Whereas the Steam Deck is a dream gadget for enjoying quite a lot of graphically intense titles on-the-go, the requirement to connect with the web for a lot of video games limits its portability considerably. That is additional compounded by Steam’s requirement to validate your library on-line each time (the DRM overlords are at all times watching).
Emulators (opens in new tab) are usually not affected by this, however think about my frustration after I needed to play some Pink Useless Redemption 2 on the practice to London, solely to see the sport repeatedly crash as a result of I didn’t correctly put together it for offline mode.
However fortunate for you, the Deck has a workaround resolution that’s just like Steam’s offline mode. Offline mode is not airplane mode. It’s a technique to bypass quite a lot of the web necessities of many PC video games.Â
So, when you have an extended journey forward of you with little to no web connectivity, comply with these steps to make sure you can play the greatest Steam Deck video games alongside the way in which.
It really works, however not on a regular basis
The Steam Deck’s offline mode labored throughout the overwhelming majority of my video games, akin to Forza Horizon 5, Pink Useless Redemption 2, Hitman 3, God of Struggle and F1 22. However there are particular video games, like DiRT Rally 2.0, that override this mode and simply don’t work.
When it fails you will discover your self caught in a single specific stage or the sport will simply frequently crash. Observe the steps under, however don’t take this as gospel that your entire favorites work. Be sure to take a look at earlier than your journey!
use Steam Deck’s offline mode
1. Whereas linked to the web, ensure you open all of the video games you need to play, in order that any updates have been utilized, and any further software program downloads and installs have occurred.Â
2. Play these video games for 5-10 minutes whereas on-line additionally. Pink Useless Redemption 2 is an efficient instance of why — offline mode doesn’t work till you’ve opened it and performed it for a minimum of ten minutes in my expertise.
3. As soon as finished, give up out of your video games, head over to settings, web and activate offline mode. Be sure to solely put your Steam Deck to sleep. Don’t shut it down, as that may restart the necessity to validate all of your video games on-line.
4. And voila! Your video games must be playable offline.
