Monster Hunter Wilds Is Unplayable on Steam Deck, Barely Playable on ROG Ally, but Good via PlayStation Portal

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This week, Monster Hunter Wilds is set to launch globally on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC via Steam. Prior to its release, I’ve been testing out all three versions for review purposes. In this article, I’ll be discussing my experiences with the Steam version played on my Steam Deck and ROG Ally, as well as the PlayStation 5 version on both console and PlayStation Portal. Despite some concerns raised during open betas and PC benchmark testing, I had held onto hope that the full game would offer improved optimization for PC handhelds. In today’s article, I will delve into how the PC version performs in its current build across my handheld devices, and share my thoughts on streaming the game locally from my PS5.

Monster Hunter Wilds Steam Deck impressions from the latest full game build

When I initially played Monster Hunter Wilds on Steam Deck during the initial open beta, the frame rate dropped below 20fps even at the lowest graphics settings, making it nearly unplayable. Adding Frame Generation didn’t improve the experience significantly. The second beta also suffered from similar issues. When I ran the PC benchmark, I had doubts that Monster Hunter Wilds would provide a positive experience on Valve’s handheld device. However, upon receiving access to the full game for guide creation and other purposes, I was eager to see if it could offer a better gaming experience.

When you initially ran it, it took approximately 15 minutes to optimize (compile shaders). Upon completion, the logo on Monster Hunter Wilds’ title screen failed to load correctly, with golden sections appearing black, as shown in the image at the start of this article. I attempted to resolve the issue using Proton Experimental (the latest version), GE-Proton9-25, and the standard Proton version available on Steam Deck without success. In addition to this, the d-pad wasn’t functioning properly for navigation within the menus, and sometimes the game didn’t register inputs accurately, necessitating touchscreen or mouse input instead. I managed to rectify these issues by adopting Capcom’s official layout for use with a PlayStation 5 controller rather than the default Steam Deck configuration.

Upon launching Monster Hunter Rise within its Steam Deck version, it became evident that, despite utilizing the most recent PC build, the game remains practically unplayable. Navigating maps such as the Scarlet Forest without any activity on-screen still results in poor performance, averaging less than 20fps while rendering at 720p with FSR 3 Ultra Performance enabled. Even with all graphic settings at their minimum and Frame Generation disabled, the gameplay remains sluggish. Although the frame rate counter may display numbers in the 40s or higher, the gaming experience is far from satisfactory due to latency issues associated with Frame Generation when the source frame rate is consistently below 20fps.










As a gamer, I’ve come across an issue where certain in-game elements, such as the Start Quest or Mission Completed screens, don’t load properly. Additionally, when aiming my slinger or collecting items, some backgrounds and assets appear to be bugged on my Steam Deck.

A notable advantage is that cross-platform multiplayer functionality has been successfully tested on Steam Deck. In my testing, I found that it functioned seamlessly on Steam Deck whether I was playing with friends or strangers, using both the PS5 and Steam versions of the game.

Given its current performance, it seems unlikely that Monster Hunter Wilds will become playable on the Steam Deck in its present state. Running at fewer than 20 frames per second even on the lowest settings with heavy upscaling during early gameplay and less action-packed scenes doesn’t qualify as playable in my opinion. I understand this may be disheartening, but I would advise against attempting to play Monster Hunter Wilds natively on Steam Deck at this time.

If you happen to own a more potent desktop computer or laptop, consider running or streaming games on that device instead, especially if you’ve set up a robust home network similar to the one outlined for the PlayStation Portal. This way, you can enjoy your gaming experience on your Steam Deck without compromising performance.

Monster Hunter Wilds Steam Deck recommended settings 

Currently, there isn’t much information available regarding the optimal settings for playing Monster Hunter Wilds on Steam Deck. However, if you choose to play the game, it’s crucial to adjust the controller configuration due to potential input issues. The developers at Capcom have added three configurations, so pick one of these. If you prefer DualSense button prompts, navigate to the third page of the Control options and enable Type 3 button icons. I found that Type 2 for button configuration works better in general, even on PS5 and Xbox for hunting missions.

Another setting I’d recommend altering is the audio levels. The game’s audio mix is somewhat unusual, with the music sounding too soft. To address this issue, set the Background Music (BGM) to 100 and adjust other volumes to 80 or lower. I also made these adjustments on console to fix the problem.




