Debates about ‘immersion’ in video games have raged on as long as the modern definition oftriple-Ahas existed, and I’ve always found it a little silly because nobody can agree on what ‘immersion’ really means. There isn’t one static definition, as different people value different things in video games, and the word often refers to entirely different mechanics when used to describe different game features. It could mean visuals, music, gameplay mechanics, or some other thing entirely....

Summary Grand Theft Auto 5, one of the most popular games onSteam Deck, is no longer compatible with the platform following an update byRockstar. The addition of BattlEye anti-cheat to Grand Theft Auto 5 to combat cheaters in GTA Online has inadvertently made the game incompatible with Steam Deck’s Linux operating system. This is similar to the situations surrounding Fortnite and Roblox, two games which aren’t compatible with the Steam Deck because of anti-cheat issues....

A lot of series enjoyed their best ever entries on theNintendo Switch. The two coreZeldagames of this console are cemented as the top two in the eyes of many Zelda fans.Odysseyset such a high bar forMarioit became theyardstick for all other 3D platformers.New Horizonswas a new peak forAnimal Crossing. But Mario Party has not been one of those series. WithSuper Mario Party Jamboree, it still isn’t. But this is by far the closest the series has gotten, and it comes in the dying embers of the Switch era....

Quick Links Satisfactoryis a game about getting a material, crafting it into another material, getting a different material and crafting those together into something else entirely, and then getting machines to do all of that for you. Automation is a key component of the game as you work towards making your factory as efficient and self-sufficient as possible. Automating your factory starts off simple enough, but as you progress through the game and unlock new machines, getting them all to work together can get incredibly complex....

Quick Links Garden Witch Lifeis all about struggling to find your way in life and being forced to move back home with your mom, until you stumble upon a free farm, of course. No strings attached, you acquire some land and a treehouse in a small village. Every farming game has its unique mechanics and characters, and there’s not much going on in the town, and it’s your job to build a community and make a dry, deserted land into a bustling production....

Quick Links The Dagger and Staff weapon combination, known as the Spellblade, is one of the most potent Damage Dealer weapon combinations inThrone and Liberty. It has multiple different ways it can be played, with many different gear sets that accentuate its strengths. There are two primary mechanics to tinker with when it comes to these weapons, and they both require some specific Skill Specialization in order to make them work....

Dungeon CrawlerRPGsare some of the most satisfying games to play when you have an itch for adventure and get rewarded for taking care of some major baddies. Of course, while many games have dungeons for you to explore, some of them do it better than others. Some games are great at letting players explore their dungeons in whatever way they choose. Others have such memorable designs that it’s impossible not to talk about them years later....

The boom in live-service games and continued staying-power of some MMOs, and also with the more recent increase in cozy life-sim style games that put their own spin on real-life events, has made seasonal events become more and more popular over time. With how many games that now offer events that line-up with the seasons in real-life, there is a massive selection of ways you can enjoy the different times of year in the world of gaming, whether it’s single or multiplayer...

Quick Links Dungeons & Dragonshas surged in popularity in recent years, hitting the mainstream at full force. And with the popularity of Dungeons & Dragons has come the desire to either play or watch others play it, so shows likeCritical Rolesurfaced and gathered devoted fans. With long-term campaigns, sprinkled with the occasional one-shots, Critical Role has a lot of content that will entertain you for hours on end. Of course, the sheer amount of content can be overwhelming, and it might leave you wary of where you should actually begin to get the best experience possible from each campaign and one shot....

PC gamingis one of the best ways to play older games that still stand up to today’s standards. These games often have low specs because basic technology has far exceeded the requirements needed from them in the past. Modern indie games also use low specs since they aren’t trying to cash in on every single polygon in the background, just an appealing art style. So what Steam games can you find that you can play on any PC?...

In Sword of Convallaria, you are the boss of a band of mercenaries whose job is to manage the builds and strategies of your crew on the field. That includes ensuring they are well-equipped with the right weapons for the job. The fragile peace of Iria depends on your tactics and customized squads. There are five different types of weapons to equip for your menagerie of heroes and they each fit whatever specialty they have, and they can be obtained through quest rewards or forged in the Spirals of Destiny....

Summary Cozy games havebeen taking the gaming world by storm. These games are the kind that don’t stress you out or overwhelm you, and that you’re excited to curl up on the couch and play after a long day. These games usually lack violence, and many have relationship-building moments within the game. Cozy games are incredibly fun. There are different kinds of games that could be considered cozy. Some gear towards farming, others focus on building, and some even involve life simulation....

ThePokemon TCGis brimming withincredible vintage productsthat harken back to their specific era in history. The best cards from Team Magma vs Team Aqua celebratethe best EX-era themes found across the generation,focusing on Water and Fire-type Pokemon to symbolize the teams' eternal rivalry. It’s no surprise that Pokemon with the -ex suffix are the standout inclusion in one of the best sets from the EX-era, as Team Magma vs Team Aqua offers a gorgeous collection of choices for fans of both teams....