


WINEDLLOVERRIDES="wininet,winhttp=n,b" %command%
https://steamcommunity.com/app/2131650/discussions/0/3943524562532474432/ MGSHDFix and Better Audio Mod used. Also had to download the missing XAudio2_9.dll but have read the Better Audio Mod fixes it by itself just wanted to be sure though.
XAudio2_9.dll is required to hear any audio
XAudio2_9.dll required to hear any audio but besides the borked audio it played great.

WINEDLLOVERRIDES="d3d11=n,b" %command%
Download and follow the instructions for installing MGSHD Fix here: https://github.com/Lyall/MGSHDFix
Plays beautifully after that. You can mode it even further with improved textures and audio mods from Nexus Mods.
My only complaint is the game is a little brutal on battery if you're not playing while charging, but I didn't bother tinkering settings to get better battery performance.

Perfect 60. Seems all issues with this one have been fixed.

WINEDLLOVERRIDES="d3d11=n,b" %command%
The game consumes a lot of power by default. A manually applied TDP limit is necessary for normal battery consumption/performance. I used a limit of 5-6W for a 50 fps target but 60fps might be feasible at 6W too
MGSHDFix lets you run the game at the Deck's native resolution

Aside from the asanine controls which can be imporved thanks to Steam Input, this is a really great game on the Deck.
Steam cloud for this is BONKED. I lost progress going form Steam Deck to PC. I don't know if my older Steam Deck cloud save overwrote the newer PC save (there was no conflict warning) but I lost about 4 hours of play to this bug. The save was even gone on the PC I played and saved it on. I recommend completing this entirely on the Steam Deck if you value not having to replay sections of the game.
Do not trust Steam Cloud with this game.

WINEDLLOVERRIDES="d3d11=n,b" %command%
Used the mods MGSHDFix and MGS3MC Better Audio Mod. Haven't tried without them.
The game froze and crashed multiple times throughout my playthrough, and I am not sure why. Maybe it's because my old hardware? If you have problems, try to remove mods and/or lowering resolution.

after fixing the audio, I played the whole game from start to finish without any issues.
To fix the audio issues (no audio in pre-rendered cutscenes, some ingame audio broken / distorted / absent) I had to copy the file "XAudio2_9.dll" (with this exact upper- and lowercase letters in the file name) in the 64 bit version and file version 10.0.17763.1 into the game install folder where the "METAL GEAR SOLID3.exe" is. After that, NO launch parameter is needed, starting the game as usual instantly has all sound working.
works fine.

I had no audio and needed to locate x_audio2_9.dll and install it in the root folder. Completed the game fine afterwards.
WINDLLOVERRIDES=“xaudio2_9=n; d3d11=n,b” %command%
Had to track down x_audio2_9.dll for audio.
Absolutely no audio OOTB. Had to be fixed via installing x_audio2_9.dll.
This seems to be a window unversially across MGS3 - as the alt-tab mod is for Windows as well.
Your mileage may vary.

WINEDLLOVERRIDES="d3d11,xaudio2_9=n,b" gamemoderun %command%
Voice is completely broken in Codec and cutscenes out of the box (Nice Deck support, Konami...). While installing the "MGS3MC Better Audio Mod" fixes the sound, the game will occasionally crash for some reason. You still need to grab the x64 "XAudio2_9.dll" from Windows installation and place it in the same location as the game executable, then adding the "xaudio2_9" to WINEDLLOVERRIDES.
Game does not support anything above 1080p. Installing the MGSHDFix allows running the game on native screen resolution. This game also can't run above 60 FPS, and they finally added the built-in FPS locker on latest updates. Do not disable the framerate lock, this will break the game speed.
Game will try to focus itself on every GNOME workspace. Installing the MGSHDFix allows the game window to run in borderless fullscreen, eliminating this issue.
Game runs well and is enjoyable after applying all the necessary fixes. Input from controller works without any problems, keyboard+mouse not tested.

No audio, but was fixed using MGS3MC Better Audio Mod.


WINEDLLOVERRIDES="d3d11=n,b" %command%
Installed MGSHDFix to run at Steam Deck's native resolution.
Install MGSHDFix to run at 16:10 aspect ratio, but otherwise runs well without tinkering.

WINEDLLOVERRIDES=“xaudio2_9=n” %command%
https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2023/10/heres-how-to-fix-metal-gear-solid-2-and-3-on-steam-deck-linux/

If you have problems with new "Steam Deck compatible" version, more specifically some audio is still missing for you, most likely you were using xaudio2_9 dll trick as I did. Took me a few redownloads but I managed to figure out what to do. In short, remove any custom launch options and deselect custom proton version. Uninstall the game and delete any residual files and folders for MGS3 in steamapps/common. After you redownload the game sound should work.

The game runs extremely well outside of occasional frame drops during cutscenes, and seems to have no further issues.
Earlier reported audio issues have been resolved by patch.
Since 29/01/2024 Game receive an update with deck support and is deck verified. Everything works fine at 60fps so far. Hope it helps.

After 1.4.1, Steam Deck support was added and it works properly on default Proton with no additional files needed.
It might still be preferred to use MGSHDFix 2.1 to push to 800p resolution, but it's not required to enjoy the game.
Everything appears playable from what I can tell, haven't experienced any issues. Will update as needed.

WINDLLOVERRIDES="xaudio2_9=n" PROTON_HEAP_DELAY_FREE=1 %command%
A lot of Audio is missing. Can be fixed by copying over XAudio2_9.dll from a Windows install, as has been documented here before.

