#SoITriedIt: On-the-Go Gaming with the Steam Deck

So, after weeks of research, I finally pulled the trigger and got myself a Steam Deck—reee. 

From Steam Official Website

I spent a long time debating which handheld console to choose, but I kept coming back to the Deck. Why? The build quality, the seamless integration with my existing Steam library, and, most importantly, it felt future-proof–at least for the gaming I am into these days. 

Let me preface this by saying I am not a hardcore gamer, grinding hours into competitive titles like League of Legends, Valorant, Rainbow Six Seige, etc., at least not anymore. But recently, I’ve gravitated more towards single-player, story-driven games that let me relax. I’m the kind of player who enjoys kicking back on the couch, playing something immersive while having Brooklyn 99 running in the background.

It’s the perfect mix of chill and fun, and the Steam Deck seemed like the perfect fit.

The other major factor? I travel a lot. I am constantly moving between Manila and Baguio, and I wanted something that could give me a solid gaming experience without having to lug around a gaming laptop. In comes the deck. It is the perfect size, has great battery life—at least good enough for my trips—and fits easily in my bag. 

From PBSNews Official GIPHY

Another big reason for picking up the Steam Deck was my ever-growing backlog of games. My Steam library is huge—entire of games I’ve either barely touched or haven’t even started. I made a promise to myself to start clearing out some of them, and being able to play on the go helps keep me on track. Within the first two weeks of having it, I completed Eternights and Elden ring’s DLC; dryleaf arts user here, by the way! This just shows how capable the device is. 

Getting the Steam Deck felt like an early Christmas gift to me. It’s opened up a whole new way of gaming that fits perfectly into my lifestyle right now. So far, it’s been everything I hoped for—seamless, fun, and practical. If you’re a casual gamer like me who loves portability without compromising game selection, I’d say it’s worth a shot.

From Steam Official Website

Also, a little pro tip: if you’re playing more intensive games on the Deck and find the battery draining faster than you’d like, I highly recommend pairing it with a power bank like the Promate Titan-160. It’s been a lifesaver for those long trips when I need to keep playing, especially with games that push the Deck to its limits.