Somewhat but not really related, I've noticed that on MacOS, there are a lot more Steam games that are now playable. I'm on vacation right now and opted to leave my Steam Deck at home and just...
Somewhat but not really related, I've noticed that on MacOS, there are a lot more Steam games that are now playable. I'm on vacation right now and opted to leave my Steam Deck at home and just bring my MBP. I was going to either use Parallels+Win11 or Remote Play and my Windows gaming PC (provided my Internet connection is decent enough) to play via my MBP. But when loading Steam on MacOS, I noticed a lot more games that are now playable directly on Mac that weren't before. Games that were the reason why I got Parallels in the first place.
I know being able to play any game on SteamOS and other Linux distros is the golden goose so to speak. To get away from Microsoft and Windows and their BS. Maybe even one day have native games on Linux-based machines without wrappers and all that. But to me, being able to play a game I bought on one platform (Windows, for example), and play it another, whether that's MacOS, Ubuntu, Arch, maybe even iOS or Android, or something else completely different is a game-changer in its own right.
It’s common to blame Apple’s dropping of OpenGL and choice to not support Vulkan for the lack of games, but personally I think that theory is overblown. There aren’t many games on Windows that use...
It’s common to blame Apple’s dropping of OpenGL and choice to not support Vulkan for the lack of games, but personally I think that theory is overblown. There aren’t many games on Windows that use either of those, almost everything is DirectX.
Instead I believe the primary factor was the average GPU strength, something that Macs struggled with in before the switch away from x86. They all came with either abysmally weak Intel iGPUs or low-end-to-midrange AMD GPUs that were very meh on a good day, and the iGPU models were much more common than the AMD models. In other words, most games just weren’t going to run well (or even playably) on most peoples’ Macs.
That’s changed quite a bit with the architecture switch. Even the baseline Air/Mini’s GPU is quite strong relative to what their competition come equipped with and the higher end models have pretty respectable graphics horsepower. Would you go and purpose-buy a MacBook for gaming? No, but they’re more than capable of some casual play during downtime.
Valve's rating system for Steam Deck and SteamOS seems to have sped up recently, with 20,000 games now rated at least playable. Previously they hit 19,000 in May, 18,000 in March and 17,000 in November 2024.
I was gifted a Steam Deck by a friend and have been enjoying it for travel and my down time at work -- However, I'm struggling to find games that feel "fun to play" on it, given how much I've...
I was gifted a Steam Deck by a friend and have been enjoying it for travel and my down time at work -- However, I'm struggling to find games that feel "fun to play" on it, given how much I've grown in to mouse/keyboard over the last 15 years.
Mostly I play Vampire Survivors, and have been having a lot of fun doing so, the controls fit very well. I've tried some other first person POV games, but I find navigation to feel clunky without that fine control of an 1800 DPI mouse. Has anyone else felt this way but found games they still enjoyed playing? I'd love some recommendations.
I've found the opposite, weirdly. I've been a PC gamer for 30 years now, taught myself M/KB around 1997ish with Action Quake when I realized I really needed it to be on the level. Now I've had my...
I've found the opposite, weirdly. I've been a PC gamer for 30 years now, taught myself M/KB around 1997ish with Action Quake when I realized I really needed it to be on the level.
Now I've had my Deck for 3 years and I'm using a controller for almost everything I can. Was just playing Kingdom Come 2 on my main PC today and using a controller for it...
Obviously that doesn't answer your question, but it depends on what you're in to playing. Some stuff I've loved on Deck:
Resident Evil 7
Pentiment
Skald: Against the Black Priory
Felvidek
Stalker: Remaster
Just to be name a few. I do get what you mean though and I do still play pure FPS games, such as Cultic with a keyboard and mouse. Snapping off those headshots is just really damn important and I can feel frustrated trying to get them on Deck.
That said, I did play the entirety of Half-Life and Black Mesa on Deck with the intention of getting better at using it for shooters and that definitely helped. Don't forget you can adjust the sensitivity of the Trackpads via the Deck interface which I discovered helped immensely. I typically turn off Gyro because I find it annoying, but I fine tune that mouse sensitivity until it feels like I'm snapping off headshots pretty well.
My rule of thumb is that controllers are great for most genres, but if you're rapidly aiming for small targets that can be anywhere on the screen - whether it's UI elements, little troops and...
