Been thinking about getting a steam deck. Talk me in or out of it. I’ve got a desktop, but thinking something handheld would be good when I want to sit on the couch. What are your favorite and least favorite things about your steam deck?

  • thegiddystitcher@lemm.ee
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    2 years ago

    It’s great for playing slower paced games, not so great for shooters etc, anything that really relies on the fast accuracy of a mouse (at least in handheld which is all I use mine for). A good way to start working through the backlog of cozy indie freebies we’ve all been pointlessly gathering from Epic.

    Big downside for me is the size and weight, I’m a woman with stereotypically slender hands and this thing was definitely designed for someone with a slightly longer reach.

    • none@lemmy.world
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      2 years ago

      My girlfriend has a similar complaint. Hours upon hours poured into Civilization VI, but after long sessions her arms get tired from holding it up due to the weight. Haven’t heard any complaints about reach though, but maybe that’s not as big of a deal as the weight.

      • averagedrunk@lemmy.one
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        2 years ago

        My case has a kick stand. If I’m holding it too long and not docking it I’m not ashamed to just prop it up, hook up an external controller, and keep playing.

    • i_cant_sports@kbin.social
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      2 years ago

      For shooters it definitely depends on the game and your preferred play style. Case in point, Halo (both MCC and Infinite) plays well for me since I’ve been playing since OG Xbox days; the Deck makes for a really good handheld experience.

      • thegiddystitcher@lemm.ee
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        2 years ago

        That’s fair, I don’t play a whole lot of them so some probably work better than others. But I’m also shite at them and need all the help I can get, which usually means a mouse 😄

    • AZmaybe9@lemm.ee
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      1 year ago

      Shooters are wonderful with Gyro. Like Roboquest or Gunfire Reborn with just the right settings can feel amazing. But online shooters like Battlebit Remastered I definitely recommend using a bigger screen for such smaller details in the distance that could kill you.

      Also the d-pad, although I have a very early release version, is atrocious. Only useful for inventory and not for actual older games or fighters because the diagonals require ridiculous squeezing to input. I might need to do a tape modification of something.

      Other than that, the Deck is absolutely amazing!

    • garrettz@lemmy.worldOP
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      2 years ago

      You just described what i was looking for. I found myself using my old work laptop to get into some of those slower paced/less resource intensive games while on the couch with the dogs, but it’s pretty awkward and clunky that way.

      • Rossel@sh.itjust.works
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        2 years ago

        If you get used to using the touchpads+gyro, shooters are suddenly very fun to play as your accuracy is much batter than with the sticks.

      • thegiddystitcher@lemm.ee
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        2 years ago

        Yeah I do most of my gaming on a laptop but the Deck is much more convenient if I’m playing something fairly simple. Sounds like it’s exactly what you need, you can just rest it on top of whichever dog is currently lying across your lap!