Welcome to at present’s version of the Steam Deck Weekly. As a substitute of publishing on final Friday, I made a decision to attend for all of the occasions to finish so the information wouldn’t be too old-fashioned. In case you missed the Summer time Sport Fest 2024 showcases, take a look at my highlights on Steam Deck right here and Swap right here. The busy month continues to be going with many new and previous video games coming to Steam. Try my Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance evaluate right here and Kingdom Hearts Steam Deck opinions right here. Along with opinions at present, there are information highlights from the final week and the most recent Steam Deck Verified and Playable video games. Let’s get into the opinions and impressions first.
Steam Deck Sport Evaluations & Impressions
Monster Hunter Tales Steam Deck Overview
Final month, I did a preview on Monster Hunter Tales’ remaster masking early components of the Swap, Steam Deck, and PS4 variations. Since then, I’ve been in a position to expertise the sport extra on all three platforms, however I made a decision to concentrate on the PC model for my evaluate, as a result of it’s by far my favourite model, when performed on Steam Deck.
Following its debut on 3DS, Monster Hunter Tales noticed cellular variations that had been dramatically higher in terms of visuals and efficiency.You may nonetheless play Monster Hunter Tales on iOS and Android, and it’s even in Apple Arcade, however these variations aren’t value your time as of at present. After the success of Monster Hunter Tales 2 on Swap and Steam, Capcom needs to develop the viewers of this sequence, and what higher manner to try this then bringing the unique to extra platforms? Properly, Capcom stunned me by not solely bringing Monster Hunter Tales to Swap, PS4, and PC, but additionally bringing the West content material we by no means bought, a brand new gallery, voice performing, and extra. Capcom additionally lastly introduced Monster Hunter Tales 2 to PlayStation at present.
In case you’ve not performed Monster Hunter Tales in any respect by way of its prior releases, it doesn’t actually play like a conventional Monster Hunter recreation. It’s extra of an RPG set on this planet of Monster Hunter that options monsters, hunters, and principally was a unbelievable recreation on 3DS that I loved greater than each Pokemon recreation with its turn-based fight, attractive visuals even again then, and memorable characters. For the remaster, I anticipated Capcom to simply deliver the cellular model of Monster Hunter Tales to present platforms. As a substitute, we now have visible enhancements, efficiency enhancements, the addition of content material by no means launched exterior Japan, voice performing, a brand new gallery, and extra.
In case you already performed Monster Hunter Tales, the brand new content material and improve to visuals and efficiency makes it definitely worth the asking value for certain, however don’t hassle until you wish to replay the total recreation. It will’ve been a neater recreation to suggest on consoles a minimum of if there was a bodily launch on PS4 and Swap (and not using a code for Monster Hunter Tales 2). On PC although, the primary Monster Hunter Tales makes its debut by way of this launch, and it’s a unbelievable port that shines on Steam Deck.
Since taking part in the sport for preview, I wished to see if something would change, however that construct is principally the ultimate recreation everybody can play at present. The PC model of Monster Hunter Tales permits you to alter window mode (windowed, fullscreen, and borderless), decision (864×486 to 4K), body fee goal (30fps to 144fps), toggle v-sync, toggle anti-aliasing, and alter shadow high quality (low, medium, excessive). You too can alter brightness.
Monster Hunter Tales held 90fps very nicely with every part set to excessive except for shadow high quality which I turned down from the beginning on my Steam Deck OLED. Load occasions are near-instant as nicely. It solely helps 16:9 gameplay, however does have Steam Cloud assist.
Whereas I’ve praised a variety of Monster Hunter Tales up to now, it nonetheless feels dated in its visuals in methods. I didn’t anticipate this to be addressed since this can be a remaster and never a remake, however it’s value holding in thoughts that this launch is not going to change your thoughts if you happen to bounced off the sport on 3DS. It’s nonetheless a superb RPG, however its roots are very a lot felt right here regardless of how good it could actually look on trendy screens.
