**Monster Hunter Wilds: A Letdown for Steam Deck Fans**
The much-awaited *Monster Hunter Wilds*, which debuted on February 28, 2025, has elicited mixed responses from its fan base. Although the game introduces thrilling new features and vast landscapes to the cherished franchise, its demanding system requirements pose a major challenge, particularly for handheld gaming aficionados. The Steam Deck, Valve’s favored portable gaming device, finds it difficult to run the game at acceptable levels, disappointing many gamers.
### **The Performance Challenge**
The performance concerns regarding *Monster Hunter Wilds* surfaced as early as the open beta in November 2024. Players noted inadequate optimization and unsatisfactory frame rates, even on mid-tier gaming PCs. Following the official release, Capcom provided a benchmarking tool to assist players in assessing their systems’ capabilities. Regrettably, the results for the Steam Deck are far from promising.
Even at the most minimal settings and an 800p resolution, the Steam Deck struggles to sustain a steady 30 frames per second (FPS). Given that the game requires precise timing and smooth combat, this flaw is significant. A member of the Steam Deck community pushed the device to its limits by lowering the internal resolution to an astonishing 213 x 132 pixels, upscaled to 640 x 400. While this configuration achieved an average of 30 FPS, the graphics became so pixelated that the game was nearly unrecognizable.
### **Pushing the Boundaries**
Our testing with the Steam Deck backed up the unsatisfactory performance. Utilizing the LCD model of the device, we recorded an average frame rate of merely 25.53 FPS at the lowest settings, 800p resolution, and FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution) Ultra Performance mode. Although it was technically “playable,” the experience was far from pleasant, with excessively pixelated graphics and frequent stuttering disrupting gameplay.
Other handheld devices with superior hardware performed slightly better:
– **Lenovo Legion Go**: With its AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, the benchmark tool often crashed during shader compilation. Feedback from the Legion Go subreddit indicates users can expect an average frame rate of 38 FPS at the lowest settings and 800p resolution.
– **Zotac Zone**: This compact gaming PC successfully completed the benchmark without crashing, achieving an average of 43 FPS at 720p resolution and the lowest settings. Although this is an improvement, it still fails to provide the smooth experience fans anticipate from a *Monster Hunter* game.
### **The Significance of This**
The *Monster Hunter* series has consistently been popular among handheld gamers. From the PlayStation Portable to the Nintendo 3DS and Switch, the franchise has flourished on portable platforms, granting players the flexibility to hunt monsters wherever they are. The Steam Deck, with its PC gaming prowess in a handheld format, appeared to be an ideal match for *Monster Hunter Wilds*. However, the high system requirements of the game have dashed those hopes, leaving many in the fanbase unable to experience the game as intended.
### **Editor’s Perspective**
As a devoted fan of the *Monster Hunter* series, I was looking forward to playing *Monster Hunter Wilds* on a handheld device, reminiscent of the franchise’s earlier titles. Sadly, the Steam Deck’s failure to run the game smoothly made me reconsider my choices. While devices such as the Lenovo Legion Go provide marginally better performance, they still fall short of the fluid experience I desired.
For players set on enjoying *Monster Hunter Wilds* on a handheld, a few alternatives are worth exploring:
1. **Cloud Gaming**: Platforms like NVIDIA GeForce Now or Xbox Cloud Gaming enable players to stream the game to a handheld device or smartphone with a controller. However, this approach introduces input lag and potential visual artifacts, which can be aggravating in a fast-paced game like *Monster Hunter*.
2. **Future Hardware**: Upcoming handheld gaming devices with enhanced processors, such as the rumored Ryzen Z2 Extreme or Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, may provide improved performance. Devices like the Lenovo Legion Go 2 or Ayaneo 3 could possibly run the game at higher settings and smoother frame rates.
3. **PC Gaming**: For those unwilling to compromise on performance or graphics quality, gaming on a high-end PC remains the optimal choice. However, this option sacrifices the portability that many fans value.
### **Looking Ahead**
Capcom has not yet addressed the performance challenges on handheld devices like the Steam Deck. While future patches and optimizations may enhance the situation, it’s uncertain whether the game will ever run seamlessly on existing handheld gaming PCs. For the time being, fans eager to relive the handheld *Monster Hunter* experience might need to temper their expectations or consider other options.