Welcome to this week’s version of the Steam Deck Weekly. After a little bit of a busy few weeks, issues are calm proper now. If you happen to’ve not been maintaining with our current Steam Deck protection, I reviewed Persona 3 Reload, Granblue Fantasy: Relink, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, and Tekken 8 that every one ended up being wonderful. What a begin to 2024 proper? Because the final characteristic, there have been many notable bulletins and releases on this planet of Steam Deck together with new Verified video games, Steam Subsequent Fest, Lunar New 12 months gross sales, and extra. The highlights of at this time’s characteristic are Steam Deck impressions of Expertise Inc and Aksys Video games’ Dying Mark II and Bitwave Video games’ Toaplan Arcade Shmups assortment quantity 3 evaluations. Let’s get into the evaluations and impressions first.
Steam Deck Sport Impressions & Opinions
Spirit Hunter: Dying Mark II Steam Deck Impressions
Spirit Hunter: Dying Mark II, is the third entry within the Spirit Hunter sequence from Expertise Inc. I beloved each Spirit Hunter: Dying Mark and Spirit Hunter: NG, however was curious to see how Dying Mark II would really feel years later. I gained’t go into too many particulars for the story and such right here as a result of I’m reviewing the Swap model subsequent week, however I wished to cowl how the sport feels on Steam Deck proper now after just a few pre-release updates.
Once I bought Spirit Hunter: Dying Mark II on Swap and Steam Deck, it really wasn’t playable on the latter in any respect, so I ended up enjoying it on Swap, and beloved it. I like Expertise Inc’s horror video games, however I believe Spirit Hunter: Dying Mark II may be one of the best one to date for its story, visuals, and characters. The aesthetic within the developer’s video games is at all times prime notch.
Whereas Dying Mark II had just a few points final month on Steam Deck once I bought evaluation code, the builders have fully mounted it. The truth is, barring manually forcing the Steam Deck to run this recreation at 720p on the interior show which additionally appears to have been addressed as of at this time, I’ve not had any points enjoying it on my LCD and OLED Steam Decks. It even accurately invokes the Steam Deck onscreen keyboard for textual content entry. It seems and runs with out points now together with cut-scenes based mostly on the time I’ve put into it on Steam Deck.
I hope future updates can add in-game graphics choices so you’ll be able to really set it to 720p in-game or larger when you play docked and never must manually pressure it. That’s my solely criticism with the PC port proper now. Spirit Hunter: Dying Mark II performs and appears fantastic on Steam Deck. I’m wanting ahead to replaying it alongside the Swap model for my evaluation and comparability subsequent week. If you happen to have been hoping to play this one on Valve’s handheld system, I can’t think about it not being Steam Deck Verified within the close to future.
Spirit Hunter: Dying Mark II launches on February fifteenth for PS5, Swap, and PC through Steam worldwide.
Toaplan Arcade Shoot’em Ups 3 Steam Deck Opinions
Bitwave Video games is again with one other set of Toaplan Arcade Shoot’em Ups in its third assortment for PC platforms to date. Toaplan Arcade Shoot’em Ups Quantity 3 contains Batsugun, Fixeight, Vimana, and Tiger Heli from Toaplan. Out of those, I’ve performed Batsugun’s Saturn launch by way of Metropolis Connection’s port and Tiger Heli by way of M2 ShotTriggers’ Toaplan Arcade Storage launch. Vimana and Fixeight have been fully new to me. On this Toaplan Arcade Shoot’em Ups Quantity 3 evaluation, I’m going to cowl the video games themselves, but in addition the gathering itself because it presents unimaginable worth at its low asking worth.
When the developer and writer introduced over the primary 4 video games within the Toaplan Arcade Shoot’em Ups Quantity 1 launch, there was lots of potential with wonderful responsiveness, however the video games had some points. Quantity 2 additionally launched with just a few points however as ordinary, the developer has been shortly addressing and fixing the releases. In lots of methods, I felt like these video games ought to’ve launched as early entry releases in order that Bitwave may get suggestions from gamers and enhance them for 1.0 launches.
