https://images.hive.blog/DQmbQ1aqwsDZ1tmvmo6jSw6psWbiJMt71G1yHjSs29xPL6i/IMG_1339.jpg This blog is a personal journal of all the movies, Tv-Shows, & Games I consume during a year which enhances my overall experience. The ratings that I give are fully based on my personal preference and enjoyment at the time of watching and I'm writing spoiler-free reviews. (All HBD earnings are used to get extra Hive Power Delegations!)

My Gamer Life!!
I've always been a gamer enjoying multiple genres these past 30+ Years or so. However, my gaming life if the last 7+ years has mainly limited itself to following the gaming news while watching others play some of the more recent games. Occasionally, I still managed to play and finish some games that I highly enjoyed (Resident Evil 2 Remake, Some Zelda Games, Slay The Spire, Apex Legends ...) mainly on my PS4 but I generally lack the time or willpower to really go sit in front of my tv to play 20+ Hour games or really get good and join a clan in Online Games. Many games I would love to play like Gran Turismo 7 on PS5 with a real racing sim setup including a direct drive wheelbase, Half-Life Alyx in VR, but I just don't have the hardware or spare funds let alone time to play those (yet). I also avoid using my pc for games as it would be too tempting and take my focus away from work related things. The only real game I played obsessively putting tons of hours in it last year was Balatro which I absolutely love as quick sessions on my ipad either in my bed or on my coach. SteamDeck Black Friday Buy!!
I've been considering buying a PS5 for a long time and the 349€ Black Friday Deal for sure was tempting but at the same time that doesn't include a 2nd controller, a discdrive, any games while they are also rather expensive with limited in options that aren't also available on PS4. GTA 6 is one of the games I would buy one for but that will take another year to be released. https://images.hive.blog/DQmSZ5f29VsirdkXGgJrwquEJwM9LZ2HB7oMmvtJ5ZHLdCS/image.png So I skipped on buying the PS5 and instead could not resist picking up the 256GB LCD Steamdeck for 335€ which I'm sure I will have a lot more fun with for a lot less money. The thing about gaming these days is that there is such a big library of existing games who offer excellent experiences and where you don't need the latest hardward to enjoy them to the fullest. This unlike the old days where each new console offered such a large gap that new games always exponentially got better. Some of the aspects that sold me on the steam deck are - Universal praise it gets accross the internet - The ability to emulate all old games - Easy to pick up and play in bed or on couch - Very affordable Games - Good ergonomics for longer sessions - Lots of Games on My list I really want to play. - A Case Is Includes - Possible to Take with You 335€ just felt like a super solid deal for a device of which I knew I'm going to have tons of fun with in the coming years.

SteamDeck First Impression!!
Within a couple of days, it arrived (By now just shy of a month ago) and I instantly loved the from factor. I don't have a Steam Account (my old one from decades ago I lost), so I had no real games available. It took me a couple of days to find some time to try and install Emudeck but on the first install I choose the advanced option and something seemed to have gone wrong which made emudeck shut down instantly after I booted it. I tried to get it fixed using Chat GPT which actually provided a ton of help but it didn't work so I ended up just re-installing it in simple mode and learned that aside from the Roms, you also need the BIOS files on some of the systems for them to play. I managed to get around that and add some retro games one system at a time starting with Dreamcast, PS1, PS2, SNES, Xbox360, with many more that I still have to add and I got it to work with the emulation working really really well playing everything super smooth. One of the retro PS1 / Arcade games I have really good memories off is the original Ridge Racer which I got running and played some already. https://images.hive.blog/DQmXu5jqZAVBQipy133h15zWGeBPYZ1gyYWuMSCJNkBWnxy/image.png I have also started by making a wishlist of games on steam to possibly pick them up on a big discount. So far I only bought and played one of them which is Darkest Dungeon (3.44€) which I tried to get into but haven't managed it yet. https://images.hive.blog/DQmTeoRjwutSeaxyrfDkEvBxuTSHAcNjHEbM4r1Df114tzi/image.png I do plan to make some reviews going forward on the games that I play on it going forward increasing my gaming related content. Some of The Games on My Whishlist now that I really want to play

- Outer Wilds - Cloverpit - Slots & Daggers - Dark Souls 3 - Hollow Knight - Hades - Baba Is You - Getting Over It - ...

The main challenge will be to find the time and really get into it, I also aim to play some older games and am highly looking forward to the time with my new Steamdeck to revive my gaming journey in 2026. I will bring more gaming related content here on my blog along with it... If anyone has some good steamdeck recommendations, feel free to let me know in the comments. Posted Using [INLEO](https://inleo.io/@screenjournal/-i-bought-the-steamdeck-to-get-back-into-gaming--3yf)