Unleashing God of War Ragnarök on Steam Deck: Triumphs and Trials of Portable Play

Navigating the realms of handheld gaming brings unique challenges, especially when tackling blockbusters like God of War Ragnarök. While the allure of this epic title may tempt gamers to embark on a digital journey from their couch to the palm of their hand, there’s more lurking beneath the surface of its performance on the Steam Deck.

An iconic symbol from the world of God of War.

A Smooth Entry into Chaos

God of War Ragnarök breaks the conventional boundaries that often leave high-profile titles in the dust when it comes to handheld performance. Boasting a commendable frame rate of around 40-50fps with a blend of Medium and Low settings, it surprisingly outshines many AAA games that have attempted the same feat on the Steam Deck. Thanks in part to FSR 3.1 frame generation technology, players can keep visuals nearly indistinguishable from native 800p quality, providing a gratifying experience on a smaller screen.

But at What Cost?

Yet, this performance isn’t without its downsides. The Steam Deck can be quite thirsty for power, with Ragnarök draining the device’s battery in a notable 2 hours and 8 minutes—one of the shortest times noted for any title put through its paces. Adding to the woes, the demanding 176GB installation size doesn’t play nice with the already limited SSD space offered by the handheld gaming device.

Additionally, players have reported bugs that can disrupt the gaming experience. Audio crackling has been a common complaint, alongside instances where controls have become unresponsive after specific pop-up tutorial prompts appeared.

The Online Requirement: A Thorn in the Side

One of the most contentious points revolves around an online login requirement tethered to the game. As with other titles like Ghost of Tsushima, players must connect to PSN for initial access, which complicates gameplay for those who prefer offline modes. Launching Ragnarök in SteamOS’s offline mode can lead to crashes that frustrate gamers eager to delve into its world unimpeded.

Balancing Act: The Conclusion

Ultimately, God of War Ragnarök emerges as a respectable contender in the handheld gaming sphere, particularly considering the impressive pedigree it carries. Lowering settings to the Low preset allows for a playable 30fps experience, and adjusting graphics using FSR 3.1 can enable users to enjoy a smoother 40-50fps gameplay experience.

Yet, the combination of technical hiccups and the unnecessary online mandate mar what could have been a flawless experience. As passionate players seek to wield the might of Kratos and Atreus in the palm of their hands, these elements stand as both challenges and opportunities for improvement in the ever-evolving landscape of portable gaming.