Category: Gaming

Spider-Man Game is a character near and dear to my heart. I’ve written at length about my love for the character, largely due to his flawed nature. He’s not a perfect superhero, he struggles like all of us despite his extraordinary abilities. Spider-Man: Miles Morales captures that essence of Spider-Man perfectly and takes it multiple steps further.

Spider-Man: Miles Morales takes place about a year after the first game. After getting a basic grip on the superhero basics, Miles is tasked with keeping New York safe after Peter goes overseas. With a lot of the major villains locked up, it seems like a pretty easy task. That is until The Tinkerer shows up to wreak havoc, testing Miles as Spider-Man on a large scale.

While there isn’t some huge world ending event like in the first game, there are big stakes in Spider-Man: Miles Morales. Miles feels immense pressure to prove himself and earn the Spider-Man name. Not just to Peter Parker but to the public and himself. This is all about Miles realizing what it really means to be Spider-Man.

He goes through all the trials and tribulations of being Spider-Man from loss to personal sacrifices. As he learns how to juggle his personal life and responsibilities as the city’s temporary sole protector, he realizes a lot. Miles ultimately has to realize it isn’t about copying Peter to be the best Spider-Man. It’s about defining himself as his own Spider-Man by being true to who he is as a person rather than his mental ideal of a superhero. Being Spider-Man isn’t necessarily about being able to shoot webs or punch really hard. It’s about the ability to persevere and never stop doing what’s right, no matter what’s in front of you.

Insomniac understands and showcases this idea of Spider-Man in a way no other developer ever has. Spider-Man is a character that’s better than the rest of us but can bring out the best in all of us. In Spider-Man: Miles Morales, we see the “friendly neighborhood” element to the nth degree. Since the game largely takes place in Harlem (you can explore the entire map from the first game still), there’s a large focus on the connection between Miles and the citizens.

While not everyone believes Miles is capable at first, the game is about unity. It’s about what Spider-Man can be as a symbol to the people. It echoes a lot of the best ideas from across the Spider-Man mythos from the city’s greater desire to protect the webhead when he’s at his weakest to protecting each other, even in the face of the greatest dangers.

Starting Spider-Man: Miles Morales for the first time was like revisiting an old friend. After an introductory cutscene, you’re thrust right back into the thick of it. Just like the first game, you start by free falling and releasing your first web to swing from. Once you grip on to that first web, everything just rushes back to you like real motor skills.

It is instantly familiar yet even more satisfying than ever before. As a die-hard Spider-Man fan, I couldn’t help but tear up as I shot my first web. Given Miles is far less experienced than Peter, he flops through the air. It often reminded me of the Scooby-Doo cliche of a character rapidly kicking their legs before gravity kicks in. Sometimes he’ll try to do a cool spin or twirl and awkwardly fail. Sometimes he won’t shift his weight properly and you’ll see him react accordingly to his rough movements. (Spider-Man Game)

There’s a lack of gracefulness to the way Miles moves, not just from swinging but to combat as well as he kicks more instead of punching. Speaking of punching and kicking, the combat in Spider-Man: Miles Morales is again, very familiar. There’s not a whole lot you can do to change the basic Spider-Man combat mechanics. He’s going to fight in the way you’d expect, just with new animations. That said, there are some new tricks here that provide that much needed innovation to keep it fresh.

Spider-Man Game

The new innovations are enough for me to flat out say that the combat in this game is better than the first. Despite having less gadgets than Peter, Miles makes up for it with his new Venom Powers. This is the sort of electric shock charge we’ve seen in the trailers and the Into the Spider-Verse movie. This allows you to do things Peter Parker can’t by stunning enemies, greater crowd control, and much more.

Miles can also get up close to enemies without being seen by using his invisibility power. This brings a whole new layer to stealth, making it easier for takedowns but also allow for escapes. In the heat of battle, you can go invisible and retreat to safety. This will allow you to take a moment to compose yourself but also gain the advantage by re-entering stealth.

Miles is both a brute with his Venom Powers but a worthwhile predator thanks to his stealth abilities. If Insomniac allows co-op or let’s players pick who they play as in the next game, there will be notably different playstyles.

The biggest problems I had with Spider-Man: Miles Morales are with performance. I played on PlayStation 4 as I did not have a PlayStation 5 but have heard it performs really well on PS5 from other critics. Many have been very impressed by how it runs on next-gen but I can’t speak to that myself.

What I will say is that there some of the stuff the PS5 version is boasting is here in the PS4 version. The game does load remarkably fast on PS4, specifically between deaths. The initial load-in from the menu to the game is about 20 seconds on a PS4 Slim. Respawns are 10 seconds or less, you can exit buildings with no load times as you see here, and more (Spider-Man Game).

There is a catch, though. Sometimes, you’ll be swinging through the city and the game will outright stop and load stuff in. Everything will come to a total halt for a few seconds and try to catch up with you. This happened a handful of times for me. There are also notable FPS drops both in key moments, such as the finale, and at other random times. Some items, such as a gift box Peter gives Miles at the start, also have low-resolution textures.

These are by no means deal breakers but they are quite noticable and show that the game is running on some old hardware. If you have the option, I highly recommend playing on PS5 but the PS4 will suffice. Sony will be issuing a day one patch that has some general fixes and polish as well. (Spider-Man Game)

The Verdict (Spider-Man Game)

Spider-Man: Miles Morales is the end of one generation and the start of another. It serves as yet another defining title for PlayStation but also an essential story for Marvel’s greatest hero. With new innovations in Spidey gameplay as well as loads of refinement and a wildly impactful story, Spider-Man: Miles Morales is the game we need right now.

Even as it chugs on some dated hardware with the PS4 version, you can’t go wrong with Miles Morales on PS4 or PS5. (Spider-Man Game)

Sony released the PS4 seven years ago. It gave us many great games, such as Spider-Man and God of War. They paved the way for many great features such as game capture, live console broadcasts, and even VR on consoles. It provided us with an undeniably enjoyable gaming experience for seven years. The PlayStation 5 looks to build on that by taking us even further into the future of video games.

The PlayStation 5 promises a bright and exciting future right out of the box. From a sleek design that resembles a spaceship ready to transport you to exciting new worlds to a gaming experience never before seen on a console. Even on the most powerful computers, it does things we’ve never seen before.

The Style

I was taken aback when I first took the PlayStation 5 out of the box. It’s large and, thanks to its eye-catching white paintjob, demands to be noticed. The majority of consoles and entertainment boxes are black and blend in with your entertainment center. The PlayStation 5 seeks to stand out and pop rather than blend in. It doesn’t want to be hidden; instead, it wants to be seen and flaunted like a trophy wife.

When the design was first revealed over the summer, I wasn’t overly impressed. I like it a lot after seeing it in person and thoroughly inspecting it. While it won’t fit in my entertainment center standing up, it looks great lying on its side. The slightly curved nature of it, the “floating” look due to its horizontal stand, and the lights all combine to make it something I can’t stop looking at. It’s even better because it’s customizable. Its white plates can be removed and customized with different colors, designs, and other elements.

This futuristic vibe pervades the user interface as well. When you first turn on the PlayStation 5, you see a one-of-a-kind video. A large blue sphere explodes in a dark space, scattering gold sparkles. It’s like the Big Bang, giving life to a new universe for gaming. Any time you turn the system on after that, you’re greeted with a flurry of sparkles and a chime that reminded me of the classic Windows boot up.

