[Linux] Vsync makes screen tearing worse

Validation

• I have checked the Issues page to see if my problem has already been reported
• I have confirmed that this bug does not occur in the original game running on original Xbox 360 hardware

If you have DLC installed, please specify which ones you have.

• Apotos & Shamar Adventure Pack
• Chun-nan Adventure Pack
• Empire City & Adabat Adventure Pack
• Holoska Adventure Pack
• Mazuri Adventure Pack
• Spagonia Adventure Pack

If you have mods enabled, please specify which ones you have.

No response

If you have codes enabled, please specify which ones you have.

No response

Describe the Bug

Playing the game with vsync off results in the usual kind of screen tearing (ie purely horizontal)

However, when enabling vsync, it results in a much harsher, and different kind of screen tearing. It accumulates towards the lower end of the screen, zig-zaging down in the lower left corner. Additionally, whereas I normally notice screen tearing having straight horizontal edges, this screen tearing sort of clumps along the troubled line (leaving a sort of macro pixelized look).

While inconsistent, this issue can be bad enough that it affects the pre-rendered opening movie during tame shots. Otherwise, it normally affects scenes with high amounts of visual change (ie camera changing while boosting through the loop in the tutorial level)

Steps to Reproduce

No real special steps to reproduce with besides maybe my hardware/distro
Just toggle vsync

Expected Behavior

For vsync to stabilize screen tearing... at the very least, not make it worse.

Footage

(I've had no luck recording/capturing this)

Version

v1.0.3

CPU

AMD Ryzen 7 3700X

GPU

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070

GPU Driver

NVIDIA Driver 580.95.05

Memory

48 GB

Operating System

Linux Mint 22.2 (Cinnamon 6.4.8)

Additional Context

I'll admit that I'm new to Linux, having migrated from Windows 10 within the past month.
I'm at least familiar enough with Unleashed, having 100%ed it (DLC included) on an original 360 a few years ago.

I'm aware that this may be an issue with the fact that I'm using an Nvidia GPU on Linux, as it sounds like Nvidia tends to be troublesome on Linux, but I still wanted to put this issue forward as it seems it may affect this game specifically. The only programs I've noticed screen tearing with after some tinkering are Unleashed Recompiled, my web browser, and Portal 2 (still have to tinker with this last one more). Most games I've played don't have this issue.

I've at the very least tried some remedies:

• I've enabled Force Full Composition Pipeline as root, and it's saving the config file properly
• I've made sure my monitors have their refresh rate properly set up
• I've tried seeing if Wayland fares any better than X Window

Additional elements, if relevant:

• I'm using dual monitors (in general, not on the game)
• I'm running at 1920x1080 in borderless windowed mode (the resolution of either of my monitors)
• I'm running the game at 60 FPS (the refresh rate of my monitors)

UPDATE JULY 2026

I doubt the possibility of this report being addressed in the future... but on the off-chance it is, I probably won't be able to confirm/deny the continued existence of the issue, as I am now on an AMD GPU

Start by reproducing the issue with vsync enabled and disabled on Linux Mint using the reported NVIDIA setup, comparing borderless 1920x1080 mode under X Window and Wayland. Trace the game's presentation and vsync behavior; done means vsync no longer produces harsher tearing than the disabled setting, with the result verified in gameplay and the opening movie.