Can the Steam Deck outgrow the Nintendo Switch? Yes it can! Here's why!

This might seem random (and it is), but... the Steam Deck has become a bigger curiosity when talking to fellow gamers. Either some are simply curious about it and want to learn more... or they're literally trying to find a store that sells it so they can snag one. I've talked to numerous gamers with Steam Deck on the brain, and after speaking about several pluses, most are sold on the investment. This wasn't for the sake of me selling anything but... there are pluses to having one. I still say... it's based on what you're looking for though (and i'll continue to say that).

The reason why the Steam Deck has the potential to outgrow the Nintendo Switch, is something I've mentioned before... and that's the Steam platform. It's been around longer than the Nintendo eShop, the Steam Deck won't have a cut off point in regards to the Steam store (same as traditional laptops + desktops). Same account, different systems. 

The company itself would likely have to shut it's doors, but... that still wouldn't prevent the device from functioning. 

The same would apply to the Switch, but... as far as which would still have access to their respective online store... that would be the Steam Deck (unless Nintendo keeps the door open for the long haul to make it debatable). 

One might say it's possible for Nintendo to follow in Valve's footsteps, but... do you really see Nintendo placing potential sales at risk by allowing Switch access to the eShop for the life of future consoles? (C'mon Son!)

This doesn't count Nintendo out as far as future consoles go, but if and when Steam is able to get the price of the device down further... that would increase the incentive to buy. Especially for those who want games Nintendo doesn't have access to and... could careless about owning the First Party titles. The price hasn't stopped a number of gamers from asking me where to buy (after giving them the benefits of owning one). 

The saving grace for Nintendo is it's first party line up for die hard fans, and... one that we forget... which are the physical copies of games. When it comes to online support and access to eShop, that can vanish, but just like previous Nintendo consoles/handhelds, if you have the cartridge and your system works... you can play it. So when it comes to the physical games... Nintendo has the upperhand (these can be passed on to your kids without account/internet access), when it comes to digital... I give it to Valve. Also, you will be able to access new games on your Steam Deck... years from now, if it still works and iFixIt still repairs them. Technically, repair companies can fix a system regardless, as long as they have parts that fit.

The good thing is... these are two portable/versitile handhelds that are different enough to deliver more options for our enjoyment. Nintendo dominated for quite some time (with beloved handhelds still floating around + remakes), and now a new competitor is here + others, especially for those who gave up traditional/stationary consoles altogether. Some people aren't home that often and don't wish to carry around a console they need to connect to the telly in order to enjoy. There are some minimalists who don't even have televisions, while others just can't afford one.

Financial struggles also emerged as a topic, especially in terms of certain gamers looking at expenses and feeling as if they really need to watch out for spending too much due to financial insecurities (so the decision to buy is restricted to either or).

Financial insecurities actually opened the door to this conversation for a number of gamers who are fresh out of high school, they've been out of college for a few years (dealing with debt) and still don't qualify for entry-level positions, or they have a budget and want to invest in something that stretches beyond the shelf life of a traditional system. On that note... a lack of money increases the desire for some to spend more wisely (nothing wrong with budgeting either way... but) the cost of Nintendo's first party games comes up in terms of which system is more affordable for the long haul.

Nintendo eShop serves up deals (I've snagged multiple myself)... so I defintely wouldn't say that it doesn't, but when it comes to first party titles... they're going to remain at a premium price. Always have. This doesn't condemn the first party titles from Nintendo (there are some great ones), but a number of gamers are literally gaming exclusively from the discount bin outside of the times they save up for that one game they really want. On that note, if they don't realistically see themselves buying first party games from Nintendo... and they need a system that does more than gaming for the long haul... Steam Deck appears to be that solution because it's also computer. This sealed the deal for a number of the gamers that brought this topic to mind.

Both give you access to Hulu + YouTube, but Steam Deck gives you access to everything else as well + gaming + the ability to switch to desktop (remember this is a Linux operating system). I have no loyalty to either company, this is all about what benefits gamers and our needs. A gamer who needs a free video editing software, free image editing software, free office suite, and more... get these things in Steam Deck. Place the Steam Deck on the Dock and use a monitor and speakers for movies, and signing into an online work platform shouldn't be a stretch via Microsoft 360. Again, this doesn't make the Switch a bad option, but a number of gamers are adapting to the situation in order to enjoy gaming and grinding!

