The Unstoppable Rise of Black Myth: Wukong on Steam Deck

As I sit here writing this article, I am reminded of the good old days of Nintendo’s Seal of Quality. You know, those golden stickers that adorned NES and SNES games, guaranteeing complete compatibility with your Nintendo product. Fast forward to today, and we have Valve’s Deck Verified program, which is supposed to do the same thing for Steam Deck games. But what happens when a game doesn’t have that shiny green checkmark?

A handheld gaming PC that’s capable of running demanding games

Enter Black Myth: Wukong, a new action RPG that has taken the Steam Deck community by storm. Despite not having a Deck Verified status, the game has risen to the top of the Steam Deck Top Played chart, dethroning games like Elden Ring and Stardew Valley. This is no small feat, especially considering the game’s demanding hardware requirements.

As I’m writing this, it currently has 2,229,858 people playing concurrently on Steam. And it’s sporting an “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating based on a whopping 245,000 reviews.

But what’s behind this game’s massive popularity? Is it the engaging gameplay, the stunning visuals, or something else entirely? As someone who’s been following the Steam Deck scene closely, I can tell you that it’s a combination of all these factors and more.

The game’s engaging gameplay and stunning visuals have captured the hearts of many players

One thing that’s clear is that Valve’s Deck Verified program may not carry as much weight as it did during Steam Deck’s first year or so. With the rise of Proton and Steam Deck, the conversation around gaming on Linux has changed significantly. Gamers are no longer questioning whether or not the Deck can run games; they’re asking how well it runs.

Proton has changed the game for Linux gaming

As I see it, Black Myth: Wukong’s success on Steam Deck is a testament to the power of the handheld gaming PC. Despite its demanding hardware requirements, the game runs smoothly on the Deck, thanks to the device’s capable hardware and the game’s optimization.

The Steam Deck’s hardware is capable of running demanding games

So, what’s the takeaway from all this? For one, it’s clear that the Steam Deck is a force to be reckoned with in the gaming world. Its ability to run demanding games like Black Myth: Wukong is a testament to its power and versatility. Secondly, Valve’s Deck Verified program may need to be reevaluated in light of the changing gaming landscape.

Valve’s Deck Verified program may need to be reevaluated

In conclusion, Black Myth: Wukong’s success on Steam Deck is a remarkable achievement that highlights the power and versatility of the handheld gaming PC. As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Valve’s Deck Verified program adapts to the changing needs of gamers.