Cyberpunk 2077 2.0 has recently been released, and I had the opportunity to test it on both the Steam Deck and desktop Linux. The good news is that it runs smoothly out of the box with Proton, specifically with Proton Experimental.
For the Steam Deck, I tested it on SteamOS 3.5 Preview, and it performed quite well. On Low and Medium settings, the game maintained a frame rate above 30FPS, and even reached around 40FPS in less demanding situations. However, during intense open world action, the frame rate dropped, but using the Medium settings with FSR2 (FidelityFX Super Resolution 2) helped maintain smooth gameplay.
To provide a comprehensive overview, I ran several benchmarks and captured gameplay footage, which you can view below.
On desktop Linux (Kubuntu 23.04), the game runs, but there is a major issue with on-screen gamepad icons. This is a known issue with the 2.0 update, and while restarting the game fixes it on Windows, it doesn’t work on Linux. However, you can fix this problem on Linux by editing the Cyberpunk2077.exe file located in the “.steam/steam/steamapps/common/Cyberpunk 2077/bin/x64/” directory. After backing up the file, you can run a terminal command to fix the issue.
In terms of performance, Cyberpunk 2077 2.0 runs impressively well considering it is running through the Proton compatibility layer. On the High details preset, with FSR2 Quality at 2560×1440 resolution, I consistently achieved frame rates above 60FPS, resulting in a smooth gaming experience. These tests were conducted on an AMD Ryzen 5800X processor paired with a Radeon 6800XT graphics card.
If you’re planning to dive back into Cyberpunk 2077 with the 2.0 update and the upcoming DLC, or if you’re about to play it for the first time, I would love to hear about your experiences and thoughts in the comments. The game is available for purchase on GOG, Humble Store (GOG Key), and Steam. The DLC, titled Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, is set to release on September 26th.
Overall, Cyberpunk 2077 2.0 runs smoothly on both the Steam Deck and desktop Linux, thanks to the compatibility provided by Proton. Despite a few issues, the game delivers impressive performance, making it a great choice for AAA gaming on Linux.
