Welcome to this week’s version of the Steam Deck Weekly. Forward of my Black Fantasy: Wukong overview later within the week, at present’s article contains a overview of the not too long ago launched (on Steam) Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown, Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers, impressions of Bandai Namco’s That Time I Received Reincarnated as a Slime ISEKAI Chronicles, information highlights, notable gross sales, and the most recent Steam Deck Verified and Playable video games. Let’s get into the critiques and impressions first.
Steam Deck Sport Critiques & Impressions
Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown Steam Deck Overview
Again in January, Shaun stated Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown was a surprising entry not only for the Prince of Persia collection, but additionally for the Metroidvania style. I didn’t play it at launch, however lastly bought round to it afterward and cherished it on Nintendo Swap and PS5. Again then, it felt prefer it is perhaps among the best video games within the style regardless of its lengthy runtime, however I hoped it will see a Steam launch and be good on Steam Deck. It took a bit, however Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown has launched on Steam Deck, and if you happen to held off on shopping for it to play on Valve’s handheld, your wait has been price it.
Since launching earlier within the 12 months, Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown has added a speedrun mode, permadeath mode, boss rush, cosmetics, and extra. It’s even getting a brand new story DLC subsequent month. Whereas I assumed Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown was price it even with out these updates, the asking worth on Steam now coupled with all of the free updates and content material being included from the beginning makes it even simpler to suggest, however how does it play on Steam Deck?
Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown is among the finest multi-platform releases with how properly it ran on absolutely anything at launch. Having revisited it on PS5, Nintendo Swap, and Xbox Collection X earlier than the Steam launch, I’ve discovered myself gravitating to Xbox Collection X for one of the best expertise on the large display screen and Nintendo Swap OLED for an amazing moveable model. The PS5 model when performed at 120fps doesn’t really feel nice, and I’d suggest taking part in at 60fps there except you’ve gotten a VRR show. Mine doesn’t help VRR on PS5, however does on Xbox Collection X.
After taking part in Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown on Steam Deck LCD and Steam Deck OLED, the latter is now my favourite platform for the sport. The default settings run like a dream, however Ubisoft promoted extremely settings for Steam Deck OLED. At Extremely, it drops from 90fps to the mid 80s, however by no means feels too unhealthy. Settling for the excessive preset is significantly better right here, however Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown feels unimaginable on Steam Deck with its quick loading, improved visuals over Swap, and nice efficiency.
On the PC port facet, Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown enables you to modify show mode (fullscreen, windowed, borderless), decision (no 16:10 help), toggle v-sync, modify SMAA high quality (none, FXAA, SMAA), graphics high quality (regular, excessive, extremely), and modify HUD scale for graphics and show choices. It’s also possible to modify issue and tweak issues fairly a bit to your liking to make for a difficult or relaxed expertise similar to on different platforms.
Talking of different platforms, the one benefit of Ubisoft Join is that Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown helps cross development. Sure, I introduced my previous save from PS5 and Swap to Xbox Collection X, after which bought that over to Steam Deck to proceed my later save. I additionally began a brand new save to see how the opening hour feels on Steam Deck, and it truly bought me to start out a brand-new playthrough. Given how lengthy Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown is, I’m stunned at how nice it has been to chip away at on Deck, after which pickup my new save on no matter platform I’m on. I hope different publishers additionally work on cross development like Ubisoft has.
One factor I’ve seen in discussions on-line is that Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown is just not playable offline. The preliminary setup required me to be on-line to hyperlink my account, however I’ve performed 9 occasions with my Steam Deck in offline mode and Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown lets me play positive as soon as I hit the “offline” choice on the Ubisoft Join menu. I’m undecided if this has a cooldown of some days or one thing due to DRM, however I’ve not had points taking part in it offline as of at present a minimum of. You do must stop the sport from Steam as a result of it doesn’t stop correctly by itself. I hope that is additionally fastened.
Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown is superb on Nintendo Swap, however it’s chic on Steam Deck. Apart from the Ubisoft Join annoyance once you launch the sport for the primary time, I’ve no complaints with Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown on Steam Deck. The present model additionally consists of all prior updates that already improved what was an amazing sport. I haven’t loved the few Prince of Persia video games I performed after the unique two a lot, however Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown is excellent and important on Steam Deck.
Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown Steam Deck overview rating: 5/5
Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers Steam Deck Overview
Again when everybody together with myself was obsessive about Balatro, I began seeing associates put up about video games that felt just like it. One such sport was Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers. I had my eye on it some time in the past, however solely not too long ago remembered it was set to launch quickly, and ended up reaching out to cowl it after seeing Balatro developer LocalThunk put up about it. I’m glad I did as a result of I’ve been fairly obsessive about it alongside Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown and Doom + Doom II not too long ago.
Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers brings in roguelike mechanics into Blackjack the place you begin with your personal set of chips and HP, and try to hit (draw playing cards) or stand towards your opponent. Your deck initially has the same old playing cards, however the swimsuit conduct retains issues recent. For example, you begin drawing (hit) whereas attempting to get as near 21 (the sum of your playing cards) as attainable whereas your opponent does the identical. Injury in Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers is the same as the distinction between each arms. In case your playing cards add as much as 17, you possibly can danger hitting once more to attract one within the hope of getting near 21, however if you happen to overshoot, you find yourself with nothing. In case you determine to face at 17 and the opponent is at say 16, you’ll do 1 harm to the opponent. In case your opponent attracts additional and overshoots to say 25, you’ll do all 17 factors of injury to your opponent.
Past the conventional Blackjack mechanics, there are completely different deck sorts you begin with, extra to unlock, wager sorts, playing cards to get to your assortment, hilarious designs throughout the board, modifiers, and extra in Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers. Initially, I anticipated it to indicate its hand after a couple of hours, however Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers has much more than meets the attention, and it’s one other surprising (in a great way) launch by a solo developer. Even days later, I’m continually stunned by what Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers has to supply.
I normally wouldn’t evaluate two video games a lot, however given they each launched in 2024, it’s fascinating to see how completely different every one performs even apart from the truth that one tackles Poker (Balatro) whereas Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers tackles Blackjack. Proper from the beginning, Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers felt prefer it had potential in the way it slowly began throwing completely different mechanics at me. Each run felt very completely different as I attempted to progress, however what caught with me was how developer Purple Moss Collectors managed to make me wish to hold taking part in regardless of not even understanding a fraction of the mechanics exterior Blackjack for a couple of runs.
On Steam Deck, Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers is nearly good. It doesn’t play superb with the Deck’s personal bodily controls or a controller with a couple of interactions both not working with a controller, or requiring the mouse or contact. When taking part in with contact controls although, Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers is at its finest. Since I performed most of Balatro on the touchscreen on each Deck and Swap, I discovered myself naturally utilizing that enter choice right here, and it was an amazing expertise. There aren’t any graphics choices of be aware right here, and Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers runs at 16:9 with Steam Cloud help. It additionally runs at 90fps on the Steam Deck OLED display screen whereas it hits 144hz with out subject when performed docked on my monitor.
I hope the few management points I bumped into are addressed with a greater onboarding expertise for these unfamiliar with card video games. Past that, Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers is in an amazing state proper now, and it’ll doubtless be in my favourite video games of 2024 on Steam Deck by the tip of the 12 months.
Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers is superb, however it’s a few updates away from being actually particular. Proper now, I completely suggest it if you happen to’re keen to study via expertise although. It additionally looks like a pleasant center floor between Balatro and Luck Be a Landlord when it comes to how a lot luck performs an element in your run. If that sounds good to you, I urge you to offer it a shot. I hope to see it come to cellular and console sooner or later.
Dungeons & Degenerate Gamblers Steam Deck overview rating: 4/5
That Time I Received Reincarnated as a Slime ISEKAI Chronicles Steam Deck Impressions
Forward of our full overview, I wished to cowl how That Time I Received Reincarnated as a Slime ISEKAI Chronicles feels on Steam Deck proper now contemplating I’ve not seen anybody actually speak in regards to the PC model. I performed That Time I Received Reincarnated as a Slime ISEKAI Chronicles with Proton Experimental on my Steam Deck OLED at 90hz and it had no points with loading something together with cut-scenes that performed as they need to. The one subject I bumped into was adjusting the graphics choices from the title display screen which had some freezing. Doing this in-game was positive.
The graphics choices are restricted. You may modify anti-aliasing (off, 2x, 4x, 8x), toggle v-sync, modify texture high quality (low, medium, excessive), shadow high quality (low, medium, excessive), and toggle depth of discipline. You may rebind the buttons for assaults, particular strikes, bounce, dodge, and secret abilities as properly.
To this point, I’ve performed the opening hour of That Time I Received Reincarnated as a Slime ISEKAI Chronicles on my Steam Deck LCD and OLED fashions. The notable takeaway is that it had the least points when utilizing Proton Experimental. It additionally appears to run positive at fullscreen. The one subject is the body charge cap doesn’t appear nice. Enjoying on a 90hz show and even my 144hz monitor resulted in poor body pacing. The repair for that is setting your show refresh charge to 60 or 59. As soon as I did that on Steam Deck, it ran flawlessly. Even the pre-rendered cut-scenes play positive.
Keep tuned for our overview of the Swap model of That Time I Received Reincarnated as a Slime ISEKAI Chronicles within the close to future. Till then, I’ll be taking part in extra of this mix of a side-scroller, builder, and motion RPG primarily based on That Time I Received Reincarnated as a Slime.