My rule of thumb is that controllers are great for most genres, but if you're rapidly aiming for small targets that can be anywhere on the screen - whether it's UI elements, little troops and buildings, aiming without turning the view camera, etc. - I much prefer the mouse. Games can be designed to minimize the need to do that.
Definitely, but it can be done pretty well with some tweaking on the Deck. I do prefer a M&KB for most of those things, but a lot of the time I just want to play on a handheld and not use my big...
Definitely, but it can be done pretty well with some tweaking on the Deck. I do prefer a M&KB for most of those things, but a lot of the time I just want to play on a handheld and not use my big laptop or sit at my desk.
I haven't felt that way but I can try throwing out some recommendations. Any interest in 2D platformers? I've played a ton of Celeste - and also enjoyed Gravity Circuit, BZZZT, GRIS, and Neva - on...
I haven't felt that way but I can try throwing out some recommendations.
Any interest in 2D platformers? I've played a ton of Celeste - and also enjoyed Gravity Circuit, BZZZT, GRIS, and Neva - on the deck.
Could also try a rhythm game like Thumper. Or a sports game like Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2.
I've also spent a large chunk of time in roguelike deckbuilders Slay the Spire and Balatro. I do slightly prefer mouse or touch controls better for those games (come to think of it, touch controls might work on the deck too, never think to try, cause it's a little more awkward to use one-handed than a smartphone), but not by much, so it's something to consider if you're specifically looking for more things to play on the Deck, and haven't already played them to death on other platforms.
Maybe you would be more OK using a controller for ports of games that were originally released on consoles, like the Halo: Master Chief Collection? Or you could look into emulating any old console games you might be interested in?
It takes some getting used to, but once you lean into configuring steam input it really opens up what games you can enjoyably play without a mouse/kb. The steam controller went from an oddity to...
It takes some getting used to, but once you lean into configuring steam input it really opens up what games you can enjoyably play without a mouse/kb. The steam controller went from an oddity to my favorite way to play once I got used to steam input.
This right here. I got the original Steam Controller, still have it (and actually, a buddy just gave me a brand new in box one because he never even opened it) and it was an interesting curiosity,...
This right here.
I got the original Steam Controller, still have it (and actually, a buddy just gave me a brand new in box one because he never even opened it) and it was an interesting curiosity, but I ended-up not messing with it much.
But having the Deck and playing with the configurability, I'm not sure I could ever go back. I often play Vanilla World of Warcraft on my Deck and I have my controls so heavily customized, it's just not something you could do on a normal controller, even with Steam Input. The Steam Input, plus the touchpads are just the cherry on top and open-up so many possibilities for controlling games.
I actually should go back to my Steam Controller and try using it a little bit more. I pick it up here and there, but it would make gaming on my laptop or Desktop with a controller so much better since it's damn near a M&KB unto itself.
Ha, I'm the other way! I don't own a steam deck, but got lucky last year and found a steam link + two steam controllers for $25 when I was looking for a second steam link to use as a thin client....
Ha, I'm the other way! I don't own a steam deck, but got lucky last year and found a steam link + two steam controllers for $25 when I was looking for a second steam link to use as a thin client. I bounced off the steam controllers a few times, but once I started to get steam input, it stuck. I'm not sure if I love the controllers or just steam input. I'm really looking forward to rumored steam controller 2 (mostly because square trackpads map better to screens)
As a heavy JRPG player, a Steam Deck was a no brainer for me. I was used to playing JRPGs on handhelds, and that's still my preferred form factor for the genre. That said, I've tried it for some...
As a heavy JRPG player, a Steam Deck was a no brainer for me. I was used to playing JRPGs on handhelds, and that's still my preferred form factor for the genre. That said, I've tried it for some city/colony manager types and the Steam Deck worked well enough. Of course, these are all games where fast/twitchy mouse movements aren't needed. I'm kinda like you where if I'm going to play FPS or FPOV games, I kinda need a mouse and keyboard. I'm god-awful at FPSs with controllers. I'm also bad with K+M, but that's beside the point!
On the other hand, several of my friends also have Steam Decks and they've had great success with the Steam Deck. They've mentioned playing Cyberpunk, Helldivers 2, Dying Light, and others on their Steam Decks pretty regularly.
I can't give any specific suggestions, other than what BeardyHat has said. Depending on how and when you're playing, such as playing in a hotel room or somewhere you have some space, a TKL or travel-sized keyboard and a mouse, both bluetooth, could be a solution. For me, the ability to play actually hand-held isn't as important as being able to game while away from home, even if I need to bring some additional accessories.
