Can I play Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 on Steam Deck, ROG Ally, and other gaming handhelds?

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Can I play Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 on gaming handhelds?

Absolutely! The game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is compatible with portable gaming systems such as Steam Deck, ASUS ROG Ally, and Lenovo Legion Go. However, for an optimal gaming experience, it’s recommended that you adjust a few settings to suit your device.

Clair Obscur isn’t supported on Steam Deck, but …

Amidst the recent fervor over Bethesda’s unexpected release of Oblivion Remastered, a fresh wave of anticipation has been stirred by Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – an innovative turn-based fantasy RPG from the fledgling studio, Sandfall Interactive. Launched this year, it’s already garnering attention as one of the most intriguing and promising titles of 2025. Immersed in a darkly beautiful Belle Époque-esque world where a cryptic Paintress systematically eliminates humanity, this game challenges players to traverse a treacherous path leading to her Monolith and thwart her “gommages” permanently.

Clair Obscur has earned high acclaim as one of the top-rated games this year on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PS5. Critics have lauded its innovative mix of turn-based strategy and real-time action gameplay, along with its compelling narrative, polished production values, stunning visuals, and captivating soundtrack. I too have reviewed it, awarding it a 4.5 out of 5 stars and noting that “Sandfall Interactive’s first RPG masterfully combines the strategic depth of turn-based combat with the rewarding challenge and skill development found in real-time action games, creating a distinct gaming experience that stands out from the crowd.

As a tech enthusiast, I can’t hide my excitement about the game that’s been making waves as a must-play masterpiece in the gaming world. Add to that, it’s accessible via the widely popular Xbox Game Pass subscription service. This combination has sparked curiosity among gamers across the globe, and many of us are eagerly anticipating if this RPG will run smoothly on portable devices like the Steam Deck. These compact and budget-friendly options have swiftly gained favor with fans, but they don’t always handle new games optimally.

As a tech enthusiast, I’ve been keeping an eye on the gaming scene and I must say, it’s exciting! The case of Sandfall’s debut game, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, has been quite intriguing. Initially, it was labelled as Unsupported on Steam Deck. But, upon launch, the gaming community stepped up and started testing it out. To my delight, they discovered that with a bit of tinkering here and there, you can get the game running quite smoothly on this handheld device!

If you’re curious about how to optimize your gaming experience with Sandfall’s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 on Steam Deck or more performant Windows handhelds like the ASUS ROG Ally, I suggest checking out the section below. It’s filled with tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your gaming sessions!

… use the best settings for Clair Obscur on gaming handhelds and it will play well

As a Clair Obscur enthusiast on the Steam Deck, you might notice that several graphics settings are tucked away by default when playing. However, if you’re keen on customizing your gaming experience, here’s how: The game performs more stably in its default configuration. Two settings that significantly influence performance are your upscaling method (either TSR or XeSS) and your resolution scale. For an optimal, clean, and smooth gameplay, it’s suggested to opt for the TSR upscaling method and the Medium (75%) resolution scale preset. Additionally, it’s a good idea to lock your framerate at 30 on Steam Deck for a smoother experience.

To access additional customization options, insert “SteamDeck=0 %command%” (without quotes) in the launch options for Clair Obscur within Steam. This action will slightly enhance visuals by enabling some effects that are reportedly disabled on the Steam Deck by default. However, you may encounter frame rate drops below 30 FPS due to these settings adjustments. The decision to unlock these settings depends on your tolerance for potential performance dips.

For advanced portable devices such as the ASUS ROG Ally, ROG Ally X, or Lenovo Legion Go, they don’t come with the same limitations as the Steam Deck, allowing them to run games more smoothly. In this case, I suggest using Time Sync Rendering (TSR) for these devices, along with Medium graphics settings for an optimal balance between quality and performance. Regarding your screen resolution, it is suggested to choose 720p and adjust the resolution scale anywhere between 50% to 75% to achieve a consistent frame rate of 50-70 FPS. Keep in mind that the explorable world map tends to be more demanding, so these settings should help maintain performance on the floor.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33″ has been released on various platforms including Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC (Steam, Epic Games Store, Xbox app), and PS5 at $49.99 each. You can also access it via Xbox Game Pass on Xbox or PC. Currently, you can get it for a discounted price of $34.79 at CDKeys. It’s one of the best games of the year for both Xbox and PC users and is highly recommended for fans who enjoy turn-based RPGs.

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2025-04-24 23:39