For struggling gamers who desire to get a Steam Deck/PC set up for a studio apartment, I recommend something... similar to the following:

39.4" Foldable Desk (No Assembly Required) | $69.99

22 Inch Monitors (2-Pack) 1920 x 1080p | $119.97

These desktop speakers also have speakers on the side | $13.99 or...

Logitech Z313 2.1 speeakers + Subwoofer | $59.99

Amazon Wireless Keyboard & Mouse | $20.69

Steam Deck Dock | $46.99

Put it together, and you have what you see in the image above.

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Take a psychedelic trip in... Ultros!

ultros

You wake up stranded, after seemingly crashing your ship on The Sarcophagus — a giant, space-drifting, cosmic uterus holding an ancient demonic being known as ULTROS. Trapped in the eternal loop of a black hole, you will have to explore The Sarcophagus and meet its inhabitants to understand the part you play.

Are you the gruesome breaker of this cycle, or can you become a link from destruction to rebirth?

A PSYCHEDELIC SCI-FI JOURNEY

ULTROS is set in a multifaceted realm - a vast alien landscape teeming with life. Grounded in science fiction, ULTROS comes wrapped in an eccentric art style and a mystical soundtrack from the visionary El Huervo, renowned for his work on Hotline Miami. ULTROS explores meta-themes of mental health, life, death, and karmic cycles through deep lore and environmental storytelling.

A WORLD OF CONTRAST

Experience brutal, intimate, close-quarter combat with cosmic lifeforms, driven by a sense of urgency – where precision is paramount and every cut of your blade counts. Yet this intense combat is juxtaposed with cultivating the greenery and tending to plant life in The Sarcophagus, providing precious moments of contemplation and peace. In turn, this grants deeper access to obscured paths.

A MYSTERIOUS, LAYERED LOOP

The rich world of ULTROS holds many secrets for those curious enough — and fearless enough — to seek them out. A unique loop-based mechanic will allow you to start over at key moments in the story, providing opportunities to unfold such secrets, unlock different areas of the world and new abilities on a branching skill tree. Experiment with and master your own specific fighting style as you explore the world of ULTROS. Each loop brings you closer to the truth...

游戏开始！

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Last Train Home... Reviewed!

The Last Train Home is a... heart-wrenching journey of survival, and we appreciate THQ Nordic for supplying us with a copy to review (my opinions are my own). Is the Last Train Home worth the challenging journey? Let's find out!

Story: In terms of the story, the Last Train Home is... inspired by real historical events that put you in charge of Czechoslovak soldiers. The mission is to make your way back home aboard an armored train in Siberia during a Russian civil war (the White Army vs the Red Army). I think fans of history are really going to love this game and the true story behind it, and if you like branching paths to a story... you will find that decisions will have an impact on the narrative. This is one of the reasons why I enjoyed The Walking Dead game franchise so much. Granted the decisions aren't as frequent, but they're still there in the Last Train Home. Hmmm, I shouldn't say that they aren't as frequent... because your decisions in the field matter greatly. Before we go into gameplay, here's a bit of info Sophi came across regarding the historical events that inspired the game (while we aren't glorifying war, the history is... interesting):

In May 1918, the Czechoslovak Legion found themselves spread out along the Trans-Siberian Railway, stretching from Penza to Vladivostok. However, the process of evacuating them was not going as smoothly as anticipated. The railway was in poor condition, locomotives were in short supply, and negotiations with local Soviets along the way were causing delays. On the 14th of May, a disagreement at the Chelyabinsk station between legionaries heading east and Magyar POWs heading west resulted in the People's Commissar for War, Leon Trotsky, ordering the arrest and disarmament of the legionaries. A few days later, at an army congress in Chelyabinsk, the Czechoslovaks, against the wishes of the National Council, refused to disarm and instead began issuing ultimatums for their passage to Vladivostok. This event ignited what would be known as the Revolt of the Legions.

As May came to a close in 1918, clashes between the Czechoslovak Legion and the Bolsheviks erupted at different points along the Trans-Siberian Railway. The fighting intensified along the railway route from Penza to Krasnoyarsk in June. By the end of the month, General Mikhail Diterikhs and his legionaries had successfully seized control of Vladivostok, overthrowing the local Bolshevik administration.

