Monster Hunter Wilds joins GeForce Now, providing a sneaky Steam Deck performance workaround

Attempting to operate Monster Hunter Wilds on the Steam Deck is an unsuccessful venture, just as it would be on any other budget, outdated, or low-performance computer hardware. Yet, today’s release of the game on Nvidia’s GeForce Now streaming service offers a makeshift solution: a method to enjoy Wilds on this compact handheld device, possibly at a smooth 60 frames per second.

GeForce Now charges a reasonable fee to stream games from their top-tier PCs. The Performance (previously Priority) plan costs £10 / $10 per month for RTX 3060 or RTX 2080 performance level, while the Ultimate tier is priced at £20 / $20, offering access to an RTX 4080 system. However, it’s worth noting that if you already own games on Steam, you can stream them via GeForce Now without any extra charges. I tested this on the Steam Deck using my Ultimate subscription and frequently hit the 60fps limit, even with ray tracing enabled.

Compared to running games on the Steam Deck’s built-in system, you might manage an uneven 25 frames per second, similar to a persistent cough at low graphics settings. There is a minor delay in input response when streaming, but overall I found it to be smooth and responsive enough for comfortable control.

When using a cloud gaming setup like this one, there are additional considerations aside from subscription fees. The responsiveness depends heavily on a strong and consistent Wi-Fi connection. If your home has areas with poor reception or if you have slow internet overall, you might experience higher latency or degraded visuals due to a delayed video feed. Additionally, since the Steam Deck is intended for portable use, taking it outside may leave your gaming monsters unchallenged unless you can locate reliable Wi-Fi hotspots on your adventures.

Instead of labeling streaming as a solution to Wilds’ suboptimal Deck performance, it might be more accurate to say that for home use, streaming provides a better match between the game and your hardware compared to installing and running it locally. Plus, you have the option – unlike with Steam Remote Play – to continue playing at a friend’s house or in a hotel room. These small conveniences can certainly make a difference.

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2025-03-06 19:27