Regarding OS compatibility

[masonlindroth]

Hylics was developed in Windows 7, and updates are not planned.

If using a later OS, it may help to run the program in Windows 7 compatibility mode.

If fullscreen mode renders incorrectly, try right-clicking on the exe, select properties > compatibility > Change high DPI settings. Toggling the settings there may help.

[nappy]

There is never a reason to stop using windows 7.

[Blahblahblah42]

Going to the local files and setting the exe to run under Windows 7 mode made it work when opening the exe directly, but opening it through steam still just gives me a small, black, frozen game window instead. Not sure why opening it through Steam would do that.

[Owen]

THE ULTIMATE FULLSCREEN + ANTI FLICKER GUIDE

The method in OP did not work for me, there was still flickering after enabling "Reduce Flicker" and testing each compatibility setting combination possible.

I've spent 5+ hours figuring out how to make Hylics run flawlessly on Windows 10 in fullscreen in its intended 4:3 aspect ratio. This should work on any Windows 10 computer. You're all welcome, the game deserves it though it's amazing.

There are three steps to this tutorial,
1. In Game Settings,
2. Installing and Configuring a Program Called "Windowed Borderless Gaming",
3. The Aspect Ratio Fix/Taskbar Removal.

WARNING: If you've enabled any compatibility settings on the .exe or added any launch options to the game via steam in an attempt to fix this, disable them all before proceeding.

1. Ingame Settings

a) Open Hylics and Press F1
b) Disable "Launch in Fullscreen" if you've already enabled it, should be disabled by default.
c) Enable "Reduce Screen Flickering".

2. Installing and setting up "Windowed Borderless Gaming" (WBG)

a) Google it, find the download page, unzip the files and run the .exe. The program is now (hopefully) installed and running. You need to rerun the .exe every time you restart computer if you want to play Hylics, Google how to make a program run on-start if you want to avoid this.

b) Open Hylics, don't tab out or minimize it, just click on that little "Show hidden icons/running/background programs" on the Windows Taskbar (where programs hide when you try to close them), and click the Monitor Icon (WBG), then click "Add Window".

c) Adding it as a window is a little buggy but once its done its done, try clicking on the Hylics window then either clicking F3 or the "Add Window" option, when you do it right the title bar with the words "Hylics" disappears along with the border, repeat this step until that happens.

d) Now that the title bar is removed, you need to make it bigger without actually using "full screen". You can do this by clicking on the WBG monitor icon in hidden icons/running programs tray, clicking "Settings" then "Game Settings". Enter the following settings into the "Resolution" boxes depending on what monitor you're playing on:

1080p 16:9 Monitor, Play Fullscreen in 4:3 - 1440x1080
1440p 16:9 Monitor w/ Windows Scaling @ 100%, Play Fullscreen in 4:3 - 1920x1440
1440p 16:9 Monitor w/ Windows Scaling @ 150%, Play Fullscreen in 4:3 - 1280x960

e) If this doesn't work and does unexpected things, you've failed to properly "Add The Window", delete the settings in WBG and add Hylics as a WBG window again. You should see and be able to play Hylics, simply in a different size, windowed with no borders or title bar if it worked. If it "works" but the window is simply too big or small, mess with your Windows scaling and WBG resolution settings. Stick to common 4:3 resolutions, most of them work w/o flicker.

3. Aspect Ratio Fix & Taskbar Removal

a) I know you can hide taskbar in settings, don't bother, the aspect ratio fix automaticly hides taskbar. Right click your desktop, select "Display Settings" and select the "Display Resolution" option that's the 4:3 version of your monitors resolution. So if you're using a 1080p monitor, change it to 1440x1080p, if your monitor is 1440p do 1920x1440.
b) This will add black bars to your screen and make sure Hylics runs in fullscreen with no border or taskbar. You're done! Have fun! Just tab into or open the game!

Repeating for Future Play

Lets say you want to play again next week, how do you go back and forth? Well, just make sure WGB is running and switch your monitors resolution from 16:9 to 4:3 and you're ready to play! When you're done just close WBG (or keep it open forever idc) and change your display resolution back to 16:9.

P.S. OP should rename this topic to "Fix Flickering Issue", I was looking for a fix and couldn't find this thread because I didn't know it was an OS issue.

[ratsen]

just wanted to thank you owen for the awesome advice! this worked for me :)

[cabbageheart]

Awesome advice to play this game in the best way possible.

[Dakka コティ]

Anybody know how to make the movement keys WASD or any other key to be honest, because my forward arrow key doesn't work.

[Bad Rats Enjoyer]

works on proton out of the box

[✯ El Juancho]

Originally posted by Owen:

THE ULTIMATE FULLSCREEN + ANTI FLICKER GUIDE

The method in OP did not work for me, there was still flickering after enabling "Reduce Flicker" and testing each compatibility setting combination possible.

I've spent 5+ hours figuring out how to make Hylics run flawlessly on Windows 10 in fullscreen in its intended 4:3 aspect ratio. This should work on any Windows 10 computer. You're all welcome, the game deserves it though it's amazing.