You then hear some ambient noises until you hover over a game, which have custom sounds. It’s quick and relatively quiet, reminding me a lot of the isolating feeling of PS2’s home screen. Once you sign in, the actual UI is simple, elegant, and sleek. It continues to try to minimize everything on the home screen.

It’s pretty much exclusively games and the store with a tab to go over to media apps. It’s familiar for those who have played PlayStation in the past but it’s still very new. It feels more like a cousin to previous interfaces than a brother or sister; it’s related, but different enough to feel fresh.

However, the newness of the PlayStation 5 UI can be detrimental at times. I’d gotten so used to knowing where to find certain things on PS4 that accessing regular features on PS5 has been a learning experience. On my first night with it, it took me several minutes just to figure out how to turn the damn thing off. Some of these things are simply a matter of getting used to, while others are vexing.

It can be difficult to invite friends to parties or even games. Sony has altered the invite system to ensure that parties continue even after everyone has left. This is not only available on the PS5, but also on the PS4. I understand the concept on paper. It makes it so your friend group can just easily join a party when you are all ready to play without creating a new one. It seems to get in the way more than anything else.

Since the Xbox 360, throwing parties and inviting guests has been a breeze. There wasn’t a reason to convolute this, it worked just fine. It would be ideal if Sony simply returned to its previous state, but this is unlikely.

Trophies have also taken a hit, though in a smaller way. They’re still easy to find but the list displaying them is crowded. When you view an individual game, the trophies are displayed horizontally rather than vertically as big squares. This shows off the actual art of a trophy but at the risk of cramping everything up. It used to look nicer and felt easier to look at your trophies. You could easily see what you needed to do next for multiple trophies. Not so much anymore, especially as some text doesn’t fit the previewed description.

This isn’t some major criticism against the PlayStation 5, it just feels like some small steps back. On the bright side, the all of the UI is fast and smooth. Many of these menus and options would take a moment to load on PS4, now they open almost instantly on PS5. This is notably found in the PlayStation Store which is no longer a separate app. The PlayStation Store is now integrated into the dashboard, allowing you to quickly see what’s new and purchase games.

The DualSense controller

By far and away the PlayStation 5’s biggest leap isn’t through its SSD, its graphical power, or anything else. It’s within the DualSense controller. This is undoubtedly the best controller I have ever used in my life, it’s one of those “seeing is believing” things but more feeling.

Your controller has always been the bridge between reality and the virtual worlds on your screen. Sony has found a way to make that bridge all the more seamless. Being able to feel the crunch of snow, the coarseness of sand, the slickness of ice, and the rumble of a powerful gun in your hands is mindboggling. After several weeks of playing with it, it still hasn’t lost its magic.

And that’s exactly what the DualSense is: Magic. The roar of my gun is no longer just noise from a speaker, it’s reflected in the rapid rumble in my hands too. The bumpy terrain my car travels over isn’t just some generic vibration, it feels one to one with what’s happening on the screen and the actual environment in the game. The controller helps what is virtual become reality, starting to create a 4D experience. The name DualSense isn’t just a marketing gimmick, it’s very literal in that it is driven by your sense of touch.

It doesn’t stop at just the sense of touch either. It has a built-in speaker and microphone, which you can use to communicate with other players or hear game select game audio. Days Gone uses it to play audio recordings to you, like the PS4 controller. Perhaps the most interesting thing is that you can blow into it and the game will recognize it.

In Astro’s Playroom, if you blow into the controller, it will generate air and blow things like fans. I imagine this is a trick that’s picked up by the microphone rather than something else but it’s cool nonetheless.

Imagining the technology of DualSense paired with a virtual reality experience really helps paint a picture of Sony’s future. We want to feel closer to our games, we want to be immersed, and Sony is getting us there slowly but surely. Sony has their finger on the pulse of exciting new technologies but it’s a matter of realizing their potential.

Things like the vibration in a DualSense can be used in all games but other features, like blowing into it, can’t. Every button or function has to be mapped to an Xbox or PC controller as well. It seems like Sony is really betting on the rumble more than anything else while more interesting features will probably be used in PlayStation 5 exclusives. Hopefully third-party developers make use of features like the rumble but we’ll have to see.

Next-gen performance

The reason we buy new consoles aren’t for a controller or their look, though. It is because they are more powerful and welcome new kinds of games. Graphics get better, the new hardware allows for more ambitious games, and much more. It shows us how much better games can be right when we think they’ve peaked. PlayStation 5 is no exception to this.

Previous generations are notable for their graphical advancements. 2D to 3D conversion, fidelity levels, and all that good stuff. While games look undeniably stunning on PS5, the big leap isn’t quite there right away. It’s in the details, with techniques like ray-tracing allowing for more depth in things like reflections. Previously, games would simply apply a static image to windows or mirrors. It wasn’t accurate to the surroundings; it was as if you weren’t supposed to look at it. This is no longer the case, and it helps you truly immerse yourself in the worlds you’re in.

Games like Black Ops Cold War benefit from a buttery smooth 120hz mode as well. TVs capable of 120hz are somewhat limited right now, but this will be a game changer within the next year or two. Having a console where pretty much every game can run at 60 frames or higher, if you choose, sets the stage for an exciting generation.

Shooters like Call of Duty and Battlefield will be more frenetic than ever. Racing games will look ungodly in either resolution or performance mode. And one can only imagine what something like Grand Theft Auto VI will look like.

Where PlayStation 5 doesn’t just shine with how games look, it’s how they run too. Going from games that had load times of multiple minutes to now playing Spider-Man in 11 seconds is a level of whiplash I’m not sure I can recover from. Playing games has never been faster, easier, or more seamless.

With the new SSD, PlayStation 5 does some unique things. Knowing it can load fast, Sony has implemented very specific features. From the home screen, you can go to activity cards that show you things going on within your selected game. For Spider-Man, this includes side missions, main missions, and collectibles. You can click on one and it’ll load the game to that specific activity.

Within 30 seconds or less, you’ll be at the start of the mission you want to do. You don’t need to swing anywhere or even press any buttons to move through menus, it skips all of that. You don’t even need to press the start button, it does all the work for you. This is, once again, something that’ll live or die by the support of the developers. Call of Duty allows for it but seemingly only if the game is already open. I’ve had troubles getting these cards to work when the game isn’t active but when they work, you can move through modes at a rapid pace.

If supported, it could be another game changer and allow for things that no other platform can.

On the flipside of things, I’d like to talk about something some people may really not give a damn about. I love physical movies. They’re different than physical games because movies can lose some depth when streamed. Digital games install every last piece of data. They, unless specifically specified, aren’t streamed. So I have all these UHD movies on my shelf and of course, I want to see them in all their glory.

While something that was on Xbox One X last generation, the PS5 is the first PlayStation to support UHD movies from a disc. For those looking for high-quality movie viewing, the PlayStation 5 is very capable. I booted up Interstellar from a UHD Blu-ray on my LG CX and it was truly captivating. Some will be disappointed to hear there is no Dolby Vision or Dolby Atmos support on the console but even without it, films look gorgeous.

I did notice that the console wanted to stay in “Game mode” via my TV picture settings when it came to movies. It took a few minutes for me to realize this as the picture looked off. I ended up having to change it manually through my TV, which isn’t that big of a deal but something worth noting as the Series X automatically switches it.

Despite that, it’s a worthy 4K movie player that ensures it captures all the rich details. Deep blacks, expansive color pallets, the whole nine yards are on display. It helps Sony have a true all-in-one entertainment center to rival Xbox on all fronts, not just games.

