The video highlights the performance of numerous games on the Steam Deck, demonstrating its capability as a portable gaming device through various categories and specific game examples. A key takeaway is the Steam Deck's ability to handle a wide range of titles, from graphically demanding AAA games to popular indie and older classics, often with satisfactory performance, although tweaks and settings adjustments are sometimes necessary. The video encourages experimentation with settings and proton versions to optimize gameplay.
Introduction to Steam Deck Gaming #
- Introduction to the video's purpose: testing 300+ games on the Steam Deck in 2024.
- Goal: Showcase a wide variety of games and their performance.
- Disclaimer: Performance may vary based on system updates and game patches.
- Recommendation: Don't just watch; try games yourself and experiment with settings.
Game Testing Methodology & Philosophy #
- Focus on showing actual gameplay, not just numbers or benchmarks.
- Emphasis on "playable" experience, even if not locked at 60fps.
- Importance of adjusting settings (resolution, FSR, Proton versions) for optimal performance.
- Acknowledge that some games might display warnings (e.g., "unsupported") but still run well.
- Mention of using Proton GE for better compatibility with certain titles.
AAA & Demanding Titles Performance #
- Baldur's Gate 3: Playable, with some frame drops in busy areas but generally good.
- Starfield: Playable but requires significant settings adjustments (low preset, FSR balanced). Performance can be inconsistent.
- Cyberpunk 2077: Playable with adjusted settings (low-medium, FSR). Consistent 30fps is achievable.
- Forza Horizon 5: Excellent performance, often hitting 60fps or close to it with minor tweaks.
- Elden Ring: Excellent performance, easily hitting 45-60fps.
- Hogwarts Legacy: Playable but requires settings adjustments (low-medium, FSR).
- Remnant 2: Playable, generally performing well.
- Lies of P: Runs fantastically, nearly perfect 60fps.
- God of War: Excellent performance, easily hitting 40-60fps with adjusted settings.
- Spider-Man Remastered & Miles Morales: Excellent performance, 40-60fps with FSR.
- Horizon Zero Dawn & Forbidden West: Playable, but Forbidden West requires more adjustments.
- Red Dead Redemption 2: Playable, 30-40fps with FSR and adjusted settings.
- Doom Eternal: Excellent performance, often hitting 60fps.
- Resident Evil Games (RE Engine titles): Generally excellent performance, often 60fps.
- Call of Duty Games: Playable, though some require Proton GE and offer varying performance.
- Borderlands Franchise: Excellent performance across the board.
Popular Indie & Co-op Games #
- Palworld: Playable, 30fps with FSR and adjusted settings. Some visual glitches with shadows.
- Helldivers 2: Playable but requires Proton GE and specific settings for consistent 30fps.
- Dave the Diver: Runs perfectly, great on Deck.
- Hades: Runs perfectly, great on Deck.
- No Man's Sky: Playable, 30-40fps with FSR and adjusted settings.
- Deep Rock Galactic: Excellent performance.
- Terraria & Stardew Valley: Run perfectly.
- Valheim: Playable, 30-40fps depending on location.
Action, RPG, and Adventure Titles #
- Dead Space Remake: Playable, 30-40fps with FSR and adjusted settings.
- Returnal: Playable, 30fps with FSR and adjusted settings.
- Control: Playable, 30-40fps with FSR and adjusted settings.
- Sekiro, Dark Souls Remastered, Dark Souls 3: Excellent performance, often 60fps.
- The Witcher 3: Excellent performance, 40-60fps with FSR and adjusted settings.
- Dying Light 1 & 2: Playable, 30ish fps with adjusted settings for DL2.
- Fallout Games (New Vegas, 4, 76): Playable, some require minor tweaks for older titles. Fallout 76 performs well.
- Elder Scrolls Games (Skyrim, ESO): Excellent performance.
- Grand Theft Auto V & IV: Excellent performance. GTA 4 requires Proton GE.
- Yakuza Series: Excellent performance, perfect for handheld.
- Mass Effect Legendary Edition: Excellent performance.
Other Notable Games and Categories #
- Diablo 4: Excellent performance.
- Warframe: Excellent performance.
- Destiny 2: Requires Windows dual boot for anti-cheat.
- Fighting Games (Tekken, Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat): Generally excellent performance, perfect for handheld.
- Racing Games (Wreckfest, Burnout Paradise): Excellent performance.
- Simulation/Strategy (Cities Skylines, Civilizations VI): Playable, but some UI is small.
- Classic Games (e.g., Portal, Half-Life, Left 4 Dead): Run perfectly at 60fps.
- Emulation: Steam Deck is excellent for emulation, although not the video's focus.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts #
- The Steam Deck is a capable gaming machine, handling a vast library of games.
- Many games considered "unsupported" run well with minor adjustments.
- Personal optimization (settings, Proton versions) is key.
- Encouragement to experiment and not be discouraged by initial performance.
- Positive outlook on the future of Steam Deck and handheld PC gaming.
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