33 BEST Steam Deck Games Of All Time

Of course, there’s the mainstream PlayStation and Xbox Series, but besides that, there have been multiple handhelds such as the Nintendo Switch or the Steam Deck. These consoles offer a great number of games to play which is why this article will discuss all the best Steam Deck games in 2023.

We’ve summarized our 33 best Steam Deck games of all time for you:

Elden Ring

• Release Date: February 25, 2022
• Developers: FromSoftware
• Genre: Fantasy Action RPG

Starting off the list with a huge banger and something that caught the eyes of almost every gamer out there on its release. In just a month of its release, the game had sold 13.4 million units worldwide and is still trending to this day!

Elden Ring is a fantasy action RPG developed by FromSoftware. The studio is well-known for its “SoulsBorne” franchise; games that are exceptionally hard, and even the lesser enemies can kill you multiple times with absolute ease!

Elden Ring is the studio’s first attempt at creating an open-world game, and they definitely nailed the experience! The only markers that you have on the map are the map fragments that help you unlock the full map. Besides that, it’s up to you and your horse, Torrent, to travel and discover!

From taking down extremely tough bosses to finding new best weapons to help you overcomes all challenges, the game is filled with content. You can adopt different playstyles such as a samurai build or a mage build. There are different spells and incantations to play around with and areas such as Crumbling Farum Azula for you to explore.

Pros:

• Elden Ring’s open world has excellent design.
• Some of the locations are particularly beautiful, with intricate settings that are incredibly immersive.
• Amazing and enduring characters were created by Elden Ring.
• You will be fully absorbed in the story because of the excellent writing.
• The combat system in Elden Ring is special and a lot of fun.

Cons:

• Sometimes AI can be a little naive.
• Some bosses can be repetitive because they show up multiple times in a single run.

Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

• Release Date: May 18, 2015
• Developers: CD Projekt Red
• Genre: Open-world world action RPG fighting game.

Following the fantasy theme, we have another fantasy RPG that broke the internet when it was released. Witcher 3 is the third entry in the Witcher franchise and the best one so far! It features Geralt on a quest to find his lost daughter, Ciri, as she runs from the Wild Hunt.

The game offers a giant open world with different regions that vastly differ from each other. There’s an insane number of monsters in the game and Steel Swords with Runewords, and crossbows for you to slay them with!

But where Witcher 3 shines the most is the narrative and side-quest experience. The story has great character development, and you’ll find side-quests that are just as engaging as the main story. From finding an old woman’s pan to solving murder mysteries, there’s so much going on at the same time!

On top of that, the choices you make can greatly impact the lives of the characters in the game; some can even lead to life and death situations! With many main endings to choose from, which can have different elements, you can constantly go back to mess around with different options!

And we haven’t even touched the DLCs of the game! Just the DLCs alone can provide up to 20+ hours of story content with a new beautiful setting and a crazy murderous vampire! And let’s not forget Gwent, players have invested hours in it.

With rich Witcher lore and even a Netflix show to back it up, you can’t go wrong with diving into the Witcher universe. And now, you can easily access it on your Steam Deck! The Steam Deck port of the game offers much better performance than any other handhelds like the Nintendo Switch.

Pros:

• The background and the environment is incredibly well-designed and immerses you in the continent perfectly.
• Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has satisfying and fluid combat.
• The detailed and gorgeous graphics bring Witcher 3: Wild Hunt to life.
• There are many different things you can explore in the open world as you progress through the game.

Cons:

• There are big loadings times that can be very boring to sit through.
• Witcher 3: Wild Hunt has a lot of systems and mechanics that can be overwhelming for new players to understand, such as the alchemy and crafting systems.
• Some of the side quests can feel repetitive and uninspired.

Stray

• Release Date: July 19, 2022
• Developers: BlueTwelve Studio
• Genre: Platformer, Puzzle Adventure Game

Nowadays, a lot of video games tend to be chaotic and filled with action, explosions, horror, or survival elements. It feels like you’re always on the edge of your seat and tense over an enemy appearing out of the next corner.

Well, Stray adapts a totally different philosophy and is completely opposite to the types of games that we just described.

The game features a stray orange cat that gets separated from its family. The cat finds itself in a bizarre, abandoned city filled with robots, machines, and viruses. It is now up to you to guide the cat back to the surface and reunite with its family!

Stray gets a lot of things right about cats which is extremely reflective in the gameplay. From the nimble parkour movements to fitting through small gaps, it feels like a fresh change from playing as giant muscular characters ready to tear anything in their path.

The game offers a lot of puzzles, item collecting such as energy drinks and music sheets, and just simple cat things that you can do, like sleeping or scratching on random surfaces. On top of that, you can even make a drone, B-12, your friend!

Despite being a relatively new release, Valve was able to verify the game for Steam Deck! You can play it at native 720p by default, and the game runs smoothly on medium settings. For a smoother experience, consider limiting the FPS to 40-45.

Pros:

• Stray is the ideal game for cat lovers since the main character is a truly adorable cat.
• The graphics are amazing and look amazing.
• You can play the role of you are a cat and perform everything that a cat would do, but with an individual button which lets cats meow.

Cons:

• The main character of Stray can be described as a feline, and it is injured in the game. This could be a bit disturbing for cat-lovers.
• Certain players might be disappointed by the end of Stray.

God Of War

• Release Date: April 20, 2018
• Developers: Santa Monica Studio
• Genre: Action Adventure Fighting Game

When God of War (GOW4) originally came out, it generated a lot of hype. An older Kratos playing the role of a dad was something we had never seen before. The more mature Kratos seemed even scarier, especially when he would get protective about Atreus!

Taking place in Norse mythology, Kratos and his son are on a journey to spread the ashes of Kratos’ second wife, Faye, at the highest peak in the nine realms. But Kratos gets taken out of his peaceful and violence-free life by a stranger with godly powers and strength wishing to feel pain.

That leads them on a dangerous adventure where they’re trying to defend themselves while also trying to fulfill Faye’s last wish. Along the way, you’ll get to meet a number of interesting characters, such as the Dwarfs and the Witch in the woods.

Besides just the amazing story, the game is known for its epic third-person combat. With a new weapon at Kratos’ disposal and plenty of abilities to upgrade it, the combos and the different strategies that you can pull off in the middle of battle are just mind-blowing! You can also find other equipment using things like Dragon Tears or treasure maps.

And, of course, you can enjoy all of the intense gameplay on your Steam Deck! From the various comparisons and tests, God of War 4 on the Steam Deck has proven to be a better experience on Steam Deck as compared to the PS4!

