify decision all the way down to 640×360, body fee goal (30 or 60fps solely), toggle film playback, modify total high quality preset, dynamic shadows, texture filtering, reflections, and ambient occlusion. It has Xbox button prompts solely so far as I can inform, and has Steam Cloud help. The sport is 16:9 solely as properly.
On my Steam Deck OLED, out of the field Samurai Warriors 4 DX runs with a 60fps goal, however drops to the mid 40s typically throughout busy fight when performed at 720p. I turned all the pieces low or off and had it working across the 50s within the check space. I then turned all the pieces on and used the excessive preset. That is good for a 30fps goal as a result of the sport hovered between 30 and 40fps. As of this writing, a locked 60fps is just not doable at 720p so far as I can inform. I hope this may be improved in patches. The excessive and medium presets look superb on the hand-held display screen.
When you’ve by no means performed a Warriors recreation earlier than, Samurai Warriors 4 DX is great worth and a incredible recreation to begin with. Some elements are dated in comparison with newer Omega Pressure video games and the value ought to’ve been a bit decrease although. That apart, it’s unbelievable to lastly have it on PC over a decade later, and it’s nearly excellent on Steam Deck out of the field. I hope it may be optimized a bit for a locked 60fps as a result of I at all times love taking part in Warriors video games on a transportable, and Samurai Warriors 4 DX on Steam Deck is an incredible model of one among my favourite Warriors video games.
Steam Deck Overview Rating: 4.5/5
Capes Steam Deck Impressions
I’ve had a preview construct for Capes since some time now, however didn’t get round to taking part in it a lot till just a few weeks in the past. With it set to launch later this month, I needed to write down up some temporary impressions of how the pre-release preview construct performs on Steam Deck. Issues are trying good already, however what shocked me probably the most, is how a lot enjoyable I used to be having taking part in Capes on Steam Deck.
Spitfire Interactive and Daedalic Leisure’s latest recreation is a sci-fi turn-based tactical RPG the place you develop your group of heroes, improve, degree up, tackle extra, and progress by way of the assorted marketing campaign missions. I didn’t have entry to greater than the opening hours within the preview construct, however it’s positively polished and enjoyable up to now.
A reductive approach of describing Capes could be Marvel’s Midnight Suns with much less of the downtime, no licensed characters, and extra comedian e-book aesthetic. If that sounds good to you, Capes needs to be in your radar. It additionally performs nice out of the field on Steam Deck. I’ll save my full ideas on the PC port for when I’ve entry to the overview construct within the close to future. We are going to seemingly be protecting it on Change as properly for our overview protection.
PO’ed: Definitive Version Steam Deck Impressions
Shaun is doing a full overview of PO’ed: Definitive Version on Change, however I needed to cowl how it’s on Steam Deck from day one on this impressions function. PO’ed: Definitive Version is a supercharged and enhanced model of the 1995-released 3DO and PlayStation shooter that I had by no means heard of till Nightdive Studios introduced this launch. It’s humorous, easy, and mainly feels superb to play right this moment due to a superb launch from Nightdive, who’ve but to disappoint me.
On Steam Deck, PO’ed: Definitive Version is marked as Steam Deck Playable by Valve. It is because Valve says some textual content is perhaps too small to learn. I’ve had no points with PO’ed: Definitive Version on Steam Deck taking part in at 90fps in handheld on the Steam Deck OLED, or taking part in at 144hz on my monitor. It simply works out of the field, and has been a really attention-grabbing expertise. Shaun will cowl how the sport itself has aged in his full overview, however I’m happy with what Nightdive has launched right here.
Information and Trailers
That positive was an extended critiques and impressions part wasn’t it? Let’s get into the information with a brand new Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance trailer from Atlus showcasing the brand new areas included on this enhanced and expanded model of one among 2021’s finest RPGs. Watch the Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance New Places trailer beneath:
Alongside my full overview of the PC port above, right here’s Koei Tecmo’s announcement and launch trailer for the wonderful Samurai Warriors 4 DX. That is unbelievable worth in the event you’re new to the sport, however I nonetheless want it was $40 as an alternative of $50 on PC. I hope Koei Tecmo brings Samurai Warriors 4 Empires to Steam subsequent so we have now the whole set of video games from that era of Samurai Warriors on PC. Watch the trailer for it beneath:
Sega is bringing the recently-released Change recreation Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba -Sweep the Board! is coming to Steam and different consoles on July sixteenth. Digital pre-orders are reside on Steam that includes some stamps to make use of and three premium tickets. Test it out on Steam right here.