The Games

PlayStation is well-known for their excellent first-party games. Uncharted, Spider-Man, God of War, Ghost of Tsushima, the list goes on and on. They have great exclusives and the PlayStation 5, while currently limited, reflects this. There is absolutely something for everyone here.

For children or families, there’s Astro’s Playroom, Sackboy, and Bugsnax. For the “casual” gamers, there’s Spider-Man. And for the most hardcore, there’s Demon’s Souls. That’s not even including the third-party offerings like Call of Duty, Assassin’s Creed, and much more. The launch line-up is rich and I’ve had no shortage of things to play. I haven’t even played everything or invested as much time as I’d like into others simply because there’s so much.

Each game is varied and brings something unique to the table. Spider-Man allows me to live out my superhero fantasies. Call of Duty gives me a summer blockbuster-level story, a fast-paced multiplayer, and a chaotic zombies mode. Demon’s Souls offers a masochistic, yet very rewarding, experience. Perhaps the biggest star is Astro’s Playroom, which is comes with every console.

This Mario-esque platformer is both a tech demo but also a wickedly fun game. It does an incredible job of showcasing all the features of the DualSense controller and it celebrates the history of PlayStation. There are over 50 references to classic PlayStation titles from the last 26 years. On top of that, you can find various replicas of the consoles, accessories, and more.

For a free game, it packs a lot of value. Many of my friends on Twitter are still playing it and speedrunning levels. I personally enjoy using it to quickly showcase the console to people like my girlfriend and relatives.

Knowing I’ll have a wealth of games to keep me occupied throughout the coming months is excellent, especially after it was relatively dry at the start of the last generation. It also helps knowing I can look forward to games like a new God of War and Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart in 2021.

PlayStation 5 also has the support of a rich back catalog thanks to PS4 backward compatibility. If you’re new to PlayStation or just have some games you want to catch up on, the PS5 allows for that. Even games like Cyberpunk 2077, which doesn’t have a native next-gen version, will support backward compatibility with some upgrades.

The console even boasts a very helpful PS Plus Collection which gives you access to some of PlayStation 4’s best titles if you have PS+. Games like The Last of Us, God of War, Batman: Arkham Knight, and many others fill the free library, ensuring you can have loads of high-quality freebies for a $10 one month subscription.

Playing a PS4 game is easy and seamless. Simply download it from your library or insert the disc, I did both and it was remarkably fast. The only somewhat annoying process is having to bring your PS4 saves over if you haven’t already. PS5 allows for a data transfer if you still have your PS4 or you can use the cloud. Once it’s on the PS5, you don’t have to do anything else unlike if you were to upgrade a PS4 save to a PS5 version of a game.

Once you have the PS4 game up and running, you’ll probably notice some big changes. Games like Days Gone look stunning with 4K60FPS, it’s a true feat and has given new life to old games. I wasn’t the biggest fan of Days Gone on release but I could see its potential and that potential was wonderful. PS5 helps it squeeze out some of that potential.

One of my biggest hurdles when reviewing that game in 2019 was its technical aspects. A fidgety frame-rate, low-quality textures, and more held back my enjoyment. The PS5 enhancements make this zombie game a stunner with vibrant visuals that really simulate Oregon’s natural beauty. This isn’t the case for every game, some PS4 titles are more subtle in their enhancements but it is nice to see how big of a leap it can be without buying a whole new game.

The Bugs

It wouldn’t be a new console launch without some bugs and PlayStation 5 is no stranger to this. I’ve encountered things from as basic as the console not detecting my WiFi signal to full-blown console crashes. With reports of some launch units bricking after turning off, I feared the worst and though it was dead. Luckily, it turned back on but a console turning itself all the way off mid-game isn’t exactly a feature I’d boast about to my friends.

Other players are also recommending to not leave the PS5 in rest mode as it could brick the console. Some have heard weird noises, including myself. None of this is enough that I’d tell someone not to buy one but it is enough for me to put heavy emphasis on keeping an eye on it so it doesn’t break.

There are also smaller, less fatal issues as well. Games like Black Ops Cold War will automatically try to get you to play the PS4 version of the game instead of the PS5 one. This can be incredibly problematic since it’ll install two 100+ GB versions of the same game on your system and possibly lead to you playing a lesser version. The console likes to prioritize last-gen versions, for whatever reason, and has caused headaches for some people.

If you do for whatever reason want to play the PS4 version of Black Ops Cold War, it’ll also lump in the alpha and the beta versions of the game if you played them. So, there are 4 versions of this game on PS5, technically. Not only is this an issue of storage and playing the right game but it also affects those with data caps. While reviewing both the Series X and PS5, I hit my 2000GB data cap from my ISP within a week or so of each release.

Another GameZone writer complained about their PS5 not granting them upgrades for Spider-Man: Miles Morales or Sackboy. He had both on PS4 but couldn’t upgrade to the PS5 version for whatever reason. Sony provided us with an extra set of codes for those two games, but not everyone has access to them.

Finally, you may notice that the UI screenshots in this review are a little dark. That’s because capturing screenshots with HDR on leads to that. I tried to turn it off on both my PlayStation 5 AND my TV but it still didn’t work. My screenshots from games don’t seem to look like this but they do on the UI, for some reason.

Thankfully, Sony can implement fixes through firmware updates for a lot of these issues. Sony has already patched a number of things and there will obviously be more.

The Verdict

With PlayStation 5, Sony has created something that already packs mind-blowing innovations but also seems ripe for even greater potential as years go on. While it’s not perfect and will need to iron out some flaws over time, it’s a major leap forward for the medium. With speedy fast performance, breathtaking visuals in games and films, a rich line-up of games, and a groundbreaking controller, Sony has made the PS5 a place I want to play all my games for the next decade or so.

The magic of video games grows more elusive with the PS5 but this magic isn’t an illusion. It’s real, it’s wonderful, and it’s pure. As the classic PlayStation ad once said: “Do not underestimate the power of PlayStation.”

The next generation of consoles has arrived. The PlayStation 5 has arrived, complete with a gleaming new controller, a slew of exclusives, and a brand-new user interface. This is to be expected from a new console. The Xbox Series X, on the other hand, deviates from tradition in many ways, but it is far from sluggish.

Microsoft has chosen a more gradual transition to next-generation technology. Consider the transition from middle school to high school rather than high school to college. It’s not a drastic change, but it’s significant.

The Style

When I first saw it at last year’s unveiling, I thought it was the most bizarre design they could have chosen. I was surprised by how small and portable the Xbox Series X is after taking it out of the box. It is taller and wider than your average console but it’s not the fridge that many made it out to be. It’s pretty easy to move around, especially for its size.

It’s definitely meant to stand up vertically but it doesn’t fit that way in my entertainment center. On it’s side, it looks a little awkward. The Xbox logo is sideways, unlike when you lay down an Xbox One. If it’s in some bright lighting on its side, its matte black paint and thickness might still look a bit ugly. It’s not awful, just something I wish I could stand up properly but alas… it’s a big boy. If I attempted to stand it up in my entertainment center, it would just suffocate itself and probably explode due to lack of ventilation.

Speaking of which, the Xbox Series X is probably the quietest appliance in my home besides my actual TV. It’s actually silent, no hyperbole. You have to get up to it and press your ear against it to actually hear it and even then, it’s whisper quiet. No jet engines, no grinding, nothing. Just silence, you can fall asleep with this thing on and not notice.

The ventilation of the console is a big part of this, the fan isn’t in overdrive constantly. Thanks to a split motherboard and a fan working in partnership, the console stays consistently cool. There were early reports of the console producing a lot of hot air out of its vents (like it should) but I’ve never experienced anything too toasty. The Series X uses its tower-like design to move air from the bottom to the top, out of its green holes at the top.

