Is Dragons Dogma 2 Steam Deck compatible?

After 12 years of waiting, Dragons Dogma 2 is finally coming to the eager consoles and PCs of waiting fans. However, for those of us on the go, will Dragons Dogma 2 be Steam Deck compatible, ready to be played in portable format?

Can you play Dragons Dogma on Steam Deck?

Dragons Dogma 2 has been released to universal praise. However, it’s putting a lot of machines through their paces, with reports of low FPS and heavy lag. It has not been optimized for PCs particularly well, but that is to be expected from a PlayStation-focused company. This leaves the question: Is Dragons Dogma 2 Steam Deck compatible, or will it turn it into a handheld microwave?

Currently, the minimum required specifications for Dragons Dogma 2 are:

• Processor: Intel Core i5 10600 / AMD Ryzen 5 3600
• Memory: 16 GB RAM
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 / AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT with 8GB VRAM

With the recent tinkering to the RDNA2 architecture in the Steam Deck, it comes to the equivalent of this, if not more. So, theoretically, the Steam Deck should be able to run Dragons Dogma 2. However, there is little to no chance of getting this game to run on the handheld console. Maybe, as time goes on and optimizations are released. However, right now, don’t even try it.

Is it suitable for a Steam Deck?

I would love to see this RPG come to the Steam Deck for so many reasons, the first being the length of the game. With the core storyline taking a rumored 37 hours and the completionist looking to bury 100, it’s going to take a lot of time to finish. I have no problem with long games, as long as they’re not empty. However, finding the time to play them with a busy lifestyle can be a challenge.

Being able to play Dragons Dogma 2 on your commute, at your child’s christening, or out in your local bar will not only alleviate the boredom of these events but also crack through the game. It’s a win-win.

Another great reason to have Dragons Dogma 2 on the Steam Deck is the controller requirements. When you boot the game up it will prompt you to use a controller. The wonderful little Steam Deck is already equipped with one. Steam has nailed the handheld aspect of their portable gaming machine. I do not doubt that the controls will translate beautifully. In the meantime, if you’re experiencing frame drops in DD2, we’ve got a quick and easy fix.