Dust: An Elysian Tail (2012): runs on Windows 11, Mac, Linux, Steam Deck?

Gamicality score 89 / 100

Playability today ★★★★★ 4

Runs today4.5 / 5
Design today3.5 / 5
See the checks

Steam user reviews Overwhelmingly Positive

18,638 reviews95% positive
Steam store page

Released: 2012
Developer: Humble Hearts LLC
Genre: Action, Adventure, Indie, RPG
Runs on: Windows, macOS, Linux, Steam Deck
Last checked: October 31, 2026

Does Dust: An Elysian Tail run on Windows 11, Apple Silicon Macs, Linux and Steam Deck?

Windows 11	Yes, with a fix. See the steps below. SourceNo player reports yet
Mac (Apple Silicon)	Steam sells a Mac version. Not yet confirmed on Apple Silicon. SourceNo player reports yet
Linux	Yes, there is a native Linux version. SourceNo player reports yet
Steam Deck	Verified by Valve: it works great on Steam Deck. SourceNo player reports yet

Played it lately? Tell other players whether it works for you. One click, no account. How we check where it runs

How to get Dust: An Elysian Tail running today

If the game does not start on Windows 11, run it in Windows 7 compatibility mode or reinstall the Microsoft XNA Framework Redistributable 4.0 Refresh (PCGamingWiki: Dust: An Elysian Tail).
If the intro has no voices, reinstall Windows Media Player through Optional Features.
Above 1080p the HUD gets very small, so 1080p or 1440p with the in-game HUD scaling is easier to read.

Synopsis

A hand-painted 2D action role-playing game, made almost entirely by one developer, in which an amnesiac swordsman named Dust searches for his past with a talking blade and its small flying guardian, Fidget. The player slashes through combo-driven fights, explores connected side-scrolling areas, takes on side quests and upgrades gear between towns.

What people say

On its 2012 Xbox 360 debut, critics loved the detailed art and backgrounds and the amount of content for the price, while some found the boss fights, the voice acting and the story weaker. The 2013 PC version scored higher still. Steam players today praise the fluid combat, the warm voice cast and the worthwhile side quests, but many say the combat turns into button-mashing, normal difficulty is too easy and revisiting old areas is tedious. Some also find the writing clichéd.

Playability today

Playability runs from 1 to 5. It is the average of two parts. Each part starts at 1 and climbs to 5 as more of its checks pass. Read the method.

Runs today: 4.5 / 5

✓Sold today from an official store
✗Runs on Windows 11 without fan patches
–Single-player works without an internet connection
–All of its content still works (servers, DLC, unlocks)
–Supports modern resolutions and widescreen
✓Full controller support or remappable controls
✓Steam Deck Verified or Playable
✓No intrusive DRM or required third-party launcher account
✓No pay-to-win or pushy microtransactions
–No known game-breaking bugs in the current version

Filled in from the Steam store and Valve’s Steam Deck rating. Checks marked – are unknown and do not count until someone checks them.

Design today: 3.5 / 5

✓Controls feel natural on a modern controller or mouse and keyboardMost players and critics call the combat fluid and the controls responsive, with full controller support, though a few reviews mention queued inputs firing extra attacks. Source: steamcommunity.com, pcgamingwiki.com.
✗Menus, text and interface are clear on today's screensThe HUD does not scale well and gets very small above 1080p, and players find the map unclear about where they are. Source: pcgamingwiki.com, steamcommunity.com.
✓Saving is fair: free saves or frequent checkpoints, little lost progressSave points are spread through the areas and Steam Cloud keeps saves, and no complaints about lost progress turned up, though evidence is thin. Source: steamcommunity.com, pcgamingwiki.com.
✓It teaches itself: no guide needed to make progressNo reviews mention needing a guide, and the main path is easy to follow, though evidence on this point is thin. Source: steamcommunity.com.
✗Pacing holds up: little grind, filler or forced backtrackingLimited fast travel makes returning to old areas for quests and secrets tedious, and several players say the combat grows stale over a long campaign. Source: steamcommunity.com.
✓Camera and movement never fight the playerIt is a side-scroller with a camera that follows the player, and no complaints about it were found. Source: steamcommunity.com.

Judged against games made today, from complaints that recur in recent Steam reviews and discussions, forums, PCGamingWiki and community wikis. Each reason links to where it comes from.