Instead of moving a minimal amount of air out of some small vent in the back or on the side, it pushes everything out by sucking it up with the fan attached to the vent. You can even look down through the vent and see the fan right there, spinning around. You can see all of the pieces of hardware inside working their magic as well, like some high-tech museum exhibit. It’s a real feat of console engineering.

This is a quiet, cool console. With Xbox One X or PS4, I could feel them getting warm by touching them. Leaving even a disc or a case on top of it would cause it to get heated as well. With Xbox Series X, it’s like it’s barely even there. It blends in when the lights are off, it’s quiet, and it’s not causing a fire in my house.

Another thing I love is the lack of an audio optical port. That may sound odd as it’s usually used for stereo headsets. Microsoft has simplified it, my Astro A40s with the Mixamp just plugs in via USB to the front of the console. No more USB + optical port, leaving cords hanging out of every orifice of the console for one device. Just one simple solution for convenience and cord management.

Headsets aren’t the only backward compatible devices, though. Every controller from Xbox One works as well, including peripherals. I put in my disc for Rock Band 4, downloaded all my song packs, and synced up my guitar with zero issue. It was seamless and effortless.

On the topic of controllers, there are changes to the standard Xbox controller but they’re expectedly small. Microsoft has always made slight innovations on their controllers, perfecting a near perfect controller. When you’re so close to greatness like this, you don’t throw the whole idea away and do something totally radical.

In terms of function, there isn’t much new to the Xbox Series X controller. There is a new share button in the center but it’s just a quality of life improvement. It doesn’t always seem to work right for me (we’ll come back to this) but it seems to be system side and not the hardware. With an OS update, it’ll surely work flawlessly.

According to Microsoft, the Xbox Series X controller includes “Dynamic Latency Input”. Essentially, this is supposed to reduce latency and make it more responsive. I couldn’t personally tell the difference but this may be something that can be improved with firmware updates if they so desire. If not, it feels incredibly responsive already.

The overall feel of the controller feels much better thanks to textured grips. It has this almost sandpaper-like feel to it but only if sandpaper didn’t feel like the worst thing in the world. These are things that someone who is only casually familiar with Xbox won’t notice at all. Die hard fans, however, will. Xbox has been my primary console since Xbox 360 and the second I grabbed it, I felt the difference.

The Need for Speed

Where gamers will notice the difference for Xbox Series X is performance. Literally the moment I turned it on, I was blown away by how fast this machine was. Powering on, downloading games, load times, everything. Xbox Series X is a next-gen leap thanks to the speed packed by its SSD and other tech.

Unrelated to the SSD, the Xbox Series X is a beast at downloading games on wireless internet. As a reviewer, I get review codes for games on a weekly basis at least. During this time of year, I’m downloading a ton of games and previously, this would take quite a while. When I reviewed Red Dead Redemption 2, it took almost a day to just download the game on my PS4. Obviously, a lot of this does depend on your personal internet speeds but Xbox Series X does help unlock some of the potential of your speeds.

On my One X, I’d download games at mid-double digit Mbps, about 50 or 60 on a good day. Sometimes it would be a bit more, it would also go much lower on worse days. On Series X, I’m consistently downloading games at triple digits. Games like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla (nearly 50 GBs) download in half an hour. Grand Theft Auto V is 84.8 GBs, I downloaded it in about an hour and a half. It would’ve taken multiple hours on One X, which is why I never deleted it.

Now I feel like I have the freedom to delete games and redownload them when I need them because the Series X is so speedy. There is very little holding us back from enjoying games on Xbox Series X.

When it comes to actual load times, it’s near instant for many games. Grand Theft Auto V takes less than 10 seconds to load the single player. Star Wars: Republic Commando on original Xbox takes 18 seconds from cold boot to gameplay and supports Quick Resume. I was actually pleasantly surprised to boot up Republic Commando to run some last minute tests and see it had resumed where I left off over a week or two ago, no load screens or menus.

One of the most marketed features of Xbox Series X is “Quick Resume”. This allows you to basically leave a bunch of games and your Xbox will keep it safe. Think about how Netflix can mark the exact spot you left in a show or movie, you can come back to it and pick up right where you left off. Now apply to your games. A great feature that continues to help eliminate load times and also makes it so you lose no progress. You can do this for a handful of games at once but at a certain point, the console will stop keep tracking of certain games to make room for others.

While a great feature, there are some notable games that simply don’t use this feature. Out of the 16 games installed on my console, the following didn’t seem to support Quick Resume.

• Dirt 5
• Who Wants to be a Millionaire
• Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
• NBA 2K21

I tested a mix of titles from Xbox Series X to original Xbox. Many older titles utilized the feature so it seems the issue largely focuses on new games. There are exceptions like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, which does utilize Quick Resume on Xbox Series X. GameSpot also reported titles like Borderlands 3, a 2019 game with a Series X patch, didn’t support the feature. The biggest problem with some games not supporting Quick Resume is that there isn’t a way to actually find out until you launch it again.

You may go to another game, assuming you won’t need to save or won’t lose progress because of Quick Resume. When you come back to it, it’ll reboot the whole game and that progress will be lost. There are badges in your game library that tell you what games make use of Series X upgrades, it would be nice if there was a Quick Resume badge as well on the tiles.

The Power of Next-gen

The first game I played on my Xbox Series X was Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. I had played a bit of it on my Xbox One before launch so I was interested to see the difference. Load times aside, the difference was immediate. Double the frame rate, a richer level of detail, the whole nine yards. Some games will benefit more than others but Valhalla really felt like a big jump visually.

Despite having an Xbox One and PS4 version, NBA 2K21 has an exclusive next-gen version. New modes, new features, and overhauled visuals dominate this new next-gen version. It’s clear to see why 2K Sports didn’t just do a patch. Some have mocked the series for just “adding more sweat” to new versions but it really is more than that. The animations feel more life-like, creating that more satisfying athletic performance that we expect without compromising control. It feels organic and it looks real.

The high volumes of sweat dripping off the sculpted bodies of apex players is just icing on the cake. There are a lot of factors that come together to help make this game feel alive and true to the NBA experience. All of the details of individual players from the level of fidelity on tattoos to player expressions can be found here in stunning 4K quality. It’s not just on the court either, if you look to the sidelines and the audience, you’ll feel like they’re not just in some static animations. They feel much more three dimensional. The power of Xbox Series X pushes us to a living, breathing game experience.

Performance wise, Valhalla also felt so unbelievably smooth on Xbox Series X. The camera glides and there’s a greater responsiveness compared to its last-gen counterpart. Games like Dirt 5, Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition, and Black Ops Cold War also really stood out. The buttery smoothness of 120 FPS is clear to see in these games and really just enhances these fast-paced games.

You can really feel, once again, the smoothness in all of these games. All of these games are very different from each other yet share this rich level of performance. While not all TVs are capable of 120hz, those that have that luxury are in for a treat. Running the Series X on an LG CX can only be described in ways that sound hyperbolic. The best visual representation I have is the episode of Drake and Josh when they get the Game Sphere console.

One game I was incredibly curious to try out was Grand Theft Auto V. This is a game notorious for long load times and some performance issues. Keep in mind, Rockstar Games has not released any sort of official patch for an Xbox Series X upgrades as they’re creating a whole new version in 2021. Most games naturally do perform somewhat better just because they’re running on a better system, though.

