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Pokemon TCG Pocket Os a Great Evolution of the Card Game In the evolution of digital card games, sometimes less is more. Though similarly named, Pokemon TCG Pocket stands as a refreshing update to the Pokemon Trading Card Game . The new app effectively condenses core gameplay elements while keeping the overall mechanics an rules intact. The physical card game is wildly popular and high-level play can be thrilling to watch even to those who don't play. However matches for casual players, myself included, can tend to feel long. These casual bouts sometimes clock in over 30 minutes. No problem if you're sitting down for a few games at your local game store. Although when you're playing on your phone, that may not be as easy. In contrast, Pokemon TCG Pocket prioritizes brevity and accessibility. This makes the game a more convenient option for fans looking for quicker, on-the-go experiences. The game's simplified structure could give it lasting appeal as a player in the digital card game arena. One of the main ways Pokemon TCG Pocket keeps things streamlined is by using a 20-card deck. This is in contrast to the usual 60-card decks found in paper Pokémon TCG. This not only streamlines gameplay, but deck building as well. Gone are the days of carefully balancing a mix of Pokemon, Trainer, and Energy cards. In this adaptation you don’t need individual Energy cards, since you get resources each turn instead. Screenshot by Siliconera This adjustment brings a sharper focus to battles and allows for leaner deck construction. It also lends itself to a more efficient gameplay loop, removing the variable of energy draw. It’s a subtle change, but it gives you more space to strategize around specific Pokémon and Trainers rather than waiting on resources. This can sometime bog down play in the physical game. Another key benefit to Pokemon TCG Pocket’s format is how quickly games move. Battles can be played in a fraction of the time a traditional Pokemon TCG game would take. Not only because of the instant setup time that comes with a digital TCG, but also because the game itself is faster. This makes it perfect for players who want to squeeze in a couple of matches during downtime. Unlike other TCGs, where setting up strategies can take several turns, Pokemon TCG Pocket feels immediate because of the small deck size. The app lets players complete games in around 5-10 minutes on average, less even if you're playing bots. A clear advantage for those who love the thrill of card battles but can’t always commit the time (or money) required by the paper TCG or even the digital version of the full TCG. However, at its core, Pokemon TCG Pocket leans more heavily into the collection aspect of the game. The actual battling, I believe, was always meant to be secondary. The traditional Pokemon TCG has always had an emphasis on collecting with a large community of very serious collectors to prove it. However, Pocket treats this a little differently. The app continuously rewards players with cards and collectibles. Photo by Siliconera This is part of Pokemon TCG Pocket ’s charm, but also where it may feel a bit lacking for competitive-minded players. I’d argue it could use more emphasis on the battling aspect and deeper, game-defining mechanics. This could pull Pokemon TCG Pocket into closer competition with more battle-focused digital card games. If it doubled down on its fast-paced, simplified gameplay, it could compete with similar streamlined digital TCGs like Hearthstone and Marvel Snap . Both games have a strong focus on brevity, quick play sessions, and intuitive mechanics. They also attracting a vast audience that enjoys low-commitment, high-reward gameplay. In Marvel Snap , for instance, games last only a few minutes, focusing heavily on quick, smart plays rather than a drawn-out strategy that takes time to set up. Similarly, Hearthstone brought in millions of players by offering an easy-to-learn, tough-to-master approach to digital card games. Pokemon TCG Pocket could benefit greatly by adopting this ethos more fully. They should encourage players to engage in quick battles rather than treating combat as an add-on to collecting cards. Pokemon as a franchise has long been about the journey. Training, collecting, and battling your way through a world of creatures. Pocket taps into this by keeping card-collecting front and center. The app’s Premium Pass, which lets you open additional packs, speaks to this emphasis on collection. Pokemon TCG Pocket ’s structure and rewards encourage players to return daily. Not necessarily to refine their battle strategies but to check on what new cards are available. The thrill of pulling rare or favorite Pokemon definitely feeds into the Pokemon brand, but from a gameplay perspective, it can overshadow what makes TCGs great: the competition. Image courtesy of The Pokemon Company It seems to me that Pokemon TCG Pocket ’s aim is less about the mechanics of card battles and more about capturing that excitement of collecting. a choice that makes sense given Pokemon’s universal appeal. However, Pocket’s battle system is surprisingly engaging for something so simplified. By shifting even further toward battle-centric gameplay, The Pokemon Company International could reframe Pokemon TCG Pocket as a “serious” mobile card game contender without losing its casual appeal. As it stands, Pokemon TCG Pocket captures a fine balance between easy, accessible fun and collectible appeal. With some tweaks, it has the potential to provide the same depth of strategy and creativity that defines the best digital TCGs out there, making it more than a novelty for fans of Pokemon . It’s possible Pocket could one day represent a proper evolution of the Pokemon TCG experience. One where battling stands on equal footing with collection. When it does, it just might earn its place alongside giants like Hearthstone and Marvel Snap. Pokemon TCG Pocket is available for Android and iOS devices. The post Pokemon TCG Pocket Os a Great Evolution of the Card Game appeared first on Siliconera .