This week, Day of the Devs revealed the companions for the Summer season Sport Fest Version showcase stream together with: Calligram Studio, Clapperheads, Crescent Moon Video games, Furnishings & Mattress, Mossmouth, Oopsie Daisies Studio, Optillusion Video games, Pikselnesia, Pollard Studio, Rocket Adrift, Soup Island, Studio Tolima, Tan Ant Video games, These Dang Video games and extra. The showcase will happen on-line on June seventh at 4 PM PT. It’ll stream on YouTube, Twitch, and extra.
Spike Chunsoft introduced that will probably be bringing The Quintessential Quintuplets – Reminiscences of a Quintessential Summer season, The Quintessential Quintuplets – 5 Reminiscences Spent With You, and The Quintessential Quintuplets Double Pack to Steam, PlayStation, and Nintendo Change on Could twenty third. There might be a reduction for launch week. I’m not accustomed to the supply materials, however it’s good to see extra visible novels get localized for PC and consoles within the West.
Warhammer Skulls returns on Could twenty third that includes Rahul Kohli who might be internet hosting it to cowl updates on Rogue Dealer, Boltgun, Darktide, and Area Marine 2. I’m very considering all of these barring Darktide which I nonetheless have to play extra. Watch the showcase trailer beneath:
Cygames confirmed that Beatrix, the following playable DLC character coming to Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising, will launch worldwide for Steam, PS5, and PS4 subsequent week on Could twenty third. I’m trying ahead to getting again to the sport to attempt her. Watch the Beatrix Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising trailer beneath:
The ultimate bit of stories is Prime Video saying a brand new collection primarily based on Tomb Raider which is the primary information we’ve had for the IP after Crystal Dynamics and Amazon Video games introduced a multiplatform recreation venture. Try the announcement for the present right here.
New Steam Deck Verified & Playable video games for the week
Nothing out of the strange this week other than the shock launch of Samurai Warriors 4 DX which arrived Steam Deck Verified.
ASTROLANCER – Playable
Class of Heroes 2G: Remaster Version – Verified
Command & Conquer Tiberian Solar and Firestorm – Playable
Command & Conquer: Purple Alert 2 and Yuri’s Revenge – Playable
Days With Ollie – Verified
Footgun: Underground – Playable
Hell Let Free – Playable
Kill It With Fireplace 2 – Playable
Laysara: Summit Kingdom – Playable
Maid of the Lifeless – Playable
Nuclear Blaze – Unsupported
Piczle Cross Story of Seasons – Unsupported
Echoes of the Plum Grove – Playable
PO’ed: Definitive Version – Playable
Swimming pools – Verified
Rainbow Cotton – Verified
Salt 2 – Verified
SAMURAI WARRIORS 4 DX – Verified
The Colonists – Playable
The Settlers: New Allies – Playable
Steam Deck Sport Gross sales & Reductions
The spotlight gross sales of the week are the Monster Hunter Humble Bundle together with each Rise and World throughout completely different tiers and Devolver Digital’s fifteenth anniversary sale. For the Monster Hunter bundle, I like to recommend the $30 bundle so you will have World with Iceborne and Rise with Sunbreak. Whereas you may get by with simply World, the bottom Monster Hunter Rise is just not value taking part in. Iceborne and Sunbreak make their base releases superlative. Try the bundle right here. Observe that the Deluxe kits will not be value grabbing on their very own afterward.
Devolver has boatloads of nice video games discounted, however in the event you needed to simply choose one of many current releases, I’d go together with The Talos Precept 2 at 40% off. I’d additionally say Loop Hero, however that’s finest on cell now. Devolver Digital’s sale is on from now till Could thirtieth.
Steam has its Endlessly Replayable fest with reductions on Lifeless Cells, Crusader Kings III, Balatro, Threat of Rain 2, and far more. This sale positively has lots of video games I would like, however I fortunately personal most of what I would like already. This sale is on till Could twentieth.
That’s all for this week’s version of the Steam Deck Weekly. As traditional, you possibly can learn all our previous and future Steam Deck protection right here. When you’ve got any suggestions for this function or what else you’d wish to see us do across the Steam Deck, tell us within the feedback beneath. I hope you all have an amazing day, and thanks for studying.
