Onimusha on Steam Deck is the definition of 'playable': Surprisingly pleasant, so long as 30 fps isn't a dealbreaker
Capcom flaunts the flexibility of the RE Engine again.
Valve's handheld gaming device, the Steam Deck, has been found to be a perfectly acceptable platform for playing Onimusha: Way of the Sword, a big-budget action game from Capcom. While it isn't as optimized as other titles like Resident Evil Requiem, it fares better than others such as Monster Hunter Wilds and Dragon's Dogma 2. After testing the game in its demanding Kyoto hub area, the writer confidently places Onimusha in the "Deck playable" category.
The game maintains a consistently stubborn 30-40 fps, occasionally dipping into the 30s during action-packed sequences. For those who prefer a stable, lower framerate, it's recommended to lock the game at 30 fps and disable performance overlays. The writer did just that and found the experience to be surprisingly pleasant.
By tweaking a few graphical settings, the writer managed to improve the picture quality without sacrificing the stable 30 fps. Turning down texture quality to low and disabling FSR 3.1.4 upscaling resulted in a visually pleasing experience on the Deck's small screen. The game's most prominent character, Musashi Miyamoto, retains a nicely detailed model and realistic cloth simulations, even at lower settings.
The writer does, however, suggest reducing FSR 3.1.4 upscaling to its lowest setting, as the ghosting effect around moving objects and Musashi's hair is distracting and unappealing. While this choice may be controversial, it results in more stable frames and doesn't significantly detract from the overall experience.
Despite having only spent 6 hours with the game, the writer reports that the 30 fps lock hasn't been a significant hindrance. In fact, they were able to take down the first challenging boss, Rasho-gan, on the Deck and felt no significant advantage when playing on their higher-powered PC. Ultimately, Onimusha: Way of the Sword is an ideal example of what makes the Steam Deck a highly playable gaming device.
While its performance may not be groundbreaking, it is more than sufficient for a game like this, making it a convenient option for enjoying gameplay from the comfort of a hotel room.
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