this plays it so safe that I'm not sure why they even bothered making it. gyro aiming is not what I'm here for, that's not exactly new or exciting anymore. the touchpads are easily the most unique aspect of the hardware and they barely get utilized. it's the one thing that's unfamiliar enough to need a tech demo as an introduction to its possible uses! did they hold back to make it easily playable on desktops?
one of the first things I did when I got this thing was play peggle nights, a game from 2008 that lacks conventional controller support. that's the sort of thing that excites me about the steam deck as a mobile console, but it's not a feature you can really convey through a tech demo game like this. it's fine enough as a short little experience and it has fun moments but it's not memorable as a game.
considering this game doesn't have much purpose as an introduction to the steam deck, its status as a portal game is really the biggest reason to check it out. it doesn't really have me convinced though? it's very blatant portal 2 fan service that doesn't have much of its own to bring to the table. sure it's short by nature, but what little is here is just really hit or miss for me.
portal 2 was at its best when it was allowing you to interact with the game as dialogue played out. it's fun to let the quips wash over you as you puzzle about. even when there's no immediate way to progress you get to move around, or at least look around, it helps you get immersed and connect with situation. there's a few moments in desk job where you just have to sit and wait for a voice line to play out and you just kind of have to sit there and endure it. you can't really do anything other than fidget with your desk. it makes it a lot easier find annoyance in the writing. maybe this is just a me problem, but the experience was like getting strapped to a chair and forced to listen to a mediocre stand-up routine performed by a tired burnout who doesn't seem totally convinced by his own jokes. less talking at you and more talking for you? saw other people say it was classic valve writing so maybe I'm out of line here. I did like some of it. the cave johnson bit was pretty good.
but yeah I don't feel cheated for playing a free game for 30 minutes or anything, but I am a bit disappointed. in comparison valve's vr lab game was a pretty good introduction to the tech and had a lot of charm, I guess it got my hopes up a bit too much
one of the first things I did when I got this thing was play peggle nights, a game from 2008 that lacks conventional controller support. that's the sort of thing that excites me about the steam deck as a mobile console, but it's not a feature you can really convey through a tech demo game like this. it's fine enough as a short little experience and it has fun moments but it's not memorable as a game.
considering this game doesn't have much purpose as an introduction to the steam deck, its status as a portal game is really the biggest reason to check it out. it doesn't really have me convinced though? it's very blatant portal 2 fan service that doesn't have much of its own to bring to the table. sure it's short by nature, but what little is here is just really hit or miss for me.
portal 2 was at its best when it was allowing you to interact with the game as dialogue played out. it's fun to let the quips wash over you as you puzzle about. even when there's no immediate way to progress you get to move around, or at least look around, it helps you get immersed and connect with situation. there's a few moments in desk job where you just have to sit and wait for a voice line to play out and you just kind of have to sit there and endure it. you can't really do anything other than fidget with your desk. it makes it a lot easier find annoyance in the writing. maybe this is just a me problem, but the experience was like getting strapped to a chair and forced to listen to a mediocre stand-up routine performed by a tired burnout who doesn't seem totally convinced by his own jokes. less talking at you and more talking for you? saw other people say it was classic valve writing so maybe I'm out of line here. I did like some of it. the cave johnson bit was pretty good.
but yeah I don't feel cheated for playing a free game for 30 minutes or anything, but I am a bit disappointed. in comparison valve's vr lab game was a pretty good introduction to the tech and had a lot of charm, I guess it got my hopes up a bit too much