Latest news with #SteamStore
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
I review gaming handhelds for a living — and these are the 3 I would buy with my own money
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. I'm a tech reviewer and lifelong gamer, so reviewing the best handheld gaming consoles is one of the best parts of my job. These machines let you play some of the best PC games on the go, and can cost significantly less than the best gaming PCs. I'm overjoyed whenever a new device arrives at my desk so I can see how well (or poorly) it performs in our lab tests and everyday use. While I get plenty of joy testing gaming handhelds, I get more fulfillment recommending them to readers and the people I meet. This isn't always easy, as there is no single handheld that's perfect for everyone. However, given the number of handhelds currently available, some are ideal for specific users. If you're looking for the right handheld for you, I've got you covered. Here are the three handheld gaming consoles I would recommend right now. Whether you're looking for the best overall handheld for most people, a device with an OLED panel, or the versatility of Windows 11, there's a device for you. Quick list Lenovo Legion Go S: $829 @ Best Buy Steam Deck OLED: $549 @ Steam Store MSI Claw 8 AI+: $999 @ Best Buy Lenovo Legion Go S (SteamOS) The Lenovo Legion Go S with SteamOS is the gaming handheld I've been waiting for and the first one I now recommend to most people. The main draw is SteamOS, which is an operating system specifically built to work with handhelds, unlike Windows. Thanks to SteamOS, you get the same user-friendly experience as on the Steam Deck. In addition to SteamOS, the Legion Go S has a vivid 8-inch 1080p 120Hz LCD panel that helps games look great and run smoothly. Its ergonomic design, intuitive button layout, trigger locks and rounded D-pad also make it easy to hold and use for long stretches. And if you get it configured with an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip, you'll enjoy performance that's comparable to the Asus ROG Ally X — which is very good indeed. Though the Legion Go S starts at $599, I recommend the $829 configuration with the Z1 Extreme chip and 32GB of RAM. Yes, that's pricier, but if you're serious about handheld gaming, then the added cost is more than worth it. Right now, the Legion Go S with SteamOS is hard to top for the majority of people looking for a gaming handheld. The Lenovo Legion Go S with SteamOS is a true Steam Deck rival and arguably puts Windows 11 handheld to shame thanks to its snappy interface and strong performance. While its fans can get overly loud and its battery life isn't great, SteamOS alone makes up for any Deal Steam Deck OLED The Steam Deck OLED is the oldest handheld listed here. Though its competitors pack better and more updated specs, this Valve handheld has something that its main rivals lack. As you might have guessed by the name, this Steam Deck has an OLED panel. Like I said in my Steam Deck OLED review, the OLED panel is a wonder to behold. It's brighter than before, and the contrast between dark and light elements makes the vibrant colors really pop. Thanks to the thinner bezels, the display size is 7.4 inches wide compared to 7 inches, which gives you more to view. It's one of those things you need to see for yourself to truly appreciate. It's that good. Again, you won't get the best performance from this handheld compared to the other two in this post. But despite its aged components, you'll still have a good time playing on this device, so long as you set games to low or medium graphical settings. If you value image quality above everything, then the Steam Deck OLED is the one to get. The Steam Deck OLED impresses thanks to its vibrant display, lighter design, faster Wi-Fi and improved cooling. The original model was great, but this latest iteration demonstrates that Valve can improve on perfection. The Steam Deck OLED has set a new standard for competitors to Deal MSI Claw 8 AI+ If you've read any of my handheld-related articles or watched any of our handheld videos on the Tom's Guide YouTube channel, then you know I'm not a fan of Windows 11 on handhelds. Microsoft's OS is perfect for the best Windows laptops (for example), but the same isn't true for handhelds. That said, if you want the versatility of Windows for your handheld, then I suggest the MSI Claw 8 AI+. The MSI Claw 8 AI+ is Intel's second attempt at a handheld gaming PC and is a big improvement over its predecessor. It has a larger 8-inch display, longer battery life, and the powerful Intel 'Lunar Lake' chip inside. Toss in its ergonomic design, upgraded and responsive joysticks and shoulder buttons, and you have what's