This new remaster of Monster Hunter Tales is definitely one of the best ways to expertise an precise 3DS basic from Capcom. I all the time mentioned Monster Hunter Tales was the most effective wanting 3DS recreation, and it now shines on trendy screens due to a remaster that did much more than I anticipated. Whereas it isn’t nearly as good as Monster Hunter Tales 2, Monster Hunter Tales continues to be value taking part in for not solely followers of the Monster Hunter video games, but additionally followers of RPGs normally. It’s clearly aimed toward a youthful viewers so preserve that in thoughts, however there’s no denying Monster Hunter Tales is superb in nearly each manner.
Monster Hunter Tales Steam Deck Overview Rating: 4.5/5
Duck Detective: The Secret Salami Steam Deck Overview
After I bought an electronic mail about Duck Detective: The Secret Salami, I instantly knew I wished to play it primarily based on its premise. Having now performed it, I’m glad I did as a result of it’s unbelievable. My solely actual criticism is that I want there was extra of it, however this thriller journey recreation has been a beautiful and charming shock. Given the quick size, I made a decision to play Duck Detective: The Secret Salami on each Swap and Steam Deck to see the way it feels on each transportable programs.
The thriller and journey genres are filled with some nice video games, however I find it irresistible when a developer tries to do one thing totally different. Duck Detective: The Secret Salami isn’t mechanically wonderful or something, but it surely excels in its setting, appeal, voice performing, and music. As I made my manner by way of the story filling within the blanks, I ended up hoping Duck Detective: The Secret Salami would go on longer. I already knew it was a brief recreation after I bought my evaluate code, and whereas the worth is justified given the standard right here, I hope we see many extra video games from the builders on this sequence.
On Steam Deck, Duck Detective: The Secret Salami runs at 16:10, helps Steam Cloud, and runs at a locked 90fps on Steam Deck. I’ve no complaints with the way it performs right here, and you may even use contact controls. On Swap, Duck Detective: The Secret Salami additionally performs nice, however the lack of contact assist is my solely criticism. In case you had been hoping to have transportable expertise with Duck Detective: The Secret Salami, you may’t go incorrect with each Swap and Steam Deck.
If my solely criticism with a recreation is that it will get over too quickly and I need extra of it, I take that as signal. Duck Detective: The Secret Salami is a beautiful and charming shock that I loved taking part in for about three hours. On paper, the voice performing and music with this aesthetic shouldn’t work, however the builders managed to drag by way of and ship one thing particular. You too can press a button to quack.
Duck Detective: The Secret Salami Steam Deck Overview Rating: 4.5/5
Isles of Sea and Sky Steam Deck Overview
After I first noticed Isles of Sea and Sky gameplay, I knew I needed to play it. I hoped it could be positive on Steam Deck as nicely. Not solely does it play nice on Valve’s handheld, however I ended up eager about it consistently even whereas taking part in different video games. It has that draw the place I wish to simply shortly boot it as much as try to make some progress.
Isles of Sea and Sky is an open world puzzle recreation that begins off with you simply pushing blocks. Even in its opening moments, you begin seeing how a lot freedom you have got in-game, and issues begin to get complicated fairly quick with mechanics and adjustments. One factor I really like in regards to the puzzle video games that go for a extra open construction, is having the ability to come again to puzzles afterward and nonetheless make progress by taking one other path. Isles of Sea and Sky excels at this, and it seems like a stunning puzzle field filled with blocks to stimulate your mind with, and one which has crisp and colourful visuals.
Even if you happen to’re new to puzzle video games, I like to recommend Isles of Sea and Sky due to how approachable it makes every part regardless of the depth. It seems like an old style puzzle recreation within the trendy period, however one with fairly just a few trendy options.
On Steam Deck, Isles of Sea and Sky hasn’t been examined by Valve but, but it surely works completely. You may change window mode solely in terms of graphics. There’s additionally a streamer mode possibility that provides an area within the interface for an avatar or video for these streaming the sport. I had no points working the sport. It performs at 16:9 and is capped at 60fps, but it surely does assist Steam Cloud. I think about it is going to be Steam Deck Verified quickly.
