Hell Let Loose: Vietnam is now available on the Steam Deck, bringing a demanding multiplayer shooter to Valve’s handheld console. The release is notable as it evaluates the capabilities of handheld gaming for a demanding title. Players who prefer gaming on the go can finally access the game, though they should expect compromises in visual smoothness.
Black Matter shooter runs on handheld but drops below 30 FPS on lowest settings
The game launches today on Steam for a global audience. Black Matter developed the title, which is the latest entry in the Hell Let Loose series. The software relies on Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) to manage multiplayer integrity. This anti-cheat solution is fully compatible with SteamOS, allowing the game to run on the Linux-based handheld operating system without blocking the user.
Performance on the device is challenging even at the lowest possible settings. The reviewer notes that the game struggles to maintain a stable frame rate above 30 FPS. Even with TSR scaling set to 35% and resolution capped at 1080p, the system drops below 30 FPS during movement. These frame drops occur frequently enough to disrupt gameplay and have already resulted in player deaths during testing.
The game is priced at $39.99 on Steam. While the title is accessible on the hardware, the reviewer states that it is not ideal for comfortable play. Due to performance constraints, the game prioritizes accessibility over an optimal playing experience. We looked at the last Hell Let Loose: Vietnam update, several of the same balance and stability themes came up.
Hell Let Loose: Vietnam ships on Steam with confirmed Steam Deck compatibility. The game runs on SteamOS using Easy Anti-Cheat. However, the frame rate remains unstable and often falls below 30 FPS on the lowest settings. Buyers should be aware that the handheld experience is functional but not optimized for smooth performance.
Source: Hell Let Loose, SteamDeckHQ