arguably the best Windows 11 handheld out there. Like the Legion Go S, the Claw 8 AI+ isn't cheap, with its current price of $999*. However, if you want a Windows machine and don't mind dealing with that OS' clunkiness on handhelds, you'll be more than happy with the MSI Claw 8 AI+. The MSI Claw 8 AI+ packs a larger 8-inch display and a solid 10-15% performance boost over its AMD rivals, proving Intel's handheld ambitions are taking shape. But at $999, it's among the priciest handhelds, edging into gaming laptop Deal *Handheld prices are in flux due to the ever-changing tariff situation in the United States. This MSI Claw 8 AI+ configuration was originally $899 and is now $999, but that could change by the time you're reading this article. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button. More from Tom's Guide I want to love PC gaming handhelds — but there are brutal truths Forget Switch 2, ROG Xbox Ally has Steam Deck in its sights — here's why ROG Xbox Ally gaming handheld prices leak, and your wallet might weep
Mint
09-07-2025
- Mint
Steam is your gateway to games on MacBooks but not every title works: Here's what you should know
When you think of a MacBook, gaming probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind. For years, Macs were seen as sleek machines best suited for work and creativity, not play. But with Apple's switch to its own M-series chips, that view is changing. Gaming on a MacBook is becoming more realistic, even if it's not quite the same as on a Windows PC. The simple answer is yes, but with some limits. The newer MacBooks, especially those with M3 or M4 chips, are powerful enough to run many modern games. Titles like Assassin's Creed Shadows and Death Stranding are now available on macOS and run well on machines like the MacBook Pro with an M4 Max chip. You can expect good frame rates and sharp graphics, but the range of games is smaller than on Windows. Steam is the main platform for gaming on a MacBook. Installing it is easy, just like any other app. When you log in, your full Steam library appears, but not all games will work. The macOS Steam client doesn't filter incompatible games by default, so your list may look bigger than it really is. You'll need to check for the Apple logo or use the macOS filter in the Steam Store to find games that will run. Popular games like Dota 2, Stardew Valley, and Rust are supported, but many others are missing or arrive late on Mac. Sometimes games available on the App Store aren't on Steam, which means you might have to buy them again. Compatibility remains the biggest hurdle for Mac gaming, but things are improving as more developers port their games to macOS. Choosing the right MacBook matters if you want to game. The 16-inch MacBook Pro with an M3 Max chip offers the best power and screen quality. The 14-inch MacBook Pro with an M3 Pro chip balances performance and portability. The MacBook Air with an M3 chip is lighter and good for casual or cloud gaming, but it struggles with demanding titles. Optimising your MacBook can help too. Close unnecessary apps, keep your system updated and use Game Mode if available. Cloud gaming services like GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming are good options for playing a wider range of games without worrying about hardware limits. Gaming on a MacBook is better than it used to be but it's not perfect. You need to check if your favourite games are supported and be ready to try cloud gaming for the best experience. Still, with the right setup, a MacBook can handle more games than ever and offer a solid gaming experience alongside its usual strengths. If you want to game on a Mac, it's worth knowing the limits and possibilities so you can enjoy the best of both worlds.
Tom's Guide
26-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
Steam is down — live updates on outage
Starting around 9:50 a.m. Pacific, reports of issues with Steam started to pick up on the outage tracker DownDetector with some warnings on other tracking sites. Steam is a major platform with hundreds of thousands if not millions of users. And the initial spikes have only hit around 2,000 reports. Steam is in the midst of its annual Summer Sale and could be getting hit with high traffic We're monitoring the Steam outage and will keep you posted as we learn more. Update: Date: 2025-06-23T16:53:25+00:00 Title: Steam Store "offline" Content: Over on an unofficial Steam Status page, the Store is listed as offline. Other services seem to be working normally from what we can see. Update: Date: 2025-06-23T16:50:34+00:00 Title: Outage started early Content: On the West Coast of the U.S. reports started to pick up around 9:50 a.m. Pacific and spiked at around 3000 reports at 10:30 a.m.
