The safest Steam Deck setup for MOUSE: P.I. For Hire is a 40 FPS cap with the screen at 80 Hz and the in-game preset left on Medium. That is the handheld setup most consistently supported by current Steam Deck testing.
Recommended 40 FPS setup
SteamOS quick menu
| Setting | Recommended value |
|---|---|
| Refresh Rate | 80 Hz |
| Frame Rate Limit | 40 FPS |
| Half Rate Shading | Off |
| TDP Limit | Off by default |
| Scaling Filter | Linear |
| GPU Clock | Unchanged |
In-game settings
| Setting | Recommended value |
|---|---|
| Graphics preset | Medium |
| Rendering scale | Default |
| Shadows | Default |
The core read from current coverage is that the default Medium preset already does the job well enough for a stable 40 FPS target.
Optional 60 FPS tweaks
If you want to push closer to 60 FPS, the cleanest tweak set is:
- Frame rate cap:
60 - Rendering Scale:
0.9 - Shadows:
Low
That setup can look smoother, but the trade-off is less headroom and more risk of dips in heavier scenes.
Battery-saving note
Community reporting suggests a 10W TDP limit can stretch battery life without wrecking the game, but that is a trade-off setting rather than the baseline recommendation. If you care more about consistency than battery, leave TDP alone.
Medium vs. High vs. Ultra
The practical advice from current handheld testing is to stop at Medium. On the Deck screen, the jump to High or Ultra does not look large enough to justify the extra performance cost.
FAQ
Is Mouse PI For Hire good on Steam Deck?
The current Steam Deck write-ups are positive, and the developer publicly targeted a 40 FPS handheld experience.
What is the best frame-rate target?
40 FPS is the clearest recommendation because it keeps the game smooth without chasing unstable 60 FPS.
Can you play at 60 FPS?
Yes, with lowered rendering scale and shadows, but it is more of an optional performance mode than the safest default.