I played the best PC games on Steam Link for the first time

Confession time: I’m a buffoon. When it comes to Steam Link, I’ve had my cranium shoved up an area of my anatomy normally only proctologists venture. Despite having a Steam account since Valve’s platform launch back in ye olden days of 2003, it’s only recently that I’ve dabbled in the delights of its streaming service.

To quote a certain Hobbit-lecturing wizard, I truly am a “fool of a Took.” Turns out, Steam Link is the absolute business.

released physical gaming set – box 2015 , Valve is decided decided shelf Steam Link hardware device short years later . Thankfully , obviously story ends new second favorite Link — diehard Nintendo fan , nothing is tops tops certain pointy eared chap seenZelda: Tears of the Kingdom in my book. 

GeForce Now Ultimate has already sold me on the quality top-tier game streaming can offer up this year, and I’ve found my brief time with Steam Link to be suitably impressive. 

I’ve been having an absolute blast with Steam Link”

Granted, I’m fortunate enough to own the sort of high-end gaming rig to make Valve’s streaming tech sing the sweetest of tunes. That I’ve been having such a blast with Steam Link owes a lot to the quality of my broadband connection and the power of one of the best gaming PCs.

I’ve been using Steam Link through my iPad Pro (2021), and the entire setup process has been an intuitive breeze at every turn. After downloading the Steam Link app through the iOS App Store, Valve’s software quickly discovered my desktop gaming rig and its heaving Steam Library.

Evil

(Image credit: Future)

Mere moments later, and I’m stomping some serious undead ass in Resident Evil 4’s riveting Mercenaries mode.

After watching Leon S. Kennedy get his face chewed off by perturbed Spanish zombies too many times, I hop into the marvelous Portal with RTX — Valve’s lavish, path traced redux of its fiendishly clever puzzle classic.

While I use my Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 Core Edition cause chaos Resi 4 , thanksiPad Pro Magic Keyboard and the excellent Logitech MX Master 3S, I is opt opt play Portal keyboard mouse . Thanks minimal input lag ( I is credit   credit 1 TB fiber optic connection ) , blasting holes fabric space time Chell reality – ripping puzzler joy .  

I round up my time with Steam Link by shredding alien beasties in Returnal, which is impressive, seeing as it’s not even officially in my Steam Library. Mercifully, adding non – Steam games Steam then playing said titles is a simple process. 

I must admit Housemarque’s sci-fi roguelike doesn’t provide the smoothest experience on Steam Link. Then again, it’s not a terribly good PC port in the first place. I find it still regularly stutters on my Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 months moody shooter is launched launched .  

What are my main takeaways from playing some of the best Steam games on Valve’s streaming platform? One: the experience of navigating its menus on my iPad has clearly been tailor-made with maximum accessibility in mind. Not only can you use on-screen buttons to scroll through your games collection, but mouse and gamepad options are also available via Bluetooth. 

Link to the future

(Image credit: Future)

Takeaway the second? My iPad Pro’s screen is a really good match for playing some of the best PC games available today. That 1620 x 2160 Liquid Retina display makes my favorite Steam titles look pin-sharp. 

slight downside is is Apple tablet 4:3 aspect ratio , means playing games 1080p 16:9 format leads slightly distracting letterboxing — horizontal – screen black bars , scratch / V lingo .

My last valuable learning experience with Steam Link? As someone who doesn’t own a Steam Deck, I’ve finally found a way to transport my constantly ballooning Steam Library into my living room. Sure, I get to review and play some of the best gaming laptops for my job from the comfort of my couch, but I never get to actually keep them. 

I’ve finally found a way to transport my constantly ballooning Steam Library into my living room”

considering desktop PC is weighs weighs roughly size newborn African elephant , moving rig room option .

Whether you want to experience Steam Link through your home network or at that one friend’s house who has amazing bandwidth, Valve’s platform lets you enjoy some of your favorite PC games without actually having to touch your rig.

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