Steam Deck Performance

[KurotoraX]

Well, I'll start this discussion for other Steam Deck users trying to play this game with somewhat ok performance.

First of all, don't expect 60 fps. This game already got problems to run 30 fps all the time.

So you can safely limit the fps to 30 to save battery.

Here are my settings for somewhat smooth 30 fps with somewhat ok graphics. Keep in mind, maps like the school with huge open spaces and lots of items might have an impact, it can drop to ~22 fps in those areas.


Steam Deck FSR 5 active
Screen Resolution: 960x540
Window Settings: Default
Overall Graphics Quality: Standard

(all settings afterwards are already changed with "overall graphics quality", you can disable the settings below, but you won't get a big boost in performance, so I recommend graphics over that small boost)

Maybe someone got a better setup and I just missed it, at least I hope so.

[Okashi(i)Hero]

Thanks for this, I've been testing this on Deck as well and I've had the same experience.

1280x720 even at lowest preset isn't great. School/Dungeon movement is fine, but battles are pretty sluggish. The point where you get some consistency (lower res + scaling), it looks pretty rough to be honest...especially having cleared on desktop and comparing.

Also tried launching via Proton GE just to test it and didn't see any difference.

I've read that Ryza 2/Sophie 2 are also not great on Deck, so it's probably a Dev thing as well.

But yeah, it's certainly playable on Deck, no issues loading and playing, but performance isn't great. Hopefully things improve in the future!

[Elysara]

Pretty disappointing how poorly optimized this game is, this is the first game I've tried running on my Steam Deck where I would consider the performance as not really passable at native resolution with everything on low, and honestly even with FSR it was still pretty bad and text was then very blurry so not really usable that way either. Honestly it seems like the settings don't even do much as high or low preset the performance seemed to be about the same.

[傻蜜蜂二号机]

hope koei will fix it in the future

[Chouchers]

Game may be poorly optimized however that not reason you can't get 60fps steamdeck can do it at 720p as long you not using high preset because a 1050ti can in windows 11. Note steamdeck is running steamos that means game using DXVK this where your performance hit comes in and not small hit it really massive one. All you can do is pray that DXVK get fix with this game someday. All you can really do switch to windows 11 but ask yourself is switch worth it when it buggy on deck and hurt performance in other games just so this runs better. (Make it worst AMD drivers still don't handle this very will in windows when my gtx1050ti can outperform my rx5600m with low preset 1080p)

[MuffinMunchies]

Would you guys say the game is still pretty favorable graphically over the Switch version? I’m contemplating getting this to play on the Deck. Already have it on the Switch, but I have a Switch Lite and text is super small to read on the thing.

[Okashi(i)Hero]

For those still looking to try this out on Deck, there's a workaround in the following link: https://github.com/doitsujin/atelier-sync-fix/#readme

This helps with performance but isn't perfect. I tested it a while back and it's stable at standard preset with 30FPS at a minimum (including battles). What's frustrating though is certain dungeons run perfectly at 60FPS, so it's area dependent.

The school hub + the first dungeon run at 30, and I'd say about half the other dungeons run at 60? (Testing using a save from a PC clear with the same settings between dungeons).

There's other JRPGs with some oddities as well (Compile Heart titles rendering at 1080p for ex, even with a 720p setting), so hopefully with news that Steam Deck is launching in Japan soon we'll start to see more dedicated support and fixes for future titles.

[vaselinedion]

Originally posted by Okashi(i)Hero:

For those still looking to try this out on Deck, there's a workaround in the following link: https://github.com/doitsujin/atelier-sync-fix/#readme

This helps with performance but isn't perfect. I tested it a while back and it's stable at standard preset with 30FPS at a minimum (including battles). What's frustrating though is certain dungeons run perfectly at 60FPS, so it's area dependent.

The school hub + the first dungeon run at 30, and I'd say about half the other dungeons run at 60? (Testing using a save from a PC clear with the same settings between dungeons).

There's other JRPGs with some oddities as well (Compile Heart titles rendering at 1080p for ex, even with a 720p setting), so hopefully with news that Steam Deck is launching in Japan soon we'll start to see more dedicated support and fixes for future titles.

hey there! thanks for sharing the github link. i checked out the readme but im wondering how do i actually implement the workaround? sorry for my ignorance, i’ve never done something like this before.

