Doom: The Dark Ages is Ready to Run on Steam Deck
id Software’s latest game, Doom: The Dark Ages, is now officially compatible with Steam Deck. The studio’s FPS series, renowned for its technical excellence, delivers powerful performance on portable devices with the new update. Thanks to special optimizations included in “Update 2.2,” the Doom Slayer can now challenge the armies of hell from a handheld.
Doom: The Dark Ages Update 2.2 Brings Exclusive Improvements to Steam Deck and Portable Devices
Update 2.2 includes special performance tweaks and visual optimizations for portable devices. The game can now deliver stable frame rates with lower power consumption on systems like Steam Deck and ROG Ally X. This version includes an automatic detection system for handheld devices, improved SFX/VFX optimizations, and handheld-friendly menu interface adjustments.
Performance tests conducted by YouTuber Deck Wizard confirmed that Doom: The Dark Ages now runs smoothly on Steam Deck. While visual quality is slightly lower than on the desktop version, stable performance is achieved between 40–60 FPS. id Software’s flexibility in ray tracing effects plays a decisive role in this performance increase.
The update isn’t limited to technical improvements. Various bugs in the campaign and Ripatorium mode have also been addressed. Weapon damage values have been synchronized with enemy death animations, making them more consistent. The Doom Slayer’s shield mechanics have also been overhauled; they now calculate stun effects more accurately during melee combat.
Furthermore, the development team has rebalanced some combat scenes throughout the campaign. Visual issues, such as the head positioning of Sentinel civilians in Hebeth, Siege – Part 1, have been corrected, enhancing the game’s cinematic integrity. id Software, with its attention to detail and sense of humor, has made sure to complement these fixes, even with “headless” jokes.
While Doom: The Dark Ages is still best experienced on desktop, it’s now fully playable for Steam Deck users. Compared to 2020’s Doom Eternal, the game adopts a slower, more tactical pace, maintaining the series’ intense action spirit even on portable platforms.