Pros:

• The story is extremely richly written and has rich and engrossing tales.
• You can experience God of War’s story God of War 2018 without needing to play any prior games.
• God of War’s camerawork and controls are smooth and simple making it simple to immerse yourself into the excitement.
• The action is fast-paced and extremely satisfying.
• God of War is a visually stunning game that features realistic environments and models of characters that are amazing to behold.

Cons:

• The boss battles might not be as thrilling in the past games in the God of War games.
• The rapid travel isn’t all best game in God of War, it can be extremely frustrating after games.

Forza Horizon 5

• Release Date: November 4, 2021
• Developers: Playground Games
• Genre: Racing Simulation Game

Let’s take a break from all those action games and dive into a totally different genre! The Forza Horizon games are known to be one of the most realistic and beautiful racing games out there. The games offer a wide range of cars and different modes for you to play around in.

Forza Horizon 5 is no different! The racing game is set in a fictional open-world of Mexico. It has the biggest map in the franchise with active areas such as beaches, jungles, ancient temples, and the caldera volcano!

The game offers many races in multiplayer or campaign mode. The cars that you can use for such races have a lot of customization so that you can truly personalize each car that you own. You can create your own liveries, tunes, swap engines, or install body kits on the vehicles.

The world truly feels alive with the dynamic weather system. You can visibly see a storm brewing on one side of the map and can actually drive towards it! And as the map provides a wide range of elevations, you can notice the change in weather as you roam around them.

As for performance on the Steam Deck, the game is able to run at a whopping 60FPS with settings close to the Xbox One version. With such a great performance, you can practically enjoy the game anywhere, and it offers great possibilities for playing with your friends! 

Pros:

• Forza Horizon 5’s lighting is superbly executed and does a great job of drawing you into the experience.
• The variety in the tracks is excellent; each track is unique in its own way.
• Free roaming is an option in Forza Horizon 5, which can be a welcome change of pace.
• The variety of cars is enormous.

Cons:

• You can almost unlock anything with the microtransactions, which may give the impression that you are paying to win.
• It can be very annoying when there are numerous loadings.

Grand Theft Auto V

• Release Date: September 17, 2013
• Genre: Action-adventure
• Developers: Rockstar Games

Grand Theft Auto V, or GTA V for short, hardly needs an introduction. It is perhaps one of the most popular games of the decade and has gotten released on three different generations of consoles.

You get to play as three different characters, Trevor, Michael, and Franklin. While in retirement, Michael runs into Franklin, who’s trying to pull off a car repossession scam for his employer. They soon get into some money trouble, and while pulling off a heist to pay their debts, they catch the attention of Michael’s former partner, Trevor.

The game then takes us on an amazing adventure where we get to explore the complex lives of each three different characters who are so different from each other that it hardly makes sense for them even to be friends. But their teamwork, along with various other supporting characters, makes for some amazing missions.

The gameplay in GTA V is absolutely amazing. Los Santos is filled with content. From dozens of cars to the different weapons to play with, the entire world is truly your playground. You can spend hours just roaming around and coming up with your own activities to have fun in the game.

And if that’s not enough, the game has a vast GTA online mode where you grind away and spend hours trying to create your own crime empire. Or you can simply take part in the many game modes such as racing, heists, deathmatches, and a lot more with your friends.

Pros:

• The narrative campaign is excellent and enjoyable.
• Grand Theft Auto V presents you with a number of extremely difficult choices that will significantly affect the story’s resolution.
• The game includes a variety of modes with a limitless amount of content.
• Grand Theft Auto Online is incredibly large and offers a variety of activities in the open world.
• The level of character customization is incredible.

Cons:

• Long-loading windows in Grand Theft Auto V can consume a lot of your time.

Apex Legends

• Release Date: February 4, 2019
• Developers: Respawn Entertainment, Panic Button Games
• Genre: Battle Royale Game

There was a huge surge of Battle Royale games being released back in 2018-19. Games like PUBG and Fortnite were dominating the market, and then came along Apex Legends!

Apex Legends offers a unique experience to the Battle Royale genre with its “Legends” system that offers a bunch of characters, like lifeline, with unique abilities that they can deploy in the middle of battle. These abilities provide a whole new dynamic to how one approaches and strategizes in Battle Royale games.

Like a typical Battle Royale, a certain number of players, 60 in the case of Apex Legends, drop on a map and must find whatever loot, such as the best guns, that they can get their hands on in order to survive. Players need to engage with others in PvP in hopes of being the last one surviving on the map.

As you fight and kill other players, you’ll get better loot, armor, and weapons to take on the next set of enemies. Throughout the match, the playable area on the map shrinks so that, eventually, all teams converge at a single point to have an epic brawl.

You can play in three different modes, singles, duos, and trios. And besides just the Battle Royale mode, you can try progressing in the battle pass by completing various challenges to unlock new items and cosmetics!

The game officially came to the Steam Deck in 2022, and like many other games on the list of best steam deck games, its performance is just above the PS4. So now you can enjoy being the last one standing in an arena without being confined to sitting at your PC or TV couch all day! 

Pros:

• The gunplay in Apex Legends is enjoyable, and there are many different weapons available.
• The ping system in Apex Legends is fantastic since it enables you to coordinate strategy without having to speak to your friends.
• Apex Legends is completely free to play.
• Apex Legends has a sizable player base, and finding matches is quite simple.
• Teamwork is highly valued, which encourages you to strategize as a group.

Cons:

• A little more complex than other BR games.
• The skins’ microtransactions are highly pricey.

Cuphead

• Release Date: September 29, 2017
• Developers: Studio MDHR
• Genre: Indie Platformer, Shoot ‘em up, Run and Gun

Inspired by the 1930’s animation style, Cuphead is a run-and-shoot game that features two brothers, Cuphead and Mugman, on a spectacular adventure.

After a deal goes wrong with the devil, they’re tasked to collect the souls of the devil’s debtors. It is the only way that the devil will show mercy to Cuphead and Mugman and not steal their souls! With the list in their hands, they head out to the three different islands of Inkwell Isle to take down every single one on the list!

In concept, the game sounds quite simple. But Cuphead is known for its extreme difficulty, just like the SoulsBorne genre. With various enemy phases, extremely elaborate movesets, and any projectiles that fly around the map to catch you off-guard, there are a lot of aspects that can easily trip you up!

It’s all about moving from one boss to the next, overcoming the challenge, and feeling accomplished afterward! Sometimes it can take hours to clear a single boss, but you can visibly see your progress on a timeline at the death screen, which gives you encouragement to keep going.

Cuphead recently got a new DLC called “The Delicious Last Course” that features Ms. Chalice and a totally different story. It introduced many new interesting bosses such as the Doggone Dogfight, Moonshine Mob, and a secret boss as well!

Unlike the many other games, Cuphead isn’t exactly too demanding in terms of graphics. It is a simple game that shines in its boss and level designs. So, it isn’t surprising that the game works exceptionally well on the Steam Deck!