Information and Trailers
Let’s begin the information with DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake’s new particulars and screenshots. Each Shaun and myself are hyped for this one. DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake goes to incorporate new story episodes starring the protagonist’s father, Ortega. It is going to even have new bosses and extra when it arrives this November. Take a look at one of many attractive new screenshots from DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake under:
Lifeless Rising Deluxe Remaster bought a brand new director’s report video showcasing the standard of life enhancements, options, and extra forward of the sport’s launch subsequent month with a bodily for PS5 and Xbox Collection X coming in November. Watch the video under:
Forward of its launch subsequent week, Sport Science printed the ultimate trailer for the upcoming motion RPG Black Fantasy: Wukong. It launches for PS5 and Steam on August twentieth. I can be masking it within the close to future. Watch the brand new trailer under:
Playism had its Playism Sport Present with a number of reveals and trailers for indie video games. The highlights embody Nitro Specific (Grayfax Software program’s pixel artwork motion sport), Homura Hime (third individual motion sport from Crimson Nightfall), Valkyrie of Illusion (Touhou Undertaking shmup from AREAZERO), Outrider Mako (2D motion sport), and extra. Watch the total showcase under:
Arc System Works America posted the Opening Trailer for River Metropolis Saga: Three Kingdoms Subsequent, forward of its launch this November on Steam, Swap, and PS4 worldwide. Watch it under:
Capcom’s glorious Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess has crossed 500k gamers, and the crew has launched three Mazo Talismans as free DLC for all gamers. They’re:
- Jubilee – Equip this Talisman and watch because the villagers close to Soh burst right into a joyous dance.
- Dancing Crane – Rework Soh’s regular assaults right into a mesmerizing dance, together with bursts of fireworks.
- Amaterasu – With this Talisman, vibrant flowers will bloom beneath Soh’s toes when touring.
Bokeh Sport Studio posted a brand new screenshot for Slitterhead forward of its launch this November. Slitterhead could have a playable demo at PAX West later this month as properly. I’m trying ahead to taking part in this one. Take a look at the picture under:
Following the Nice Sword weapon video, Capcom has showcased a number of weapon movies for Monster Hunter Wilds forward of its launch in 2025 on PS5, Xbox Collection X, and Steam. The one different weapons I care about are Searching Horn and Hammer. They each look unimaginable up to now. Take a look at the movies under:
Deadly Fury: Metropolis of the Wolves has two extra character trailers out now. Take a look at the Terry Bogard and Hotaru Futaba trailers under whereas the sport continues to look glorious:
Warhammer 40k: Area Marine 2 bought a brand new multiplayer gameplay showcase, and it seems to be very spectacular. I hope to verify this one out on Steam Deck and PS5 quickly. Watch the video under:
Bandai Namco’s upcoming SWORD ART ONLINE Fractured Daydream has gotten a brand new trailer showcasing the Administrator who performs the mage function within the sport. Watch her trailer under:
The latest Bleach: Rebirth of Souls trailer from Bandai Namco showcases Yoruichi who seems to be superior as anticipated. Watch her gameplay trailer under:
Wired Productions and Indignant Demon Studio have launched a free demo for Gori: Cuddly Carnage on Steam and consoles. Take a look at the demo trailer under:
Enshrouded has crossed 3 million gamers because the crew heads to 1.0 on Steam and consoles subsequent 12 months. Watch the most recent replace video under:
New Steam Deck Verified & Playable video games for the week
The highlights for the week embody Earth Protection Power 6, Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown, Afterplace, and extra getting examined by Valve. There’s additionally Rain Code Plus which is able to see an English launch this October. I’m excited to strive that one once I can.
- Afterplace – Verified
- Aooni – Playable
- Cataclismo – Playable
- Clank! – Playable
- Creatures of Ava – Verified
- EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 6 – Verified (through TouchArcade reader Mor)
- Été – Unsupported
- Kitsune Tails – Verified
- Mahjong Soul – Playable
- Grasp Detective Archives: RAIN CODE Plus – Verified (through TouchArcade reader Mor)
- Prince of Persia The Misplaced Crown – Playable (through TouchArcade reader Mor)
- SCHiM – Verified
- Tavern Speak – Playable
- The Crush Home – Playable
- The Star Named Eos – Verified
- Zet Zillions – Playable
Steam Deck Sport Gross sales, Reductions, and Specials
The notable gross sales for the week are the large Capcom Summer time 2024 Humble Bundle and Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley with its greatest low cost but. I do know 20% on Steam isn’t a lot of a reduction, however I assumed it was price full worth from day one. Learn my overview right here. Capcom’s bundle has Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective, The Nice Ace Legal professional Chronicles, Capcom Beat ‘Em Up Bundle, and far more. It is among the finest Capcom bundles but.
That’s all for this version of the Steam Deck Weekly. As common, you possibly can learn all our previous and future Steam Deck protection right here. When you’ve got any suggestions for this characteristic or what else you’d wish to see us do across the Steam Deck, tell us within the feedback under. I hope you all have an amazing day, and thanks for studying.
