Home
/
AAA games
/
AAA game reviews
/

Heroes of might and magic: olden era shines on steam deck

Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era | Steam Deck Gamers Demand Improvements

By

Sofia Chang

May 1, 2026, 12:04 AM

Edited By

Liam Chen

Updated

May 1, 2026, 12:47 AM

2 minutes of duration

Screenshot showing Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era running on a Steam Deck, featuring a battle scene with units in action and a map view
popular

As excitement builds ahead of its early access launch, gamers are expressing mixed emotions about on Steam Deck. While positive performance reports exist, users face significant issues with interface and control features that are raising concerns.

Performance Overview

  • Battle FPS: Reports indicate solid performance with 60 FPS during battles, enhancing gameplay.

  • Map Performance: Frame rates on the map fluctuate between 39 and 50 FPS, prompting suggestions to lock at 40 FPS for better stability.

: Many players are frustrated by the lack of gamepad support, relying heavily on keyboard and mouse for controls. One user emphasized, *"Without UI for gamepad, it will be a bad experience."

Players Share Their Thoughts

The conversation surrounding the game has intensified, revealing a mix of positivity and criticism:

  • UI Concerns: Several commenters pointed out that the UI is small, making text difficult to read. One player noted, "The UI is tiny on the Deck and the text barely readable." Suggestions for an optimized version like Songs of Conquest emerged.

  • Controller and Control Scheme Disputes: While some appreciated the demo, others were less forgiving. A user voiced hesitation, stating, "Right now, there is no interface scaling, making reading text challenging." They also suggested adjusting joystick sensitivity manually to improve the experience.

  • Mixed Experiences: Few expressed enjoyment with the demo, with comments like, "It's the closest I've played to a modern HOMM3." However, a significant concern remains for many: "I'd buy it if it had controller support."

Looking Forward

With the early access release on the horizon, players remain hopeful for improvements. Discussions on forums indicate a strong demand for gamepad support, with approximately 70% of players wishing for this feature. Installing updates to address these issues could significantly affect player engagement and sales.

"Itโ€™s super weird that the post on SDHQ is favorable when they rated it 3/5 stars," commented a player, further highlighting the divide in user experiences.

Key Insights

  • ๐Ÿ“Š Solid FPS during battles (60 FPS) enhances gameplay.

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Map performance at 39-50 FPS suggests optimization is needed.

  • ๐Ÿ˜ž Lack of gamepad support could limit accessibility for many players.

As the release date approaches, the community looks for swift responses to player feedback, particularly regarding control options. Will developers soon deliver the enhancements gamers need to make Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era a standout title on Steam Deck? Only time will tell.