SiliconeraNov 20

The Best Way to Play Stardew Valley Is on the Switch One of the most beautiful parts about Stardew Valley is that it is available pretty much everywhere in the gaming world. Don’t have a gaming PC? Not a problem, as you can play it on console. Don’t have a dedicated game console, either? You can play on a mobile device. But if you want the best platform to play Stardew Valley , I feel the Nintendo Switch version still stands tall at the top. Right off the bat, one of my favorite features of the Switch version of this beloved indie farming sim is its price. It is already pretty darn cheap at only $14.99, which is more than a bargain. Stardew Valley has more high-quality content than many full retail AAA games I’ve played. Better yet, it is the same price on Switch as everywhere else, at least in North America. Screenshot by Siliconera The consistent price might sound like an odd benefit, but there are a fair number of indie games that are slightly more expensive on Switch than Steam. Plus, there are occasionally sales as well on this game. Beyond that, there are no performance or visual sacrifices you have to make playing this game on Switch. The game is older than Switch and in 2D, so it runs perfectly on there. If you happen to have a Nintendo Switch OLED version, it is even better. The crisp, colorful, and bright visuals look the most stunning on the OLED screen than any other platform. But, more importantly than that, there is the matter of the Switch’s hybrid nature. Unlike the other consoles, PC, and even mobile, you have immediate access to the most play options on Switch. You can, of course, play in handheld mode if you want and take the farming experience anywhere you like in the entire world. But you can also slide the Switch in the dock and instantly start playing on your TV at home in any room you want. The other platforms may offer that, such as PlayStation Remote Play, or hooking up a Steam Deck to a monitor or TV, but they all have various constraints or loops to go through. The Switch version just works without any problems. And then there is the matter of presumed backwards compatibility with the unannounced Nintendo Switch 2. Screenshot by Siliconera We know the Switch 2 will be backwards compatible with the original Switch’s games. This will include Stardew Valley . So you could can enjoy the farming sim right now on the original Switch, then benefit from the power of the console’s successor in the future as well. It is clear to me that if you want to play the base Stardew Valley , the best platform is always Switch. However, there is one downside to the Switch version: the inability to use mods. Mods are such a massive part of this farming sim title. It lets you customize how characters look, add new content, and change your farm. The mod community for Stardew Valley is one of the best in all of PC gaming. As such, there is a clear runner-up for the best platform to play Stardew Valley . That runner-up is none other than the Steam Deck. It plays this game beautifully, even with its less-than-impressive power. In addition, it is simple enough to use mods with the likes of Nexus Mods . Plus, it can hook up to an external TV or monitor if you have the right equipment. That said, it is a pricey and sometimes frustrating way to play. As such, if you don’t care about mods, Nintendo Switch is the way to go. Screenshot by Siliconera In the end, Nintendo Switch feels like the Stardew Valley . It plays flawlessly, looks the most graphically impressive on the OLED screen, and, best of all, you can play it anywhere. At home, on the couch, laying in bed, at the coffee shop, on the plane, at school, and so on. If you want the easiest and best platform to play Stardew Valley , it is hands down Nintendo Switch. Stardew Valley is available right now for the Nintendo Switch , PS4, Xbox One, PC, and mobile devices. It also appeared on the Vita. The post The Best Way to Play Stardew Valley Is on the Switch appeared first on Siliconera .

