By Diving Into the Massive Chaos of 33 Immortals
Whenever a new game promises massive multiplayer co-op, my first thought is always the same: “How is this going to run on my handhelds?” The handheld gaming space has exploded, but massive multiplayer titles can still be a tricky proposition for portable hardware. Recently, the incredible team over at Thunder Lotus was kind enough to provide me with an early access key for their highly anticipated action-roguelike, 33 Immortals. Naturally, I immediately fired it up on my Steam Deck to see if the system could handle the sheer, unfiltered chaos of 33 players battling it out simultaneously on a single screen.
If you aren’t familiar with the premise of 33 Immortals, it takes the traditional top-down action-roguelike formula and cranks the dial up to an absurd degree. Instead of a solo run or a small four-player squad, it throws you and 32 other players into a massive, cooperative rebellion against the wrath of God. It sounds exactly like a recipe for a hardware meltdown, but I was genuinely surprised by what I found during my testing.
Out-of-the-Box Performance: Surprisingly Smooth
Right from the jump, my experience was overwhelmingly positive. In the starting hub area—before the real madness of combat kicks off—the Steam Deck comfortably pushes around 50 to 60 frames per second. There are a few minor dips here and there as assets load or as players initially gather, but overall it performs exceptionally well without any tweaking.
Based on this initial out-of-the-box experience alone, I honestly believe this title easily deserves that coveted Steam Deck Verified status. It is rare to see an early-phase game run this smoothly without having to dive into the settings menu for half an hour. The level design is incredibly interesting right from the start, featuring unique combinations and intricate mechanics just to get into the different zones. But the real test, of course, is what happens when you queue up for the full-blown 33-contestant mode and the action actually starts.
Handling the Hectic 33-Player Co-Op
When you finally load into a live instance with actual players, the hardware demands definitely shift. With dozens of players running around casting spells, swinging weapons, and hordes of enemies spawning in to stop your rebellion, the frame rate settles closer to the 50 FPS mark. During the most intense, screen-filling moments, I noticed it dipping down into the 40s.
One thing I quickly realized is that you really need to have your settings dialed in before you start a run. Because 33 Immortals is a constantly evolving, live-action game, trying to pause and fiddle with your graphics menu while monsters are swarming you is a surefire way to get yourself killed. The action never stops, so make sure you are comfortable with your configuration before you step onto the battlefield.
Graphics Settings and Power Draw
Speaking of settings, I didn’t feel a strong need to change much initially because the baseline performance was so solid. However, out of curiosity—and a desire to see if I could lock in a completely stable 60 FPS during those massive fights—I decided to drop the visuals down to the “reduced graphics” preset.
Interestingly, this change didn’t seem to make a massive difference in the overall frame rate. Even on lower settings, the game still hovered in that 40 to 50 FPS range during heavy combat, which tells me the bottleneck is likely more CPU-bound due to the massive number of players and AI enemies on screen, rather than purely graphical. Throughout my testing, the Steam Deck was pulling around 18 watts of total system power. For a game with this much happening on screen simultaneously, an 18W draw is fairly reasonable. It means you can expect decent battery life, though you should probably keep your charger handy if you’re planning a long, multi-run gaming session.
Gameplay Insights: Teamwork is Everything
Performance aside, the actual gameplay loop is highly addictive, though it comes with a steep learning curve depending on your chosen playstyle. It is a very easy title to pick up and play conceptually, but mastering the chaotic battlefield is another story entirely.
For my runs, I decided to test out the Mage-type class. I have to admit, it was surprisingly difficult to get the hang of. The combat gets incredibly frantic, and as a squishy magic user, positioning is everything. It is remarkably easy to get separated from the main group of players amid the visual chaos. Once you’re isolated from the pack, getting overwhelmed by a mob of monsters is almost guaranteed.
This brings up the most crucial mechanic of 33 Immortals: you are entirely reliant on your fellow players. If you die, your run isn’t immediately over, but you are completely dependent on a friend or a friendly stranger to brave the hordes, reach your location, and pick you back up. Right now, because the game is still in its earlier phases, lobbies aren’t always packed to the absolute brim. I’m really hoping the player base picks up momentum soon, because the cooperative revival mechanics shine brightest when there is a massive army of players working together to keep each other alive.
Final Thoughts
Overall, 33 Immortals is shaping up to be an absolute blast, especially for handheld gamers looking for something fresh. The fact that the Steam Deck can handle 33 players and hundreds of enemies on screen while maintaining highly playable frame rates in the 40s and 50s is a testament to both the hardware’s capabilities and the solid optimization work by Thunder Lotus.
Whether you’re a hardcore roguelike fan or just looking for a fun, chaotic co-op experience to play from the comfort of your couch, this is definitely one to keep on your radar. It performs admirably out of the box, and while it can get a bit hectic, that chaos is exactly what makes it so charming. I’m incredibly excited to see how the game evolves, how the meta develops, and how the community grows as more players discover this unique multiplayer gem.