Proper now, the video games in Toaplan Arcade Shoot’em Ups Quantity 3 have been patched just a few instances throughout the pre-release and post-launch interval, and they’re already in a significantly better place. I gained’t name them good emulation releases, however I don’t have any main complaints left, and Bitwave delivered one other set of responsive and tremendous quick video games right here. I say tremendous quick as a result of you’ll be able to actually faucet the play button on Steam and be in-game in a second or two. There isn’t any time losing right here.
If you happen to’re new to Bitwave Video games’ re-issues of Toaplan classics, the video games are introduced of their arcade variations with completely different regional editions, save states, rewind choices, just a few visible choices, sound choices, help choices, and extra. These are very light-weight releases as effectively clocking in at just a few MB every. The one disappointment for the general packages are the fonts used within the menus are fairly dangerous. I don’t know why this ugly font continues to be getting used two volumes later, however right here we’re. Now, onto the video games themselves.
Tiger Heli Steam Deck Assessment
Toaplan’s 1985 basic vertical shmup Tiger Heli feels nice to play on this launch from Bitwave, however the sound pitch is a bit off even now. It has gotten up to date as just lately as just a few hours in the past from this writing, however it nonetheless doesn’t sound precisely just like the prior launch I’ve performed on Swap. Barring that, I’ve no actual complaints with this particular model of Tiger Heli. It delivers a responsive model of the sport with an excellent quick boot up on Steam Deck.
Tiger Heli Steam Deck evaluation rating: 3.5/5
Batsugun Steam Deck Assessment
Batsugun is one other vertical shmup from Toaplan and it was launched again in 1993 in arcades. It’s most recognized for its soundtrack, bullet patterns, hitbox, and extra. My first expertise with Batsugun was by way of the Saturn model in CityConnection’s S-Tribute launch on Steam and Swap, so I can’t touch upon how Bitwave’s launch feels in comparison with the arcade unique, however it has been a blast to play on Steam Deck.
Bitwave’s new model of Batsugun additionally contains the Batsugun Particular Model launch that features a number of loops, modified enemies, completely different visuals, and extra. If you happen to’re new to Batsugun, this launch is superb, and value grabbing even standalone when you aren’t within the different video games within the assortment. This new model is a way more responsive model of Batsugun in comparison with the CityConnection launch as effectively.
Batsugun Steam Deck evaluation rating: 4.5/5
Vimana Steam Deck Assessment
Toaplan’s 1991-released vertical shmup Vimana is the primary of two video games on this assortment I had by no means performed in any kind earlier than. I used to be shocked by the distinctive setting and visuals for a recreation launched again in 1991, however Vimana’s gameplay excels fairly a bit in its ranges and weapons. This model has just a few sound-related points that I hope are addressed in patches although. I seen audio reducing out and in if I used the quick ahead or rewind choices quite a bit, and I solely did to check and see how the sport would deal with issues. Barring that, Vimana has been a great addition to this assortment.
Vimana Steam Deck evaluation rating: 3.5/5
Fixeight Steam Deck Assessment
Fixeight is the one non shmup on this assortment from Bitwave Video games. The 1992-released vertical run and gun recreation from Toaplan had by no means been delivered to any console or fashionable platform till this new launch, and it has been very attention-grabbing to play as a fan of Out Zone from a previous assortment. I favored that fairly a bit, and Fixeight has been a noticeable enchancment in lots of elements. It isn’t important when you solely care about Toaplan’s shmups, however I’m glad it was lastly launched on PC. It additionally performs with out points on Steam Deck.
Fixeight Steam Deck evaluation rating: 4/5
As with prior releases from Bitwave, I want we had some type of extras right here like scans, interviews, or design paperwork. The whole Toaplan Arcade Shoot’em Ups 3 bundle is priced at round $20 and it’s a simple suggestion if you wish to pattern some nice Toaplan video games. It isn’t as polished as what you’d see in an M2 ShotTriggers launch, however this can be a fraction of the worth you’d pay for that. I like these Bitwave releases as accessible and tremendous responsive variations for PC as a result of they don’t value a lot and play nice on Steam Deck. If you happen to simply need to have the ability to shortly play Batsugun, Fixeight, Tiger Heli, and Vimana, this launch delivers and has many helpful emulation options, visible choices, and extra.