SiliconeraNov 16

ROG Ally 7” Price Drops at Best Buy for Black Friday Asus’ ROG Ally 7” model is now on sale at both Amazon and Best Buy as part of Black Friday deals. Best Buy is selling it as one of its Doorbusters. The AMD Ryzen Z1 Processor model costs $349.99 , rather than $499.99, while the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme Processor model is $499.99 instead of $649.99 . Processors aside, the specs for both of the handheld PC gaming devices are similar. Both feature a 7” 120Hz, FHD screen. Both version’s touchscreens offer 1080p resolution. Each one has 512GB SSDs built in and MicroSD support for expanding the memory. Each one also has 16GB LPDDR5 RAM. They also each support Dolby Atmos. As these aren’t Steam Decks, people can also install multiple storefronts on them like Epic Games, GOG, and itch.io. Meanwhile, it seems like vendors at Amazon are competing with that price on the ROG Ally 7" model. Some of the listings there are selling it for $499.49 . Be careful though, as many of those are used models for that price instead of new ones. Multiple companies are reducing the prices of their Steam Deck-like systems at the moment. The Lenovo Legion Go is another one. That’s normally $699.99. Best Buy and Target are both selling that for $549.99 now. Meanwhile, Valve announced it will be selling a limited edition white OLED Steam Deck. Orders for that open on November 19, 2024. That will be $679. The post ROG Ally 7” Price Drops at Best Buy for Black Friday appeared first on Siliconera .

SiliconeraNov 15

Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket Needs Trading Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket is one of the best surprises of this year. It is an extraordinary free mobile experience that takes the TCG based on the Pokemon series and transforms it into a bite-sized, highly stylish version. While the mobile title is quite impressive already at launch, Pokemon TCG Pocket still needs trading to be perfect. It is a bit ironic that a card game that has the literal word “trading” in its title lacks that right now. In fact, it emphasizes the battling side of the card game more than the actual trading aspect. Fortunately, we already know that trading is coming to Pokemon TCG Pocket at some point. The questions now are when will that happen and what will it look like? Screenshot by Siliconera Trading has always been a key aspect of the Pokemon series, both in the mainline games and the card version. It is one of the best ways to connect players together in a multiplayer format. After all, everyone benefits from being able to trade in a mobile game like this. You might have cards I need while I might have cards that you need. Editor’s Note: This was written prior to the announcement of trading’s release in January 2025. Card booster packs are completely randomized. You might get a gorgeous Articuno EX card but you run a Fire-based deck, so that is useless to you. Instead, you might want a card like Charizard or Moltres EX. Trading would allow you to instantly be able to offer your Articuno EX for a card that is more suitable to your particular deck. This feature should work in a safe manner, though. I see two ways it could work. The first would be to allow friends only to trade with one another while both are online at the same time. You could show off your cards to each other in real-time, and maybe even be able to message or react in the trade window. This method would require some failsafes, such as multiple checks to confirm you want to trade so you aren’t scammed. This is also why it should be restricted to only friends. On the other hand, the other method I would like to see is the Pokemon TCG Pocket equivalent of the GTS. A global trading network for the mobile title would be fantastic. Screenshot by Siliconera People could put up cards they want to get rid of and note what card they are looking for. It would have to be rather specific, though, down to the rarities and the like. But perhaps there could also be a way to send a personalized offer to the person. Maybe you don’t have the card they want but you have a similarly valuable one. Perhaps then the person could consider the trade. However, if you have the exact card, you can initiate the trade automatically. This would be a neat way for everyone to get the cards they need. It would also the make the game less pay-to-win, so to speak. I don’t think Pokemon TCG Pocket is in any way a pay-to-win experience. However, there is no arguing that the more money you spend on packs, the more chances you have at finding the best cards. Adding this global trading system would let the community balance out some. Everyone would have the chance to get the cards they need and want. It would also be great in the event the title ever removes certain expansion packs, which, hopefully, does not happen. As for when Pokemon TCG Pocke t trading should release, it has to happen sooner than later. The game came out at the tail end of October 2024. That leaves roughly two months left in the year for it to release. I think it is imperative that trading comes to Pokemon TCG Pocket before the year ends. The arrival of trading would greatly reinvigorate the community and be the possible addition for the already highly successful experience. Pokemon TCG Pocket is available right now for free for Android and iOS. The post Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket Needs Trading appeared first on Siliconera .

