Can you play Death Stranding 2 on the Steam Deck? Much better than you think

The game Death Stranding 2 was released for PC last month, after a year of exclusivity on the PS5.

However, the initial performance on the PC platform was disappointing, with frame rates ranging between 20 and 30 fps, raising doubts about its playability on handheld devices like the Steam Deck.

From 20 fps to 35 fps: Death Stranding 2 is now playable on the Steam Deck

The situation changed drastically after the implementation of patch 1.2 by the developers at Nixxes. This patch promised “performance improvements on Steam Deck,” and the results were remarkable.

After downloading the 112 GB of the game again, players are now reporting rates of between 30 and 35 fps in open world environments, and around 50 fps in less complex interiors. This change reflects an effort to make Death Stranding 2 more accessible on portable platforms.

Although the game is designed to take advantage of a large screen, the experience on the 7.4-inch OLED screen of the Steam Deck has proven to be satisfying. Wes Fenlon, in his review, highlighted that the title presents an effective combination of mechanics and meaning, something characteristic of Hideo Kojima’s work. However, users should be prepared for intense battery drain, reaching a maximum of approximately an hour and a half of gameplay.

The trend of studios implementing portable configurations in PC games could be a good sign for the future of titles on devices like the Steam Deck.

Other games, such as Resident Evil Requiem, have also shown acceptable performance on the same platform, demonstrating that studios are beginning to optimize better for these devices. The combination of technical improvements and greater attention to detail in portable settings may be key in the evolution of PC gaming in an increasingly mobile environment.