Toaplan Arcade Shoot’em Ups 3 Bundle Steam Deck Assessment Rating: 4/5
Information
Sokobond Specific from Jose Hernandez and Draknek & Buddies releases on February twenty second for Steam and itch.io. I’m very excited for this puzzle recreation that blends chemical bonds and pathfinding in what seems like a really attention-grabbing approach. I’ve not regarded into this an excessive amount of but, however it is among the best purchases given the Draknek & Buddies’ prior releases. You may wishlist it on Steam right here.
KEIZO and WhisperGames introduced that the DLC for Astlibra Revision, a recreation we featured in a number of Sport of the 12 months lists, is launching on February thirteenth within the type of Astlibra Revision Gaiden: The Cave of Phantom Mist. This DLC goes deeper into the lore and characters of the unique recreation with randomized parts. It’s a standalone expertise with high quality of life enhancements over the unique recreation. Whereas the date is only for Steam, KEIZO confirmed that it’s going to hit Swap quickly as effectively. This DLC is meant to be 20 hours lengthy. I’ll be reviewing it on Steam Deck within the close to future.
Persona 3 Reload, which has bought greater than 1 million copies worldwide already, is wonderful on Steam Deck, however it has gotten even higher since launch because of a brand new Proton Hotfix update. Areas that dropped beneath 40fps at the moment are locked 60fps for me, and I’ve even been testing the sport on the OLED at 90fps to see. I’ll have extra on this quickly.
Capcom introduced that Ed will be a part of Avenue Fighter 6 (our Steam Deck Sport of the 12 months for 2023) because the twenty first playable character on February twenty seventh. Ed shall be out there standalone or as part of the character cross within the Deluxe Version or the Final Cross within the Final Version of the sport. After Ed, the one introduced DLC character left for Avenue Fighter 6 is Akuma. I’m curious to see who arrives following Akuma.
Alongside Avenue Fighter 6’s information, this week additionally noticed the reveal of the whole EVO 2024 lineup. EVO 2024 will characteristic Avenue Fighter 6, Tekken 8, Responsible Gear Attempt, The King of Fighters XV, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising, UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH II Sys:Celes, Mortal Kombat 1, and Avenue Fighter III third Strike. Out of these, solely Mortal Kombat 1 isn’t an important expertise on Steam Deck proper now.
Right here is the complete roster of featured titles at #Evo2024!
Tickets for the occasion can be found now. Click on the hyperlink beneath to seize yours!https://t.co/WgXv1e2Nui pic.twitter.com/HG861lPaUr
— EVO (@EVO) February 7, 2024
Nitro Plus introduced that the 3D mecha motion recreation Dolls Nest will launch this 12 months for Steam worldwide with English help. I’ve had my eye on this one because it was introduced, and the brand new story trailer which you’ll watch beneath seems nice.
Destiny/Samurai Remnant DLC Quantity 1 “Report’s Fragment: Keian Command Championship” is now out there worldwide on Steam, Swap, PS5, and PS4. It’s included within the Season Cross, the Digital Deluxe Version, and in addition bought individually on Steam for house owners of the bottom recreation. I beloved Destiny/Samurai Remnant, however won’t have time to play this DLC till subsequent week. If you happen to do find yourself enjoying it, let me know the way you discover it.
Daedalic Leisure and Yaza Video games introduced that the attractive turn-based technique recreation with a medieval manuscript aesthetic Inkulinati will launch on February twenty second following its early entry debut in January final 12 months. I’ve had my eye on this one for some time, and it probably shall be attractive on the OLED on Swap and Steam Deck.
Wo Lengthy: Fallen Dynasty Full Version launched just a few days in the past with all prior DLC included and a brand new DLC merchandise which seemingly isn’t in the stores for present house owners. If you happen to skipped the sport earlier than or performed it, learn my interview with Group NINJA right here.
Alongside the launch of the whole version, the superb Lies of P is getting Wo Lengthy crossover content material subsequent week. Watch the trailer for it beneath:
Disney Speedstorm Season 6 “Underneath the Sea” is now stay with The Little Mermaid-themed content material just like the Atlantica racetrack, new racers (Ariel, Prince Eric, and extra), the bonus racer EVE, and new crew members (Flounder, Sebastian, Max, and extra). The season is now stay on all platforms together with Steam.