SiliconeraNov 14

Every Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct Announcement The Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct was full of incredible surprises from across every Warcraft title, including some we haven't seen in generations. From player housing (yes!) to a Classic refresh and The War Within 11.1, here's every announcement from the livestream. Every Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct Announcement, Reveal, and Teaser Warcraft Battle Chest: Warcraft I Remastered, Warcraft 2 Remastered, & Warcraft III: Reforged 2.0 World of Warcraft : The War Within Patch 1.1 Undermined, Siren Isle, 2025 Roadmap, Player Housing, and Heartlands TWW Patch 1.1: Undermined Patch 1.0.7: The Siren Isle Player Housing, Midnight, and 2025 Roadmap The War Within: Heartlands World of Warcraft Classic: Classic refresh, Mists of Pandaria, SoD Phase 7, and the return of The Burning Crusade World of Warcraft Classic...Classic? The Burning Crusade Classic The Hour of Twilight and Mists of Pandaria Classic Season of Discovery Phase 7 Hearthstone : Starcraft crossover, Arena Revamp, and Year of the Raptor Heroes of Starcraft Arena Revamp and Underground Arena Year of the Raptor Warcraft Rumble : PC launch and Split Leaders Warcraft Battle Chest: Warcraft I Remastered, Warcraft 2 Remastered, & Warcraft III: Reforged 2.0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryZ2jiW95qo The Warcraft 30th Direct kicked off where it all began: the RTS series. Starting today, Warcraft III: Reforged will update to version 2.0 , boasting customizable updated visuals, quality-of-life changes (like hotkey customization), a revamped ladder, and "much, much more." That's not all when it comes to Warcraft, though! Warcraft I and II are both receiving Remasters with hand-drawn graphics and much-needed QoL improvements, including health bars, tooltips, a fancy new mission select screen, faster speed, band-box select, and increased unit selection. Phew. Warcraft I Remastered and Warcraft II Remastered launch today (November 13th) alongside the new Warcraft Battle Chest , which includes both remasters and Warcraft III: Reforged — as well as the beautiful Meat Wagon mount in World of Warcraft . World of Warcraft : The War Within Patch 1.1 Undermined, Siren Isle, 2025 Roadmap, Player Housing, and Heartlands TWW Patch 1.1: Undermined Image via Blizzard Image via Blizzard Image via Blizzard Image via Blizzard Image via Blizzard The first major patch for WoW : The War Within is Undermined , kicking off Season 2 with lots of goblin goodies, including: The legendary goblin city of Undermine as a new zone. Four goblin cartels to run with: Steamwheedle, Blackwater, Bilgewater, and the Venture Company. A blazingly fast customizable vehicle designed exclusively for the Undermine. Customize drift, acceleration, and more to speed around town. Operation: Floodgate, a new dungeon where players race to stop goblins from destroying the Ringing Deeps. Available on all difficulties in Season 2, along with the return of MOTHERLODE. Two new Delves and variations of existing delves. Brann Bronzebeard updates , including new Curios. Season Two's version of Zek'vir. (Oh, boy) Liberation of Undermine, a new 8-boss raid featuring everyone's favorite (former) Trade Prince, Jastor Gallywix. From 30th Anniversary Direct's footage, Undermined looks absolutely phenomenal. The art team didn't miss here, with Liberation of Undermine potentially shaping up to be one of the best-looking raids of all time. Patch 1.0.7: The Siren Isle Image via Blizzard The previously-announced Siren Isle will be hit live servers next month , with epilogues and story content leading us toward Undermined and beyond. According to the 2025 Roadmap, Plunderstorm will return between 11.0.7 and 11.1 with its promised new rewards. Player Housing, Midnight, and 2025 Roadmap https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQXHFrLX6A4 That's right, they've finally done it. Player housing is coming to World of Warcraft ... In the next expansion. World of Warcraft Midnight will introduce player housing after two decades of fan requests, though we don't know to what extent just yet. Blizzard will announce more about player housing and Midnight in late summer 2025. Image via Blizzard Speaking of upcoming content, the 2025 World of Warcraft roadmap details a basic content outline up to the beginning of winter: 1.1.5 will arrive in Spring with new content labeled "Nightfall," a return to Horrific Visions from BFA, and an update to Children's Week 1.1.7 will also launch in Spring with new story quests, content and system updates, and another Turbulent Timeways event 1.2 and Season 3 arrive in Summer, featuring a new dungeon, raid, world events and open world challenges. This major patch also includes updates to Warbands, Brewfest, and season rewards. 