„45 fps when looking at the sky and a wall” Playing FF7 REBIRTH seems like a nightmare, although game is Steam Deck verified
Is Steam Deck great for AAA titles? Final Fantasy VII Rebirth shows it’s far from perfection.
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When a new AAA game gets the green Verified icon on its Steam page, it can sometimes stir up some heated debates. The criteria for Steam Deck compatibility are pretty simple: the game should work with controllers, show the right icons, have a readable interface, and, most importantly, run well. But what counts as "running well" for one person might feel like a bit of a stretch for someone else – just like with Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, recently released on Steam.
How playable are “playable” games on Steam Deck
Reddit user thealekianhero shared their settings for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, saying they’re getting a steady ~40 FPS on the Steam Deck, whether it’s during open-world combat or exploring cities. They admitted the performance isn’t perfect, and, as expected, the post received the usual mix of reactions from the community (absolutely no surprises there). U/panthereal quicky replied:
ah yes, 45 fps when looking at the sky and a wall
surely that bodes well
So, let’s be real, how capable is Steam Deck, and what games should we be picking to play on it? As for the green “Verified on Steam Deck” icon, here’s what it says:
This game’s default graphic configuration performs well on Steam Deck.
For some, that sentence can feel pretty vague, which is where ProtonDB comes in handy. It’s a community-driven database that tracks game compatibility on Steam Deck. Each game is rated based on its performance, ranging from "Borked" to "Platinum." As for FFVII Rebirth, it received the "Silver" badge, meaning it "runs with minor issues, but is generally playable”. Most reviews say that the game runs at 15 to 30 FPS on default medium settings and 50 to 60 FPS on low. And when it comes to Steam Deck performance and new big titles, this is pretty normal and (please don’t curse me) acceptable.
Steam Deck and AAA games, a love-hate relationship
If you bought Steam Deck, as your only gaming device, to enjoy new AAA games, well, that’s on you. In my humble opinion it feels like some people expected the Deck to run modern triple-A titles perfectly, and now they’re settling for low FPS and calling it playable. While I love my Steam Deck it’s just not powerful by any means – it’s great for indie games and older big titles, but that's about it. It’s not a top-tier PC.
I got my Steam Deck and have been enjoying replaying the Yakuza / Like a Dragon series, starting with Kiwami, and I’m pretty content. I tried finishing Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth, but after frequent crashes during Hawaiian Hunt, I quickly switched to my PC. I’ve come to accept that while the Steam Deck is a handheld, it’s not a flawless gaming console. Still, when it comes to new games, the Verified icon definitely deserves more consideration.
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