On Xbox One, GTA Online really struggles. I would assume that it’s because the game just packs so much in and there’s virtually no load times once you’re in the game. You’ll see frame-rate dips, texture load-ins and pop-in, and a lot of other pretty unimpressive issues. On Xbox Series X, this is all *mostly* fixed. It still has some minor pop-in but outside of that, it’s a very stable game.

For the first time maybe ever, the game runs at a rock solid 30 FPS. That may sound odd to some, though. “30 FPS on a next-gen console? That’s awful! ” Well, the game runs at about 20 and often dips below that on Xbox One so yes, it’s a massive step up. It’s much more pleasant to look at on Series X. Hopefully the new version of the game will be 60 FPS in 2021.

The Games

This is going to be the most controversial side to the review. The Xbox Series X has a notable games problem. For the first time since 2001, Microsoft was going to launch a brand new Xbox with a Halo game. This changed after Halo Infinite got delayed to 2021, pretty much killing the launch line-up. Any way to compete with Spider-Man and Demon’s Souls was gone. This was a big bummer, leaving the console with no real killer apps.

There are definitely things to play, though. The value of Xbox Series X is that you can go buy a console with Game Pass for about $10 and have well over a hundred games right there. There’s stuff you may have never heard of, incredible masterpieces like The Witcher 3, and 2020 titles like Doom Eternal. On top of that, you have a wide array of Xbox exclusive games including the entire Halo series at your disposal. You don’t have to buy any games with your Series X, which is understandable if you just spent $500.

To be able to have a handful of 10/10 games for a $10 subscription amongst many other classics is truly unbeatable. Thanks to backward compatibility, you can also play all of your old Xbox One games and a good chunk of Xbox 360/OG Xbox titles as well. If you do have a bit of extra cash, the third-party line-up is also pretty killer. Call of Duty, Assassin’s Creed, NBA 2K21, and many more help cement a fine launch line-up.

In 2013 when Xbox One launched, I played Battlefield 4 for a year straight. I played some other games in that time but none of them stuck. Ryse: Son of Rome was pretty short, Dead Rising 3 didn’t grab me, Titanfall was fun but fell off quickly, and so on. It doesn’t feel like that year of dead air is going to happen again because you’re not isolated to one console. You have almost 20 years worth of games to play and all your Xbox One friends can play with you.

In 2013, it was lonely on Xbox One because 99% of my friends were still on Xbox 360. Now, it’s one connected experience. Next-gen isn’t just pretty graphics and exclusive games this time around. It’s about an ecosystem that is inclusive and ensures no one is left out. As someone who spent many nights playing Battlefield 4 by himself in middle school, it’s nice to be able to play Call of Duty with my friends on Xbox One without skipping a beat.

The Bugs

The Xbox Series X seems to have come in pretty hot. There’s a lot of bugs with the console, though nothing that can’t be fixed. I have yet to encounter anything that isn’t just an inconvenience as opposed to breaking something. There’s your standard stuff like crashes, Quick Resume crashing games upon launch, and other basic stuff.

Then there are bugs like the console automatically setting itself to 640p. Yes, the 4K powerhouse will lock itself to 640p and you won’t be able to change it unless you restart the console. This happened a few times and, strangely, once locked itself to an oddly pixilated 1080p. It’s easily fixed, but it’s strange and annoying.

The most difficult problem is game capture. If a game has HDR enabled, it will cause any clips or pictures captured to become incredibly dim. Games that don’t have HDR support are seemingly unaffected by this but supported titles suffer extremely. It makes these clips borderline unusable and the pictures are definitely useless. For a console that comes with a dedicated share button on its controller, it’s frustrating that the capture system doesn’t work properly.

Another video issue I had was a loss of signal when switching games too quickly. When I was testing Quick Resume, my TV stopped detecting a signal after switching between a bunch of games. Most people will probably never encounter this unless you just want to see how the feature works, though. I did lose video signal while watching Hellboy off a 4K UHD Blu-ray, though.

This only happened after starting the movie, sitting through a few disclaimers, and then pure black. I could hear the sound of the movie but had no video. A quick restart fixed the issue and I had no other problems with this on other movies. These issues would probably be far more annoying if the Xbox Series X didn’t restart so quickly.

The Decision (Xbox Series X)

Despite the lack of significant exclusive games and some notable but patchable flaws, Series X offers excellent value. Microsoft’s new console has a premium yet inclusive feel thanks to Game Pass, backward compatibility, and a quiet, powerful machine.

With Xbox Series X, Microsoft isn’t trying to sell gamers on the “next big thing,” but rather on a machine that does everything the previous generation did better. That’s not a bad thing. This is a machine that brings a next-gen performance to 20 years worth of games with even greater power just waiting to be harnessed in the years to come. It looks to the future of gaming and social experiences, but it also serves as a repository for decades of gaming history.

The Xbox Series X is the next-generation of gaming, not the next-generation of Xbox.

Top 5 Gaming Technology. When it comes to many of the tech trends that are influencing our lives, the $90 billion global video game industry is frequently one of the first places many people get to see them in action. This is true of artificial intelligence (AI), virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR), blockchain, and, most recently, the metaverse.

The infrastructure put in place by game developers to enable this is based on cutting-edge technology, ranging from super-powered computers to ultra-fast 5G and cloud networking. So, let’s take a look at the most exciting and significant trends affecting the fast-paced world of gaming in the coming year:

Online gaming on the cloud (Top 5 Gaming Technology)

Since the advent of home video gaming in the 1970s, players have accepted the need to upgrade to a new console or computer every five years or so in order to play the most recent and greatest releases. However, that paradigm may be coming to an end.

Almost all of the major players in the video game industry, including Microsoft, Sony, Google, Nvidia, Tencent, and Amazon, now offer their games through cloud-based subscription services. This model eliminates the need for gamers to continually purchase and upgrade expensive and power-hungry hardware such as consoles or PC GPUs and keep them in their homes – smart TVs and lightweight streaming devices such as Chromecast or FireTV are all that is required. Everything happens in the cloud data center, and the output is delivered to homes in the form of streaming video.

Furthermore, the continued spread of super-fast networks like 5G will bring us to the point where this new way of delivering games will be available to more people than ever before. Overall, while it is not a foregone conclusion that dedicated home gaming systems will vanish from our lives, 2023 will see industry movers and shakers pour more resources into their vision of a streaming, cloud-based future.

Virtual Reality (VR)

Gamers were fully bought-in into VR long before it became fashionable amongst real estate agents, surgeons, and the military. The past five years, in particular, have seen a gradual growth in uptake of VR gaming, with a growing number of high-profile franchises including Grand Theft Auto, Minecraft, and Doom becoming accessible through headset technologies.

Moreso than its cousin, augmented reality (AR) – which still hasn’t had a really successful mainstream gaming implementation since Pokemon Go, six years ago – VR is set to provide some of the most exciting gaming experiences of the coming year.

Thanks to the falling price of hardware, consumer headsets such as the Meta Quest 2 are becoming increasingly affordable. They also benefit from being capable of functioning both as standalone devices and of being connected to a gaming PC to take advantage of their dedicated hardware to enable even more immersive and graphically-rich VR experiences. In the near future, cloud VR could become a reality – further reducing the size of headsets. 2023 might even see the release of Apple’s long-rumored VR headset, which could have the same impact on VR gaming as the iPhone had on mobile gaming.