For optimal graphics performance on the Steam Deck while playing Monster Hunter Worlds, here are my suggestions: Disable High Dynamic Range (HDR) within the game settings, set the resolution to 800p (although it’s a 16:9 game rendering at 720p), cap the frame rate at 30fps, and enable FSR 3 or XeSS for improved visual quality, albeit with minimal performance difference. Adjust other settings as shown in the provided gallery to their lowest possible values or disable effects when feasible. At this time, these are your options for playing Monster Hunter Worlds on Steam Deck. Keep in mind that the gameplay experience may not be ideal, but I hope my control and audio recommendations help you when playing on PC or console.

Monster Hunter Wilds ROG Ally impressions 

On the ROG Ally device, the initial optimization (building shaders) upon launch lasted approximately 16 minutes. After an update, this optimizing process now takes around 26 minutes. My handheld device is configured with 5GB VRAM, and I conducted my tests in both the 25W and 30W turbo modes. I did not test the 15W mode as performance was already poor in the 25W mode. Despite this, the ROG Ally offers a more enhanced experience compared to Steam Deck, but it’s barely playable overall.

In my experience, some people have tested the game at medium settings or a mix of medium and low. However, I chose to play the game at 720p with the lowest possible settings and FSR 3 Ultra Performance. Despite this setup, the game drops below 30fps during exploration to around 25fps in the 25W mode. Although I can’t personally test it on the ROG Ally X, a colleague has mentioned that it maintains 30fps better on that device. If you own a normal ROG Ally Z1 Extreme model, there’s potential for the game to improve if Capcom optimizes it through updates.





















Switching to the 30W mode (requires charging), significantly improved performance. During my testing of five games, both online and offline, in the early stages, it maintained a steady 30 frames per second quite well. There were occasional dips into the high 20s, but the game never fell below 28fps. I chose not to utilize Frame Generation as it usually performs better when games maintain 30fps or more, and in this case, it was expected to be around the 50s.

> To enjoy gaming on your ROG Ally, I suggest using it in tablet mode with it connected to power and selecting the 30W turbo mode preset. This setup will provide a playable frame rate of around 30fps, but the visuals might not be particularly pleasing. Additionally, there are user interface issues that may impact gameplay on smaller screens, so take note of these factors. On the bright side, the ROG Ally can serve as a convenient tool for exploring and gathering resources in maps during your commute, although keep in mind its battery life limitations.

I should mention that I haven’t played through the latter parts of this game because I’m currently under an embargo, which means I can’t discuss them yet. However, I plan to replay the game on both handheld devices once updates are released and if things start looking better.

Monster Hunter Wilds PS5 version on PlayStation Portal is a good experience

Before diving into the gameplay of Monster Hunter Wilds’ PS5 version via PlayStation Portal, let me share some details about my home setup first. My PS5 is connected directly to my router, while my PlayStation Portal utilizes a 5Ghz wireless network. This configuration has minimized any streaming issues with PS5 games on the portal. In terms of Monster Hunter Wilds, I found the 40Hz mode delightful when playing on the physical console linked to my 1440p screen. However, for those streaming the game to PlayStation Portal or any device using Remote Play, I strongly suggest opting for the 60fps mode to ensure an optimal gaming experience.

In Monster Hunter Wilds, Capcom has lowered its internal resolution to 1080p. Interestingly, the screen on PlayStation Portal is also 1080p. Streaming a game at 60fps reduces latency issues compared to streaming in 30 or 40fps mode, which would increase latency due to the additional processing time required. Here you can find screenshots showcasing the various frame rate limits, resolution options, and 120Hz settings available on the standard PS5:

[Screenshots of PS5 modes]










Among other things, what made Monster Hunter Wilds on PlayStation Portal my favorite is the immersive DualSense haptic feedback experience. Compared to Monster Hunter Rise, which was a native PS5 release, it didn’t make significant use of the controller beyond basic functions. However, Capcom has effectively utilized the features in Monster Hunter Wilds. For instance, the controller speaker is employed for UI interactions and even capturing endemic life. The haptics are used not just for monster roars, weapon attacks, but also sound effects in cut-scenes.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been devoting most of my gaming hours to console play on my 1440p screen. However, I’ve also clocked in at least 20 hours on the PS portal, except for one instance where the quality dipped due to network troubles. If you have a reliable PlayStation setup at home, I strongly suggest trying out Monster Hunter Worlds on it, particularly with the game set to 60fps mode on PS5. The DualSense haptics in the game are quite enjoyable. Currently, I’m deep into the endgame of Monster Hunter Worlds on PS5 and have invested more time into it before its release than I did for both World and Rise prior to their launches. For now, that’s all I can share about my experience.

The action RPG “Monster Hunter Rise” can now be played globally on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam. For more information about this game, including James’ review, you can visit our extensive coverage of Monster Hunter Rise right here.

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2025-02-24 18:28