Xanadu Next is a Nihon Falcom action RPG with roots in the Nokia N-Gage era, and it is playable on Steam Deck according to one recent PC Gamer report—but Steam currently labels it unsupported. Shaun Prescott reported getting it running by opening the separate configuration utility and applying a community controller profile. That is a player-reported workaround, not an official compatibility guarantee.
What is Xanadu Next?
Xanadu Next is a single-player action RPG from Nihon Falcom, published for Windows PC in English by XSEED Games and Marvelous USA. Steam describes it as a late entry in the Dragon Slayer series and a spiritual follow-up to the cult 1980s game Faxanadu. The English PC version launched worldwide on November 3, 2016, after an earlier Japan-only release history.
The story begins with a gravely injured knight revived through ancient magic and sent in search of the legendary sword Dragon Slayer. The adventure unfolds on Harlech Island, where sailors glimpse Castle Strangerock through the mist over Lake Orwell. Its setting, ancient ruins, stone tablets and letters give exploration a strong role alongside combat.
How it plays
PC Gamer’s Shaun Prescott described the game as an isometric “slash ‘n’ grind” RPG with circle-and-slash combat and light puzzle-solving. The player explores an interconnected environment, gradually opening routes and doors with purchased keys. A village serves as a hub for resting, trading and upgrading. Character progression includes Guardian abilities, spells and stat adjustments, while key crafting supports access through the labyrinth.
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- 1TB NVMe SSD
- 1280 x 800 HDR OLED display with premium anti-glare etched glass, 7.4" Diagonal display size up to 90Hz refresh rate
- Wi-Fi 6E
- 50Whr battery; 3-12 hours of gameplay (content-dependent)
- Carrying case with removable liner
Prescott praised the atmosphere and interconnected world after six hours of play, while calling the game charming rather than flawless. That is his assessment, not a universal verdict; the deliberate exploration and repeated combat are central to the game’s appeal and may not suit players looking for a faster-paced action RPG.
Steam Deck: what the reported workaround involves
Steam lists Xanadu Next as unsupported on Steam Deck. In an October 5, 2026 report, Prescott said he got it running by opening the separate configuration executable, setting graphics options there, and then launching the game. He also used a community controller profile. His account warns that controller support is incomplete and that mouse input may still be needed for tasks such as equipping items.
Rank #2
- International (UK) Version
- 7.4” diagonal, HDR OLED, 1280 x 800 x RGB, up to 90Hz Refresh rate, High performance touch, <0.1 ms Response time, 1,000 nits peak brightness (HDR), 600 nits (SDR)
- SteamOS 3.0 (Arch-based)
- 512GB NVMe SSD, 16GB LPDDR5 on-board RAM (5500 MT/s quad 32-bit channels), microSD UHS-I supports SD, SDXC and SDHC
- 6 nm AMD APU, CPU: Zen 2 4c/8t, 2.4-3.5GHz (up to 448 GFlops FP32
- Open the configuration utility first. Launch the separate configuration executable from the game’s Steam launch options or installed game files, rather than starting the game directly.
- Set graphics options. Prescott reported configuring graphics before launching the game; the report does not establish a single setting that works for every Deck.
- Launch the game and apply a community controller profile. The profile supplied Prescott’s reported controller workaround. Because profiles can change, check the current community layouts for one that matches your SteamOS and game setup.
- Keep mouse input available. Prescott said mouse control may still be required for some interface actions, including equipping items.
This is a dated individual report, not a tested compatibility rating. It does not establish behavior across Steam Deck models, SteamOS releases, or subsequent game updates. Steam’s listed minimum PC requirements—Pentium III 866 MHz, 1 GB RAM, a DirectX 9.0c-compatible 3D accelerator with 32 MB VRAM, and 2 GB of storage—apply to the Windows version and should not be read as evidence of Deck support.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Release history and where to buy
PC Gamer reports that Falcom first developed Xanadu Next for Nokia N-Gage, followed a few months later by a Japan-only PC version. XSEED announced a worldwide Windows PC release for November 3, 2016, through Steam, GOG.com and Humble Store. The Steam listing identifies Nihon Falcom as developer and XSEED Games / Marvelous USA, Inc. as publishers. Availability and terms can differ by storefront, so check the retailer’s live page before buying.
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Rank #3
- Operating System: SteamOS 3.0
PC Gamer reported a 70% discount during Steam’s Autumn sale on October 5, 2026. A Steam listing snapshot also showed $4.49, down from $14.99, at a different point; neither figure establishes the current offer. Check Steam’s live listing for today’s price and any sale deadline.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Valve is entering the gaming console marketplace with the new Steam Deck, a console geared towards PC gamers. The Steam Deck can be docked to a monitor, and used as a PC, or docked to a TV.
- Players can play a huge variety of games at any time with the comfort of a console and the freedom of a PC. Not anti-glare screen.
- Like the name suggests, the Steam Deck will include upgraded 1TB storage, and will include a carrying case. A micro SD slot will also enable expanded storage.
- Valve partnered with AMD to create a specialized APU optimized for handheld gaming, and Valve says the chip will deliver performance to run AAA gaming titles.
- The Steam Deck is outfitted with a 7-inch touchscreen, and two trackpads under the control sticks that allow gamers to operate games never designed outside of mouse and keyboard capabilities.
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