The survival co-op game ‘Enshrouded’ from German developer Keen Games has surged in popularity. With active player counts exceeding 70,000 on Steam, the title has garnered significant interest in the gaming community. The game is also accessible to Linux users, including those on the Steam Deck, albeit with noted performance constraints.
Compatibility and Performance on Steam Deck and Linux
‘Enshrouded’ is operable on both the Steam Deck and Linux desktops using Proton 8.0-5, offering an immediate play out-of-the-box experience. GamingOnLinux, a resource dedicated to Linux gaming, has reported that the game seems to be thoroughly compatible with Steam Deck, showcasing satisfactory performance in terms of gamepad support and text input for character creation.
Despite the compatibility, ‘Enshrouded’ encounters significant performance hurdles on the Steam Deck platform. Under the lowest graphical settings, the game often dips below 30 frames per second (FPS), a phenomenon that becomes pronounced when adding player constructions or engaging in cooperative play.
‘Enshrouded’ on Desktop Linux Systems
The story contrasts on high-end desktop Linux systems. For instance, a desktop system equipped with an AMD Radeon 6800 XT GPU and an AMD Ryzen 5800X CPU running on Kubuntu 23.10 was capable of achieving notably higher frame rates. In this environment, ‘Enshrouded’ can reach between 80 and 100 FPS with ‘Balanced’ settings at 1440p resolution.
Notwithstanding these numbers suggesting smooth gameplay, the experience appears to lack fluidity – an issue not unique to Linux, as Windows users have reported similar performance quirks.
Conclusion
Despite showing promise in playability, ‘Enshrouded’ is presently challenged by performance inconsistencies across platforms, particularly on the Steam Deck. Desktop Linux users with robust hardware may enjoy better framerates, yet may still encounter less-than-optimal gameplay fluidity. Developers might need to address these disparities to ensure that ‘Enshrouded’ provides a consistent and enjoyable survival experience for Linux and Steam Deck players.
