I by no means pay full worth for video games on my...

It may appear apparent to these aware of the wild, typically difficult world of PC video games, however the all-encompassing gaming platform that’s Steam is not put in by default on the ROG Ally X, not like Valve’s Steam Deck. Which means it’s essential seek out Steam and set up it on the ROG Ally X your self, opening up the system to all kinds of video games — and extra importantly, an array of superior offers.

Since I come from the land of consoles and have solely dabbled on the planet of PC gaming, the flexibility Steam provides is thrilling and contemporary to me. Model-new video games which have already been discounted? You’d by no means see this within the Switch’s eShop. Steam looks like a much more reasonably priced model of the Xbox Recreation Retailer or PlayStation Retailer that additionally doubles as a handy platform for launching all your titles (although I nonetheless desire to make use of Armory Crate SE for that).

For instance, Returnal is on sale proper now for $40 (often $80), Diablo IV is $37 (often $66.99), and Dead Island 2 is $27.59 (often 68.99). Over the previous few months, I’ve picked up video games like Elden Ring, Final Fantasy XVI, The Grand Theft Auto Definitive Edition Trilogy, and Halo The Master Chief Collection, all at large reductions.

Getting Steam in your Asus ROG Ally solely takes just a few steps

Welcome to the wild world of PC gaming

To get Steam up and operating on the ROG Ally X, first it’s essential obtain the app. To do that, open up your browser of selection (for those who’re simply utilizing the ROG Ally X’s default Home windows 11 browser, that is Edge), sort “Steam” within the search bar and click on on the “Welcome to Steam” hyperlink (the inexperienced “Set up Steam” field is within the high proper). Alternatively, you can even simply click on this link to obtain the Steam app.

I hate navigating Home windows 11 on the ROG Ally X’s tiny display screen as a result of the working system is not designed for exact contact controls. If I will, I arrange my ROG Ally X at my desk and hook my Logitech Bluetooth mouse and keyboard as much as the hand-held. This makes doing just about something with the hand-held far simpler.

Observe these steps to put in Steam in your ROG Ally X:

1. Head to Valve’s official Steam website.
2. Click on on the blue Set up Steam button.
3. Launch SteamSetup.exe (it must be in your downloads folder).
4. Click on Sure, after which Subsequent.
5. Choose your language.
6. Lastly, click on Set up.

As soon as you’ve got launched Steam, you’ll be able to check in along with your account or make a brand new one by deciding on Create a free account, which requires your identify, e-mail, and different data. After you’ve got logged in, you will see all of your video games in a listing on the left when you could have the Library tab chosen. To put in a recreation, choose it and click on the blue Obtain button.

The hand-held model of Steam could be very simple to navigate. To entry the menu, hit the B button. From right here you’ll be able to try your Library or go to the Retailer (you can even use the touchscreen). Whereas any recreation from the shop might be put in on the ROG Ally X, sticking to the Nice on Deck part is a strong means to make sure you’re all the time downloading titles optimized for handheld controls and shows.

Any recreation retailer you put in also needs to present up below the Recreation Platforms tab in Armory Crate SE, making it simple to get again to Steam comparatively rapidly. Downloaded titles seem below the All Video games part. To entry Armory Crate SE, faucet the triangle-shaped button above the proper joystick and use the ROG Ally X’s bumpers to hit the primary tab. You’ll be able to then navigate via Favorites, All Video games, and Recreation Platforms with the triggers.

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I wasn’t expecting the ROG Ally X to outshine the Steam Deck quite this much

Each gaming handhelds have particular strengths and weaknesses, however usually, the ROG Ally X reigns supreme.