Xbox Remote Play absence lamented on ROG Ally; Steam Deck proving superior functionality instead
Modifying Your Xbox Experience with XBPlay on the Steam Deck
Ever since I penned my thoughts on utilizing an ROG Ally X for Xbox Remote Play, my handheld gaming adventures have never been the same. Approximately a year ago, I briefly explored a Steam Deck app with similar capabilities, but it never quite cut it—mainly because it was a paid app and the ROG Ally soon became my prized possession anyway. Fast forward to now, my ROG Ally has bitten the dust, and I couldn't help but miss that Xbox Remote Play experience. So I revisited the Steam Deck app and dived in headfirst. What a joyride it's been!
XBPlay: Top-Tier App for Xbox Remote Play on Steam Deck
XBPlay charges a fee, but it isn't exorbitant, and you can try it out risk-free for a trial period. The app's intended use was for keyboard and mouse, but it works like a charm on the Steam Deck with trackpads or touch display.
The shiny gem of XBPlay is its sharpening feature for visuals. While you can't use FSR due to the native Xbox resolution often surpassing the Steam Deck's display, you can apply a sharpening filter. And in my eyes, this makes all the difference, outshining the native Windows remote play on the ROG Ally.
XBPlay even offers a side-by-side comparison between sharpened and unsharpened visuals, and on my network, it's clearly a worthwhile enhancement. Beyond sharpening, XBPlay boasts superior reliability, with seamless streaming sessions that have yet to falter, even after three weeks of regular use.
XBPlay: A Game-Changer for Cloud Gaming
A quick shout-out to cloud gaming because XBPlay excels in that arena too! Unlike merely opening a web view for cloud games, XBPlay integrates them into its own user interface before launching them.
What sets XBPlay apart is the ability to add Xbox cloud games to your Steam library. It integrates the relevant artwork and adds a shortcut in the non-Steam section of your library. From there, launching Xbox games is as simple as clicking any other game. This little touch makes XBPlay a delight to use.
The Shift Towards Remote Play
Although the Steam Deck's power might be limited, and modern games tend to be more demanding, it's become my preferred device for remote play when I'm away from my gaming PC or Xbox, especially during the scorching British summers, saving me from the heat in my office while still allowing for some cool gameplay sessions in the cooler front room.
Cloud gaming with XBPlay has also made my collection of Steam Deck-stored games shrink. Recently, I've found myself playing more games not installed on my Steam Deck, simply because they're in the cloud. However, with the exception of one feature—Xbox Game Pass—I can't think of a reason to upgrade to something like the Logitech G Cloud or the Razer Edge, since I occasionally need to leave the house.
Don't let a steamy summer session get you down—grab XBPlay from Steam for $6.99 and elevate your Xbox Remote Play experience on the Steam Deck! The app has so much more to offer that I haven't even begun to explore yet, but even the basics make it a must-have for any Steam Deck enthusiast.
- Despite the ROG Ally's success in my Xbox Remote Play adventures, its demise left a void, leading me to reconsider the Steam Deck's app for a similar purpose.
- XBPlay, an app for Xbox Remote Play on Steam Deck, offers a sharpening feature that enhances visuals, outperforming the native Windows remote play on the ROG Ally.
- XBPlay's sharpening filter is particularly effective, even when the native Xbox resolution surpasses the Steam Deck's display.
- XBPlay's seamless streaming sessions, superior reliability, and integration of cloud games into its own user interface make it a must-have for any Steam Deck enthusiast.
- Cloud gaming with XBPlay has led to a decrease in games installed on my Steam Deck, as I increasingly prefer playing games remotely.
- The ability to add Xbox cloud games to my Steam library and launch them from the non-Steam section is a delightful feature offered by XBPlay.
- When away from my gaming PC or Xbox during the hot British summers, I prefer the Steam Deck for remote play, saving me from the heat and enabling cool gaming sessions in a cooler room.