Sixth and Seventh Generation third person games Fable, Prototype, and the like were made with controllers in mind and play like it - plus they're lightweight enough that the Steam Deck hums along...
Sixth and Seventh Generation third person games Fable, Prototype, and the like were made with controllers in mind and play like it - plus they're lightweight enough that the Steam Deck hums along quietly while playing.
Dead Rising 72-hour survivor and Zombie Genocider challenges become much more doable when you can tap the sleep button and come back to them later.
I love Steam Input but it mostly feels like a kludge if you don't invest yourself in it.
If you're playing first person games, for the love of all humanity, activate and map the back buttons! Halo: Master Chief Collection is a thousand times more fun with the added benefit of not having to remove your hands from the sticks.
I find it depends on the game. If its designed with a controller in mind its not bad, but games built solely for mouse and keyboard are terrible with it.
I've tried some other first person POV games, but I find navigation to feel clunky without that fine control of an 1800 DPI mouse.
I find it depends on the game. If its designed with a controller in mind its not bad, but games built solely for mouse and keyboard are terrible with it.
Somewhat but not really related, I've noticed that on MacOS, there are a lot more Steam games that are now playable. I'm on vacation right now and opted to leave my Steam Deck at home and just bring my MBP. I was going to either use Parallels+Win11 or Remote Play and my Windows gaming PC (provided my Internet connection is decent enough) to play via my MBP. But when loading Steam on MacOS, I noticed a lot more games that are now playable directly on Mac that weren't before. Games that were the reason why I got Parallels in the first place.
I know being able to play any game on SteamOS and other Linux distros is the golden goose so to speak. To get away from Microsoft and Windows and their BS. Maybe even one day have native games on Linux-based machines without wrappers and all that. But to me, being able to play a game I bought on one platform (Windows, for example), and play it another, whether that's MacOS, Ubuntu, Arch, maybe even iOS or Android, or something else completely different is a game-changer in its own right.
Or maybe I just game too much 😅
It’s common to blame Apple’s dropping of OpenGL and choice to not support Vulkan for the lack of games, but personally I think that theory is overblown. There aren’t many games on Windows that use either of those, almost everything is DirectX.
Instead I believe the primary factor was the average GPU strength, something that Macs struggled with in before the switch away from x86. They all came with either abysmally weak Intel iGPUs or low-end-to-midrange AMD GPUs that were very meh on a good day, and the iGPU models were much more common than the AMD models. In other words, most games just weren’t going to run well (or even playably) on most peoples’ Macs.
That’s changed quite a bit with the architecture switch. Even the baseline Air/Mini’s GPU is quite strong relative to what their competition come equipped with and the higher end models have pretty respectable graphics horsepower. Would you go and purpose-buy a MacBook for gaming? No, but they’re more than capable of some casual play during downtime.
I was gifted a Steam Deck by a friend and have been enjoying it for travel and my down time at work -- However, I'm struggling to find games that feel "fun to play" on it, given how much I've grown in to mouse/keyboard over the last 15 years.
Mostly I play Vampire Survivors, and have been having a lot of fun doing so, the controls fit very well. I've tried some other first person POV games, but I find navigation to feel clunky without that fine control of an 1800 DPI mouse. Has anyone else felt this way but found games they still enjoyed playing? I'd love some recommendations.
I've found the opposite, weirdly. I've been a PC gamer for 30 years now, taught myself M/KB around 1997ish with Action Quake when I realized I really needed it to be on the level.
Now I've had my Deck for 3 years and I'm using a controller for almost everything I can. Was just playing Kingdom Come 2 on my main PC today and using a controller for it...
Obviously that doesn't answer your question, but it depends on what you're in to playing. Some stuff I've loved on Deck:
Resident Evil 7
Pentiment
Skald: Against the Black Priory
Felvidek
Stalker: Remaster
Just to be name a few. I do get what you mean though and I do still play pure FPS games, such as Cultic with a keyboard and mouse. Snapping off those headshots is just really damn important and I can feel frustrated trying to get them on Deck.
That said, I did play the entirety of Half-Life and Black Mesa on Deck with the intention of getting better at using it for shooters and that definitely helped. Don't forget you can adjust the sensitivity of the Trackpads via the Deck interface which I discovered helped immensely. I typically turn off Gyro because I find it annoying, but I fine tune that mouse sensitivity until it feels like I'm snapping off headshots pretty well.
