Udo on 28/2/2025 at 20:40
I am currently debating to get one of these devices that are similar to the Steam Deck.
While I own the original thing and love it now for over 2 years, it is not really suited to play Thief 1 and 2.
The man reason is that it runs on Linux and the best thing I´ve managed was to paste TFix Lite into Gold. But the experience was still rather lackluster and of course FMs shouldn´t work this way.
However with several similar devices out there which are running Windows instead of Linux I presume it should be better suited for that. Asus ROG Ally, MSI Claw and Lenovo Legion Go.
Installing the patches and FM loaders like Angel Loader shouldn´t be a problem.
But still the question remains about the controls. I guess you could map them easily in the menu. But not sure if the lack of a mouse(instead using the joystick) works.
Maybe someone has such a Windows-based device and success with running the games with FMs on it? Sharing experience would be appreciated :cool: .
mikjames on 4/3/2025 at 01:27
Quote Posted by Udo
I am currently debating to get one of these devices that are similar to the Steam Deck.
While I own the original thing and love it now for over 2 years, it is not really suited to play Thief 1 and 2.
The man reason is that it runs on Linux and the best thing I´ve managed was to paste TFix Lite into Gold. But the experience was still rather lackluster and of course FMs shouldn´t work this way.
However with several similar devices out there which are running Windows instead of Linux I presume it should be better suited for that. Asus ROG Ally, MSI Claw and Lenovo Legion Go.
Installing the patches and FM loaders like Angel Loader shouldn´t be a problem.
But still the question remains about the controls. I guess you could map them easily in the menu. But not sure if the lack of a mouse(instead using the joystick) works.
Maybe someone has such a Windows-based device and success with running the games with FMs on it? Sharing experience would be appreciated :cool: .
Sounds like you just need more time with the deck.
Adding the tfix and fm launchers as non steam games should launch them.
The only deck id be buying for thief is the oled deck. Keep in mind you can also install Windows on the deck.
Aja on 4/3/2025 at 19:30
I've got the OLED Deck and it works wonderfully for Thief, including FMs. It took a while to get it set up properly, though. I mapped inventory and weapon selectors to the touch pads, joystick to mouselook, and between the shoulder and back buttons I had enough to perform all the main functions (including using a modifier button to turn the left joystick into lean left/right/forward). The only downside is that switching between OMs and FMs requires going into desktop mode, and the FM launcher is a bit finicky in portable mode. But otherwise it's my preferred way to play the games.
Udo on 4/3/2025 at 20:47
Quote Posted by mikjames
Sounds like you just need more time with the deck.
Adding the tfix and fm launchers as non steam games should launch them.
The only deck id be buying for thief is the oled deck. Keep in mind you can also install Windows on the deck.
Well, I own it now for over 2 years, likely enough? I didn´t look too much into Thief for it, but if there is a way, sure. Why not. The OLED version wasn´t available at this time and while I presume it looks nice, the IPS display isn´t bad.
I don´t want to install Windows on it however, since audio only works via Bluetooth AFAIK. Also, there is the old IT saying "never change a running system". Since it´s the 64GB version(I added a SD card) I also stick to SteamOS for now.
I use it mostly for casual games like Brotato, but if I can try Thief on it, I see it as a nice bonus.
Quote Posted by Aja
I've got the OLED Deck and it works wonderfully for Thief, including FMs. It took a while to get it set up properly, though. I mapped inventory and weapon selectors to the touch pads, joystick to mouselook, and between the shoulder and back buttons I had enough to perform all the main functions (including using a modifier button to turn the left joystick into lean left/right/forward). The only downside is that switching between OMs and FMs requires going into desktop mode, and the FM launcher is a bit finicky in portable mode. But otherwise it's my preferred way to play the games.
That sounds good. Can you please share how exactly you did the installation stuff? Thanks.
Aja on 4/3/2025 at 22:59
I'm sorry, I don't remember exactly how I installed it. I'm using the Steam version of Thief Gold, and I'm pretty sure I installed TFix over it in desktop mode. If there's a way to share control schemes, I'd be happy to.
Aja on 6/3/2025 at 18:47
I did manage to share my controller config. It's named "Thief Gold layout by Aja." The left trackpad brings up a weapon selector, and the right trackpad has a miscellaneous function selector, including drop item and quicksave. L4 mode-shifts the left joystick to lean, and R1 and L1 (my least favourite buttons) mode-shift their respective trackpads to bring up menus with lesser-used functions. Also, holding down R2 to aim the bow temporarily enables gyro controls for fine tuning your aim.
Thirteen1355 on 8/5/2025 at 18:29
The Deck is perfectly suited to play Thief, and fan missions. Heroic Games Launcher can install and run GOG games (which come with Lite Tfix). It can run Angelloader through Heroic as well. I play it constantly, just as well as on my game desktop with Windows.
Mortis on 13/5/2025 at 09:54
One of those handhelds with a slide out keyboard might be even better
Udo on 2/6/2025 at 21:08
Ok, now I found time again to dabble with the Steam Deck. Installed Thief Gold but couldn´t install TFix full version because it doesn´t recognise the paths(as it´s Linux). Also, I couldn´t find the layout you made, Aja. Did you delete it in the meantime?
There were also some other layouts in the community tab but I couldn´t try any of them due to lack of TFix. Even if the OD version runs, it´s not really usable on the deck.
Aja on 4/6/2025 at 22:11
I definitely didn't delete it, but I can try reuploading it when I get home.