[Okashi(i)Hero]

Originally posted by imtiredimtired:

hey there! thanks for sharing the github link. i checked out the readme but im wondering how do i actually implement the workaround? sorry for my ignorance, i’ve never done something like this before.

No problem! So you'd need to go to Desktop mode on your Steam Deck and navigate to the install folder of the game. Easiest way to do that would be through the Steam App via Library -> Properties (for Blue Reflection) -> Local Files -> Browse.

From there it's just dropping the d3d11.dll file into the folder next to the executable. If you're having issues or something gets messed up you can always remove the file or verify the integrity of the game files to reset everything.

You may want to also run the game once before adding the .dll file to see a before and after and if it makes any difference for you. Battles for ex should be much smoother!

In case you're not familiar with github either, you can click on "Version 0.5" with the Green tag that says "Latest" under Releases on the right hand side. Download the atfix.zip from there and extract to get the .dll file.

[vaselinedion]

Originally posted by Okashi(i)Hero:

Originally posted by imtiredimtired:

hey there! thanks for sharing the github link. i checked out the readme but im wondering how do i actually implement the workaround? sorry for my ignorance, i’ve never done something like this before.

No problem! So you'd need to go to Desktop mode on your Steam Deck and navigate to the install folder of the game. Easiest way to do that would be through the Steam App via Library -> Properties (for Blue Reflection) -> Local Files -> Browse.

From there it's just dropping the d3d11.dll file into the folder next to the executable. If you're having issues or something gets messed up you can always remove the file or verify the integrity of the game files to reset everything.

You may want to also run the game once before adding the .dll file to see a before and after and if it makes any difference for you. Battles for ex should be much smoother!

In case you're not familiar with github either, you can click on "Version 0.5" with the Green tag that says "Latest" under Releases on the right hand side. Download the atfix.zip from there and extract to get the .dll file.

oh. my. god. thank you, it’s significantly better. bless 🙏 💜

[Valenco]

Same problem for me. I'll try the workaround and I hope this will help for performance issues on my Steam deck.

Hope that Steam is searching a true solution.

Même problème pour moi. Je fais essayer la manipulation en espérant que ça résoudra les problèmes de performance.
J'espère que Steam recherche une solution pérenne.

[KurotoraX]

Originally posted by Valenco:

Same problem for me. I'll try the workaround and I hope this will help for performance issues on my Steam deck.

Hope that Steam is searching a true solution.

Même problème pour moi. Je fais essayer la manipulation en espérant que ça résoudra les problèmes de performance.
J'espère que Steam recherche une solution pérenne.

I honestly doubt that steam or valve in this case would search for a solution. This is an engine problem from GUST themselves. You rather have to hope that Koei Tecmo releases some sort of update for that.


Here are my current settings (if the school area gives somewhat stable 30 fps, the game should run fine for most parts)

Originally posted by Okashi(i)Hero:

For those still looking to try this out on Deck, there's a workaround in the following link: https://github.com/doitsujin/atelier-sync-fix/#readme

... So you'd need to go to Desktop mode on your Steam Deck and navigate to the install folder of the game. Easiest way to do that would be through the Steam App via Library -> Properties (for Blue Reflection) -> Local Files -> Browse.

From there it's just dropping the d3d11.dll file into the folder next to the executable. If you're having issues or something gets messed up you can always remove the file or verify the integrity of the game files to reset everything.

You may want to also run the game once before adding the .dll file to see a before and after and if it makes any difference for you. Battles for ex should be much smoother!

In case you're not familiar with github either, you can click on "Version 0.5" with the Green tag that says "Latest" under Releases on the right hand side. Download the atfix.zip from there and extract to get the .dll file.