1.2.5 begins in Autumn with "new content and system updates," as well as the 21st anniversary event. Finally, 1.2.7 will add new story quests and content, with a cryptic event happening at the beginning of winter. Could this be Legion remix or something entirely unexpected? The War Within: Heartlands Image via Blizzard World of Warcraft: The War Within Heartlands , a 5-part audio novella available right now . Heartlands is written by Adam Christopher and narrated by the legendary Chris Metzen, exploring what happened to Jaina and Thrall while we were busy adventuring in Khaz Algar. World of Warcraft Classic: Classic refresh, Mists of Pandaria, SoD Phase 7, and the return of The Burning Crusade Image via Blizzard World of Warcraft Classic...Classic? Any World of Warcraft Classic player knows the fanbase has been begging for a Classic Era refresh, and I'm happy to say that it's finally happening . The Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct announced fr esh starts for World of Warcraft Classic begin on November 21 with WoW Classic 20th Anniversary Edition . World of Warcraft Classic 20th Anniversary features "very large" realms with PvE, PvP, and even Hardcore options. Additionally, QoL features like the Chronoboon Displacer and PvP Honor System will be available from the start. Like before, the experience will be split into phases over the course of around a year, before transitioning to... The Burning Crusade Classic The Burning Crusade Classic returns in late 2025! WoW Classic 20th Anniversary characters will progress into TBC Classic after the conclusion of Phase 6, with the exception of Hardcore characters. It seems like Hardcore TBC isn't quite on the table just yet. The Hour of Twilight and Mists of Pandaria Classic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYGvtbrDiiw World of Warcraft Cataclysm Classic will wrap up with The Hour of Twilight patch in December. The not-so-surprising announce Once Dragon Soul has been swept up, Mists of Pandaria Classic will replace Cataclysm in Autumn 2025 . The pre-patch, which brings Pandaren, Monks, Pet Battles, and Theramore's Fall will fly in Summer 2025. Season of Discovery Phase 7 Last, but certainly not least in the 30th Anniversary Direct WoW Classic announcements, is Season of Discovery Phase 7. Late Winter 2024 will see the arrival of Naxxramas and brand-new endgame content starring the Scarlet Crusade and Deadwind Pass. https://twitter.com/Zirene/status/1856768055638200828 Additionally, new Qiraji battle tank mounts were briefly teased in the live stream, presumably for new Ahn'Qiraj content in Phase Six. Hearthstone : Starcraft crossover, Arena Revamp, and Year of the Raptor Heroes of Starcraft https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKkZwJYcEwE Coming out of nowhere like a sudden swarm of Zerg was the reveal of Heroes of Starcraft , a mini-set for Hearthstone based on the iconic Blizzard series landing in January 2025 . The Zerg, Terran, and Protoss are each represented as factions with their own hero card: Kerrigan leads the Zerg with an aggro playstyle for Death Knights, Hunters, Warlocks, and Demon Hunters. Artanis leads the Protoss, providing Druids, Mages, Priests, and Rogues with powerful high-mana units. Jim Raynor leads the Terran, giving Warriors, Paladins, and Shamans starships — battlecruisers, to be specific. Along with cards full of Starcraft characters and references (plus a certain Murloc), Heroes of Starcraft features new music and visuals in Hearthstone's most extensive mini-set to date. Arena Revamp and Underground Arena Being almost entirely unchanged in the decade since its launch ( ouch, my back ), Arena is set to receive some significant updates early next year. Players can choose between two versions of Arena: standard Arena with shortened runs and Underground Arena , featuring longer runs and a new "Redraft on Loss" feature. Redraft on Loss allows you to redraw cards and tweak your deck after a loss in Underground Arena. Both Arena modes will feature separate Arena ratings, with regular Arena matching players with similar skill levels, while Underground features a wild mix of player abilities. Year of the Raptor Image via Blizzard The 30th Anniversary direct showcased the roadmap for Year of the Raptor in Hearthstone , featuring three new expansions: Into the Emerald Dream, The Shrouded City, and The Heroes of Time. Into the Emerald Dream features the Druids of the Emerald Dream in a face-off with The Old Gods, heating up mid-season with a Druids of the Flame mini-set. The Shrouded City is Hearthstone's first sequel set, sending players back to Un'goro to explore and party in the Festival of the Dinosaur mini-set. Finally, The Heroes of Time is a time-travel set featuring alternate realities and an epic final battle with Murozond in the End Time mini-set. What happens at the end of the expansion is something "[we] won't believe." Warcraft Rumble : PC launch and Split Leaders https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibHOwniHHX4 The heavens have heard my call, and the once-mobile exclusive Warcraft Rumble is launching on PC with a beta on December 10, 2024. Alongside the beta are three new "Split Leaders", who belong to multiple families: Malfurion Stormrage for the Alliance and Cenarion Orgrim Doomhammer for the Horde and Blackrock Anub'arak for the Undead and Beasts In addition to these exciting new heroes, Sylvanas will also become a split leader, joining the Horde alongside the Undead. That wraps it up for every announcement from Warcraft's 30th Anniversary Direct livestream! What are you most excited for? World of Warcraft and Warcraft Battle Chest are available now on PC. Hearthstone is available on PC and mobile devices. Warcraft Rumble is exclusive to mobile devices until it arrives on PC later this year. The post Every Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct Announcement appeared first on Siliconera .