Legionnaires returned via the Trans-Siberian Railway to provide assistance to their fellow fighters in the west. In their initial encounters with the fledgling Red Army, the Czechoslovaks emerged victorious. By mid-July, they had taken control of the railway from Samara to Irkutsk, and by early September, they had driven out Bolshevik forces along the entire length of the Trans-Siberian Railway. The legionnaires conquered major cities in Siberia, including Yekaterinburg, but unfortunately, Tsar Nicholas II and his family were executed under the direct orders of Yakov Sverdlov just days before the arrival of the Legion.

The news of the Czechoslovak Legion's Siberian campaign in the summer of 1918 was met with enthusiasm by Allied leaders in Great Britain and France. They viewed this operation as an opportunity to establish an eastern front against Germany. Facing pressure from both domestic and international sources, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, who had previously resisted Allied calls for intervention in Russia, eventually agreed to support the evacuation of the legionaries from Siberia. In July 1918, he released a memorandum advocating for a limited U.S. intervention in Siberia.

In Transbaikal, the Czechoslovak Legion had already arrived to greet the American and Japanese units once they landed in Vladivostok. The impressive campaign of the Czechoslovak Legion in Siberia caught the attention of Allied statesmen and sparked their interest in the concept of an independent Czechoslovak state. Throughout the victorious summer, as the legionaries achieved one triumph after another, the Czechoslovak National Council received official acknowledgments from different Allied governments.

Fun Fact: I met several gamers, including one from the Czech Republic the day before I published this review, and let's just say... he looks forward to checking it out.

Gameplay: Some RTS games are more forgiving than others, but the Last Train Home... isn't one of those games. You have to maintain morale, obtain food to feed everyone and avoid starvation, keep them on a good schedule (they need to rest), and keep them safe. Don't risk simply running into battle-depleting ammo and medkits, because they aren't located at every turn, and also remember... you don't have to fight everyone. Survive, recruit, gather your resources, upgrade your train, and keep moving (again... survive). When it comes to the train, they wanted to maintain the experience inspired by the true events, so you are challenged with maintaining and upgrading... the Last Train Home. By this point, you may be wondering if it's a management game vs an RTS game, but... it's basically a hybrid of sorts.

You will find that you have many people aboard the train with "No Combat Role" but... don't underestimate the role of anyone, simply make sure that you use them wisely during the journey... home to increase their experience in various ways, taking care of them as well as upgrading the train are highly important. If the danger is low out in the field, consider taking someone with little to no experience out to gain some, they can learn a thing or two and could become useful in combat if necessary.

By the way, get familiar with hitting the 'Esc' key to Pause and... the right mouse button to Cancel Selected Orders. I say that just in case you send someone running off in the wrong direction and into potential danger. Controls aren't bad, but... they are something you will have to get familiar with, especially if you aren't an RTS veteran. Let's take a pause for the cause and check out this first 30:

Shout out to Dan K. for providing this!

It's probably safe to say that I'll be doing some live-streaming with this one.

Your team will have different traits like their type of character, belief, and nature. For example, let's look at Bedrich Kopcky:

He has a Diligent character, representing steady and earnest work in all his duties. When it comes to his Beliefs, he's a Nationalist who values freedom, personal responsibility, and independence. Supports decisions that make the nation stronger. His beliefs can affect the narrative in dialogues and other events. Some of his choices may also affect Morale. He is Focused in nature which increases his work efficiency, and he's also Strong-willed in nature which increases his max value of Will by... 1.

Kopcky's roles include Rifleman and he's a Worker. There are other attributes there as you see here, but you get the idea.

Another soldier is... Anna Davidova is a Doctor, but she's also a Cook. She is very important, which doesn't slight the soldiers like Kopcky who keep those like Anna safe, but... I say this because she can ensure that they live another day (on the food & medical front). Her traits in terms of her character, belief, and nature include:

Character: Careless - Probably already messed something up. Can affect narrative in dialogues and other events. (That's a pretty cold description if I must say so myself.)

Belief: Communist - Values helping those in need and despises the rich. Supports the revolution and wants the same reforms as the Reds, but not their rule. Can affect narrative in dialogues and other events. Some choices may affect Morale.

Nature: Talented - Increases XP gain of any train role while working in train. (Keep this in mind.) + She is Chaotic in Nature as well, which reduces her Work Efficiency by 15%, so you will have to boost her W.E. to make sure it isn't a crutch on your journey home.

This places her roles more so on the train, but... taking her outside to get some experience doesn't hurt when it's safe. Maybe even have her shoot at some targets. By the way, their roles come with various levels of work efficiency. So let's just say you have a lot to work with to make your crew as efficient as possible... and I'm going to go ahead and throw Replay Value in here... because you can switch things up in a new game to see how the results will be different based on different decisions. 