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Chrono Odyssey beta access, gameplay, and more
(Image via Kakao Games) The wait is nearly over for a highly anticipated MMORPG, Chrono Odyssey. As revealed during the Summer Game Fest, the title is all geared up for its first closed beta test. Slated to have a limited run in June 2025, it will offer the players the first look at the game's dynamic combat, innovative mechanics, and expansive world. Sign-ups are live now, offering players a chance to step within the fractured realm of Setera. Here is all that's been confirmed so far. Chrono Odyssey beta access dates and how to join it? Mark calendars as Chrono Odyssey closed beta will run exclusively on Steam from June 20, 2025, at 00:00 PDT, till June 22, 2025, at 23:59 PDT. The 72-hour tight window is an opportunity for the players to experience Chrono Odyssey firsthand. Interested players must request access directly from the official Chrono Odyssey Steam Store page by clicking on the Request Access option. Note: The beta access is available across North America, Asia and Europe. The worldwide players could join either server. The selection will not happen at once. For managing server stability and the queues, Chrono Studio and Kakao Games will give access in phases starting on June 19, 2025. Invitations confirming the player's participation would arrive via Steam email. The global demand for the game is immense, with the official sign-ups exceeding 1 million eager adventurers already. Also, note that your progress will not be carried over to launch. So, the testers are free to experiment without any long-term consequences. Exploring Chrono Odyssey core gameplay Chrono Odyssey - New INSANE Gameplay & Beta CONFIRMED - How to Play & ALL You NEED to Know Guide! Chrono Odyssey has set itself apart with the central time manipulation mechanics. As revealed, the players can chain some devastating combat combos with the use of abilities like freeze and time rewind, fundamentally altering the battle dynamics. During Beta access, 3 distinct classes would be available for the players to choose from: Swordsman (melee-focused), ranged Ranger, and aggressive Berserker. In the game, exploration is key. The Beta participants would traverse one expansive region, which was crafted using Unreal Engine 5. Expect some dynamic environments that feature temporal rifts, environmental hazards, and shifting biomes. Curated beta slice also includes some early story quests while supporting both cooperative party adventures and scalable solo play. Chrono Odyssey key features and plans for the future While the beta is now available only for PC players (Steam), the full game will launch on Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and Epic Games store. The supported languages in the Beta test include Korean and English voiceovers, with the UI options adding Japanese, Simplified Chinese (localization might be partial), and Traditional. Note : Post beta, players can expect more classes—Paladin, Assassin, and Sorcerer, along with expanded regions and deeper time-altering mechanics. Crucially, all the progress that will be made during the test will be wiped out later. The players are thereby free to share experiences widely. The beta is not under NDA, allowing the streaming of videos and screenshots. Feedback and bug reports can be submitted to the team through official Discord or Customer Support beginning June 20, 2025. Altogether, it shows that the test is a vital step toward the polished global release of the game. With an ambitious blend of sandbox exploration, action combat, and time-bending mechanics, Chrono Odyssey can redefine the genre of MMORPG. So, if you are eager to shape Setera's fate, sign up now, as the slots are limited.
Engadget
13-05-2025
- Engadget
Valve made a Steam Deck Verified program for things that aren't Steam Decks
Steam announced this week that it will offer a compatibility rating that will designate when a game is supported on the company's operating system. The SteamOS Compatibility assessment is slated to roll out "in the next few weeks." This metric is an extension of the Steam Deck Verified program, and it will award a checkmark to games based on a data subset within that vetting process. In other words, game developers won't have to take any additional steps if they're already completing Steam Deck Verified. On the player end, compatible games will show a blue checkmark when viewed in the Steam Store and Steam Client while running the operating system on a device other than the Steam Deck. The announcement is mostly a future-proofing move. Right now, the Lenovo Legion Go S is the only handheld besides the Steam Deck that's officially running Valve's operating system. But Lenovo was already teasing a second iteration of the hardware at CES this year and Valve clearly has plans for the number of SteamOS platforms to grow. The landscape for handheld gaming could start looking quite different if SteamOS really takes off as a standalone service.