SiliconeraNov 14

Valve Reveals Very Pretty, All-White Steam DeckValve has announced a new white and gray variant of its uber-popular portable PC device, the Steam Deck. This upcoming version of the handheld PC will cost $680 and will go on sale on November 18. Read more...

KotakuNov 12

Review: I Like Lenovo Legion Go More Than the Steam Deck Since the Steam Deck launched, we’ve seen a lot of companies notice the demand for handheld gaming PCs and enter that sphere. Quality and success varies. In the case of Lenovo, we can clearly see the company pulling inspiration from not only the Valve Steam Deck for the Lenovo Legion, but the Nintendo Switch. The result is a device that I adore not only because it handles anything I throw at it, but because it allows me the comfort of different playstyles when using it. Right from the outset, the appearance of the Legion Go gives the impression Lenovo is targeting additional audiences and trying to do more with its construction. It’s larger than a Steam Deck or Switch, with an 8.8 inch GHD screen. It looks absolutely gorgeous, and it really does resist fingerprints. Yes, after two weeks using it I did start to notice an occasional smudge, but those were easily cleaned away. The brightness settings allow it to look incredibly crisp, and there’s admirable accuracy both when using the touch screen for controls or when seeing responsiveness when using the included controllers due to 144Hz refresh rate. Photo by Siliconera It also handled any game I threw at it easily and without issue. This wasn’t entirely unexpected. After all, it has 16GB of RAM available at the outset, has an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, and an integrated AMD Radeon GPU. While in some cases I did need to sacrifice running on the highest settings to ensure optimal gameplay, such as in the case of Baldur’s Gate 3 or Dragon Age: The Veilguard , I didn’t have an issue with any game I’d consider demanding. Grand Theft Auto V ? It ran it like a champ. It can handle it. The Witcher 3 was working great on it. Any HoYoVerse title like Honkai: Star Rail or Zenless Zone Zero ? Just perfect. I did find I didn’t really use the Legion Space software as much as I’d expect. This is the hub that will tap into titles you install on a Legion Go across storefronts and apps . That isn’t because it was necessarily a bad option. Rather, Steam Big Picture Mode worked too well on the handheld gaming PC. Since the majority of my library was there and I already had filters in place, that ended up being my go-to resource for the system. However, I will say that I appreciated the Legion L-key shortcuts for things like easily accessing the virtual keyboard or taking screenshots. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLD-dg1C_XU The Lenovo Legion Go controllers are another element that impressed me. At a glance, you have everything you expect and they almost resemble a Switch Joy-Con, touchpad that acts like a laptop trackpad aside. But once you actually have them in your hands, you can feel the extra mouse wheel, two buttons on the back of the left controller, and four buttons on the right. These are also easily programmable via the Legion R button, which brings up quick settings at any time. Though even more reassuring were the Lenovo Legion Go Hall Effect joysticks, especially since I’ve been through three pairs of Switch Joy-Cons and sort of feel like my OLED model’s left one is about to go again. The versatility and ease that came with using different options for the Lenovo Legion Go also helped me get even more comfortable with it. When I use a Nintendo Switch, I always play in Handheld Mode. The weight of the system, which is about two pounds, is a lot when you’re holding it in different, potentially awkward, positions. This isn’t to say the controllers or designs are bad. It’s quite comfortable for its size. I just found it got a bit heavy. So, going full Switch