Pros:

• Cuphead features a hand-drawn, 1930s cartoon aesthetic that is highly unique and visually satisfying.
• It has a fantastic soundtrack featuring jazz and big band music that perfectly fits the game’s 1930s aesthetic.
• Cuphead is known for its challenging gameplay, which can be satisfying for players who enjoy a good challenge.
• There are several Easter eggs and secrets hidden throughout Cuphead, adding an extra layer of fun for players who like to explore and discover hidden content.

Cons:

• There are no checkpoints in Cuphead, if you die you have to start the level from the beginning, which can be frustrating if you’ve made it far into the level.
• Cuphead might feel too short for some players.

Stardew Valley

• Release Date: February 26, 2016
• Developers: Eric Barone, Sickhead Games, ConcernedApe
• Genre: Indie Adventure RPG

Stardew Valley is a simulation RPG where you take over your deceased grandfather’s farm and take it from being absolutely nothing to the best farm out there!

The concept sounds simple, but it caught a lot of attention and became one of the most popular games out there, which is why it can be considered the best indie game for the Steam Deck!

Because the only objective is to turn the farm, Stardew Valley, into as rich and productive as you can, there’s no exact right or wrong way of doing it. You’re in control, and it’s up to you to decide what objectives you must complete to make the farm great!

You can, of course, grow crops and then sell them to make money. Using that profit, you can get better machinery, tools, and materials to get crops with a better yield. And then, using those newer goods, you can get greater profits, automate processes and go on an upward trajectory.

Besides just farming, you raise livestock, go fishing, cook meals, go mining and even socialize with the townspeople for better social relations! The social life in Stardew Valley is so fleshed out that you can even marry NPCs and have children.

As the game has pixel-style graphics, it’s not exactly too demanding. But some players did have issues running it on the Steam Deck. If you’re facing the same difficulties, you can fix them by enabling “Forced Compatibility” for “Proton Experimental.”

Pros:

• Stardew Valley is a game with a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere as an agricultural simulation.
• There are a variety of activities you can take part in at Stardew Valley and all of these have their own distinct benefits.
• Pixel art lends Stardew Valley a retro vibe and the various weather effects boost the game’s aesthetic appeal.
• The Dev team frequently updates Stardew Valley with new and new content, so there’s always something new to look forward to.

Cons:

• The game may become monotonous for certain players. There are many different activities that you can take part in, but since the game is comprised of performing the same tasks every day, they might not suffice to keep you interested for long periods of time.
• The winter months do not perform well in keeping you interested, as opposed to other seasons.

Rocket League

• Release Date: July 7, 2015
• Genre: Football, Sports Game
• Developers: Psyonix

Considering all the hype for Fifa 23, there’s no doubt in the fact that football games are always popular. But sometimes you want more than a game about kicking a ball around a field. That’s where games like Mario Strikers and Rocket League come in!

Rocket League is a football game where the “players” are rocket-powered cars that kick around a gigantic football in hopes of scoring. You can have teams of 4 facing off against each other in an arena filled with many boosters to help you activate your rocket engine and score!

The matches in Rocket League are usually 5 minutes long. But the game has a “mutators” mode where you can adjust many aspects of the gameplay. You can change the gravity, adjust the size, speed, and bounciness of the ball, and a lot more!

The concept of adding rocket cars in the mix leads to various new possibilities. You can jump, go airborne, or drive on walls to pull off crazy trick shots. Because of this chaotic yet fun system, the game is quite popular, and finding players to play against is hardly an issue!

Rocket League is definitely a game that you should be able to enjoy anywhere you go, and the Steam Deck is the perfect console for this! And if you’re just getting started, consider reading: How to get better at Rocket League.

Pros:

• There are many big tournaments and events for Rocket League with huge prize pools to satisfy the competitive urge of some players.
• Rocket League is free to play on all platforms, which makes it accessible to a wide audience.
• Rocket League supports cross-platform play, which means that players on different platforms can play against each other.
• It has a built-in spectator mode that allows you to watch matches from different angles and perspectives.

Cons:

• The AI in Rocket League is terrible.
• The match-making might take a long time.

Portal 2

• Release date: April 18, 2011
• Genre: FPS Puzzle Platformer Game
• Developers: Valve

If you love puzzle games, then Portal 2 is perhaps one of the best steam deck puzzle games that you can check out! Building on the success of Portal, Valve made an amazing game with a balanced learning curve, dark humor, and great writing!

Portal 2 is a sequel to Portal 1. Initially, Aperture Science conducted experiments to determine whether subjects could move around dangerous “test chambers.” But things went wrong when the AI behind the lab, GLaDOS, went rogue and killed all the employees. Our protagonist, Chell, was able to take it down and escape the facility, only to get dragged back inside near the end.

In the second part, as Chell is trying to escape again, GLaDOS gets reactivated and is trying to rebuild the facility. It is up to you to escape all of its tests and make it out of the facility!

But besides the narrative, the game is actually known for its fun gameplay. The idea of jumping through a portal and ending up in a totally different location is quite intriguing. And the fact that you can shoot the portals anywhere with your gun opens up a lot of possibilities!

As Valve is behind the game, it’s no surprise that the game is also on the Steam Deck. Considering it was released in 2011, the game is heavily optimized and can run at 4K, 60FPS with ease!

Pros:

• The story of Portal 2 is excellently written and keeps you interested throughout the game.
• In its immensely entertaining cooperative multiplayer mode, players cooperate to solve puzzles and advance through Portal 2.
• Portal 2 has excellent music.

Cons:

• Some players have claimed to finish Portal 2 in under nine hours because it is a rather short game.
• Although the puzzles in Portal 2 are difficult and fun to solve, the game’s overarching plot is relatively linear.
• In Portal 2, there are way too many loading screens that appear regularly.

Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

• Release Date: November 11, 2011
• Genre: Action RPG
• Developers: Bethesda

Skyrim is one of the most popular RPGs and had become one of the best-selling video games in history when it was released. The open world mixed with the narrative and gameplay led to an overall amazing gaming experience.

The game takes place 200 years after the events of the previous Elder Scrolls title, Oblivion. Skyrim is the northernmost province of Tamriel, where our protagonist, the Dragonborn, lies. As we’re the Dragonborn, we’re tasked with defeating Alduin, the World-Eater dragon who is prophesied to destroy the entire world!

On our journey, we get the chance to complete various quests that not only help us improve our skills but also provide us with the wisdom and knowledge to become proper warriors. 

The open world also has a lot to offer. It is filled with all sorts of interactable NPCs. You can engage with them in conversation and even marry some of them. Killing certain NPCs can make quests unavailable and even cause a bounty on the player for the commitment of a crime!

