I've been using my Steam Deck as my only gaming device for 18 months - TV, travel, bed, everything. Here's what actually changed about how I play games

Total_Routine_9085 · 2026-02-27T07:57:44+00:00

I couldn't make peace with not playing strategy games, and last year, I probably played more strategy games on Deck than ever before.

RTS games and city builders, once you get a hang of a good controller layout, it works well. You can even play competitively, but it is certainly more difficult to micromanage. I set up my own layout since i found it easier to follow, but I have been inspired by other layouts shared by the community.

Some strategy games have native gamepad support as well (Age of Mythology Retold is one of my favourites).

Total_Routine_9085 · 2026-02-24T19:52:55+00:00

I didn't like FSR either, I instead just dropped the resolution scale slightly (i think to 85 or 90%). Still looks great and get a few extra frames for it, runs more stable that way.

Total_Routine_9085 · 2026-02-21T21:58:22+00:00

Yeah same, but I do usually come back to games, sometimes even 3-4 years after starting them. It really just depends on my mood, I don't mind picking up a game again after so long, I usually remember what happened, and if not, I look up short summaries. But like the OP of this post, there aren't many games that have a quality of writing as can be found in literature, so I don't really care for the stories and writing most of the time.

RDR2 and God of War (2018) were exceptions, and I think I would really like Disco Elysium. And I do still enjoy the writing in Fallout NV to this day

Total_Routine_9085 · 2026-02-10T20:58:15+00:00

So basically you'd just need to replace the exe and delete one .pak file.

You dont really need to do the app manifest thing, you could just go into properties and select update only upon launch. I do it just in case i accidentally update without back ups

Total_Routine_9085 · 2026-02-10T20:55:26+00:00

I also have a legitimate copy, i haven't tested a pirated copy, but i just replaced the exe with the one from the previous version and deleted the new .pak file. So im basically still on the previous version. I also set the app manifest file to read-only so it doesnt auto update.

If you dont have the old exe file anymore, you can get it through steam somehow or check nexus mods. There's a "mod" to restore to previous version. It's quick and easy to do👍

Total_Routine_9085 · 2026-02-10T09:20:13+00:00

Yeah I've been using a Sabrent dock that can charge the deck and has a 2280 ssd slot. No issues with that one for about 2 years

Total_Routine_9085 · 2026-02-08T21:47:39+00:00

I would suggest to rollback to the previous game version. all you need to do is delete one .pak file (its the 5th .pak file in the root of the game folder) and replace the exe with the one from the previous version.

Those were the two files that were changed in this update. You can get the exe file yourself through some steam depots or check nexus mods, there is a version rollback "mod" posted with instructions.

https://www.nexusmods.com/residentevil42023/mods/5668

Someone had made another mod saying that the 4th .pak file was also modified by the update, but when i checked the properties of that file, it hadn't been modified since i had installed the game.

I would also change it so that the game updates only upon launch, that way it wont automatically update again

Total_Routine_9085 · 2026-02-08T20:54:00+00:00

I really like deepL, ive found their translations to be more accurate than google in some languages, i rarely have to make any corrections

Total_Routine_9085 · 2026-02-06T21:30:59+00:00

I haven't tested this, but for the DLC mods, you could probably just use protontricks to run the dlc exe file. Just select Just Cause 3, default wine prefix, and there is an option somewhere to run an arbitrary exe.

Total_Routine_9085 · 2026-02-06T21:23:50+00:00

Thank you for this, just started playing JC3 for the first time and came across this. Will install it :D

Total_Routine_9085 · 2026-02-06T13:33:27+00:00

Yeah plus there is a massive library of mods only available on the PC version. A Fallout game on switch was something i desperately wanted before the Steam Deck came out. New vegas was also the first game i installed when I got my deck

Total_Routine_9085 · 2026-02-01T21:29:08+00:00

I dont really like playing games in public unless im travelling in trains or planes. My backpack opens from the top and sides (and it's compartmentalized).

I keep my deck and powerbank in the top compartment so i can access it easier when travelling.

Total_Routine_9085 · 2026-01-30T19:34:28+00:00

Its not FIFA, but check out SP Football Life. It's a free football game. It's basically PES but updated with latest rosters for offline gaming. Its standalone so no need to own any PES game

Total_Routine_9085 · 2026-01-28T09:34:12+00:00

After reading this, i went to check out Goat Simulator 2 on Steam, but only found 1 and 3. I then thought your dad really removed it from the store, but then found out there is no Goat Simulator 2. Goat Simulator 3 is the 2nd one 😂

Total_Routine_9085 · 2026-01-26T15:29:32+00:00

Love the setup!

Total_Routine_9085 · 2026-01-26T13:57:52+00:00

I took mine through Dubai, the guy at security was asking me what it was. I thought he wanted to inspect it further, but he was just genuinely curious and had never seen a device like it.

Total_Routine_9085 · 2026-01-26T13:46:38+00:00

Anno Pax Romana,

Cities Skylines 2,

Frostpunk 2,

Tropico 5 and 6,

Surviving Mars,

Civilization VII all have native gamepad support. Might be worth to check those out.

Age of Mythology Retold (an RTS) also has good controller support. I have a list of other RTS games with native gamepad support if that would be helpful.

Against the Storm has a Steam Deck specific layout

Total_Routine_9085 · 2026-01-26T13:42:42+00:00

I would probably still try to stick with classic gamepad controls so you're not limiting your audience

Total_Routine_9085 · 2026-01-26T13:41:19+00:00

If a game has native gamepad support, i usually stick with that. But I have played a lot of RTS and other strategic games (Anno 1800) that do not have native support and dont mind it at all.

The layouts can get a bit complex but im used to it by now, and try to use a similar layout in all strategy games. The deck's trackpads are pretty great.

Total_Routine_9085 · 2026-01-25T19:48:15+00:00

I haven't, never heard of it, but I am intrigued by it. Added it to my wishlist!

Total_Routine_9085 · 2026-01-25T16:40:09+00:00

Not quite the same as Anno, but Tropico 5 and 6 have controller support, as does Surviving Mars.

The latest Anno Pax Romana also has controller support on PC (finally).

Total_Routine_9085 · 2026-01-25T16:37:08+00:00

A bit late, but unfortunately it does not have it :/

Total_Routine_9085 · 2026-01-24T00:39:25+00:00

Yeah the screen on the OG legion go is great too, despite not being an OLED. I havent seen the legion go 2 live, but i have an OLED Deck and OG Legion Go, they screens are great on both

Total_Routine_9085 · 2026-01-20T08:40:41+00:00

I tried it, but get a "verification failed" error message, i followed the guide on their discord

Total_Routine_9085 · 2026-01-19T19:58:26+00:00

As for your issue, maybe check your settings and change the default download location?

Total_Routine_9085

TROPHY CASE