After many hours I've figured out a decent fix for Dead Space (2023 Remake) stutters on Linux
I've never beaten Dead Space so I wanted to try it out. I have a newly setup custom PC running SteamOS. Unfortunately, Dead Space (2023) is plagued by a stutter issue that's especially nasty on Linux; causing complete freezes/pauses all the time during gameplay making it unplayable.
Hopefully I can get this info to people trying to play this title on Linux to at least improve their experience.
I'll list the fixes in order of easiest to hardest (In my option)
Set launch options:
PROTON_ENABLE_WAYLAND=1 PROTON_USE_NTSYNC=1 RADV_PERFTEST=gpl WINEDLLOVERRIDES="bcrypt=n,b" gamemoderun %command%
Change graphics options a single time, then never enter that menu again. Delete cache at ~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/1693980/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/Documents/Dead Space (2023)/ (your path may vary)
Download .dll from (https://github.com/FrostyToolsuite/FrostyToolsuite/blob/master/FrostyCli/ThirdParty/bcrypt.dll) and place the .dll next to the game's .exe.
Using QTProtonUp or similar tool, download and change compatibility to GE Proton 8-30. I've heard Proton 9 also works well but I had the best experience on GE 8-30.
Download initfs_win32 file from here (https://www.nexusmods.com/deadspace2023/mods/69) and overwrite the one in the game folder next to the .exe. (Use the Steam or EA drag and drop download, ignore the DLL file that it comes with as that is for Windows) (NOTE: The instructions say to drop it in the data folder, but the file in there doesn't have the same name. Mine was next to the .exe)
Move game installation to secondary drive/USB drive with a slower read speed. Surprising on this one, but according to the Nexus Mod author the game has issues when it reads the textures too fast. I used a USB-C thumbdrive myself with a ~450MB/s read speed.
The combination of all of these in tandem provide a stable experience. Stutters still exist, but really only upon entering areas for the first time, or specifically when new hollograms spawn in. (Not too many in the game) Without these it's a horrible mess.