Remember the soldiers can affect the narrative in dialogues and... other events.

Price: The game is available for $39.99, but... you can grab it here for a limited time to save 15%! Is it worth $39.99? Yes and yes, it's a great game with a great story, especially for those craving a new RTS experience with depth inspired by historical events. Jump aboard and... game on!

Story 5

Gameplay 5

Replay Value 5

Price 5

5 out of 5 Cool Points

 + Sophima 

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BlazBlue Entropy Effect: It's about time we receive a beautiful 2D side scroller featuring BlazBlue characters!

It's about damn time that we received a Blazblue 2D platformer. It makes sense, they don't have to be stuck in an arena, open the world up and... send us on a kickass adventure! This is promising and has the potential of bleeding over into Blazblue fighting games. I can picture it now, remove the drawn-out cutscenes and let us reach the destination of battle in a certain mode. Arcade can remain arcade, and adventure can incorporate what we see here. I'll get my head out of the clouds though, because they don't need to be there with BlazBlue Entropy Effect... out now (in Early Access).

BlazBlue Entropy Effect is a brand-new action roguelike developed by a team with years of experience in action games, ready to present what they claim to be "the best 2D action combat experience the world has ever seen!"

According to the developers, each character has its own traits and hundreds of moves to choose from as you create your unique combos. The Legacy System makes each battle a unique experience. This is easy to confirm as truth because they're using the character moves from the BlazBlue universe.

Tactics come into play by way of you being able to select from eight different elements like lightning, fire, light, umbra, and more plus over 200 upgrades that you can utilize in various way to go nuts with your combos. My hands are twitching just thinking about it jumping into this Metroidvania-inspired game and its sandbox-style levels.

While the characters are familiar, BlazBlue Entropy Effect is a spin-off of the BlazBlue series. It has its own original storyline. By the way, you can snatch this game up for $19.99.

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PAYDAY Gold Edition

payday 3

PAYDAY 3 is the much anticipated sequel to one of the most popular co-op shooters ever. Since its release, PAYDAY-players have been reveling in the thrill of a perfectly planned and executed heist. That’s what makes PAYDAY a high-octane, co-op FPS experience without equal.

Step out of retirement back into the life of crime in the shoes of the Payday Gang, the envy of their peers and the nightmare of law enforcement wherever they go. Several years after the crew’s reign of terror over Washington DC has ended, they assemble once again to deal with the threat that roused them out of early retirement.

The legendary Payday Crew, dreaded by the law and underworld alike, is back. Ripped from their peaceful retirement to rejoin the criminal world by a new threat, one born from the chaos the Crew left in their wake.

In order to identify and crush this new threat, the Crew is leaving their Washington DC roots behind them and moving to New York City. A new location will bring with it new challenges, but also new opportunities for a heister with a plan.

Give outlet to your greed and let loose in PAYDAY 3. In addition to gold, cash and jewelry and any other valuables they might come across, you’ll be able to build a sizable collection of weapons, cosmetics and accolades.

It won’t be as simple as showing up and gaining goodies. You’ll have to work hard and plan smart to get away with as much loot as possible. Gain experience, unlock new skills and gain proficiency in weapons to steadily grow your power to handle the tougher challenges.

A professional heister knows it takes planning, hard work and a good amount of luck in order to execute a successful heist. In PAYDAY 3 the choice is put in the hands of the players, deciding how to tackle the heist, whether you sneak or go in guns blazing, whether you let your hostages go or keep them around as pawns, whether you go at it alone or bring friends. The choices are endless and in your hands, they will vastly change how the game plays.

Not just anyone is worthy of standing at your side for something as important as a heist. Likewise, PAYDAY 3 is best enjoyed with close friends in mind, whether you bring them from your childhood or make them along the road.

The PAYDAY-series has always valued the bonds made through hardship and tries to reflect that in the actions and words of our heisters while in the game, and through our community while on the outside.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Minimum:

Windows
OS: Windows 10
Processor: Intel Core i5-9400F
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Graphics: Nvidia GTX 1650 (4 GB)
Network: Broadband Internet connection

Recommended:

Windows
OS: Windows 10
Processor: Intel Core i7-9700K
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Graphics: Nvidia GTX 1080 (8GB)

Supported Languages: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish - Spain, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese - Brazil, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish - Latin America, Traditional Chinese, Turkish

游戏开始！

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