Ponjen
Published
taskset -c 0-1 %command%
The stuttering is fixed by limiting the CPU to 2 cores. Unfortunately, the command everyone is using doesn't work on Proton 5 or older. The command I used is the equivalent for those older versions. After the latest SteamOS update, any Proton newer than 3.16 has constant flickering.
Launch in Desktop Mode first, change to Fullscreen.
In Gaming Mode, the game window is cut off. It may not look like it at first, but once you access the sub menus, you'll notice there's no way out. Changing to Fullscreen in Settings doesn't save in Gamescope. You have to launch the game in Desktop Mode, then change it to Fullscreen from there. At that point, the game runs in Gaming Mode perfectly. No cut off window. Don't need the latest Proton either. Proton 7 (and possibly earlier) works just fine.
-d3d11
Open GameUserSettings.ini and change everything in [ScalabilityGroups] accordingly. I set everything but textures and shadows to 1. Those two I set to 2. In-game, I changed the resolution to 480p, set TDP to 9, and FSR to max. Game gives me a solid 60 fps and looks no different than 720p.
TDP 9
Without modifying the .ini file, performance is very bad.
PROTON_USE_WINED3D=1 %command%
Used CPTA320's premade prefix, but it didn't work out of the box. I found an earlier report from them about needing specific DXVK DLLs in the game's root. Game started up, but still crashed. Tried switching the game to OpenGL (PROTON_USE_WINED3D=1 %command%), and now it works perfectly. So, I've reulpoaded CPTA320's prefix, alongside the necessary DLL files and the launch command to get the game running. I thank CPTA320 for the prefix, and I hope I helped make the process of getting this game running on Deck even easier/faster.
If I am requested to take down my reupload of the prefix, I will oblige.
Followed qdoots instructions
Disregard my previous report. The prefix from CPTA320 did not work on Deck. Once getting into actual gameplay, characters did not render (due to OpenGL). I followed qdoots instructions instead, and got the game working perfectly now. I have uploaded my 100% Deck made prefix, alongside the DLLs needed to work. As this was made entirely on Deck, it should be plug and play (delete your original 460120 folder. Don't just paste mine on top of it). Make sure to use Proton 5.0-10. All FMVs, sounds, and graphics work with no issue. Tested both desktop and gaming mode (CPTA320's prefix only worked on desktop mode). If my prefix does not work, follow qdoots instructions with a clean/fresh prefix. Make sure you have disabled the readonly file system (sudo steamos-readonly disable), and have installed Winetricks via Pacman (sudo pacman -S winetricks), if following qdoots guide. https://www.mediafire.com/file/805k08qk4lzkojb/Nep-VII-Prefix-SteamDeck.tar.gz/file
Lower TDP to 8 watts and cap to 40fps
TDP Limit 6 watts
Certain light sources tank the FPS to 20 or lower. Graphics settings and TDP make little to no difference. An example would be the Velvet Room.
Change render resolution to 75%, shadows on high, and RTX reflections off. You'll get locked 30 fps at as low as 6 watt TDP (exceptions being the specific problem areas). These settings can get you 2:30-3 hours of battery. Lowering the actual game resolution itself (NOT the render resolution) can improve the areas with problematic lighting, but they'll still be sub 30 fps.
Launcher BGM is missing
Cutscenes don't work since Proton/Wine doesn't support Webview2. Opening cutscene works, but that's it.
I tried for a couple of days trying to get this game working on my Manjaro desktop, but to no avail. It's the same issue as the other reports: launcher opens, but the game won't launch. I noticed the pattern that everyone getting it to work were on Steam Deck. So I tried, and sure enough, it works perfectly fine on Deck (with Proton 9+. Anything before gives a Steam error. Can be avoided by using the launcher from their site instead. Proton 8 has the launcher BGM). I also tested on ChimeraOS, to see if a SteamOS fork works. Same issue as desktop Linux. So for whatever reason, this game is flagged to only work on Linux if it's a Steam Deck running official SteamOS. No Chimera, Bazzite, Holo, or any other desktop Linux. At least Linux users have an option instead of being 100% locked out.