The Metaverse

While Facebook and Microsoft talk grandly of plans to create immersive, persistent online worlds for work and leisure, millions of gamers are already used to congregating in virtual universes to partake in every form of entertainment, from chess and bridge to blowing each other up with homing missiles. In 2023 this idea of in-game worlds expanding to take in other forms of entertainment such as music concerts in Fortnite or branded marketing “pop-ups” in the hugely popular universe of Roblox will undoubtedly have a big impact on the industry and culture of games. Increasingly, the biggest games and franchises will repurpose themselves as “platforms,” allowing for a much more flexible range of user experiences.

While many might still simply want to log into the latest Call of Duty to shoot guns at their friends, others will find room in these worlds to engage in socializing, chatting or other forms of shared interaction. Game creators will find value in keeping players hooked into their platforms, either by growing their loyalty as subscribers or through transforming them into a captive audience for marketers of all flavors. This trend will tie all of the others mentioned in this article, but particularly the next one on our list…

NFTs and blockchain

Somewhat controversially, several of the biggest creators of games (such as Square Enix and Ubisoft) announced intentions to build non-fungible tokens (NFTs) into their games as a way of letting players win, earn and trade unique in-game items. In 2023, it’s likely that we will start to see some of these plans come to fruition.

The idea isn’t popular with all gamers, particularly as many see these tokens as a wasteful use of energy. This is due to the large amount of processing power necessary to carry out the blockchain algorithms needed to make them function. However, with game publishers declaring that they see a strong future for the convergence of gaming and NFTs and a clear willingness to spend money to make it a reality, it’s likely to become a fact of life.

Another growing trend can be seen in the explosion of “play-to-earn” games that reward gamers with cryptocurrencies for taking part in daily play. Axie Infinity has over a million daily active users, with some earning upwards of $250 per day. This is a pretty decent income in some of the developing countries where the game is widely played!

Esports

Esports principally refers to the evolution of video games to include aspects more usually associated with professional sports, such as live audiences, tournaments, leagues, sponsorships, and salaried players. In 2023, Esports will debut as an official event at the 2023 Asian Games, marking their first inclusion in a major international multi-sport tournament.

As with many forms of digital entertainment, Esports exploded in popularity during the Covid-19 pandemic, generating over $1 billion in revenue for the first time during 2021, with the majority coming from media rights and sponsorship, and is forecast to grow to nearly $2 billion in 2023. Additionally, 73 million viewers tuned in to watch the final of the League of Legends World Championship in 2021 – an increase of 60% over 2020, and that record is expected to once again be smashed in 2023.

This goes to show that gaming has truly evolved into a spectator sport, and over the next year, we can expect to see both the number of professional players and the size of prize pools continue to expand. To stay on top of these and other trends, sign up for my newsletter, and check out my books ‘Tech Trends in Practice’ and ‘Business Trends in Practice.’

Best Gaming Accessories. The following list is the Best Gaming Accessories from Amazon. When we first began covering Nintendo Switch news and games, it fit nicely into our focus and evolved into our daily SwitchArcade Round-Up. We’re not going to push Valve’s Steam Deck as hard as we could, but we’re keeping an eye on how it evolves across games and Valve’s software. If you’re a new Steam Deck owner or thinking about getting one, we want to provide you with excellent coverage. If you missed it, Jared reviewed the hardware back in February.

The Steam Deck comes with a fantastic case that will be perfectly fine for most people, but both new and old (you know what I mean) Steam Deck owners can expand the experience and improve various aspects of it with a few accessories. Your purchase includes everything you need, but the items listed below will make things even better. Some of these are required, while others are optional but desirable.

What SD card should I get for my Steam Deck? (Best Gaming Accessories)

Even if you have a 256GB Steam Deck, chances are you’ll want more storage because most AAA games are approaching 60-70GB these days, if not exceeding 100GB. The ability to swap in and out micro SD cards on Steam Deck or use a single large capacity one is extremely convenient.

SanDisk SD cards are great for both the Switch and the Steam Deck, and while lower capacity cards are available, I’d recommend getting the 512GB or 1TB ones if you don’t plan on using more than one. If you don’t mind swapping SD cards, the 256GB and 128GB models are available. Because many AAA PC games are massive, 256GB should be considered the bare minimum.

The most suitable Steam Deck case (Best Gaming Accessories)

The Steam Deck comes with a great case, but only the 512GB model comes with an extra pouch and a cleaning cloth. The case itself is excellent, but if you’re having zipper issues or need a spare case, the JSAUX carrying case is ideal for the Steam Deck and a few accessories.

USB Hubs and Steam Deck

While some users have reported issues with USB hubs on the Steam Deck, Valve’s recent updates have worked to improve Type-C dock compatibility. When shopping for a USB Type-C hub, look for one that includes regular USB slots, power, and possibly Ethernet or HDMI. Anker makes the best hubs I’ve used in general. Check out this one for Steam Deck if you want to add a variety of useful ports to your Deck.

Which is the best Steam Deck controller to buy: the PS5 or the Xbox?

While most people will not need to use an external controller, using your Steam Deck in tabletop mode or connecting it to an external display will be beneficial. Because the Steam Deck is a PC with bluetooth support, you can buy a variety of controllers, but depending on your preferences, you’re better off getting a standard PS5 or Xbox controller. You can also get one of the fantastic 8BitDo controllers from this site. The white PS5 controller is more commonly available than the other colors, whereas the Xbox Wireless Controller comes in a variety of colors. This blue one is fantastic.

USB C Cable for Steam Deck

You’ll need a good USB C cable if you want to charge your Steam Deck with an external power bank. In my experience, the Anker ones have been excellent for charging the iPad Pro, Nintendo Switch, and now the Steam Deck. Here’s the one I’d recommend. Ideally, you can find one with a right angle connector, like this one, but I have yet to find a good one at a reasonable price. If you find one, please let us know in the comments section below.

Using a power bank to extend the life of the Steam Deck’s battery

While you can limit frame rate, reduce brightness, and do other things to use less power on your Steam Deck during gameplay, having a portable way to charge your handheld is always a good idea. You probably already have a power bank if you own a Nintendo Switch, but this Anker one is great for use with Steam Deck and other devices.

Wireless Steam Deck headphones (Best Gaming Accessories)

Because the Steam Deck is essentially a PC, there is a lot more flexibility with things like headphones, keyboards, and mice, but the set I’d recommend is either Apple’s AirPods or the AirPods Pro. Since the original iPad, the AirPods have been my favorite Apple product, and it’s great to finally have a portable that works well with them. They frequently see discounts as well.

Screen protector for Steam Deck

If you like using screen protectors with tempered glass and the like on your displays, the best Steam Deck screen protector on Amazon is this one. You can get a set for a low asking price, and they are fairly simple to install. There may be better options in the future, but for the time being, this is your best bet.

If you want to add some more accessories to your Steam Deck, the ones listed below aren’t necessary, but they’re useful in a variety of situations.

Carrying case for Steam Deck SD cards

One interesting use case I’ve seen online is purchasing a few lower capacity micro SD cards rather than a single large expensive one. Some people regard these individual ones as cartridges for larger games or franchises. I like the concept and have decided to get one for fighting games, another for Yakuza games, and so on. If you’re planning on doing so, this SD Card carrying case will come in handy.

Cleaning Cloth for Steam Decks (Best Gaming Accessories)

The final optional item is a cleaning cloth. You probably have some of these lying around with your spectacles or whatever, but it’s a good idea to keep one in your Steam Deck carry case in case you need to clean the screen. Just make sure it doesn’t have any crumbs or dirt on it before using it to avoid scratching your Steam Deck screen.