My rule of thumb is that controllers are great for most genres, but if you're rapidly aiming for small targets that can be anywhere on the screen - whether it's UI elements, little troops and buildings, aiming without turning the view camera, etc. - I much prefer the mouse. Games can be designed to minimize the need to do that.
Definitely, but it can be done pretty well with some tweaking on the Deck. I do prefer a M&KB for most of those things, but a lot of the time I just want to play on a handheld and not use my big laptop or sit at my desk.
I haven't felt that way but I can try throwing out some recommendations.
Any interest in 2D platformers? I've played a ton of Celeste - and also enjoyed Gravity Circuit, BZZZT, GRIS, and Neva - on the deck.
Could also try a rhythm game like Thumper. Or a sports game like Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2.
I've also spent a large chunk of time in roguelike deckbuilders Slay the Spire and Balatro. I do slightly prefer mouse or touch controls better for those games (come to think of it, touch controls might work on the deck too, never think to try, cause it's a little more awkward to use one-handed than a smartphone), but not by much, so it's something to consider if you're specifically looking for more things to play on the Deck, and haven't already played them to death on other platforms.
Maybe you would be more OK using a controller for ports of games that were originally released on consoles, like the Halo: Master Chief Collection? Or you could look into emulating any old console games you might be interested in?
I second that roguelike deck builders are awesome on steamdeck.
It takes some getting used to, but once you lean into configuring steam input it really opens up what games you can enjoyably play without a mouse/kb. The steam controller went from an oddity to my favorite way to play once I got used to steam input.
This right here.
I got the original Steam Controller, still have it (and actually, a buddy just gave me a brand new in box one because he never even opened it) and it was an interesting curiosity, but I ended-up not messing with it much.
But having the Deck and playing with the configurability, I'm not sure I could ever go back. I often play Vanilla World of Warcraft on my Deck and I have my controls so heavily customized, it's just not something you could do on a normal controller, even with Steam Input. The Steam Input, plus the touchpads are just the cherry on top and open-up so many possibilities for controlling games.
I actually should go back to my Steam Controller and try using it a little bit more. I pick it up here and there, but it would make gaming on my laptop or Desktop with a controller so much better since it's damn near a M&KB unto itself.
Ha, I'm the other way! I don't own a steam deck, but got lucky last year and found a steam link + two steam controllers for $25 when I was looking for a second steam link to use as a thin client. I bounced off the steam controllers a few times, but once I started to get steam input, it stuck. I'm not sure if I love the controllers or just steam input. I'm really looking forward to rumored steam controller 2 (mostly because square trackpads map better to screens)
As a heavy JRPG player, a Steam Deck was a no brainer for me. I was used to playing JRPGs on handhelds, and that's still my preferred form factor for the genre. That said, I've tried it for some city/colony manager types and the Steam Deck worked well enough. Of course, these are all games where fast/twitchy mouse movements aren't needed. I'm kinda like you where if I'm going to play FPS or FPOV games, I kinda need a mouse and keyboard. I'm god-awful at FPSs with controllers. I'm also bad with K+M, but that's beside the point!
On the other hand, several of my friends also have Steam Decks and they've had great success with the Steam Deck. They've mentioned playing Cyberpunk, Helldivers 2, Dying Light, and others on their Steam Decks pretty regularly.
I can't give any specific suggestions, other than what BeardyHat has said. Depending on how and when you're playing, such as playing in a hotel room or somewhere you have some space, a TKL or travel-sized keyboard and a mouse, both bluetooth, could be a solution. For me, the ability to play actually hand-held isn't as important as being able to game while away from home, even if I need to bring some additional accessories.
Sixth and Seventh Generation third person games Fable, Prototype, and the like were made with controllers in mind and play like it - plus they're lightweight enough that the Steam Deck hums along quietly while playing.
Dead Rising 72-hour survivor and Zombie Genocider challenges become much more doable when you can tap the sleep button and come back to them later.
I love Steam Input but it mostly feels like a kludge if you don't invest yourself in it.
If you're playing first person games, for the love of all humanity, activate and map the back buttons! Halo: Master Chief Collection is a thousand times more fun with the added benefit of not having to remove your hands from the sticks.
I find it depends on the game. If its designed with a controller in mind its not bad, but games built solely for mouse and keyboard are terrible with it.