Tabletop Mode with it was a godsend. I’d often prop it up with its stand on the bed or couch, get cozy with a controller in each hand, and play Fields of Mistria or Honkai: Star Rail for a few hours. It wasn’t even uncomfortable doing so with Baldur’s Gate 3, though I found a USB-C to HDMI cable and connecting it to a TV was a much better way to enjoy that, since I could also then charge it. Photos by Siliconera Those detachable controllers do feel quite solid and comfortable when used independently of the system. It took a minute for me to feel comfortable detaching the controllers from the Lenovo Legion Go, given I’m used to the slide and detach method of the Nintendo Switch. However, they’re easy and comfortable to hold, just as Joy-Cons are. I'd say they're even a bit better, due to the larger size. Though I've found the right controller's track pad is a bit difficult to use when they aren't attached to the system. The battery life is also quite good, as they’d outpace the actual system. If detached, I could use them about twice as long, if not a bit longer. I would recommend making sure you head them “click” back into place when reattaching them, however, as I did neglect to do that the first time I used them and had the left side feel a bit wobbly as a result. Speaking of the battery life in general, the Lenovo Legion Go did surprise me a bit. Not in terms of length. No, as expected, it eats through battery power fairly quickly. I adjusted my Quick Settings in the push-the-Legion-R-button-and-you’re-there configuration center to allow me to spend about a half an hour on my HoYoVerse game dailies and about three hours on Fields of Mistria time. But I expect to get a maximum of four hours out of it, depending on the title. Also, it would only take just over an hour, hour and a half to get enough energy to start playing again and be at almost 70% if I charged it while the unit was turned off, so I’d never be out of the game for too long. In general, I’m a really big fan of Quick Settings. When normally playing on a PC, I never really mess around much with settings. Here, I find I do hop into Quick Settings more often to adjust things based on the game. Primarily, it is because of the desire to possibly extend play sessions for less-demanding indies, such as the aforementioned Fields of Mistria . But I also appreciated being able to have that control if I noticed the back of the unit feeling a bit hot in Dragon Age: The Veilguard or other games too. I have noticed a few minor quirks to the Lenovo Legion Go during my time with it, though. One is that it constantly prompts me with a message saying I need a “new app to open this ms-gamebar link.” Checking online left me wondering if it was tied to needing the Xbox app, only to find I already had it. The other is that if an update is needed to the system, drivers, or controllers, the Legion Go will do it without any regard to what I’m actually playing. (Good thing I was in the middle of preparing to roll a die for a Baldur’s Gate 3 decision when that came up one time!) But again, that was a bigger issue once I first started setting things up out of the box, and it hasn’t been come up often after getting settled. I absolutely adore the Lenovo Legion Go, especially coming to it as a Switch owner, and appreciate the power and versatility it provides when compared to a Steam Deck. The different options available when playing, such as one that involves popping out the stand and detaching the controllers, make it easy to get comfortable and avoid fatigue from its weight when gaming sessions run long. Of course, the comfort that comes from knowing I can download any recent game to it and know it will run is equally valuable. It’s the freedom that comes from this handheld that makes it such a joy to use. Lenovo Legion Go is available nationwide. The post Review: I Like Lenovo Legion Go More Than the Steam Deck appeared first on Siliconera .

