Steam Deck Game Reviews & Impressions
Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid Steam Deck Review
Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid stands out as one of Spike Chunsoft's most delightful releases in recent memory. With a busy June behind us, this game arrives at an opportune moment, just as the gaming landscape begins to calm before the storm of new titles. Although I only gained access to the PC version recently, my time spent with the Nintendo Switch port has been thoroughly enjoyable, thanks to its charming atmosphere and soothing gameplay loop. Keep an eye out for Shaun’s comprehensive review, as I’ll be concentrating on the PC port for now.
While Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid is currently untested by Valve, it exhibits characteristics that suggest it should be Steam Deck Verified. The game supports Steam Cloud, seamlessly brings up the on-screen keyboard for text entry, and runs smoothly, save for a few performance quirks that I’ll address shortly. After dedicating several hours to it on my Steam Deck OLED, I can confidently say that it performs admirably following a specific adjustment.
Initially, the game offers two frame rate options: 30fps and 60fps. However, the 30fps mode leaves much to be desired, and I encountered some issues with the 60fps mode as well. A helpful tip from a friend who purchased the Japanese version suggested that setting the Steam Deck’s screen—or any high refresh rate display on PC—to 60hz or a multiple thereof results in smoother camera movement. Playing at 60fps on a 90hz setting, however, can lead to microstuttering. For Windows users, adjusting the fps to 59.95 using external tools can yield better pacing.
Aside from frame rate concerns, Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid runs well on both Steam Deck and PC. The image quality settings allow for resolution adjustments from 1024×768 up to 4K, along with brightness control, v-sync toggling, and display mode options. However, at the high image quality preset and 4K resolution, the frame rate dips into the 20s. For the best experience, playing on the Deck’s screen at 720p is recommended.
Control-wise, the game supports both keyboard and controller inputs, displaying PlayStation button prompts when using a DualSense controller on PC, while Xbox prompts appear when using the Steam Deck. Button remapping is available in the key configuration settings, enhancing customization.
One notable observation was the unexpectedly long load times in certain areas on the Steam Deck. Switching to Proton Experimental significantly reduced these load times. With this adjustment and the 60fps at 60hz setting, I achieved an optimal portable experience for Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid. I also have access to the Broadcast Over Sunset DLC, which I plan to cover separately after further exploration. Overall, I’m quite pleased with how Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid performs on the Steam Deck, and I look forward to diving back into it over the coming week.
Tomba! Special Edition Steam Deck Review
Limited Run Games has made a significant impact by bringing The House in Fata Morgana to consoles in the West, and now, my anticipation has culminated in the release of Tomba! Special Edition on PC, Switch, and PS5. I’ve been exploring it on the Steam Deck while Shaun prepares his full review for the Switch version. Since receiving review codes, Tomba! Special Edition has seen several updates, landing it in a solid state, although a few issues remain.
Upon launching the game, players can initiate a new game or explore the museum filled with artwork and other nostalgic elements that fans of the original will appreciate. The gameplay remains true to its roots while incorporating modern enhancements that make it more accessible and enjoyable on contemporary platforms.
Performance-wise, Tomba! Special Edition runs smoothly on the Steam Deck with minimal hiccups. The vibrant visuals and engaging soundtrack are faithfully preserved, providing a nostalgic yet refreshed experience for both new players and long-time fans. Control options are versatile, supporting both traditional gamepad inputs and touch controls where applicable.
Despite a few minor bugs that are being addressed through ongoing updates, Tomba! Special Edition stands as a testament to Limited Run Games' commitment to reviving classic titles for modern audiences. As we await further patches and improvements, my initial impressions are overwhelmingly positive.
Stay tuned for more in-depth reviews and updates as we continue to explore these exciting new releases on the Steam Deck.
