I’ve had the Steam Deck since its launch, and it’s been a mostly positive experience. However, a few quirks and challenges remain. Here’s my take after using it for a few years.
Finding The Sims 4 CC Custom Content Mod Folder
One thing that many players, especially Sims 4 fans, might wonder is where to find the CC (Custom Content) mod folder on the Steam Deck. In my case, the path was:
home/deck/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/1222670/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/Documents/Electronic Arts/The Sims 4/Mods
It’s a bit of a trek, but once you know where to look, it’s straightforward.
Compatibility Improvements and Issues
Over the years, the Steam Deck has improved its game compatibility, but it’s still not 100%. For example, I had trouble renaming my character in Fields of Mistria on the Steam Deck and had to launch the game on my PC to do it. However, aside from minor hiccups like this, most of my games run just fine. But as games become larger and more advanced, the Steam Deck will ultimately struggle to keep up with their demands.
Currently, it appears that running inZOI on the Steam Deck may be challenging. The game has high system requirements due to its use of Unreal Engine 5 and detailed graphics, which might make it difficult for the Steam Deck to handle. There have been discussions about potentially optimizing the game for lower resolutions or using features like FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution) to help it run better on the Steam Deck, but these are speculative at this point.
Some users have expressed hope that the game might eventually become compatible, especially with specific settings adjustments. However, based on the game’s demanding nature, it might not run well or at all on the Steam Deck without significant optimization
To determine which cozy girl games from your public Steam library are currently compatible with the Steam Deck, I can guide you on how to cross-check your list with the Steam Deck Verified program or other community-driven resources.
Steps to Check Compatibility:
- Visit the “Great on Deck” Page: This is a section of Steam dedicated to games that are confirmed to work well on the Steam Deck. You can manually search each cozy game from your list to see if it appears here.
- Use ProtonDB: This community-driven website tracks the compatibility of Steam games with Proton, the compatibility layer that allows many Windows games to run on Linux, including SteamOS on the Steam Deck. You can enter each game from your list to see its current rating.
- Check the Steam Store Page: For each game, you can visit its store page, where Valve typically displays a “Verified,” “Playable,” or “Unsupported” icon specifically for the Steam Deck.
- Community Discussions: Often, players will discuss the performance of specific games on the Steam Deck in community forums or Reddit. Searching for “[Game Name] Steam Deck” can yield helpful results.
Example Cozy Girl Games That Are Likely Compatible:
Here are some popular cozy games that are generally known to work well on the Steam Deck. You can cross-reference these with your library:
- Stardew Valley: Widely supported and known to run well on the Steam Deck.
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons (through emulation): While not natively on Steam, it can be run via emulation.
- Spiritfarer: This cozy management game is marked as Verified for Steam Deck.
- The Sims 4: The Sims 4 has been noted to run, though you may need to adjust some settings.
- Coffee Talk: Known for its relaxing gameplay and strong compatibility with the Steam Deck.
- Unpacking: Another game known to work well on the Steam Deck.
How to Proceed:
- Cross-reference the games from your Steam library with resources like ProtonDB or the Steam Deck Verified page.
- Join Steam Deck communities or forums where users frequently discuss game compatibility, which can provide you with up-to-date information on less popular or newly released cozy games.
Weight and Controls
The Steam Deck still feels a bit heavy, and the controls can be strange or cumbersome, especially when switching between different control schemes. But once you get used to it, it’s manageable.
Hardware Limitations and Portability Advantages
One thing to keep in mind is that the Steam Deck, unlike a desktop computer or some laptops, is not upgradeable. The hardware it launched with may already be outdated compared to the latest PCs. This is a common issue with all portable gaming devices, including the Steam Deck’s competitors like the ROG Ally, ROG Ally X, and Legion Go.
However, the trade-off is cost and portability. You could buy a desktop PC for less money, but you’d lose the ability to take your gaming on the go. The Steam Deck allows you to game anywhere—whether it’s outside, in bed, on the couch, in the living room, on a plane, at the beach, at a friend’s house, at work during breaks, on public transit, or even at school during recess or lunch. That’s something a desktop PC simply can’t offer!
Moreover, the Steam Deck and its competitors are generally cheaper and lighter than gaming laptops, which can easily cost over $1,000 and sometimes even $2,000 to $3,000. Even the highest-end Steam Deck model is still under $1,000.
Formatting the SD Card
If you’re struggling with formatting the SD card for the Steam Deck, you’re not alone. I made a video tutorial to help with this. You can check it out on TikTok here. The live captions in the video can guide you through the process.
Why I Still Recommend the Steam Deck
Despite its quirks, I still recommend the Steam Deck. It has a great screen, can be docked, and supports wireless controllers. You can also stream to your TV or use a mouse and keyboard. While it’s not perfect and would be better if it ran Windows, it offers a lot of flexibility for gaming on the go.
Plus, for all the cozy gamer girls out there, the Steam Deck is a fantastic way to enjoy all those cute kawaii anime JRPGs, simulation games, and slice-of-life titles that are hard to find on consoles. You won’t be disappointed!
If you’re curious about the games I’m playing or would like some recommendations, feel free to check out my Steam profile here. And besides my blog here, I also sometimes review games directly on steam over here.