SiliconeraNov 10

AYANEO 3 Handheld Windows Gaming PC Announced AYANEO announced another Steam Deck competitor, as it is working on the AYANEO 3 handheld Windows gaming PC. There’s no release window yet, but two versions will be available. These follow previous devices like the AMD Ryzen 7 4800U AYANEO Next Lite and the AMD Ryzen 7 7840U AYANEO KUN . To start, the AYANEO 3 will be available with either 7” LCD and OLED screens. Both will be high refresh models, though the OLED model will be HDR with high brightness. There will also be two processors to choose from with these devices. One will be the AMD Ryzen 7 8840U, and the other is the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370. There are also some elements that will be new to AYANEO handhelds and present on both devices. They will each feature additional back buttons when compared to past items like the AYANEO Slide . There will also be an option to enable a trigger lock while playing. It also seems like games and videos could sound different, as the company confirmed the front-facing speakers will apparently be improved upon compared to past models. Here is the first trailer for the new AYANEO Steam Deck-like handheld gaming PC. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWObbquf1l4&ab_channel=AYANEO The AYANEO 3 Windows handheld gaming PC is in development, and there’s no release window for it yet. The post AYANEO 3 Handheld Windows Gaming PC Announced appeared first on Siliconera .

SiliconeraNov 8

Life is Strange: Double Exposure, As Told By Steam ReviewsThe original Life is Strange, from developer Don’t Nod, launched as an episodic, story-driven adventure game published by Square Enix in 2015. That’s nearly a decade ago, surprisingly enough, and it’s making me feel old, as I remember seeing the previews and press screens of the game back in the day. But here we are,… Read more...

KotakuNov 8

Steam Game Recording is now up and running, out of beta In what is a surprisingly short turnover for a big new feature, Valve has just pushed Steam Game Recording out of beta. Game Recording was released in beta form in late June , offering a comprehensive set of in-game capture tools, and now you can give it a shot in stable. Steam Game Recording is a one-stop-shop for the recording of gameplay footage . Though it's obviously not nearly as powerful as dedicated videography applications, such as Adobe Premiere, Game Recording has proven to be more than good enough for snap-shot video capture and subsequent publication. It's also extremely lightweight and user-friendly, while the same cannot necessarily be said about mainstream video editing alternatives. Most notably, Game Recording received a bevy of user-suggested upgrades during its beta stint, making it even more useful than the original June version. Picture by Destructoid Give Steam Game Recording a shot, now that it's available in full As per Valve's recent announcement , Steam Game Recording is now running as a built-in feature of the stable build of Steam proper. Compared to its earlier June build, Game Recording now also comes with all of the following improvements: Game-specific recording settings. Quick capture hotkey options. Ability to tweak export settings. Session View functionality, allowing users to easily access and view previous footage in the Recordings & Screenshots media manager (full support for game tags and metadata included). Mostly quality-of-life goodies, to be sure, but Game Recording was a fairly powerful baseline video capture tool right off the bat. Besides, taking on user feedback is always a good idea. For those who haven't yet had the chance to try Game Recording, it's a background capture tool that doesn't rear its head unless you pull it up. It comes with a reasonably streamlined editor allowing users to cut, save, and lightly tweak specific portions of gameplay. Sharing videos, too, is made easy and straightforward. Honestly, even if you're totally unfamiliar with video software, figuring out Steam Game Recording is easy as pie. Now, something to keep in mind is that some users have reported substantial performance drops while using Game Recording, though those don't appear to be universal. Even on the Steam Deck, it seems to work just fine unless you're pushing the device very hard. As with most other Valve software solutions, though, I expect improvements to continue pouring in for the foreseeable future. The post Steam Game Recording is now up and running, out of beta appeared first on Destructoid .

Steam Archives – DestructoidNov 6