Gamezine15, 25-03-2022: Steam Deck & Grand Theft Auto VI, gm918236

Steam Deck: Post-Release 

Video Credit: Fan The Deck

I don’t really have to explain what the Steam Deck is, do I? Because the only thing people need to know it’s that it is a Linux-based portable gaming PC made by Valve. Some games aren’t compatible yet, which can change as the software improves and developers opt in to ensure their games work. Time flew fast, like, it was July last year when Valve announced the Steam Deck and that shipment was supposed to happen in December - but the pandemic slowed things down so much, the Deck’s launch was delayed to February. At least Valve had more time to tinker with the software, like working to enable anti-cheat support for certain popular games. And then the launch finally occurred. Was it worth it?
Heck yeah it was! The Steam Deck truly is Valve’s work of art… hardware-wise. The software still needs more tinkering, which Valve is doing as they respond to feedback about the Deck’s functionality. The biggest feature is how customizable the inputs can get, especially for games without controller support, making MMOs easier to play. Valve made it easy for people to use the Deck: when logging in for the first time, you can go through a tutorial to learn the basics on how to navigate. Then there’s Aperture Desk Job, a playable tech demo to showcase the Deck’s capabilities (it can be played on PC, but you may require an Xbox Elite Controller for additional controller inputs). For people who want to use Windows, the drivers have been provided by Valve and AMD, though Valve won’t provide support. Microsoft… is taking a hands-off approach (aside from making Edge for Linux to improve Xbox Cloud Gaming compatibility), although Valve expressed interest in assisting them in implementing the Game Pass on Steam. Time will tell if that will ever happen.
I’m very impressed with how far Valve is going to ensure the Steam Deck’s success. I wish I could get a Deck myself, but currently I have to save up (I’m aiming for the 64 GB, since I don’t intend to play more than two games). I’m not worried about the Deck passing by either, since Valve has made it a goal to sell millions of Decks worldwide, shortages notwithstanding. Someday, I’ll be one of those lucky Deck users.

Xbox Series S: Microsoft's Ace in the Hole

Video Credit: TheRelaxingEnd

The next generation of gaming had the worst start of all: the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X have been the hardest consoles to get a hold off on retail. Sometimes they sell out quick, some fall on scalpers’ hands, others are giveaway prizes. Whatever the reason, few are capable of getting either console, but Microsoft has one ace in the hole: the Xbox Series S, a less-powerful console compared to the Series X, is widely available at retail, so available that scalpers are less likely to sell it on eBay. The Nintendo Switch is also widely available - which is an older system whose only upgrade is an OLED screen (and “updated” Joy-Cons), but nevertheless continues to sell at a promising pace for Nintendo. So, how can the Xbox Series S be successful while being underpowered?
Pretty much the same reason the Nintendo Switch is still around: availability and ease of manufacturing. Components for Series X are hard to manufacture, which is why the console is sold at low quantities, since it takes more time (and money) to keep up with demand. The Series S uses weaker hardware, but is easier to produce, which speeds up manufacturing and ensures greater and longer availability than even the PlayStation 4 (which was Sony’s solution to ease demand, while putting a bit more effort into releasing games on both platforms). Lesser storage and no disc drive are hard to swallow, but at an attractive price and more next-gen games, plus the Game Pass, should make more gamers cave-in and buy the cheaper model. It’s starting to pay off for Microsoft: the Series S outsold the PS5 in Europe while it’s seeing great success in Japan over the Series X. That’s Microsoft’s second successful run in Japan since the Xbox 360 (some Japanese Xbox 360 owners are upgrading to the Series S as we speak)! It may be digital-only, but because it has the Game Pass, how much is worth losing?
I still have my Xbox One S, which is great, but I won’t be against upgrading to the Series S when the time is right. I got lots of games digitally, since it is easier to switch between games than having to switch game discs constantly. Plus, most current games aren’t fully on disc anymore, since they’re mostly half-baked. The disc is now a key to unlock the game, which you have to download to play it. Digital isn’t ideal for some, but Microsoft is making upgrading to the next console so easy, with a lot of backwards compatible games, I wouldn’t mind downloading games all over again as long as I can still play them. I’ll even have the option if I want to upgrade the game for the latest hardware, sometimes for free. You don’t have to believe in digital, but try to believe in Microsoft and their efforts to bring gaming to anyone - through console, PC, phones and possibly Smart TVs!

The End of Wii's Digital Store?

