Good morning, hi, hello, welcome to overkill digest.
Yesterday, I played way too much Anno 117. I got a review key from Ubisoft and sat down to play through the campaign for what must have been twelve-odd hours. The game even told me several times I should take a break, but ain't nobody got time for that.
I quite enjoyed the campaign. The Anno gameplay loop by now is well known as this is the eighth entry in the series (start your city, colonize more islands, trade with others, create an army, go to war). And the setting of the Roman Empire is one that a history buff like me has to like. (Though there is way too much AI art in the game: the loading screens look like bad AI-generated slop. If they are not, oops!)
But I have to say that the campaign ends quite abruptly. You basically run out of quests to do, but the game doesn't tell you “Good Job, you're done”. It just lets you play. So I was waiting for anything to happen, thought I had to defeat all the raiders, so completely erased them from the map. Still nothing. So I continued leveling my city, maybe I had to unlock some building. Nada. And then I ended up declaring war on everyone, destroyed their fleets completely, and then found on Reddit that I've ended the campaign like 3 hours ago… I wonder if Act 3 will be part of a DLC/update.
Anyway, so far I'm enjoying the game, and I'll go right back in after this newsletter. So let's get to it!
🚀 Big Moves
In last week's newsletter, I shared that I believe the Steam Machine will start at $599. I still think that is a fair price, especially taking into account the performance that this device can reach. (ThePhawx did a video on just that this week.)
Well, maybe my price was too low, if Linus from LTT is right. In the latest WAN show (linked with timestamp above) he had this to say:
When I said I'm disappointed it isn't going to follow a console pricing model, where it's subsidized by the fact that manufacturer is going to be taking 30% of every game sold on it over the lifespan of this thing, because I feel that would be a more meaningful product, they asked what I meant by console price and I said $500. Nobody said anything, but the energy in the room wasn't great.
Now, $500 is lower than my $599. But going by that comment, it suddenly feels like the Steam Machine might be priced even higher than that. Since that statement went live, I saw people float prices around $800.
This is, I believe, way too high. For most people, the Steam Machine is a console-like device. And while it is basically a Linux box, and probably its USP is access to your Steam Library, it remains a console-like device. And for $649, you can get a PS5 Pro, which outperforms this thing.
At this point, with rising component prices (thanks, AI bubble), tariffs, and whatever else might happen between now and Q1 2026, I wonder if Valve has even decided a price yet. Maybe they haven't, are looking at the market, and player reactions and will then price accordingly? But maybe that is also just my hopium speaking.
But if the Steam Machine starts at over $699, I am probably not getting one. You heard it here first. (After all, I know of another thing being in development, that will just outperform this.)
ROG XBOX Ally X: The best hardware, still held back by Windows. I reviewed the ASUS ROG XBOX Ally X this week, and while I love the hardware, Windows still got in the way. There were just too many things getting in my way while setting this up.
Still, I am sad I had to send this reviewer-loaner back after 21 days, and I'm seriously considering getting one. Especially because I think the Windows full screen experience will just improve over time. Actually...
🎮 Platform Updates
Full screen experience expands to more Windows 11 PC form factors for Windows Insiders. That full screen experience is now available for laptops, desktops, tablets, and other PC handhelds. It requires the Xbox app, and is currently rolling out with the latest Windows Insider build.
Playnite may get a Linux version during 2026 as the creator plans a move to Linux. Talking of launchers, Playnite is another one I used a lot on Windows back in the days (especially when hooking a PC to a TV). Now, Playnite is coming to Linux next year.
💻 Hardware & Software
A modder created a GBA SP for the apocalypse. A Redditor fused a Game Boy Advance SP with a replaceable 162,000mWh DeWalt battery. You know, the thing you use to drill holes into walls.
AYN Thor Update Fixes a Bevy of Issues. I'm currently reviewing the AYN Thor (I got some more stuff that has to go out first), but let me spoil my review: The Thor is my current favorite handhelds.
There are basically three reasons for this:
- It is fantastic hardware despite being a clamshell (or maybe thanks to being a clamshell?).
- Thanks to new apps, I can play Steam games on a handheld that fits into my pant pockets.
- The dual screens make it the best option for the widest range of emulated consoles, with a far better Wii U/DS/3DS experience than devices like the Steam Deck.
And now, it got a bunch of updates.
AYANEO showed us the Pocket Vert. And... I don't know if I like it? The design is weird, and feels like a downgrade compared to the Pocket DMG. It reads as more of an over-designed product than something that is genuinely usable. But at least they managed to add a touchpad-like surface under the D-Pad and ABXY buttons. You know, the thing I barely used on the DMG.
🎲 Playthings
Xbox Partner Preview: Everything Announced From Our Amazing Partners. I somehow missed that this took place. But I caught up on the trailers, and there are some cool games, like a first-person, deck building, roguelike dungeon crawler, from the makers of Vampire Survivors, a Hitman 3 mission featuring Eminem(?!), and a Dave The Diver DLC.
The Assassin's Creed 4: Black Flag remake will release in March 2026. I'm hyped for this remake. AC4 is my favorite of the series, mostly because Edward Kenway is a great protagonist, and because the sea shanties are dope AF.
Now, of course this is Ubisoft we're talking about, so there are way too many chances for them to completely mess this up. Remember Skull and Bones, the game that was Assassin's Creed 4 without the Assassin's Creed? Yeah, me neither.
📌 Quick Hits
- Leica’s latest black-and-white-only camera is the $7,800 Q3 Monochrom. I never understood the hype of black-and-white-only cameras.
- Vote for The Game Awards. Clair Obscur 33 is going to win it all.
- Official Zelda Movie Photos Give Us Our Best Look Yet At Link And Zelda. That actor is straight up Twilight Princess Link.
Dig the format? Hate it? Hit those feedback buttons below and let me know what's working.
Ok, that's all. Thanks for reading!
See you,
Kevin