Afterwards, go to steam and in properties for Blue Reflection, you write this for "launch options": WINEDLLOVERRIDES="d3d11=n,b" %command%

Then, this is my current setup for Blue Reflection Second Light:

Performance profile:

Framerate limit: 40
Refresh Rate: 40
Allow Tearing: OFF
Half Rate Shading: OFF
Thermal Power (TDP) Limit: OFF
Manual GPU Clock Control: ON
GPU Clock Frequency: 1600


Ingame:

Resolution: 1280x720
Window Settings: Borderless
Overall Graphics Quality: Custom
Texture Quality: Standard
Shadow Quality: Low
Local Reflections Quality: Low
Effect Quality: Standard
Anti-Aliasing: OFF
DOF: OFF
Ambient Occlusion: OFF
Bloom: ON
Light Shafts: ON
Draw Distance: Normal
Point Light Distance: Normal
Grass Draw Distance: Normal
Motion Blur: ON

--------
This will definitely drain your battery and some of the ingame settings don't really matter in terms of performance, so you can play around.
You could also go for 30 fps lock instead of 40.
About the GPU Clock Frequency, I'm no expert, but I do notice improvements to performance with it enabled and set to 1600. It's only 3-5 FPS, but that's already 10% on the deck, so I take it.
Still, even with these settings, I don't think playing on the Steam Deck is the optimal way for this game. I really hope Koei and Gust fix their engine since I love to play their games on the deck.

[Saisakii]

Originally posted by KurotoraX:

Originally posted by Valenco:

Same problem for me. I'll try the workaround and I hope this will help for performance issues on my Steam deck.

Hope that Steam is searching a true solution.

Même problème pour moi. Je fais essayer la manipulation en espérant que ça résoudra les problèmes de performance.
J'espère que Steam recherche une solution pérenne.

I honestly doubt that steam or valve in this case would search for a solution. This is an engine problem from GUST themselves. You rather have to hope that Koei Tecmo releases some sort of update for that.


Here are my current settings (if the school area gives somewhat stable 30 fps, the game should run fine for most parts)

Originally posted by Okashi(i)Hero:

For those still looking to try this out on Deck, there's a workaround in the following link: https://github.com/doitsujin/atelier-sync-fix/#readme

... So you'd need to go to Desktop mode on your Steam Deck and navigate to the install folder of the game. Easiest way to do that would be through the Steam App via Library -> Properties (for Blue Reflection) -> Local Files -> Browse.

From there it's just dropping the d3d11.dll file into the folder next to the executable. If you're having issues or something gets messed up you can always remove the file or verify the integrity of the game files to reset everything.

You may want to also run the game once before adding the .dll file to see a before and after and if it makes any difference for you. Battles for ex should be much smoother!

In case you're not familiar with github either, you can click on "Version 0.5" with the Green tag that says "Latest" under Releases on the right hand side. Download the atfix.zip from there and extract to get the .dll file.

Afterwards, go to steam and in properties for Blue Reflection, you write this for "launch options": WINEDLLOVERRIDES="d3d11=n,b" %command%

Then, this is my current setup for Blue Reflection Second Light:

Performance profile:

Framerate limit: 40
Refresh Rate: 40
Allow Tearing: OFF
Half Rate Shading: OFF
Thermal Power (TDP) Limit: OFF
Manual GPU Clock Control: ON
GPU Clock Frequency: 1600


Ingame:

Resolution: 1280x720
Window Settings: Borderless
Overall Graphics Quality: Custom
Texture Quality: Standard
Shadow Quality: Low
Local Reflections Quality: Low
Effect Quality: Standard
Anti-Aliasing: OFF
DOF: OFF
Ambient Occlusion: OFF
Bloom: ON
Light Shafts: ON
Draw Distance: Normal
Point Light Distance: Normal
Grass Draw Distance: Normal
Motion Blur: ON

--------
This will definitely drain your battery and some of the ingame settings don't really matter in terms of performance, so you can play around.
You could also go for 30 fps lock instead of 40.
About the GPU Clock Frequency, I'm no expert, but I do notice improvements to performance with it enabled and set to 1600. It's only 3-5 FPS, but that's already 10% on the deck, so I take it.
Still, even with these settings, I don't think playing on the Steam Deck is the optimal way for this game. I really hope Koei and Gust fix their engine since I love to play their games on the deck.

So i tested those settings and on my OLED setting the GPU Clock Freq to 1600 gave me a boost of 10 FPS now. I can enable Anti-Aliasing and still hit 45 FPS in the first dungeon and about 40+ FPS in Battles. That single setting made it soo much better, THANKS!