Now that the Hades II early entry interval has began, opening up a extra full however nonetheless early construct of the sport, I’ve been combating towards the urge to gorge myself on it — and shedding. To be honest, I’ve a weak spirit since I cherished the primary Hades, which launched me to the idea of roguelikes, a style I averted out of disdain for repetition. Additionally, and that is the largest consider my religious struggle towards the sport: I’ve a Steam Deck, which makes not taking part in the sport all however unattainable.
Slight spoilers for Hades II observe.
Hades II is Steam Deck-verified with a cushty management scheme that jogs my memory of taking part in on the Swap. I did fiddle with the button mapping just a little bit, swapping the buttons for sprint and assault. (It’s exhausting to regulate when management schemes change from console to console.) However ultimately, I returned to the default management scheme, as a result of why mess with what the gods design?
One factor I’ve seen is that Hades II doesn’t appear to tax my Steam Deck in methods different video games have. Whereas taking part in Tales of Kenzera: Zau, the system incessantly ran sizzling, inflicting the fan to kick on. (I didn’t expertise any body charge points or excessive overheating; it was only a phenomenon that occurred sufficient for me to take notice.) Not so with Hades II, although it feels just like the extra graphically intensive sport.
The one downside I do have with taking part in Hades II on the Steam Deck has nothing to do with the sport in any respect. One is a situation I name “claw hand.” With Hades II, I tend to play till the Deck’s battery runs low. Then, after I lastly put the Deck down, my palms resist returning to a resting place, stiff and curled as if they’re nonetheless holding the Deck. This doesn’t occur with my Swap, Xbox, PlayStation, or after I spend an excessive amount of time on mouse and keyboard on PC. Solely my Steam Deck.
One other, maybe too inside baseball downside, is that I can by no means keep in mind find out how to take screenshots. I’ve been spoiled by the devoted screenshot buttons on the opposite consoles and can’t keep in mind the combo of buttons wanted to seize an image on the Deck — which is one thing I need to do quite a bit as a result of, in case you haven’t heard, the gods are sizzling.
I nonetheless haven’t progressed too far in Hades II, and I’m fairly positive it’s as a result of my coronary heart’s not in it. I make dumb, reckless selections within the sport, whereas additionally not likely selecting my godly boons or weapons neatly. The large ax weapon I simply unlocked is atrocious. It does pack a big punch, nevertheless it’s simply too heavy to wield successfully, and I knew that even earlier than beginning a run with it. However I ventured forth anyway and didn’t get very far regardless of having the ability to reliably make it to the primary boss.
Regardless of this, even a nasty run in Hades II remains to be pleasing and productive. There are at all times reagents to gather and domesticate in your little backyard. Additionally, gifting the nectar you discover to gods and allies rewards you with tools that grant everlasting bonuses. So though I’m not likely progressing, I’m constructing a strong basis of energy so when it’s time to ship demise to Chronos, I’ll be prepared.
Hades II feels tailored for the Steam Deck, and thank the gods for that as a result of I’d hate taking part in if it weren’t. I performed the primary Hades solely on Swap, so possibly I’m simply spoiled, anticipating my Hades expertise to at all times be moveable. It’s simply a lot extra comfy taking part in on the Deck, the place I can chill exterior or on the sofa with out being tethered to a mouse and keyboard. Hades II on Steam Deck lets me make the most of the PC-only early entry limitation with out giving up the standard of gaming life I’ve turn out to be accustomed to.