Unleashed Recompiled offers native Linux support and runs on Steam Deck out of the box. The Flatpak build is the recommended method for Steam Deck users and can be installed directly and added as a non-Steam game via Desktop Mode.Documentation Index
Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/hedge-dev/UnleashedRecomp/llms.txt
Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
Installing via Flatpak
The Flatpak build (io.github.hedge_dev.unleashedrecomp) is the recommended way to run Unleashed Recompiled on Steam Deck. Install it from Desktop Mode and add it as a non-Steam game to make it accessible from Gaming Mode.
It is recommended to complete the installation process while in Desktop Mode. The file picker used during setup may not be available in Game Mode at all times. Booting into Desktop Mode at least once will enable the file picker to work when you switch back to Game Mode.
Switch to Desktop Mode
From the Steam Deck’s power menu, select Switch to Desktop to enter Desktop Mode.
Install the Flatpak
Download and install the Unleashed Recompiled Flatpak (
io.github.hedge_dev.unleashedrecomp) from the official GitHub Releases page.Prepare your game files
Before launching, make sure your dumped Sonic Unleashed game files are accessible. See the storage warning below for advice on where to place them.
Run the installer
Launch the application. The built-in installation wizard will guide you through providing your game files. Complete the full installation process while in Desktop Mode to avoid file picker issues.
Storage Considerations
Game Data Location
The Flatpak build stores all game data in a sandboxed directory. This is the only path the Flatpak build will recognize as valid:File Picker in Game Mode
Due to restrictions in how the Steam Deck’s desktop environment works while in Game Mode, the file picker required during installation may not be available. Workaround: Boot into Desktop Mode at least once before attempting to use the file picker. After that single Desktop Mode boot, the file picker will become available when you return to Game Mode. If you want to avoid the issue entirely, you can complete the full installation process while in Desktop Mode.Performance Tips
Unleashed Recompiled performs noticeably better on Steam Deck than the game did on its original hardware when using default settings, but demanding sections — such as Werehog combat or DLC stages — may make maintaining the target frame rate difficult. Keep the following in mind to get the best experience:- Manually set the GPU clock to its maximum value via Gamescope. Performance improves significantly with this change, even though the game is primarily CPU-bottlenecked.
- The game is CPU-bottlenecked on Steam Deck, meaning GPU upgrades have less impact than CPU single-thread speed.
- If you encounter performance issues, try lowering Resolution Scale, Anti-Aliasing, or Shadow Resolution from the in-game options menu.
- Overall performance is considered noticeably better than on the original Xbox 360 hardware at default settings.
Linux has an unexpected performance advantage in CPU-bound scenarios compared to Windows, potentially due to differences in how thread synchronization is handled between the two schedulers. This benefits Steam Deck users running the native Linux or Flatpak build.