Skyrim really is a huge game that you can spend a lot of time in. That is why the game has come out on almost every console out there, including the Steam Deck! So, if you want to explore a huge world and take down dragons, then Skyrim is a must-play.

Pros:

• There is massive variety when it comes to different builds in Skyrim.
• Crafting weapons or making potions is not difficult which makes it easy for beginners to get into Skyrim.
• Skyrim has one of the best open worlds for its time and it still holds up.
• You can choose to play and become whoever you want in Skyrim, either a Thief, hero, archer, or anything that suits your playstyle.

Cons:

• You may encounter several glitches during your playthrough, especially to do with saving, so make sure you are saving your progress often.
• The voice acting in Skyrim is terrible and is very off-putting.
• Some of the facial animations are weird.

War Thunder

• Release Date: November 1, 2012
• Genre: Vehicular Combat Simulator
• Developers: Gaijin Entertainment

If you’re looking for a realistic online simulation game, then War Thunder might be a great option for you. It is a free-to-play vehicular combat multiplayer game that offers a lot of game modes and vehicles for combat!

The game was initially just a flying simulation game but has adapted land and sea vehicles in its different battle modes. In fact, the game is praised for having one of the best flying simulation mechanics!

In one gameplay session, there can be air, land, and sea battles going on simultaneously. The vehicles can range from pre-World War 1 to the Iraq War and beyond, such as WWII. You can take control of and unlock vehicles from many countries like the US, Germany, Russia, Britain, France, Japan, and more.

There are 3 different game modes that have different pacing in their gameplay. The fastest and likely the most unrealistic game mode is the “Arcade Battle.” It offers easier gameplay mechanics and is often best for beginners.

Pros:

• War Thunder offers a large selection of vehicles to choose from, including planes, tanks, and ships.
• Cross-platform play is available in War Thunder, which allows you to join multiplayer matches with other players regardless of the platform they are playing on.
• War Thunder features realistic physics and damage models, which adds a level of authenticity to the gameplay.

Cons:

• War Thunder can feel unbalanced sometimes, which a lot of players find frustrating.
• War Thunder is a free-to-play game, but it forces you into spots where you have to spend money to progress and buy tanks.

Detroit Become Human

• Release Date: May 25, 2018
• Genre: Interactive action-adventure
• Developers: Quantic Dream

Interactive story games are becoming a really popular genre. Especially when studios like telltale games produce amazing story games, it’s hard not to fall in love with them. Well, Detroit Become Human is a similar interactive story game produced by another studio.

The story takes place in a futuristic world where androids that look identical to humans serve their owners in hopes of automating and easing their lives. There are all sorts of androids for different purposes, such as chefs, caretakers, and even androids for adult activities!

The character follows the story of 3 androids, Cara, Markus, and Connor. The world is on the brink of a revolution where androids will break free and want equal rights and not be treated as discardable slaves to humans.

All three characters have their own roles in the story. Markus will get the chance to lead the revolution, whereas Connor is a cop trying to stop the revolution, and Cara is just trying to survive with her daughter-like figure and a friend she makes along the way.

Due to the vastly different personalities and roles of the main characters, the game tells an amazing narrative with a lot of character development and choices that can affect the way the story unfolds. With almost 60+ different endings, there is a lot you can do in the game!

Because the game offers so much replayability, you’d want it with you at all times. And as it can almost act like a movie at times, playing Detroit Become Human while traveling is one of the most fun things you can do. That’s why Detroit Become Human is the best story-telling game on the Steam Deck!

Pros:

• Detroit Become Human has a complex and well-written narrative that explores themes of artificial intelligence, human-robot relations, and moral choice.
• The characters in Detroit Become Human are multi-dimensional and well-written.
• Depending on the choices you make throughout Detroit Become Human, you can unlock multiple endings, which adds replay value to the game.
• The voice acting in Detroit Become Human is top-notch.
• Detroit Become Human has great facial expressions that show the emotions of the characters perfectly.

Cons:

• The gameplay might be too simple and one-dimensional for some players, as it consists of simple button presses a lot of the time.

Hollow Knight

• Release Date: February 24, 2017
• Genre: Metroidvania, Action-adventure
• Developers: Team Cherry

Hollow Knight is a Metroidvania action-adventure game that is heavily inspired by the SoulsBorne franchise. In this 2D side-scrolling game with typical mechanics like the double jump, you take control of an insect-like Knight that is exploring Hallownest.

The plot of the game is that the kingdom of Hallownest, which is an underground kingdom, has fallen to ruin due to “The Infection.” The infection is a supernatural disease that ends up driving the citizens of the kingdom to madness and “undeath” (dead but appear to be alive).

It is now up to the Knight to take down three Dreamers that act as living seals for the temple door behind which the source of the “Infection” lies. This leads you to an entire journey where you must take down various bosses and, ultimately, the “Hollow Knight,” who has been completely taken over by the infection.

The game offers multiple endings and expansions, keeping you hooked for hours! The game also has great combat, letting you use melee and ranged attacks using spells. The currency in the game, Geo, works similarly to currencies in SoulsBorne games; if you die, you lose them.

With a lot of challenges and amazing lore to explore, Hollow Knight is a wonderful game to play on the Steam Deck, especially if you love vintage platformer-styled graphics with great soundtracks.

Pros:

• The immersive gameplay of Hollow Knight offers a challenging learning curve for players.
• Hollow Knight has a unique 2D hand-drawn art style.
• Bosses are well-designed and full of character.
• The impeccably designed map in Hollow Knight allows players to progress through increasingly advanced movement mechanics.
• The game’s soundtrack is expertly crafted to fit the mood of the game.

Cons:

• Players should be aware that the game’s insect and bug theme may not be suitable for those with phobias of those creatures.

Monster Hunter Rise

• Release Date: March 26, 2021
• Genre: Fantasy Action RPG
• Developers: Capcom

The Monster Hunter series is a complex franchise with a lot of lore and depth in every single aspect, such as the lore and the gameplay mechanics! Its latest addition to the franchise is Monster Hunter Rise, with a brand-new set of monsters, such as seregios, and a world for you to explore!

If you’re brand new to the franchise, you’ll find the learning curve slightly steeper than many games, but it is worth it when you finally grasp how each weapon works, and you can better use it to take down the many new monsters in MHR Sunbreak.

The game also offers great traversal mechanics, such as a dog-like creature, Palamute, that you can ride around the world and even drift with at times! On top of that, there are wirebugs that you can use to move around the world, quickly close distance during battle, and even mount and ride certain creatures!