Video Credit: KindOfALotOGaming

Most of you hate digital stores, since once they close, you won’t get access to your games. I don’t worry about it since as an Xbox player, I always have access to all my games, especially older ones, through backwards compatibility. PlayStation isn’t so lucky, since apparently it is a waste of a feature, citing it as a thing most people won’t use. And then there’s Nintendo. Despite now having a singular account for most of their systems, it’s mostly impossible to upgrade from one system to the next, since most of their systems are their own things, for better and worse. They’re also a bit anti-consumer.
While Nintendo would notify users of server shutdowns, usually for maintenance, the same can’t be said for the Wii Shop Channel, which was offline since March 16 without warning. The store closed in 2019, but it was still possible to keep downloading previously purchased games. It’s possible to be unscheduled maintenance or just an error. Nintendo’s lack of communication has led some to question if the Wii store will ever return, as the company is already facing criticism for not doing game preservation (and putting old games behind a subscription service). However, gaming on discs is still an option, right?
One of the reasons I dislike Nintendo is their anti-consumer ways. That’s simply unacceptable from a company that saved the gaming industry and became a force to be reckoned with (Sega tried, but failed). Thankfully, I don’t have to deal with their crap as an Xbox player: Microsoft does things right, especially with the Game Pass.

Epic & Microsoft Lending Ukraine a Hand

Video Credit: Tabor Hill

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has long-standing consequences for both countries. I won’t dwell too much, but many Ukranians are either running away from the bloodshed or are staying to defend their country. Every worldwide brand has cut their ties with Russia, throwing its economic standing into chaos, while providing as much support to Ukraine as they can. Game publishers and developers are raising funds to send to Ukraine, including Epic and Microsoft.
Epic Games announced on Twitter that they’ll donate all Fortnite proceedings for two weeks to assist humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine. Microsoft also joined the effort by contributing the proceedings from the Microsoft Store for Fortnite Xbox gamers. All the money will go to Direct Relief, United Nations Children’s Fund, United Nations World Food Programme and UNHCR - The UN Refugee Agency, with more to be reported by Epic Games. This should help any Ukrainian affected by the ongoing military conflict. Russia’s response? They legalize content piracy!

GTA Will (Finally) Get a New Entry

Video Credit: IGN

Grand Theft Auto is Rockstar’s signature franchise, the franchise that modernized and refined the open world genre that continues on, for better and worse. It has encountered many controversies and lawsuits over the years, but it always trumps them all. Unfortunately, the latest entry’s continuing sales put a stop to the franchise for nine years, the only thing Rockstar did was keep updating GTA Online with new vehicles and story events. I mean, GTA V is still the best game Rockstar has produced, but it shouldn’t let the company sit on its laurels while the fandom craves a new entry.
Well, Rockstar did release Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy, remasters of GTA III, San Andreas and Vice City, for modern platforms (including the Nintendo Switch). But it was such a poor remaster that it review bombed and caused a lot of lost faith in Rockstar (they had no hand in developing, but they did oversee it). The games are getting patches and updates to remedy the problems, but it’s still the biggest blunder of Rockstar. Meanwhile, GTA V finally saw another remastered release, this time for PS5 and Xbox Series S/X, with GTA Online becoming a standalone release. After all of this, Rockstar finally confirmed that the next entry of Grand Theft Auto is currently in development. But that’s about it, just “new entry”. Yeah, it almost feels like a distraction. But if Rockstar means it, maybe we can finally move on to a new iteration, whatever it is.
Yes, I still like Grand Theft Auto V after all these years. The reason is because I couldn’t play it when it launched (I was below the age requirement). After finally buying it for my 21st birthday (I didn’t have an Xbox prior to this), it was magnificent. It was awesome, even without access to GTA Online. But it is getting old. But I’m definitely not in a hurry to purchase a GTA VI if it ever happens, especially at launch. For now, fans can rejoice and hope for a great future.

Favorite Game - NieR Replicant

A girl’s fatal sickness throws her brother into any direction to find a cure. He discovers one companion that holds the key to a big mystery: Grimoire Weiss, who provides the boy with great magical power. Together with other unlikely companions, the boy is out to resolve the mystery behind the curse that afflicts his sister - but the truth may be deadlier than any plague in human history.
While I favor Automata (since I played it first through the Game Pass), I’m starting to enjoy Replicant just as much. The combat mechanics are about the same, except with access to powerful magic beyond firing bullets. The auto-aim is very useful for boss fights. The game can be difficult even at Easy, but can still be played after understanding patterns. I highly recommend this game, especially playing it before Automata. NieR Replicant is available on Xbox One, PS4 and PC via Steam. I recommend the console versions over the PC, for good performance.