There are three steps to this tutorial,
1. In Game Settings,
2. Installing and Configuring a Program Called "Windowed Borderless Gaming",
3. The Aspect Ratio Fix/Taskbar Removal.

WARNING: If you've enabled any compatibility settings on the .exe or added any launch options to the game via steam in an attempt to fix this, disable them all before proceeding.

1. Ingame Settings

a) Open Hylics and Press F1
b) Disable "Launch in Fullscreen" if you've already enabled it, should be disabled by default.
c) Enable "Reduce Screen Flickering".

2. Installing and setting up "Windowed Borderless Gaming" (WBG)

a) Google it, find the download page, unzip the files and run the .exe. The program is now (hopefully) installed and running. You need to rerun the .exe every time you restart computer if you want to play Hylics, Google how to make a program run on-start if you want to avoid this.

b) Open Hylics, don't tab out or minimize it, just click on that little "Show hidden icons/running/background programs" on the Windows Taskbar (where programs hide when you try to close them), and click the Monitor Icon (WBG), then click "Add Window".

c) Adding it as a window is a little buggy but once its done its done, try clicking on the Hylics window then either clicking F3 or the "Add Window" option, when you do it right the title bar with the words "Hylics" disappears along with the border, repeat this step until that happens.

d) Now that the title bar is removed, you need to make it bigger without actually using "full screen". You can do this by clicking on the WBG monitor icon in hidden icons/running programs tray, clicking "Settings" then "Game Settings". Enter the following settings into the "Resolution" boxes depending on what monitor you're playing on:

1080p 16:9 Monitor, Play Fullscreen in 4:3 - 1440x1080
1440p 16:9 Monitor w/ Windows Scaling @ 100%, Play Fullscreen in 4:3 - 1920x1440
1440p 16:9 Monitor w/ Windows Scaling @ 150%, Play Fullscreen in 4:3 - 1280x960

e) If this doesn't work and does unexpected things, you've failed to properly "Add The Window", delete the settings in WBG and add Hylics as a WBG window again. You should see and be able to play Hylics, simply in a different size, windowed with no borders or title bar if it worked. If it "works" but the window is simply too big or small, mess with your Windows scaling and WBG resolution settings. Stick to common 4:3 resolutions, most of them work w/o flicker.

3. Aspect Ratio Fix & Taskbar Removal

a) I know you can hide taskbar in settings, don't bother, the aspect ratio fix automaticly hides taskbar. Right click your desktop, select "Display Settings" and select the "Display Resolution" option that's the 4:3 version of your monitors resolution. So if you're using a 1080p monitor, change it to 1440x1080p, if your monitor is 1440p do 1920x1440.
b) This will add black bars to your screen and make sure Hylics runs in fullscreen with no border or taskbar. You're done! Have fun! Just tab into or open the game!

Repeating for Future Play

Lets say you want to play again next week, how do you go back and forth? Well, just make sure WGB is running and switch your monitors resolution from 16:9 to 4:3 and you're ready to play! When you're done just close WBG (or keep it open forever idc) and change your display resolution back to 16:9.

P.S. OP should rename this topic to "Fix Flickering Issue", I was looking for a fix and couldn't find this thread because I didn't know it was an OS issue.

Nice guide, i have a 2K monitor and i have tried both resolutions with the windows scaling that you said, 1280x960 is a blurry mess and has a serious pixel shimmering effect but it does NOT flicker, the 1920x1440 res looks CRISP but i have flicker every 4-10 secs and its very distracting, any ideas? When i use fullscreen mode i dont have any flicker

[Owen]

Nice guide, i have a 2K monitor and i have tried both resolutions with the windows scaling that you said, 1280x960 is a blurry mess and has a serious pixel shimmering effect but it does NOT flicker, the 1920x1440 res looks CRISP but i have flicker every 4-10 secs and its very distracting, any ideas? When i use fullscreen mode i dont have any flicker

Thanks! Idk man, have you enabled "Reduce screen flickering"? Have you tried playing with the legacy compatibility setting (right click launcher file, properties, compatability)? Maybe run as admin? Otherwise idk :'( I hope you get it working!

[Monty]

A "2K" monitor is 1080p. 1920x1080p, ~2000 horizontal pixels, exactly half of 4k. You have a 1440p monitor, don't sell yourself short.

[Enrico Marini]

Originally posted by masonlindroth:

Hylics was developed in Windows 7, and updates are not planned.

If using a later OS, it may help to run the program in Windows 7 compatibility mode.

If fullscreen mode renders incorrectly, try right-clicking on the exe, select properties > compatibility > Change high DPI settings. Toggling the settings there may help.

Would you please add *AGE RATING*? Shortlist 2-3 Min few Questions like Strong Language= Game for 0,6,12,16 or 18 Years old Players or Game stay *BANNED* from German Steam Store till u add it

[ZA WARUDO]

this didn't work for me, wbg says "no window added". I'm running on win11 though

[Owen]

Originally posted by Dex~theVillain:

this didn't work for me, wbg says "no window added". I'm running on win11 though

pretty sure you failed to add it as a window, it can be a little buggy and require a few tries