Sega introduced that the excellent Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth that I scored 5/5 has bought over 1 million items worldwide making it the quickest promoting recreation within the sequence. I’ve been chipping away at 100%, and certain will get there in a month or two.
Capcom launched Resident Evil 4 Gold Version bringing the wonderful remake and all DLC collectively. That is the bottom recreation, the Separate Methods story DLC, and the Further DLC Pack. For some purpose the Mercenaries mode is just not included within the bundle, however out there as free DLC. Watch the trailer for it beneath:
Homeworld 3 from Gearbox Publishing and Blackbird Interactive has been delayed to Could thirteenth from March eighth. After getting exterior suggestions, the crew determined to delay the sport to implement the extra suggestions and insights from others into the sport to make it pretty much as good as potential. I’m undecided how this may run on Steam Deck but, however I undoubtedly shall be making an attempt it once I can. You may obtain a demo for it till February twelfth on Steam.
Uncooked Fury shall be releasing a free content material replace and paid DLC pack on February thirteenth to rejoice Valentine’s Day in Moonstone Island. This can embody the flexibility to get married to any NPC, new gadgets, interactions, and extra.
Developer BeXide introduced that its roguelike deckbuilder Yohane the Parhelion – NUMAZU within the MIRAGE – which is a Love Reside spinoff recreation, will launch on February twenty second for Steam, PS5, and Swap worldwide. I’m wanting ahead to this one after its current Steam demo.
The ultimate little bit of notable information is Overwatch 2’s latest season, Season 9: Champions, that has new Jade Weapon rewards, the brand new co-op occasion mode: Cosmic Disaster, and a brand new Season 9 Battle Cross. This doesn’t sound out of the atypical, however the purpose I wished to spotlight this trailer is the ending teasing a Cowboy Bebop crossover. I’m in for that for certain.
New Steam Deck Verified & Playable video games for the week
For some purpose, Valve marked Granblue Fantasy: Relink as unsupported once I’ve performed it myself on Steam Deck and examined it on-line and offline each pre-release and post-launch together with an hour earlier than I wrote this text on my Steam Deck OLED and LCD (to examine one thing). Hopefully Valve can replace the score quickly.
- Enshrouded – Unsupported (Graphics configuration)
- Gangs of Sherwood – Playable
- Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Unsupported (through TouchArcade reader Mor)
- Mercenaries Saga 3: Grey Wolves of Warfare – Playable
- Sleeping Canine: Definitive Version – Playable
- Smurfs Kart – Unsupported
- Star Trek: Infinite – Playable
- Stray Souls – Playable
- TEKKEN 8 – Playable (Textual content enter requires manually invoking keyboard)
- Threes! – Verified
- Turnip Boy Robs a Financial institution – Verified
- Ultros – Verified
- Warfare Hospital – Playable
Steam Subsequent Fest Demo Suggestions
Steam Subsequent Fest may be over by the point you learn this, however I wished to suggest the next recreation demos (on PC and in no specific order) if in case you have time to play some this weekend, and are on the lookout for one thing attention-grabbing. If you happen to do play one thing you assume I ought to attempt, let me know within the feedback.
Steam Deck Sport Gross sales & Reductions
As for reductions and recreation gross sales, Sega has a 12 months of the Dragon sale with a number of Yakuza video games low-cost. I additionally suggest trying out Sq. Enix’s Lunar New 12 months Sale for Closing Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade and in addition Dragon Quest video games. I grabbed just a few older Closing Fantasy video games I didn’t have with this sale together with Lightning Returns (an important recreation!). The ultimate notable sale is Rockstar Video games’ catalog together with GTA V and Crimson Lifeless Redemption 2 discounted.
That’s all for this week’s version of the Steam Deck weekly. As ordinary, you’ll be able to learn all our previous and future Steam Deck protection right here. If in case you have any suggestions for this characteristic or what else you’d wish to see us do across the Steam Deck, tell us within the feedback beneath. I hope you all have an important weekend, and thanks for studying.
