Skyrim is one of the most famous games ever made and probably amongst the list of the best games in the world due to its popularity. We have seen Skyrim run smooth as butter on PCs. However, whether it works well on a Steam Deck remains a question.
If you are searching for a detailed guide about Skyrim and its performance on a Steam Deck, you are at the right place.
Skyrim and Skyrim: Special Edition run at 60 FPS on the low to medium settings on the Steam Deck. Overall, the game experience is very good, with locked frame rates even during fights.
Read more about the game’s performance, recommended settings, best mods, and control schemes on the Steam Deck as we dive deeper into this article.
Skyrim on Steam Deck
Image Credits: Factor of Games (YT)
Skyrim can be downloaded from Steam and is compatible with Steam Deck. While you should now expect much from the gaming console regarding graphics and immersiveness, you can expect complete control over your character and responsive gameplay.
Here is an in-depth analysis of Skyrim & Skyrim: Special Edition and their functionality on Valve’s latest console, the Steam Deck.
Performance
The performance of the game is not as ideal as the PC, however, it is much better than anywhere else. This makes Steam Deck gives you the second best place to play Skyrim.
Not too shabby considering Skyrim has been run on a Samsung Fridge not so long ago…!
The Steam Deck maintains a solid 60 FPS on the medium-high settings, even when you are in a dynamic environment, the frame rate drops are rare. Even though the console is built to deliver high performance, it fails to keep up with the game’s demanding resources in the long run.
The console overheated when both Skyrim and Skyrim: Special Edition were played for longer than 30 minutes. Stuttering, while not particularly noticeable, was still present.
Overall, the Steam Deck put on a good show when Skyrim and Skyrim: Special Edition were run on it.
Recommended Settings
Skyrim and Skyrim: Special Edition are playable on the medium settings at 800p resolution and 60 FPS. Anything beyond that will be overkill for your Steam Deck.
Mods for Skyrim
There are a ton of mods available for Skyrim, and it can be tough to know where to start. You can manually install mods for Skyrim on Steam Deck from multiple sources including but not limited to Steam Workshop, and Nexus Mods.
However, you may need a mod manager.
Speaking of which, here are a few of our favorites if you’re looking for some great mods to enhance your experience.
Unofficial Skyrim Patch
The first mod on our list is the Unofficial Skyrim Patch. This mod fixes hundreds of bugs that are present in the vanilla version of the game. This mod is a must-have if you’re looking for a more stable and polished Skyrim experience.
Enhanced Camera Mod
Next up is the Enhanced Camera mod. This mod allows you to zoom in and out with the camera and also change the FOV. This is great for getting a better view of Skyrim’s beautiful scenery or a closer look at enemies during combat.
Immersive Citizens Mod
If you want to add some new and unique content to Skyrim, the Immersive Citizens mod is a great choice. This mod adds new voiced NPCs to the game and new quests and interactions. This mod really helps to add some life to the game world.
Realistic Lighting Overhaul Mod
Finally, the Realistic Lighting Overhaul mod is a must-have for anyone who wants to improve the game’s lighting. This mod makes the lighting in Skyrim much more realistic and believable, and it really helps to add to the game’s immersion.
So, those are just a few of our favorite mods for Skyrim. If you’re looking to improve your Skyrim experience, be sure to check out these mods.
Tip: You can browse and download various other mods for Skyrim and Skyrim: Special Edition from Nexus Mods. Keep in mind that all of the abovementioned mods are available for both Skyrim and Skyrim: SE; pay close attention to the version you are downloading.
Steam Deck Controls & Skyrim
The one thing about Steam Deck worthy of being recommended for Skyrim is its controls.
Playing Skyrim on Steam Deck Controls is one of the best ways to experience the game. The controls are easy to use, and their integration with the game is stunning. You can explore Skyrim’s world in ways you never thought possible on a console using its interactive trackpads and buttons.
The Steam Deck Controls also makes it easy to navigate your way around the world and make combat feel more natural. If you are looking for a way to improve your Skyrim gaming experience, then you should definitely try playing with the Steam Deck Controller.
Playing Skyrim Using Steam Deck’s Docked Mode
Skyrim is an open-world action RPG with a ton of things to do. One way to enjoy the game is to use Steam Deck’s docked mode.
This allows you to play the game on external monitors while being able to use your Steam Deck’s touch screen. Not to mention that the screen turns off in docked mode after some time to save battery.
You can also use a keyboard and mouse when using the Steam Deck in docked mode, which can be helpful if you’re not used to playing with a controller.
Conclusion: Skyrim on Steam Deck
To conclude, Steam Deck is still a young gaming console and does not have much when it comes to optimization. However, the hardware is there, and it is constantly improving each passing day with new software updates.
For this reason, we wouldn’t be wrong if we said Skyrim’s performance on Steam Deck might get better in the future.
Even though Skyrim or Skyrim: SE cannot run on high seconds and maintain a smooth frame rate, Valve promises that all games on Steam are being tested and will be compatible with Steam Deck shortly.