Enshrouded does run on Valve’s handheld PC, the Steam Deck. But performance depends heavily on your playstyle and graphics settings, meaning compromises on visuals and frame rates are unavoidable.
The survival game Enshrouded can be launched and played on the Steam Deck, but smooth gameplay hinges on optimization. While it works in principle, the experience is inconsistent and requires trade-offs between visual fidelity and performance.
Recommended Preset: Prioritize Performance Over Quality
In indoor areas or calmer environments, Enshrouded typically runs at 30 to 40 frames per second on the Steam Deck. But in wide-open spaces with dense vegetation, fog, or swarms of enemies, frame rates can dip below 25 FPS. Co-op sessions and base-building also cause noticeable slowdowns. Gamepad controls remain stable, but menus and text quickly feel cluttered on the small display.
To improve performance, we recommend the following: Set resolution to 1280 x 800 (the Deck’s native), and if needed, reduce render resolution to about 70% via “Resolution Scale.” Switch graphics mode to “Max Performance” or “Performance.” Anti-aliasing with FSR2 (FidelityFX Super Resolution 2) in Performance mode helps smooth the image without tanking performance.
Also worth reading:
- Steam Deck 2: Everything We Know About Release, Hardware, Price, and Valve’s Strategy
- Echoes of the End is barely playable on the Steam Deck
- Valve Deckard: Will it be the best VR headset yet? All the info on release, price, and technology
Visual effects like shadows, volumetric fog, post-processing, and foliage should be disabled or set to the lowest possible settings. “Volumetric Quality” is especially demanding. Turning off “Small Foliage Quality” removes grass and bushes but noticeably boosts frame rates. Locking the frame rate in SteamOS at 25 or 30 FPS helps reduce stutter. Keep the TDP limiter off so the Steam Deck can draw full power when needed.
Stability Depends on Settings
Choosing higher presets like “Quality” or “Max Quality” often leads to crashes or severe frame drops. Our advice: on the Steam Deck, it’s better to sacrifice visual flourishes in favor of steady frame rates. Battery life also takes a hit, often dropping to just about 90 minutes of playtime. On the upside, Keen Games is actively working on improving Steam Deck support for Enshrouded, with future patches expected to deliver optimizations specifically for Valve’s handheld. According to the studio, ensuring stable Deck performance is a top priority.
Bottom line: If you’re willing to accept lower graphics and occasional technical hiccups, Enshrouded is playable on the Steam Deck. Survival and exploration elements remain enjoyable even at 25 to 30 FPS. More optimizations are on the way.
Sources: Reddit, SteamDeckHQ
