Tox
Published
To enable full controller support, you first need to login or create a new character. In chat, type "#controller on" then restart the game. Upon restarting, the game will work fully with the default developer controller layout.
No problems. Set graphics to around low-medium, maintained around a 30-40FPS in firefights
Only annoying part was logging into EA account, other than that, worked great at stable 60FPS using all default graphic options during races (think it defaults to low/very low on Deck).
The game first installed Ubisoft Connect and I was able to connect to my Ubisoft account fine. The game then loaded to the initial "Press any key to continue" screen where it briefly scanned for my installed DLC before crashing and asking to submit a crash report to Ubisoft. I got the same crash happen in the default Steam proton setup, Forced Experimental, and GE-Proton7-42.
Changed to 40Hz refresh rate
Great sim game to play on the go! Doesn't need high frames so set it to 40Hz to save some battery.
Booted up fine with a simple launcher. I increased shadow map size but everything ran fine out of box.
Limit to 40Hz
Runs mostly well, but is still in beta and not very optimized. At endgame, I was getting around 25-30FPS at the lowest settings. Still playable, but needs improvement.
Limit to 30 FPS
The game played well after tweaking the graphics. I turned on FSR2 Quality mode, limited the game to 30 FPS (and also limited my Deck to 30 FPS via the Deck menu), with rest of the graphics set to Medium quality. I found using these settings, my benchmarks were averaging a consistent 30 FPS. There was some frame drops at the very start of a fight when the assets were loading in, such as when a cut scene ended and the fight began, or during some fatalities.
I also tried running it on Low, with FSR2 at Performance mode, but was not able to hit a consistent 40 FPS, so better to keep it at Medium@30 for better visual quality. Low quality looks really bad in this game.
The game itself is very fun, a great fighter and works great with the Steam Deck controls.
Some crackling on startup
Enemies stuttering in place
I don't know where that other reviewer with less than an hour got the game to run at 40FPS on medium, but even on Low settings + FSR Performance, I can't achieve even a stable 30 FPS. Running in-game benchmarks proves this, as the absolutely lowest settings I could use average 29 FPS. On top of this, FSR Performance mode makes enemies look stuttery and strange, almost like they're flickering.
29 FPS is simply not playable for a game like this that requires fast response times. Returnal is still very fun to play on a proper gaming desktop, but is unfortunately too much for the Steam Deck to handle.
40Hz
No problems at all, a great game to play on the Deck. Set to 40Hz to maintain a consistent frame rate since it will dip during combat.
After first installing ESO, a launcher installer will appear but the Deck does not see it so your screen is black. I thought the game wasn't working, but others pointed out you need to push the Steam button + right on the d-pad to get the installer to appear. It seems to be a bug due to how the launcher windows overlap the game. Once I installed the launcher it all ran smoothly.
Read what I wrote about showing the installer, but it works fine thereafter
When I first tried this game a few weeks ago, it was unplayable on Deck due to lack of controller support. The developers recently added controller support that works 90% great with the Deck. There are still some menus such as the talent screen and shop that require touchscreen input, but it's still completely playable. The action itself works fully with the Deck controls and they even have an official Deck control scheme in-game to choose. Whether this free Diablo clone game is good or not later on, I don't know since I'm only an hour in, but at least it works now with controllers.
DXVK_ASYNC=1 %command%
I followed a number of the settings listed in the pre-order beta that made the game launch, but none seemed to work. As soon as you get to the EAC screen, the game closes back to Steam. It seems the newer EAC version they're using with the official game launch on November 30 has broken any Steam Deck compatibility we did have during the pre-order beta.
DXVK_ASYNC=1 %command%
Lowered FPS to 30
Since my last report, I managed to get the game to work finally. I think the developers just updated their EAC to include Linux? Anyways, the game runs okay-ish if you set everything to low with AMD SuperResolution also turned on. I'd dip to around 25 FPS in major engagements and 30 FPS for the rest of the level. No problems with multiplayer.