Isles of Sea and Sky is an outstanding puzzle recreation that’s completely value your time. It additionally feels proper at house on Steam Deck, and manages to face out with its attractive artwork, puzzles, open world, and mix of concepts. In case you get pleasure from puzzle video games, cease what you’re doing and get this now.
Isles of Sea and Sky Steam Deck Overview Rating: 5/5
Damaged Roads Steam Deck Overview
It sucks while you’re excited to play a recreation and it finally ends up falling quick, however that’s precisely what occurred with Damaged Roads at launch. The Australia setting, voice performing, and music had been good, but it surely was too buggy and linear. It has been simply over two months since I began taking part in Damaged Roads on Steam Deck, and it’s in a a lot better place with the most recent replace. I wished to do a fast evaluate masking how the present recreation feels on Steam Deck after latest updates.
Damaged Roads is a contemporary tackle conventional party-based RPGs with components of Disco Elysium and Wasteland, however one which doesn’t reside as much as its inspirations by the tip of it. The Australian setting, voice performing, music, and visuals are highlights for certain. The narrative will likely be hit and miss for lots of people. The one fixed all through my totally different save recordsdata and makes an attempt and seeing how diversified issues will be in Damaged Roads, has been the fight not feeling totally realized, and in addition a few of the quests. The ethical compass in-game feels tacked on in components as a result of I generally felt like I had no actual freedom to do or say what I wished even early on. As an idea, I like what it could possibly be, but it surely wants some extra work right here.
Damaged Roads on Steam Deck is a little bit of a blended bag in some methods, however performs nicely. You may’t change any settings barring forcing windowed mode and the decision with just a few refresh fee choices. Damaged Roads helps 16:10 800p and 90hz natively, however it could actually’t hit that 90fps past the opening parts. I’d suggest capping it from the short entry menu. Apart from that, it performs nicely out of the field with full controller assist and even has a big font choice to make it higher in handheld mode. I didn’t attempt Damaged Roads docked on my monitor so I can’t touch upon the way it feels there. I ended up capping it to 45fps at 90hz when taking part in.
Damaged Roads has improved fairly a bit since I performed it in early April, however nonetheless wants a bit extra work to be a straightforward suggestion. In its present state, I can suggest it, however it’s a few updates away from being one thing particular. It positively wants a demo as a result of I can’t think about many individuals will give it a shot at its present asking value given the launch reception.
Damaged Roads Steam Deck Overview Rating: 3.5/5
Umbraclaw Steam Deck Impressions
Shaun already lined Umbraclaw on Swap in his evaluate, however I wished to cowl the way it felt on Steam Deck. As with a lot of Inti Creates’ PC ports, on launching the sport, you’re prompted with a button configuration possibility for no matter controller you’re utilizing. This allows you to map buttons as you please earlier than leaping into the sport.
As soon as that’s accomplished, Umbraclaw principally runs at a locked 60fps. On Steam Deck and the Steam Deck OLED, I discovered no manner of working it greater than 60fps. Some prior Inti Creates PC ports have supported 120fps, however I don’t see an possibility for that right here when taking part in on the Deck itself. Umbraclaw performs at 16:9 or is stretched. It seems nice out of the field, however I like to recommend manually altering it to 720p or 1080p. The body fee stays the identical however you would possibly discover the elevated readability higher.
Umbraclaw has DualSense button immediate assist on Steam Deck when utilizing a DualSense, however I discovered no manner of adjusting button prompts when taking part in utilizing the Deck’s personal controls. You may rebind keyboard and controller buttons, toggle v-sync, alter decision (seemingly capped at 1080p), and body fee. Be aware that on Steam Deck the body fee possibility doesn’t appear to work, and it’s capped at 60fps as I discussed above.
In case you aren’t certain if Umbraclaw is for you, I like to recommend making an attempt the free demo on Steam. I ended up liking it greater than I anticipated going into it. The stained glass meets painterly aesthetic shines on the Steam Deck OLED show for certain.
