Tevren

Not apologizing for carriers, some are really on the edge of lying to consumers, but you have to separate the 2 parts that make 5G different from 4G.

1. Higher frequencies: means higher throughput but also shorter range (you can literally block that signal with your hand). Only works if your phone supports these higher frequency bands, you have to be in areas where the carrier has deployed cells supporting those, and you have to be close enough.
2. Increased efficiency: mostly affects carriers, you likely won't notice the difference. Basically means, areas that were congested before with LTE will now see less congestion.

I found most 5G ads infuriating. If you know the tech, you understand whats going on and how they aren't telling the complete story. If you don't know the tech, you'll think, "Yay, higher speeds." Nope...

I think a lot of the negativity also comes from misunderstanding what the game is.

Just like you, I played the game on release (on PC) and it is for me one of the best games of all time for one specific reason: immersion and story. That's exactly what I expected from CDPR after Witcher 3 (another story and immersion focused game) and that's exactly what I got. I didn't expect a company known for their story focus and relatively weaker gameplay to deliver a game focused on gameplay or sandbox elements.

I think a lot of people wanted something that CDPR was never going to deliver, but it seems like Phantom Liberty is leaning more into the sandbox that people wanted and (unsurprisingly) didn't get at release.

In general I recommend checking protondb.com if you're having issues with any game on linux. Lookup the game and scroll past the steam deck entries. Often somebody has posted a solution there.

I your case, switch to Proton experimental and use these launch options:

eval $( echo "%command%" | sed "s/Launcher/LariLauncher.exe'.*/bin/bg3_dx11.exe'/" )

It switches the game to launch the dx11 version. Alternatively, rename bg3_dx11.exe to bg3.exe or change the game from vulkan to dx11 in the launcher (if that can be done in the launcher). Vulkan is known to crash for some on Linux.

Like a Dragon: Ishin!

Being able to pause and resume at any time and from wherever I'm taking my steam deck has been fantastic for the whole Yakuza series. It has kind of become my dedicated Yakuza machine, lol.

Lost judgment will be next!

Was absolutely worth it!

I didn't have any specific goals besides being able to play games while sitting on the couch or while traveling. And then I played through the entire Arkham and Yakuza series on it (and some other smaller games in between). Currently playing Ishin on it and no signs of dust yet, the opposite. The skin I put on when I got the steam deck now shows quite some signs of use.