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Bloodborne on Steam Deck vs PS5 Remote Play

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Bloodborne on Steam Deck vs PS5 Remote Play

If you want to play Bloodborne on the go, the Steam Deck (via Chiaki or Chiaki4Deck) and PS5 Remote Play are the two main options, and the short answer is: PS5 Remote Play is officially supported and simpler to set up, while Steam Deck offers more flexibility but requires third-party software. Both stream the game from your PS5 over your network, so the actual performance depends more on your router and connection than on the device you’re using. This article breaks down the setup steps, performance expectations, and key differences so you can decide which route fits your situation.

Background: Why Bloodborne Isn’t on PC

Bloodborne was released in 2015 as a PlayStation 4 exclusive, and it has never been ported to PC or other consoles. Sony has not announced any plans to remaster or re-release it on modern platforms, which means the only official ways to play it are on a PS4 or PS5 (via backward compatibility). This is why players who want to play on a handheld like the Steam Deck must rely on streaming from a console they already own. There is no native Steam version, so any guide that claims to run Bloodborne directly on the Deck is either using an emulator (which is unreliable and legally questionable) or streaming.

How PS5 Remote Play Works

PS5 Remote Play is a built-in feature that streams your console’s screen and audio to another device over the internet. You can use it with a PC, Mac, Android phone, iPhone, or iPad, but not directly with a Steam Deck because Sony doesn’t offer an official Linux client. To use Remote Play on the Deck, you need to install Chiaki or Chiaki4Deck, which are open-source clients that replicate the official Remote Play protocol. The setup involves putting your PS5 into rest mode, enabling Remote Play in the system settings, and then linking your console to the app on the Deck using a temporary code. Once connected, the Deck shows the PS5’s home screen and you can launch Bloodborne just as you would on the console.

How to Set Up PS5 Remote Play on Steam Deck

Here is the general process for getting Remote Play working on a Steam Deck:

  1. On your PS5, go to Settings > System > Remote Play and enable it. Also turn on Settings > System > Power Saving > Features Available in Rest Mode and check both boxes.
  2. On the Steam Deck, switch to Desktop Mode and download Chiaki4Deck from the Discover store (it’s a flatpak).
  3. Open Chiaki4Deck and go to the “Add Console” tab. It will ask for your PSN account ID. You can find this by logging into Sony’s website and viewing your profile page—the ID is a string of numbers in the URL.
  4. Enter your console’s IP address (found on the PS5 under Settings > Network > View Connection Status) and the PSN ID, then click “Register.”
  5. On the PS5, go to Settings > System > Remote Play > Link Device and note the 8-digit code.
  6. Enter that code in Chiaki4Deck and it should connect. You can then add Bloodborne as a non-Steam game on the Deck to launch it directly from Gaming Mode.

If you prefer the official PS Remote Play app, you can run it on the Deck using Proton, but that often requires extra tinkering and may not work reliably. Chiaki4Deck is the community-recommended route because it’s optimized for the Deck’s controls and screen.

Performance Comparison: Latency, Resolution, and Frame Rate

Both methods stream the same video from your PS5, so the performance ceiling is identical. The key factors are:

  • Latency: On a local network (same router), input lag is typically 30–60 ms, which is noticeable but playable for a game like Bloodborne that requires precise dodging. Over the internet, latency can jump to 100 ms or more, making parries and dodges much harder.
  • Resolution: The PS5 Remote Play app supports up to 1080p, and Chiaki4Deck can also do 1080p. The Steam Deck’s screen is 1280×800, so you’ll be downscaled anyway. On an external monitor, 1080p is the max for both.
  • Frame rate: Bloodborne runs at 30 fps on PS5 (it’s not patched for 60). The stream will match that, so you won’t get a higher frame rate no matter what device you use.
  • Bitrate: Chiaki4Deck lets you adjust bitrate (e.g., 20–50 Mbps). Higher bitrate reduces compression artifacts but requires a stable network. The official app auto-adjusts, but you can’t manually set it.

