Palworld: Steam Deck Compatibility

Introduction

Palworld, the unique "Pokémon-with-guns" survival game by Pocketpair, has made its way into Early Access on Steam and Game Preview on Xbox. For those looking to dive into this open-world adventure on Valve’s Steam Deck, this guide offers insights into its compatibility, performance, and tips for a smoother gameplay experience.

Steam Deck Compatibility Status

• Official Compatibility: Palworld is classified as "Playable" on the Steam Deck. This means the game functions on the device but might require additional effort to interact with or configure.
• Potential Challenges
  • In-game Text: Valve notes that some in-game text may be small and difficult to read on the Steam Deck's screen.
  • Graphics Settings: Players will need to adjust graphics settings manually for optimal performance.

Gameplay Experience on Steam Deck

Palworld on the Steam Deck mirrors the PC version in terms of gameplay elements, offering a full-fledged open-world survival experience with a plethora of creature companions. However, players may encounter certain challenges:

• Gamepad Controls: Navigating the game’s menus with the Steam Deck’s gamepad controls can be tricky, with some button presses not registering consistently.
• Menu Navigation: The interface, designed for larger screens, makes some menus difficult to navigate and certain button icons hard to discern.

Graphical Performance

• Default Settings: By default, Palworld runs on low graphical settings on the Steam Deck, achieving refresh rates between 25-35 fps.
• Optimization Tips: Adjusting the graphics settings can enhance performance without significantly compromising visual quality, generally aiming for a stable 30 fps frame rate.

Steps Towards Full Verification

While Palworld is more than playable on the Steam Deck, achieving a "Verified" status requires addressing several areas:

• UI Improvements: Enhancements to the user interface for better readability and navigation on the Steam Deck’s smaller screen.
• Gamepad Support: Improved support for the Steam Deck’s gamepad controls, ensuring all inputs are recognized and menus are easier to navigate.

Conclusion

Despite its current "Playable" status, Palworld offers Steam Deck users an engaging open-world experience with some adjustments. By heeding Valve’s warnings about in-game text and taking the time to fine-tune graphics settings, players can enjoy this survival adventure with its unique blend of creature companionship and combat. As the game continues to evolve in Early Access, we can anticipate further optimizations to make Palworld an even more seamless experience on the Steam Deck.