I’ve been going back and forth on whether I should get myself a Steam Deck OLED. I kind of don’t want to spend so much on a new gaming device right now, so I could only get one if I get rid of my PS5.
Here’s my reasoning:
I have already played all major PS5 exclusives and 2024 looks to be a rather dry year compared to recent years. The one title that is 100% interesting to me is Yakuza 8 and that runs flawlessly on the Deck.
I have a lot of classic PC games in my Steam library from 2009 to 2021 that I would love to replay on a handheld device
New PS5 exlusives are super expensive at €80, it might be worth it to take a “PS break” for 1-2 years and then jump in again and get the big AAA games at a discount
My PS5 is from 2020 and the new slim model just released. I could just pick up the Slim model with new warranty in one year or two.
I’m traveling a lot recently and the Steam Deck would be a nice device for me.
Could try emulating games on the Deck.
I’ve had two/three consoles in the past and I never played them, usually just one at a time. So PS5 + Steam Deck wouldn’t be worth it for me.
Would make my girlfriend happy, she complains a lot that I’m hogging the TV.
What do you guys think, worth it to switch from PS to the Deck at least for a while?
Obviously you’re on a SteamDeck sub-reddit… but I would like to think I can provide a somewhat ‘objective’ answer to your question!
For last few years, during pandemic, I ran a Switch and a PS5 - feeling that both gave me access to play any & every game I wanted to. Pre-pandemic my job involved a considerable amount of travel, but of course that stopped… so plenty of time at home meant that the PS5 got a decent amount of play.
Post pandemic, regular service has resumed with my work and I travel 3 weeks of 4. When home I have a busy family/schedule etc… and time to grab the TV for “me” is sparse. So I sold my PS5 and got a Deck, now having Switch and SteamDeck.
Initially I was not fond of the Deck… but this was a “me problem”, as I have never PC gamed - and been very much used to the ease of just plug&play with the Switch.
However, now I absolutely love the Deck - and it is genuinely not too complicated. You just research games before you buy, to assess performance, and then just tweak the in-game settings (+ Steam UI settings) to ensure best FPS without the game looking like sh*t.
I got 100% achievements Lies of P playing exclusively on Deck, and am now enjoying Armored Core and BG3.
Switch and Deck is ideal for me right now, and if you travel a lot it makes sense maybe to do the same? Emulation also allows you to dabble in Nintendo titles, although I am no expert here