Information and Trailers
Not a variety of information this week following the Summer time Sport Fest 2024 bonanza, however there are just a few bits of notice. The highlights are under. Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance is now obtainable on all consoles and Steam. Alongside the launch trailer, Atlus additionally has a really bizarre and hilarious Slipknot interview as part of the collaboration. I by no means thought I’d see Slipknot’s Clown being interviewed on the Atlus YouTube channel, however right here we’re. Watch each movies under:
Fallen Aces Episode One is out now on Steam Early Entry from New Blood Interactive. Sure, it’s lastly right here and solely $9.99 (how?). Watch the launch trailer for it under:
Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO had a brand new gameplay options trailer go up confirming an offline multiplayer mode and much more together with Customized Battle, Episode Battle, and showcasing new gameplay after all. Watch it under:
Digital Extremes launched a brand new TennoCon 2024 hype trailer forward of the occasion set for subsequent month. In case you missed my interview with Inventive Director Rebb Ford, learn it right here. Watch the video under:
Caves of Qud bought its Spring Molting Replace, the final main replace earlier than 1.0, this latest week on Steam bringing a change to the UI to be pleasant for mouse and gamepads along with extra new options. Watch the trailer for it under:
Shovel Knight: Shovel of Hope DX is within the works for Steam as an enhanced model of the unique recreation with 20 characters with distinctive playstyles, on-line multiplayer, Problem Phases, Customized Knight, and extra. Watch the announcement trailer under:
New Steam Deck Verified & Playable video games for the week
Catching up with principally two weeks of latest Steam Deck Verified and Playable video games has resulted in an even bigger listing than ordinary, which implies extra surprises.
- AMANATSU Excellent Version – Unsupported
- Arranger: A Function-Puzzling Journey – Verified
- Bulwark: Falconeer Chronicles – Verified
- Chivalry 2 – Playable
- Command & Conquer: Generals – Playable
- Cryptmaster – Playable
- Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- Sweep the Board! – Playable (by way of TouchArcade reader Mor)
- DRAGON BALL Z: KAKAROT Steam – Verified (by way of TouchArcade reader Mor)
- Duck Detective: The Secret Salami – Verified
- Dungeons of Hinterberg – Playable
- F1 24 – Unsupported
- INDIKA – Verified
- Machinika Museum – Playable
- Mashiroiro Symphony HD Sana Version – Unsupported
- Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite – Playable
- 9 Sols – Verified (by way of TouchArcade reader Mor)
- Out of the Park Baseball 25 – Playable
- Outcast – A New Starting – Playable (by way of TouchArcade reader Mor)
- Quest Grasp – Verified
- Rabbit and Metal – Playable
- Learn Solely Recollections: NEURODIVER – Verified
- Reus 2 – Playable (by way of TouchArcade reader Mor)
- Rolling Hills: Make Sushi, Make Buddies – Verified
- Rotwood – Playable
- SAND LAND – Playable
- Scars Above – Playable
- Selaco – Playable (by way of TouchArcade reader Mor)
- Nonetheless Wakes the Deep – Playable
- Tchia – Verified (by way of TouchArcade reader Mor)
- Thank Goodness You’re Right here! – Verified
- The Lullaby of Life – Verified
- The Crimson Lantern – Verified
- The Rogue Prince of Persia – Unsupported
- The Shell Half II: Purgatorio – Unsupported
- Truxton 2 – Playable
- Vigor – Playable (by way of TouchArcade reader Mor)
- Void Crew – Playable
Steam Deck Sport Gross sales, Reductions, and Specials
As a substitute of gross sales, I’m going to make use of this area to suggest trying out the most recent Steam Subsequent Fest with many demos for upcoming video games. I’m going to be taking part in fairly just a few demos tonight. Those I like to recommend are Fumes, Hookah Haze, Blade Chimera, Steel Slug Ways (no controller assist but), Blue Prince, Maid Cafe on Electrical Avenue, LOK Digital, Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus, #BLUD, and Wizard of Legend 2.
That’s all for this version of the Steam Deck Weekly. As ordinary, you may learn all our previous and future Steam Deck protection right here. When you have any suggestions for this characteristic or what else you’d prefer to see us do across the Steam Deck, tell us within the feedback under. I hope you all have a terrific day, and thanks for studying.