The game also has plenty of side quests and main quests to keep you hooked! The game is quite popular on the Nintendo Switch as well, but you’d be happy to know that it performs better visually and drastically outperforms the gameplay by delivering 60FPS on the Steam Deck! And if you’re just getting started, consider reading: Monster Hunter Rise Wiki Guide!

Pros:

• The gameplay elements in Monster Hunter Rise are brand-new and exhilarating, allowing players to traverse the world more swiftly and control and ride Palamutes.
• There are many different monsters to hunt, and they all have distinctive behaviors and attacks.
• A fantastic crafting system in Monster Hunter Rising enables users to design new armor and weapons.

Cons:

• Some new players could find the online multiplayer challenging because it can be a little too complex.
• For gamers looking for a rigorous challenge, there is no master rank difficulty.

Valheim

• Release Date: February 2, 2021
• Genre: Sandbox Survival
• Developers: Iron Gate Studio

Despite still being in early access, Valheim is an incredible open-world survival game that you can spend hours in without even realizing it. Considering that you can also play with your friends, there is a lot that you can do in the game!

At its core, Valheim is a typical survival game where you spawn with absolutely nothing and must start from the basics, such as cutting down a tree to gather tools to help you get resources more efficiently.

As you progress in the game, you’ll be able to do a lot more activities, such as creating your own shelter, fighting enemies to survive, and taking part in other activities, such as mining for ores like iron, hunting, and farming. 

Although these seem like the typical grindy elements out of any survival game, these chores significantly improve your character, and once you have enough materials to create an entire ship and set sail, you truly feel like you’ve made a lot of progress since you started! Eventually, you’ll even be able to build portals in Valheim to travel farther.

The game has an interesting art style. It is a low poly/low-resolution stylized 3D graphics like many survival games such as Minecraft. And the worlds are always randomly generated with a seed, but the generation is done so well that it feels like they’ve been handcrafted each time!

Pros:

• Valheim has a vast open world that you can explore and customize to your liking.
• It features a deep crafting system that allows you to create a wide variety of items, from weapons and armor to building materials.
• The attention to detail is amazing in Valheim.

Cons:

• The chest management in Valheim can get incredibly frustrating.
• Valheim can feel a bit short to some players.
• Resource gathering can get incredibly grindy in Valheim, which may not be enjoyable for a lot of the players.

Ark Survival Evolved

• Release Date: June 14, 2018
• Genre: MMORPG Survival Action-adventure
• Developers: Studio Wildcard

Ark Survival Evolved is an action-adventure survival game where you must survive on an island from a bunch of selectable maps. As you’re stranded there, you’ll have nothing but the materials around you to craft tools and shelter for survival.

The game can be played in the third or first person as you navigate through the open world of the island. As you explore, you’ll eventually realize that you’re not alone and are surrounded by a lot of prehistoric animals – dinosaurs, to be specific.

As of right now, there are 176 different creatures in the game. Most of these are real dinosaurs, such as the Dinopithecus, but the game also has mythical creatures such as wyvern and even some original creatures!

Perhaps where the game stands out is the complex crafting system and the depth that it has. You can unlock new recipes by leveling up and unlocking “engram points” that you can use to get new blueprints. Sometimes you’ll need to unlock other blueprints to get the one you specifically want.

Ark Survival Evolved is perhaps one of the survival games on Steam Deck because of how optimized it is. You can often run 60FPS on the lower settings and 40FPS on the higher graphical settings in the game.

Pros:

• There are many diverse landscapes and biomes in the expansive, open world of Ark Survival Evolved, each with its own distinctive flora and wildlife.
• It’s really awesome that in Ark Survival Evolved you can tame a T-Rex.
• The immersion and realism of Ark Survival Evolved are increased by the necessity of feeding any tamed animals; otherwise, they would perish.

Cons:

• Frame drops and other problems have been mentioned by several gamers while playing Ark Survival Evolved.
• For some players unfamiliar with the genre, Ark Survival Evolved’s survival mechanisms may prove to be too complicated.
• When you first begin playing Ark Survival Evolved, no plot structure or instructions are given to you.

Hitman 3

• Release Date: January 20, 2021
• Genre: Stealth
• Developers: IO Interactive

The Hitman series is one of the most classical stealth-based games out there. Hitman 3 is the eighth installment in the Hitman series and is supposed to be the final entry in the “World of Assassination” trilogy. 

In the Hitman games, you get to play as a genetically engineered assassin, Agent 47. The third game wraps up the plot arc that began all the way in Hitman 1. Agent 47 and his allies are on a hunt for the leaders of the secretive organization Providence. They’re said to control the world’s affairs and also were responsible for the creation of Agent 47.

Like the previous games in the trilogy, there are 6 different levels in the game, with 5 of them being large open-ended levels where you’re free to choose how you’d like to take down your target. And that’s where the real thrill of the game lies, going back to take down an enemy in different ways.

The game has amazing graphics and a lot of superb maps. And it runs surprisingly well on the Steam Deck! You can play with 40FPS at medium settings. But just be careful about battery timing and temperature when playing on maps with a lot of crowds!

Pros:

• With the recent addition of VR compatibility for Hitman 3, you can now fully immerse yourself in the game and enjoy it in a brand-new way.
• The graphics have been enhanced and look beautiful.
• You can accomplish new levels, and there is a good variety of them.
• The incredible storytelling in Hitman 3 brings the entire trilogy to a fitting finish.

Cons:

• Because there are just a few methods to complete each task in Hitman 3, there isn’t much replay value.
• In Hitman 3, there is no multiplayer.
• The Hitman 3 campaign may be too brief for certain players.

Half-Life 2

• Release Date: November 16, 2004
• Genre: First-person shooter
• Developers: Valve

Half-Life 2 pretty much revolutionized the way FPS games were made. Back in 2004, when it was released, the game became one of the most popular games out there and got 39 “game of the year” awards! From the physics system to the way that the puzzles were done, the game had made massive improvements from its prequel, Half-Life 1.

The game takes place 20 years after the initial incident at Black Mesa Research Facility in the first game that opened a portal to a dangerous dimension, Xen. The incident attracted the attention of a multidimensional empire known as the Combine, which is on its way to conquer Earth and is up to you, as Gordon Freeman, to stop them!

As the game was released almost two decades ago by Valve, it’s no surprise that the game can run well on the Steam Deck and offer up to 60FPS with ease!

Pros:

• Half-Life 2 has a very compelling and well-written narrative.
• The characters in Half-Life 2 have a lot of depth and great backstories.
• As you progress through Half-Life 2, you’ll visit several different locations, each with its own distinct atmosphere and style.

Cons:

• Some players may find the campaign in Half-Life 2 to be too short.
• Half-Life 2 has some parts where it can get incredibly tedious.
• A lot of players might not enjoy the ending of Half-Life 2 because it leaves at a cliffhanger.