Hopefully, these will assist you in making the most of your shiny new Steam Deck. Please leave any additional Steam Deck accessory suggestions in the comments section below. I’m curious to see how everyone is enjoying the handheld. If you buy any of the accessories listed above through our Amazon links, it helps TouchArcade in a small way while also getting you some great deals on products that will make your Steam Deck experience a lot better in some way.

Best New PC Games for Steam Deck. As we approach 2023, it appears that the pace of new game releases will not slow at all. I figured the last few weeks of November and December would only see a few games, with most people waiting until January and February 2023. I was mistaken, because I can’t recall seeing so many games I’ve wanted to play released so close to the end of the year.

Many of the games have been released on Steam, with some being exclusive to PC. I wanted to highlight the best new PC-only games worth playing on Steam Deck for this new Steam Deck feature.

The games on this list are not in any particular order and are not currently available on any console. Some of them will most likely be available on consoles next year, but for the time being, they are only available on PC. This feature has been more enjoyable than usual because many of the games were designed for keyboard and mouse gameplay.

It has led me down the Steam Input rabbit hole, where I have seen the incredible work done by users to make these keyboard and mouse titles play well on Steam Deck. This feature only includes games that have recently been released or early access titles that have received significant updates this year. I’ll also mention Valve’s individual game Steam Deck compatibility rating.

Play the best new PC-only games on Steam Deck

3 Victoria

Victoria 3 is a grand strategy game designed for keyboard and mouse play, but I’ve had a lot of fun with it on Steam Deck (and bringing back the save to my laptop). It does not support controllers, but a community layout solved my problems. The gameplay is ideal for the Steam Deck’s pick-up-and-play nature, and I’ve recently enjoyed playing it while traveling and grabbing a cup of coffee.

This is my first Victoria game, so I’m not sure how it compares to previous entries, but the dozens of hours I’ve put into it so far make me want to check out previous entries. I’m also looking forward to checking out the DLC when it becomes available. Victoria 3 has been one of the year’s best surprises, and it’s dangerously addictive on Steam Deck. Valve’s Steam Deck compatibility for Victoria 3 is now available.

Potionomics

Potionomics is a game I’ve been following for years, ever since Xseed Games showed it off at events or revealed new information on Twitter. It was finally released in October of this year, and it was a pleasant surprise with its mix of different mechanics and fantastic character designs. With a focus on min maxing, the combination of deckbuilding, dating simulation, and shop management works surprisingly well. Potionomics is one of the best PC exclusives I’ve played so far in 2022, but it could use some quality of life improvements with its interface. Valve has confirmed Potionomics’ Steam Deck compatibility on Deck.

The Golden Idol’s Case

The Case of the Golden Idol is a surprisingly difficult and inventive mystery puzzle game from Color Gray Games and Playstack. It allows you a lot of leeway in how you approach things, which reminds me of why I liked Lucas Pope’s Return of the Obra Dinn. I regret not playing it sooner, as I have with a few of the other games on this list.

It’s also a great fit for the Steam Deck, but I’m hoping to see it on the iPad soon. More people should play this because it is a unique experience with no padding. I can’t wait to see what else this developer comes up with. Valve’s Steam Deck compatibility for The Case of the Golden Idol is now available.

Mobius in Monochrome: Forgotten Rights and Wrongs

Monochrome Mobius: Rights and Wrongs Forgotten should not be included in this list, but it was only available on Steam outside of Japan. The Japanese version is available on PS5, PS4, and Steam. With that out of the way, Monochrome Mobius: Rights and Wrongs Forgotten is the latest entry in the long-running Utawarerumono series, and unlike previous entries, this one is a JRPG with some tactical RPG battles.

While it is a prequel, I definitely enjoyed it more after having played the Utawarerumono trilogy games. Monochrome Mobius is likely the only game on this list that you haven’t heard of. If you haven’t already, you should play Utawarerumono because the stories and characters are sublime.

The Path of Madness

Cosmic Star Heroine by Zeboyd Games is one of my favorite indie RPGs of all time. I didn’t bother watching trailers or researching This Way Madness Lies when the studio announced it. I bought it as soon as it was available on Steam and have been blown away by how good it is.

It’s like a cross between Sailor Moon and JRPGs. It is currently PC-only and works well on Steam Deck. I played Cosmic Star Heroine on the PS Vita and then the Nintendo Switch, so it made sense to start This Way Madness Lies on a portable. Valve’s Steam Deck compatibility for This Way Madness Lies is available.

The Nephilim Saga: A Symphony of War

This year has been fantastic for tactical RPGs, with Square Enix releasing Triangle Strategy as well as the remake of Tactics Ogre: Reborn on multiple platforms. Symphony of War: The Nephilim Saga by Dancing Dragon Games and Freedom Games is a tactical RPG that more people should play. This 2D turn-based SRPG focuses on squads and features a lengthy campaign.

While the story is a little thin, the gameplay and customization elevate it to an easy recommendation for those looking to delve deep into a fantastic tactical RPG with a plethora of classes. In many ways, Symphony of War: The Nephilim Saga feels like a modern take on older console tactical RPGs. Valve’s Steam Deck compatibility for Symphony of War: The Nephilim Saga is now available.

The third installment of Baldur’s Gate

Having enjoyed both Divinity Original Sin games on multiple platforms, I was a little disappointed when Baldur’s Gate III was only available on PC via early access, with no mention of a console version. While it may eventually appear on consoles, Larian has stated that the PC version will reach 1.0 in August 2023. Until then, the current early access build is a shockingly good RPG that plays surprisingly well on Steam Deck.

The only disadvantage is the massive installation size. If you’re okay with some control tweaking (no official controller support right now), you’re in for a treat with Baldur’s Gate III on Steam Deck. Despite the fact that this game was released in early access before 2022, it has been updated throughout the year. Valve’s Steam Deck compatibility for Baldur’s Gate III is now available.

Dwarf Castle (Best New PC Games for Steam Deck)

When Dwarf Fortress was announced for Steam, my Twitter timeline exploded with people celebrating. I was unfamiliar with Dwarf Fortress, but I decided it was time to learn more about it. With the Steam release, I’ve been slowly learning how to play it while also being impressed by the capabilities of Steam Input. The community has already created some incredible Dwarf Fortress layouts that make use of both trackpads on the Steam Deck.

Dwarf Fortress itself appears to be something I’ll be spending dozens of hours in over the next few weeks. Right now, the only issue is a lack of cloud saves to transfer your progress to your PC. Hopefully, that will be resolved soon. Dwarf Fortress, on the other hand, continues to astound me. Valve has not yet tested Dwarf Fortress for Steam Deck compatibility, but it is perfectly playable in my testing.

Revision of ASTLIBRA

I was unaware of the existence of ASTLIBRA Revision until a few weeks ago. Several of my friends began posting about it and telling me I’d enjoy it. I decided to take a chance on it, and now I’m sorry I didn’t play it back in October. One of the best 2D action RPGs I’ve ever played is ASTLIBRA Revision.

The Steam demo gives you a good taste of the combat, but I’m blown away by how good the story is. I had one audio problem while running ASTLIBRA Revision on Steam Deck, but I easily fixed it by changing one of the in-game options. ASTLIBRA Revision is currently significantly underpriced for what it provides and how good it is. I hope more people try it out. I’m excited to revisit it when it possibly comes to console. It is currently only available for PC. Valve’s Steam Deck compatibility for ASTLIBRA Revision is now available.

