As the Steam Deck approaches its third anniversary in February 2025, it remains a beloved device among gamers. However, the landscape of gaming is evolving, and many of the latest titles are beginning to challenge the capabilities of this compact powerhouse. The time may be ripe for an upgrade.
Performance Challenges for New Titles
The Steam Deck, which debuted in 2022, has made waves in the gaming community, allowing players to enjoy a wide array of PC games from the comfort of their couches. Its affordability and portability have drawn in a diverse audience, including those who previously shied away from PC gaming. Yet, as we move into 2024, a growing number of new releases are struggling to perform optimally on the device.
One notable example is the recently launched Silent Hill 2 remaster, which Valve has marked as “Unsupported” on the Steam Deck. While players can still install and play the game, they must compromise on settings, often reducing them to low to achieve a playable experience. This trend is not isolated; several other high-profile titles are facing similar challenges.
- Space Marine 2 – Unsupported
- Hellblade 2 – Unsupported
- Dragon’s Dogma 2 – Unsupported
- Black Myth: Wukong – Unsupported
- Frostpunk 2 – Unsupported
- Final Fantasy 16 (PC Port) – Unsupported
- Helldivers 2 – Playable
- Tekken 8 – Playable
- WWE 2K24 – Playable
- Suicide Squad – Playable
- Multiversus – Playable
For instance, Space Marine 2 can be installed but struggles to maintain even 30 FPS, even with all settings minimized. Similarly, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II requires significant downgrading to run, resulting in a visually compromised experience. The open-world RPG Dragon’s Dogma 2, which has had difficulties on current-gen consoles, fares poorly on the Steam Deck as well.
While some titles can be tweaked to achieve reasonable performance—like Black Myth: Wukong and Helldivers 2—the essence of the Steam Deck’s appeal lies in its ability to deliver a seamless gaming experience. The need for extensive adjustments and online research to get games running detracts from the enjoyment that many users expect.
As the Steam Deck ages, it becomes increasingly evident that it was never the most powerful device at launch. The reality is that the era of effortlessly running a broad spectrum of games on the Steam Deck is waning. Although it continues to excel with indie titles and less demanding games, the question looms: when will Valve introduce a more robust version of the Steam Deck capable of handling the latest gaming demands without compromising performance or battery life?