Firewatch

• Release Date: February 9, 2019
• Genre: Adventure game
• Developers: Campo Santo

Firewatch is a first-person action-adventure game that takes place in the American state of Wyoming. It is essentially like a walking simulator but with amazing graphics, a great explorable map, and an immersive story.

You get to play Henry, who becomes a fire lookout in the Shoshone National Forest. He is supervised by a woman named Delilah and talks to her through a walkie-talkie where players can choose from a bunch of dialog options to talk to her. But as you progress further in the game and time passes, they both start noticing some weird things happening around the forest. 

Besides that, the game follows the developing relationship between Delilah and Henry as you explore the beautiful 3D world. Firewatch is the type of game that you’d play after a long day just to relax. The game is all about completing simple tasks such as walking about, climbing, looking for clues, and using the walkie-talkie.

Pros:

• Firewatch is known for its engaging and well-written story that keeps you guessing about what comes next.
• It has well-developed characters that are extremely realistic and believable.
• The soundtrack is excellent and fits the theme of Firewatch perfectly.

Cons:

• The choices you make throughout FIrewatch do not have any effect on the overall story.
• Firewatch lacks replay value.
• The hiking parts of Firewatch get tedious very quickly.

Rimworld

• Release Date: October 17, 2018
• Genre: Construction and management simulation
• Developers: Ludeon Studios

Rimworld is a construction and management simulation game that has a top-down view with pixel-like graphics. It takes place in the future, where humans have got the technology needed to travel across the universe and go to other planets.

As the player, you’re stuck on a procedurally generated planet and must use your randomly generated stats to develop a colony and get off the planet generated by a seed! This can be achieved by either creating your own spaceship or finding and repairing a broken ship on the planet. But of course, you’ll be starting from scratch, so initially, you’ll have to do basic stuff like growing crops, 

But throughout the game, your main objective will be to make sure that your colony grows and becomes as advanced as it can get. That can be done through constructing various research stations, generating electricity through wind turbines or solar panels to advanced power machines, and a lot more.

Besides that, the players will also get to choose an AI Storyteller, which essentially dictates the difficulty and progression of your game. These storytellers can cause different types of events that affect your colony.

Rimworld is definitely the type of game to be played anywhere while you work on constructing your colony. That is why it is one of the best building games for the Steam Deck! If you’re just getting started, consider reading our tips and tricks guide: Countless RimWorld Tips!

Pros:

• The art style of Rimworld is incredibly unique and has a very visually appealing aesthetic to it,
• Rimworld has an incredibly strong modding community, allowing players to create and share their own custom content and modifications for the game.
• Rimworld has a very high replay value because of its deep gameplay and customization options.

Cons:

• The UI in Rimworld is not very intuitive and can get incredibly frustrating.
• Rimworld can be a complex game, which may not be for players who do not have the time to learn different mechanics and systems.

Dying Light

• Release Date: January 27, 2015
• Genre: Survival Horror
• Developers: Techland

Dying Light is a survival horror game that can eventually become a fun playground where you get to mess around with zombies as you parkour from rooftop to rooftop!

You play the game in first-person as an undercover agent, Kyle Crane, who has been sent to infiltrate a quarantine zone in a middle-eastern city known as Harran. But eventually, you discover that the city is filled with zombies that lurk around the streets. The combat and traversal in the game are quite unique. You can parkour around the streets and rooftops of the city, zipline across, or scale buildings using your own grappling hook. 

But perhaps the notable aspect of the game is the day-and-night cycle; it pretty much dictates your playstyle. During the day, zombies are clumsy and unlikely to give you that much trouble unless you’re being too careless.

However, as soon as it becomes night, you’ll find yourself running for your life, trying to escape the hordes of aggressive and deadly zombies. At the start of the game, it’ll almost feel like the only option that you have is to hide or approach the game stealthily.

Dying Light can run at near 60FPS at medium settings and at an exact 60FPS with low settings. It certainly performs better on the Steam Deck as compared to the Nintendo Switch, where it only manages to get 30FPS.

Pros:

• Playing Dying Light is a challenging and exhilarating experience.
• In Dying Light, the combat system is satisfying and brutally violent.
• Players in Dying Light are kept interested and invested in the game’s setting through its deep and compelling tale.

Cons:

• It may be difficult for some players to adjust to Dying Light’s controls.
• The animation in Dying Light contains a few little bugs and lip sync difficulties that can be noticed.

Hades

• Release Date: September 17, 2020
• Genre: Roguelike Action RPG
• Developers: Supergiant Games

Hades is a roguelike action dungeon crawler that has an interesting plot surrounding family drama, isometric view gameplay, and a unique death system.

The game follows Zagreus as he attempts to escape the Underworld to get away from his unloving father, Hades, in hopes of joining his mother in the mortal world at Mount Olympus. Things get more complicated when you realize Zagreus is actually the prince of the Underworld, and the Olympians are trying to support him as much as possible to help him escape.

The “escape” is essentially divided into four different dungeon-like levels that each represent the levels of the Underworld. Each new area gets unlocked after clearing the previous one.

The combat of the game is like a typical hack and slash. You have a primary and secondary special attack that is determined by one of the six different weapons you get to wield. You can also use magic for long-range attacks and summoning powers that are said to give tremendous power from one of the Gods.

But what’s unique about the game is that as soon as you die, you get sent all the way back to the start. But the world doesn’t forget your first attempt. Things change accordingly, and you unlock newer dialogue from NPCs that you would’ve left all the way back at the first level. Even bosses adapt in accordance with your new attempt, becoming stronger or changing their tactics.

So, as you grow stronger with each death, the world gets stronger too. But death is actually part of the game as it unlocks new dialogue, areas, and interactions! If you’re looking for a great roguelike game on the Steam Deck, then Hades is a great option. 

Pros:

• Hades’ character artwork is outstanding, with brilliant colors and dynamic lighting effects.
• The gameplay in Hades is quite rewarding.
• The soundtrack to Hades is arguably one of the best.
• The dialogue is extremely well-written, and the voice acting does an equally wonderful job of delivering it.

Cons:

• Hades has a tendency to slow down and become repetitive.

No Man’s Sky

• Release Date: August 9, 2016
• Genre: Survival Action-Adventure
• Developers: Hello Games

Although it started out as a complete disaster and did not live up to the hype or expectations of the fans, No Man’s Sky has come a long way and, through regular updates, has reached the same quality that was promised before launch.

No Man’s Sky is a survival game that takes place in space. You can play in first or third-person as you control a specimen of an alien humanoid planetary explorer known as the “Traveller.” When you initially start the game, you’re on a random planet with amnesia. You must find your ship and repair it to get back into space. 