Sovereign of the Knights of Honor II

I’ve only played the first game in the series, Knights of Honor II: Sovereign. I wanted to play this now because I’ve been a fan of Total War games for a long time and have recently become interested in Crusader Kings III. Knights of Honor II: Sovereign feels like a nice approachable take that incorporates elements from both series. As someone who is new to Knights of Honor, I think the tutorial is excellent and the music is fantastic.

I’ve been playing this on Steam Deck with a community layout, and aside from the interface size, I’ve enjoyed my time with it. Knights of Honor II: Sovereign is currently untested, but it works fine on Steam Deck despite the fact that the interface is too small.

This is our final Steam Deck feature of the year before we begin work on our Game of the Year coverage. Stay tuned for a few Steam Deck reviews coming soon, including Need for Speed Unbound.

GTA Online: Grand Theft Auto V is like the video game version of Paul Rudd. It’s relatively old but damn, it only gets better with age (Paul Rudd is 51 years old, by the way, holy shit). I’ve written many mini-reviews and news articles for GTA Online’s largest content updates over the years. Each time, I’ve made the mistake of noting it as Rockstar’s way of sending the game out with a bang. Clearly that never happened and with a next-gen version coming in 2021, it probably won’t ever happen until GTA VI comes out.

If we didn’t have that knowledge, one could be forgiven for thinking the GTA Online Cayo Perico Heist update lives up to that same standard. A new map, a new heist, hundreds of new songs, and so on all populate what is being touted as the biggest update to the game yet. It continues to give life to GTA Online, making it one of the most well-supported games ever.

With Cayo Perico, players are offered a pretty lucrative but super intense job. The Madrazo family has asked you to infiltrate the fortified island of Cayo Perico under the guise of a big private beach party. Your goal is to get in and extract some valuable Madrazo family secrets from drug lord El Rubio, with the added benefit of being able to nab some extra goodies on the way out.

The beauty of this new GTA Online heist is that you’re given a ton of choice. You can do it solo or you can grab up to three others to help participate. The more players in your crew, the more gold bars, money, bags of weed, and other valuables you’ll be able to steal.

Rockstar Design

While there is validity in a solo playthrough, there’s also a lot of extra depth when playing with your friends. The heist itself does not hold your hand, whatsoever. It tells you where you need to be but doesn’t dictate how you get there, leave it, or what you do when you get there. It’s up to you and your crew to really hatch a plan and if you’re like me, it’ll usually go horribly wrong and you’ll have to quickly improvise.

You may set everything up for a stealth approach, HALO jumping on to the island under the cover of nightfall. You parachute close enough to Rubio’s estate but still have some legwork and checkpoints to clear, leaving room for error.

If that error occurs (which is highly likely if you have friends like mine), you’ll be subjected to juggernauts, hordes of gunmen, and anxiety. That said, every approach is fun and there are reasons to replay the mission. Many have compared it to a Hitman mission and that’s entirely true. Rockstar has been criticized in the past for their incredibly linear mission design but GTA Online has opened up their level design to be as freeing as their open world.

They give you the tools, the opportunities, and let you just play. The way Rockstar designs the actual mission still allows for the high-octane action that you may see in a scripted mission. A helicopter may chase you down as you make your escape off the island, all while dodging jeeps of machine gun-wielding guards. It’s fun, it’s challenging, and it’s something I will continue to play with my friends over the holidays.

GTA Game Online

My biggest disappointment with the update is that Rockstar has been hyping this up since mid-2020. We’ve been expecting a GTA Online map expansion for quite some time and there is one… but it’s with a caveat. You can only play on the island during missions, there’s no “free-roam” on Cayo Perico.

Grand Theft Auto is known for playgrounds to play in, Cayo Perico is like if that playground had your parents breathing down your neck as you went across the monkey bars. There are guards and cameras everywhere if you try to venture off, making it difficult to be too free. If you go off-road, you’re bound to slam into some oddly indestructible bushes as well.

It’s not a map that has a lot going on outside of a few key areas, so it clearly wasn’t designed for free-roam. It would’ve just been nice to have a new residence outside of San Andreas but alas, we will likely have to wait until GTA VI.

Ultimately, I hope the pros of this GTA Online update sets the stage for the future of the franchise, both in GTA Online and GTA VI/future Rockstar titles. The freeing mission design is a breath of fresh air, giving more replay value than the traditional heists we’ve seen in the past. There’s a lot to love here and I hope it’s not just a one-off for Rockstar.

Game Review for Star Wars: Squadrons is EA’s latest addition to the Star Wars gaming universe, and it does not disappoint. Star Wars: Squadrons is a space flight simulator in which you control one of four classes of starfighters seen in the franchises and fight against either the New Republic or the Galactic Empire. Throughout the game, you will switch between the two sides and fight for their respective sides.

Introduction (Game Review)

Star Wars: Squadrons follows two separate groups of fighters, Titan Squadron in the Galactic Empire and Vanguard Squadron in the New Republic. As you progress through the story mode, you will switch between both perspectives, gaining insight into the characters and their motivations. This aspect is very intriguing and definitely provides a new perspective on the conflict between the two sides, revealing the true characteristics of the sides.

Now, I must confess that I have a major issue with the story as a whole: I did not feel invested in any of the characters. As I played Squadrons, I felt as if the characters were underdeveloped or lacked personality, resulting in a stale environment. I also felt that the switching of sides made it difficult to like the characters because whenever I became interested, I was pulled away to the other side. Overall, the plot had an interesting take on storytelling, but it detracted from my immersion.

On the other hand, the controls in this game completely immerse you, but there is a learning curve at first. When I first started playing, I thought it was difficult to aim the starship to hit enemies, and I had to spend a significant amount of time learning the travel time and lead I needed to hit my enemies. One of the most noticeable aspects of the controls after learning them was how tight they were and how well they felt after spending time with them. The game’s controls have a steep learning curve, but once you figure them out, flying and shooting is a lot of fun.

Star Wars Game Review:

Squadrons enhances the immersion by including virtual reality support for all major headsets, as well as compatibility with most joysticks and speed throttles. I have played a lot of different VR games and I can confidently say that Squadrons thrives in virtual reality. Not only are the graphics stunning, but because Squadrons was designed for virtual reality, it provides a truly immersive and breathtaking experience that I was not expecting.

There was one major drawback to the VR experience: I felt dizzy and nauseated. Because you are constantly spinning and moving at high speeds while your physical body remains still, your brain cannot comprehend it and gives me the symptoms listed above. These symptoms subsided after a short period of VR, but reappeared in subsequent sessions. The VR experience is extremely immersive and amazing, but it comes at a price: feeling ill.

Star Wars: Squadrons also supports multiplayer with friends or with random people via matchmaking. There are two modes of play available in multiplayer: The first is a dogfight, and the second is a fleet battle. In the Dogfight mode you play on a team of 5 players against another 5 players in a battlefield where you fight each other to see who will get the most amount of ships taken down. The team with the most ship kills will be declared the winner.

The Decision of Game Review

The other mode, Fleet Battles, has you and your team working together to destroy the opposition’s flagship by navigating their fleet. By playing these modes, I discovered that the multiplayer is very well put together and fun, but it falls apart because the maps are a little too large and the matches appear to be too fast paced. Now, I understand that an aerial playing field requires a large area, but there were times when I had difficulty finding other players, and when I did, the battles lasted about 10 seconds. The multiplayer is a lot of fun to play, but with large maps and short bursts of action, it can get old quickly.

Star Wars: Squadrons is an interesting take on the aerial shooter genre with a decent story and immersive VR. While it does have some flaws in terms of the multiplayer and story I feel as if the single player gameplay and the controls make up for it and can provide a fun experience.