The speaker investigates whether the game Starfield can run on the budget device Steamdeck and finds that while it is playable, there are noticeable performance issues and a lack of optimization. Despite being able to run Starfield on the Steamdeck, the speaker still prefers playing the game on their more powerful PC due to their dislike for controller controls.
In a video, the speaker investigates whether the game Starfield can run on the Steamdeck, a budget device that costs around $350. Despite the Steamdeck not being the most powerful device, the speaker tests Starfield’s performance on it. They note that while the game does not run at a steady 60 frames per second, it is playable indoors. The speaker also expresses their dislike for playing first-person games with controller controls.
The speaker discusses the performance of Starfield and suggests that the game’s engine may prioritize hitting a specific frame rate over maintaining consistent visual quality. They mention that the game lacks certain settings like texture selector and anti-aliasing. The main setting that can be adjusted is the render resolution. The speaker also criticizes the animations and AI behaviors in the game, highlighting how NPCs have less complexity compared to random pedestrians in the game world.
The speaker reassures viewers that the Steamdeck handles the game well and addresses concerns about the device’s thermal limits, stating that it tends to thermal throttle at around 80 degrees Celsius. They comment on the skill tree and mechanics in the game, pointing out the inconsistency in requiring skill points to use certain abilities but not others. The speaker also notes slower loading times on their lower-tier storage SD card, highlighting the importance of asset streaming in open-world games and questioning why Bethesda does not utilize it.
In conclusion, the speaker acknowledges that while Starfield is playable on the Steamdeck, there are noticeable performance issues, particularly in planetary bases and cities where frame rates drop significantly. They attribute the game’s successful run on the Steamdeck to the device’s technological capabilities, rather than the game’s optimization. Despite the ability to run Starfield on the Steamdeck, the speaker still prefers playing the game on their larger, more powerful PC due to their disdain for controller controls.