But besides the story, the game is mostly known for its gameplay and the sheer amount of exploration available. Through procedural generation, each planet that you visit is completely different, and you can actually get rewarded for discovering these planets through the in-game currency, making exploration all the more exciting.

There is definitely a lot of stuff in space that is looking to get you. From hostile creatures like the Sentinels to even the dangerous atmospheres of the planets, such as extreme temperatures, toxic gasses, or storms, there is a lot that you need to defend yourself from.

But that’s the beauty of No Man’s Sky! Exploring the different areas, preparing yourself for new challenges, and just improving as time passes. And you can enjoy all of that on the Steam Deck, which makes No Man’s Sky one of the best exploration games on there!

Pros:

• No Man’s Sky lets you explore a virtually endless world full of planets.
• The crafting and survival mechanics are complex, as you can gather materials and construct a wide range of things and equipment to help you survive on hazardous planets.
• The multiplayer feature in No Man’s Sky allows you to explore the cosmos with other players online.

Cons:

• Inventory management may be quite aggravating.
• The user interface in No Man’s Sky isn’t the finest.
• When playing with other people online, there may be some difficulties.
• Because some actions are repetitious, the gameplay can become tedious.

Horizon Zero Dawn

• Release Date: February 28, 2017
• Genre: Action RPG
• Developers: Guerrilla Games

Horizon Zero Dawn is perhaps one of the most unique RPGs out there due to its interesting mixture of ancient weapons such as the bow and arrow combined with technological advancements such as robotic Dinosaurs and other creatures roaming the world.

The game is set in a post-apocalyptic version of the US. There was a supposed rogue robot swarm that led to the extinction of humans, and now those that still are alive fight for their lives and live similar to how our ancestors used to in tribes and villages.

We get to play as Aloy, a young hunter of the Nora tribe. We follow her quest as she hunts down a bunch of cultists that attacked the Nora tribe during a competition known as the “Proving.”

The game has a beautiful story, with Aloy being an absolute badass in any situation that she’s put in. Additionally, the gameplay works like a typical RPG with its own elements. But on her journey, she soon discovers what caused the world to become the way it is.

Each enemy/specie in the game has its own weakness that you can discover by scanning them. Then you must adjust your playstyle accordingly to lay out traps, equip weapons that do elemental damage, or perhaps even sneak up on the enemy for an advantageous discrete attack.

With a lot of dialogue options, side quests/activities, and a giant world to explore, the game is jampacked with things that you can do. With medium settings, you’re able to get a good stable 35-40FPS making it an amazing game for the Steam Deck!

Pros:

• Horizon Zero Dawn features stunning landscapes, ranging from lush forests to snowy mountains, that are fully realized with detailed graphics and realistic lighting effects.
• The combat in Horizon Zero Dawn is smooth and satisfying, with a wide range of weapons and abilities at your disposal.
• The characters in Horizon Zero Dawn are well-written and feature complex character arcs.
• Aloy is a strong and well-written protagonist who is central to the story of Horizon Zero Dawn.

Cons:

• The day and night times shift very quickly and it can feel extremely unnatural.
• Horizon Zero Dawn uses way too much text to tell the story, which a lot of players might not like.

Alien: Isolation

• Release Date: October 7, 2014
• Genre: Survival Horror Stealth Game
• Developers: Creative Assembly

If you absolutely love scaring yourself, then you’re going to adore Alien: Isolation! It is a survival horror game that is based on the Alien film series. In fact, it is set 15 years after the events of the original 1979 film.

You play Amanda Ripley, who is an engineer and the daughter of Ellen Ripley – the protagonist of the Alien movie. She is on the space station, Sevastopol, and is investigating the disappearance of her mother.

She soon discovers that the space station has been taken over by an alien creature that is on the loose and is now hunting her. It’s up to her and you as the player to get out of the space station alive.

The game sets an amazing atmosphere to really scare you to death. It is highly emphasized stealth, making the Alien feel even more threatening. So, you must use tools such as the motion tracker and flamethrower to avoid, outsmart, and fight any enemies onboard the station.

What makes the game even scarier is the fact that the Alien doesn’t have any predetermined path. It adjusts according to your movements and the disturbances that you create throughout the station, making the whole experience surreal.

Pros:

• Alien: Isolation is set in a highly detailed and atmospheric world that matches the original movie.
• The alien is a formidable and intelligent opponent, as such, you must use stealth and strategy to avoid it, which adds to Alien: Isolation’s tension and excitement.
• The sound design of Alien: Isolation does a great job of adding to the tense atmosphere.

Cons:

• The facial animations are not done well in Alien: Isolation and look incredibly dull.
• The AI for the human enemies in Alien: Isolation is horrible and unrealistic, leading to frustrating and immersion-breaking gameplay.

Fallout 4

• Release Date: November 10, 2015
• Genre: Action RPG
• Developers: Bethesda Game Studios

The Fallout franchise is a well-known RPG series, with Fallout 4 being perhaps one of the most popular games among them. The game is set in the open world of a post-apocalyptic Boston. Fallout 4 uses many real-life landmarks such as Bunker Hill, Old North Bridge, and Fort Independence.

The game takes place ten years after the events of Fallout 3, in the year 2287. Almost 210 years ago, there was “The Great War” that led to massive nuclear destruction across the US. You get to play as the “Sole Survivor” that emerges from a long-term cryogenic stasis in Vault 111. The vault served as a nuclear fallout shelter.

But things eventually go south as your spouse gets murdered and your son gets kidnapped. It is up to you to venture out into the Commonwealth and look for your son.

Throughout the game, you’ll get to do various quests (side and main) as well as help out factions. These will then grant you points to level up and get newer abilities for your character. You can also construct and deconstruct settlements and buildings, allowing you to freely build structures from raw materials and build towns with working electricity. There is even a vast companion system with companion perks for you to explore.

The world of Fallout 4 is massive, with up to 111k lines of possible dialogue and an amazing crafting system that incorporates the loot system in the game. The game includes 50 guns with up to 700 modifications available. There are other amazing tools, such as the jetpack, for you to spend hours playing around with!

Pros:

• The crafting system allows you to make your own weapons, settlements, and armor.
• Fallout 4 pays close attention to detail and attention to the post-apocalyptic setting.
• Fallout 4’s combat system is dynamic and highly enjoyable.
• Several of the settings are stunning, and each has its own distinct atmosphere.

Cons:

• The plot can become very monotonous very quickly, and you may lose interest entirely.
• The dialogue can appear overly basic and predictable.

Devil May Cry 5

• Release Date: March 8, 2019
• Genre: Action Adventure, Hack and slash
• Developers: Capcom

For some, a Devil May Cry game might’ve been their first ever monster-infested action game! Since the last game was released all the way back in 2008, Devil May Cry 5 had a lot of anticipation, and it surely lived up to it!