WINDLLOVERRIDES="xaudio2_9=n" %command%
You need the audio fix
Will momentarily freeze on a frame while the game still runs. Only every once in a while. Might be a sway or qtile issue. Goes away after a few seconds to a minute. Otherwise runs fine

WINDLLOVERRIDES="xaudio2_9=n" PROTON_HEAP_DELAY_FREE=1 %command%
If you're prepared to do the audio fix, then the experience is fine. If you don't want to do any tinkering of that kind then your best bet is to wait for this to be properly patched with an update to proton or from the game developer.
To do the audio fix, copy XAudio2_9.dll from your Windows System32 folder to a USB drive. Set Steam Deck to desktop mode and open Steam. Find MGS3, click settings > manage > browse files and paste the copied .dll to the game directory. In Steam, clik settings > properties, then scroll down to the launch options box and type in the command. Return to gaming mode and begin playing

had to transfer xaudio2_9.dll file from windows install to get codec and cutscene sounds working and downloading the file from the internet does not work due to the file being specifically for the install otherwise it worked just fine after transfering the file over using kde
no fullscreen with launcher while starting up the game worked just fine

Install audio patch to fix compressed audio
Game runs smoothly all the way, until the final boss battle, the fps dips to the 40's
Copy the xaudio2_9.dll from windows/system32 to the game's folder and use this command
WINDLLOVERRIDES="xaudio2_9=n" %command%
needed to use the commands provided by others in this site to make audio work well in codec calls and FMV

Low quality, can be fixed with audio patch
Video in codec calls are a little glitchy/contain colored bar

WINDLLOVERRIDES="xaudio2_9=n" %command%
The audio issues might be also happening on Windows, I'm not 100% sure.
Crashes few seconds after pressing "new game" without tinkering.
Copy xaudio2_9.dll from windows/system32 folder on windows machine(or get it from a friend, or internet) to the directory where game .exe is located. Use launch options from this report and ProtonGE. The game will work with audio and video intact. Seems stable.

WINDLLOVERRIDES=“xaudio2_9=n” %command%
I copied my XAudio2_9.dll file from my windows' System32 folder to steamapps/common/MGS3 folder and changed the Launch Options to WINDLLOVERRIDES=“xaudio2_9=n” %command%
If you don't provide the XAudio2_9.dll file then the game will crash after Main Menu

WINEDLLOVERRIDES=“xaudio2_9=n” %command%
No audio upon game start, but audio exists just fine in the first menus. However, due to lack of what seems to be proper audio .dll (that would normally exist in a Windows machine), the game crashes.
Once you alt+tab, you can't return to fullscreen without restarting the game.
You need to get a file called "XAudio2_9.dll" from a Windows installation (in the Windows/system32 folder) and paste it in the same folder that "METAL GEAR SOLID3.exe" is in (I attempted to try one I found online but it did not work). Otherwise, there is no sound when starting game and the game inevitably crashes.

WINDLLOVERRIDES=“xaudio2_9=n” %command%
Game audio VERY high
To get it to run after initial cutscene you need to grab a xaudio2_9.dll file from a windows machine and use this launch command WINDLLOVERRIDES=“xaudio2_9=n” %command% Runs great and last for around 4ish hours with no settings or battery saving tricks!

After manually fixing the issue the game is extremely fun and runs smoothly. A community made resolution patch is available as well.
WINDLLOVERRIDES=“xaudio2_9=n” %command%
This requires getting a copy of the file xaudio2_9.dll and placing it inside of the game's install folder, then set the launch options in Steam and it should work correctly.
More details can be found here: https://github.com/ValveSoftware/Proton/issues/7192
Audio is extremely loud
Game only supports full screen, there is no windowed option.
No cloud save support
Game runs without issue with the dll and launch options. Without them it crashes almost instantly.
While not exactly a bug, the game is locked at 720p without a community resolution patch applied.
The DLL and Launch Options are required in order for the game to launch without crashing.

the game launches to the initial menu and the main game menu but crashes upon entering the intro cutscene
game is uhsupported on the steam deck and needs tinkering
WINEDLLOVERRIDES=“xaudio2_9=n” %command%
Copy xaudio2_9.dll to the same location as main exe

WINDLLOVERRIDES=“xaudio2_9=n” gamescope -H 1920 -h 1920 -r 60 -f -- %command%
Had to put xaudio2_9.dll on the same folder as the game exe. This thread explains it https://github.com/ValveSoftware/Proton/issues/7192. Also had to use gamescope to being able to play on fullscreen.
Had to use Gamescope to achieve fullscren
The k&m controls are pretty much unplayable

When starting a new game, it crashes after the intro text without any errors.
I tried using GE-Proton8-21, GE-Proton8-3, forced experimental, Proton 7.0-6 and the default Proton version. It was the same across all versions.

WINDLLOVERRIDES="xaudio2_9.dll=n" %command%
only a few cracks here and there
codec has weird textures at bottom of border
froze once during gameplay
Have fun, make sure you download that dll and place it with your games exes in its install folder

WINDLLOVERRIDES=“xaudio2_9=n" %command%
Copy xaudio2_9.dll to the same location as main exe
Some videos have artifacts

The game crashes without DLL workaroud, but seems to run at stable 60 FPS apart from the usual shader compilation stutters
WINDLLOVERRIDES=“xaudio2_9=n” %command%
Put xaudio2_9.dll next to game executable
No audio in cutscenes without xaudio2_9.dll
Game crashes after initial cutscenes without xaudio2_9.dll
Thanks to LardOn4Bacon (Proton issue #7192) for suggesting xaudio2_9 workaround

Tested GE as well. No luck. Completely borked.

Unfortunately not playable at all