In practice, on a good local network, both feel similar. Over the internet, Chiaki4Deck may give you more control to tweak settings, but the official app is more polished and easier for beginners.

Setup Difficulty and User Experience

PS5 Remote Play on other devices (like a PC or phone) is trivial: install the app, sign in, and connect. On the Steam Deck, you have to install third-party software, find your PSN ID, and manually enter IP addresses. This is a one-time setup that takes about 10–15 minutes, but it can be intimidating if you’re not comfortable with technical steps. The official app on a PC is much simpler, but then you’re not using the Deck’s portability—you’d need a laptop or a phone with a controller mount. The Deck’s advantage is that it’s a self-contained handheld with proper buttons and analog sticks, so once set up, it feels like a native portable console.

Common Problems and Fixes

  • Connection drops: Make sure your PS5 is connected via Ethernet, not Wi-Fi, for the best stability. Also, disable any VPN on the Deck.
  • Audio stutter: In Chiaki4Deck, try lowering the audio bitrate or switching to a different audio codec.
  • Controller not working: Ensure the Deck’s controller is set to “DualShock 4” in Chiaki4Deck’s settings, as some games expect that input.
  • Cannot find console: Double-check the IP address and that your PS5 is in rest mode or turned on. Firewall settings on your router can also block the connection.
  • High latency: Use the 5 GHz Wi-Fi band on the Deck, or better, connect the Deck to a router via a USB-C Ethernet adapter.

Costs and Requirements

Both methods require you to own a PS5 and a copy of Bloodborne. The Steam Deck itself costs between $399 and $649 depending on the model, while a PS5 costs $499 (disc) or $399 (digital). If you already own both, the only cost is time for setup. Chiaki4Deck is free and open-source. The official Remote Play app is also free. There are no subscription fees for Remote Play itself, but you need a PlayStation Network account (free to create). If you want to play away from home, you’ll need a decent internet connection on both ends—at least 5 Mbps upload on the PS5’s side and 5 Mbps download on the Deck’s side, but 15 Mbps is recommended for 1080p.

Alternatives: What Else Can You Do?

If you don’t have a PS5, your options are limited. You could try playing Bloodborne on a PS4 with Remote Play to a PC, then stream that to the Deck, but that’s convoluted. Another alternative is to use a cloud gaming service like PlayStation Plus Premium, which includes a streaming version of Bloodborne on PS5, but that’s only available on supported devices (not the Steam Deck). Some people use the Deck’s built-in Steam Remote Play to stream from a PC that’s running an emulator, but that’s unreliable and not recommended. The most straightforward alternative is to wait for a potential PC port, but there’s no official word on that.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play Bloodborne on Steam Deck without a PS5?
No. Bloodborne is a PS4/PS5 exclusive, and there is no native PC version. The only way to play it on a Steam Deck is to stream it from a PS5 you own.

Is Chiaki4Deck safe to use?
Yes, Chiaki4Deck is open-source and widely used by the community. It doesn’t require jailbreaking or modifying your PS5. You’re just using Sony’s Remote Play protocol with a third-party client.

Does Bloodborne run at 60 fps on PS5 Remote Play?
No. Bloodborne is capped at 30 fps on PS5, and streaming won’t increase that. The stream will be 30 fps.

What internet speed do I need for smooth streaming?
For local streaming, a 5 GHz Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection is enough. For remote play over the internet, you need at least 5 Mbps upload on the PS5 side and 5 Mbps download on the Deck, but 15 Mbps is recommended for 1080p.

Can I use the official PS Remote Play app on Steam Deck?
You can try, but it’s not officially supported and may require using Proton with extra steps. Chiaki4Deck is the more reliable option.

Will Sony ban my account for using Chiaki?
There are no reports of bans for using Chiaki or Chiaki4Deck. It’s a third-party client, but it doesn’t modify your console or account. Still, use it at your own discretion.

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