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Speaking as someone who played my Game Boy under the covers at night a lot growing up, I can say with confidence that handheld consoles are really great for horror games. The smaller screen creates a palpable feeling of isolation and pressure that is quite addictive. If you want that kind of experience with The Callisto Protocol, you can try playing on a Steam Deck. So, can you play The Callisto Protocol on Steam Deck?
Can you play The Callisto Protocol on Steam Deck?
The answer is yes… mostly. At the time of this writing, Callisto Protocol has not been officially verified by Steam Deck, meaning Valve technicians have not yet tested the game on Steam Deck hardware. That said, Steam users have reported testing the game on a Steam Deck on their Steam forums and have confirmed that they can boot and run it.
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Related: The Callisto Protocol – Should You Buy It on Xbox or PS5?
The key phrase is “execute”. Notice how I didn’t say “perform well.” Callisto Protocol is a heavy game that is processor-intensive even at the best of times, to the point where even a high-end PC will have trouble running it cleanly. Given its naturally lower processing power, a Steam Deck will have quite a difficult time trying to play The Callisto Protocol.
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Steam Deck References
According to Steam Deck users who tried running the game, the best performance they got was 30 FPS on the medium graphics preset with all advanced options disabled. Others reported slightly higher 40 FPS when running at the lowest possible graphics preset. On the bright side, though, these users have reported that frame rates, as low as they are, remain quite stable with minimal stuttering and lag.
So while you won't be able to play The Callisto Protocol in its ideal state on a Steam Deck, you will still be able to play it, period. Honestly, I think a little banter improves the portable horror experience, like the glitchy videotape in The Ring.
