Nick Fernandez / Android Authority
In recent times, I’ve had an advanced relationship with gaming. Whether or not you wish to name it burnout or mid-thirties malaise, I simply couldn’t discover the motivation to play my favourite video games.
The answer for me has been retro handhelds. Unchaining myself from the PC I sit in any respect day is precisely what I must get again into gaming. However what about all these Steam video games I’ve impulse-purchased through the years?
That’s the place Steam Hyperlink is available in. For years, the Android app was a joke, however a big replace final November introduced not solely new options like HDR and AV1 streaming, but additionally assist for greater than 500 Android units. With that in thoughts, I made a decision to provide it a check over the vacations, and I can’t imagine I haven’t tried it sooner.
Steam Hyperlink will get it completed
Nick Fernandez / Android Authority
After a really fast and straightforward setup, Steam Hyperlink was primed and able to go. I examined it on a Google Pixel 9, REDMAGIC 10 Professional, and AYANEO Pocket Evo handheld. I additionally centered on enjoying at dwelling on native Wi-Fi since that’s the place Steam Hyperlink actually shines.
Solely controller-focused titles work nicely, which meant my common favorites of RTS and technique video games had been a no-go. So, for the primary time within the three years since I purchased it, I booted up Horizon Zero Daybreak and performed for a number of hours.
Steam Hyperlink works nice on native Wi-Fi, however solely with a controller.
The outcomes had been unbelievable. The visuals had been as crisp as my desktop gaming rig may handle, and the enter lag was minimal. It would battle with aggressive on-line shooters, however that’s not likely what I’m on the lookout for whereas stress-free on the couch after work.
By far one of the best expertise was the Android-powered AYANEO Pocket Evo, principally due to the built-in controller. It’s mechanically registered as an Xbox controller when booting up Steam Hyperlink, so I didn’t must fiddle with touch-screen controls. To be truthful, the touch-screen controls are tremendous and extremely customizable, however nothing compares to an actual controller.
The expertise was really so good that I questioned if I wasted cash shopping for the ASUS ROG Ally. Wouldn’t it have been higher to purchase a less expensive handheld and stream from my PC? Properly, no, and right here’s why.
What nonetheless wants work
Nick Fernandez / Android Authority
Whereas Steam Hyperlink works very nicely in-game, different stuff might be fidgety. The mouse controls didn’t all the time work nicely for me, and that was simply whereas searching menus. I’d hate to see how they fare in-game. Closing video games additionally didn’t all the time work nicely, and typically it induced my desktop PC to hold till I ended streaming on the Android app.
The UI may additionally use some work. Some menus had been lower off, and it listed video games I had in my library however not put in on my PC. Putting in video games isn’t a job I wish to do whereas streaming, so I really feel like these video games can safely be left off the checklist.
There are extra streaming choices, however none are so simple as Steam Hyperlink.
Moreover, streaming efficiency isn’t excellent. If I moved to my bed room, which is the furthest room from my router, the standard tanked. Leaving the home made issues worse, making me really feel significantly better about investing in devoted gaming handhelds just like the ROG Ally and AYANEO Pocket Evo.
Finally although, Steam Hyperlink’s greatest concern is that it isn’t the one resolution on the block. Moonlight gives higher streaming efficiency on native Wi-Fi and over the web. Cloud gaming platforms like NVIDIA’s GeForce Now provide entry to your Steam library with no desktop PC, too (albeit at a value until you wish to undergo the horrible free tier). Each additionally develop past simply Steam titles to incorporate Sport Go PC, Epic Sport Retailer video games, and extra.
However you probably have a PC, Steam Hyperlink is simply really easy. Simple is what I’m on the lookout for going right into a turbulent 2025, so regardless that it’s not one of the best, I’ll nonetheless be utilizing it to chip away at my burgeoning backlog.
