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Konami’s Silent Hill 2 remake is off to a good start, getting many positive reviews from critics ahead of its release next week. Luckily, it’s not just gamers with a PS5 or high-end PC who can enjoy the game, with reports saying it runs pretty well on Valve’s Steam Deck.
Fans didn’t know how to feel when the remake was first shown off, as the more action-oriented gameplay clashed with the original game’s subtle nature. Even if the remake doesn’t please all fans, Konami is reportedly working on more games in the Silent Hill series, which can only mean good things for the horror genre.
Does Silent Hill 2 run well on the Steam Deck?
A feature from MeriStation claims that the Silent Hill 2 remake runs pretty well on the Steam Deck, though it’s not a flawless transition. Fans will get a standard 30FPS experience at the default settings with FSR 1.0 activated. The game runs well on the LCD Steam Deck and the OLED upgrade, though fans are advised not to go above the 1280×800 display.
Many fans on the Steam Deck subreddit aren’t completely convinced, opting to wait for some handheld tests on YouTube. Limiting the game to FSR 1.0 also doesn’t excite players, especially since most games have already upgraded to FSR 3.0. “I’m not believing anything here until I see a couple of FPS test videos on YouTube,” wrote one of the users.
With FSR 1.0 offering far lower image quality than its more modern counterparts, Silent Hill 2 Remake could look even better on the handheld with future updates. However, considering the title’s development as a PS5-targeted game, it’s amazing the game runs this well in its current form, especially as new games struggle to run on the machine.
One major example is Square Enix’s Final Fantasy 16, which can barely run at 30FPS no matter what players do with the settings. It’s why streaming services like GeForce Now are a great option for Steam Deck fans, allowing them to play more powerful games without pushing the console too much. Relying on an internet connection to play games is pretty annoying, but at least players have the option.
Does the Steam Deck need an upgrade already?
While there’s a good chance that the Silent Hill 2 remake will run well on Valve’s handheld, the fact that fans have been burned a few times means an upgrade might be needed. This is a sad reality for many since this was everyone’s Nintendo Switch replacement for a while, but as game technology evolves, the consoles need to as well.
Calling the remake dead on Valve’s handheld seems premature since several AAA horror games run well. The recent Resident Evil games from Capcom run pretty well on Steam Deck, even newer entries like the Resident Evil 4 remake and Resident Evil Village. Bigger games like Final Fantasy VII Remake and Horizon Zero Dawn play on the handheld with small caveats, so it’s not all doom and gloom.
Those willing to enhance their Steam Deck for the Silent Hill 2 remake can check out this story about an aluminum backplate that can reportedly increase performance. Feel free to check out our review of the Steam Deck OLED to see if this powerhouse handheld is for you.
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