The game features the familiar characters, Dante and Nero, with an introduction of a new mysterious character, V. You can play as all three of them throughout the game, though some missions might be restricted to certain characters due to narrative reasons.

The plot takes place five years after the events of DMC4 and follows the trio as they attempt to stop the Demon King Urizen from destroying the human world!

But in games like Devil May Cry, the action and gameplay are where everything lies. In general, the gameplay is fast-paced, chaotic, and quite stylish. The three different characters provide their own unique playstyle.

Nero still has his Red Queen sword from DMC4 and the Blue Rose double-barreled revolver. At the same time, Dante can switch between 4 different styles to create interesting combos. And the newest addition, V, has the most unique style among all of them. Instead of fighting directly, he summons monsters to aid him in battle.

The game offers up to 60FPS on the Steam Deck, making it stand out from a lot of the typical 30FPS games. So, if you love taking down monsters and killing enemies in style, definitely check out DMC5!

Pros:

• The story in Devil May Cry 5 is incredible.
• The action is incredibly quick-paced and satisfying with some depth to the combo system.
• Character designs in Devil May Cry 5 are highly distinctive.

Cons:

• Devil May Cry 5’s post-game material is lacking.
• Near the conclusion, the pacing starts to feel a little off.

Resident Evil 3

• Release Date: June 10, 2022
• Genre: Survival Horror
• Developers: Capcom

Resident Evil games are some of the first and original horror games out there. In 2020, the 1999 Resident Evil 3: Nemesis got a total remake to keep up with some of the best modern games out there.

In RE3, you get to play Jill Valentine and a mercenary, Carlos Oliveira, as they try to escape from a city during a viral outbreak and also find a vaccine. The city in question is none other than Racoon City!

Throughout the entirety of the game, you’ll have a giant boss-like enemy, Nemesis, chasing you and engaging in boss fights in between. And as you defeat him each time, he gets stronger and mutates before attacking you again.

Gameplay-wise, it feels like a typical Resident Evil game. Zombies are lurking at every corner, and you’re constantly looking for loot-like ammo to help you survive. Inventory management is a huge part of RE3, where you try only to take what you need while putting the rest of the items in a chest for later use.

The two characters play differently, with Jill being nimbler on her feet, allowing her to dodge at the last moments. In contrast, Carlos is more aggressive and can clear out rooms of enemies with his riffles. But the majority of the game will be played as Jill.

You can run the game at 60FPS on the Steam Deck but at the cost of higher temperatures. If that starts becoming a huge issue, then you can always lock the FPS at 45 and still enjoy a crisp-looking resolution.

Pros:

• The Resident Evil 3 remake features updated graphics and improved character models, which give the game a more modern and immersive feel.
• Nemesis is amazing.
• The remake of Resident Evil 3 introduces new gameplay mechanics, such as the ability to dodge enemy attacks and the inclusion of a resource management system.

Cons:

• Inventory management can get very troublesome.
• A lot of the locations from the original Resident Evil 3 were removed in the remake.
• The campaign does not have much replay value and can feel very short.

Wolf Among Us

• Release Date: October 14, 2013
• Genre: Graphic Adventure
• Developers: Telltale Games

If you love games with a compelling story and a huge mystery, then Wolf Among Us is the game for you! Like many telltale games, it is an interactive adventure game that’s split into episodes and follows Bigby Wolf, formerly known as the Big Bad Wolf.

Bigby is a sheriff in Fabletown, a hidden community of fairytale characters located in 1980s New York City. These characters, known as Fables, all have their unique stories, and each one you come across leaves quite the impact.

Everything is fine until Bigby discovers a severed head of a sable at the Woodlands’ doorstep. This causes chaos, and it’s up to Bigby to discover who was behind the murder.

Telltale games are known more for their stories than their gameplay, but the little bit of gameplay that you do get is superb. Much of your time will be spent choosing from a bunch of dialogues and options that can greatly affect the outcome of the story.

Something as simple as the tone of your words can create an entire chain of events that can possibly lead to the death of a character. Besides that, there are moments of action where you have to complete QTEs (quick time events) to perform actions such as fighting, chasing, or defending someone.

Pros:

• The storyline of Wolf Among Us has great writing and is very engaging.
• Wolf Among Us has a beautiful art style that captures the noir-inspired aesthetic of the story.
• The character development is excellent in Wolf Among Us.

Cons:

• The frame rate is inconsistent throughout Wolf Among Us.
• Some decisions do not affect the story.
• Wolf Among Us has some occasional bugs with the dialogue.

Batman Arkham City

• Release Date: October 18, 2011
• Genre: Action-adventure
• Developers: Rocksteady Studios

You can pretty much pick any Batman Arkham game and consider it the best Batman game on the Steam Deck! But for our list, we’re going to recommend Arkham City as it is one of the most popular games out of the Arkham series, and that too for a good reason.

While at a press conference to talk against “Arkham City,” Bruce Wayne gets kidnapped and imprisoned. Hugo Strange, who is the head of Arkham City, discloses to Wayne that he knows he’s Batman and releases him into the raging crowd of Arkham City.

After making his escape, Bruce gets his Bat-suit from an airdrop by Alfred, and it’s up to him to stop “Protocol 10” that Hugo Strange keeps talking about. There is also another main plot surrounding the Joker, who is fighting the effects of the Titan Serum from the previous game. All of these plots eventually tie into an epic and memorable finale.

Besides just having an amazing story and setting, the gameplay of Batman Arkham City is breathtaking. As you move around thugs while beating them up, you truly feel like Batman. But you’re not totally invincible and must be careful against gunfire.

That’s where the amazing stealth mechanics of the game kicks in. Thugs in the game are truly afraid of you. As you take them out, they begin breaking formation and acting rashly simply due to the fear of Batman.

Although the game isn’t officially supported by Valve on the Steam Deck. You can make a few adjustments to make it run perfectly. In fact, many players have reported that it works like a charm and is better than some of the actual supported games.

Pros:

• Batman Arkham City has fluid and intuitive combat that makes every strike feel like there is weight behind it.
• The voice acting in Batman: Arkham City is great, with standout performances from the likes of Kevin Conroy as Batman and Mark Hamill as the Joker.
• The movement in Batman Arkham City is very satisfying.
• The open world of Batman Arkham City is enormous, with a variety of side missions and collectibles to discover.

Cons:

• The enemy AI can be a bit slow sometimes.
• The violence in Batman Arkham City may not be suitable for younger players.
• Some of the boss battles might feel too easy.

Red Dead Redemption 2

• Release Date: October 26, 2018
• Genre: Action-adventure
• Developers: Rockstar Games

The final game on our list is Red Dead Redemption 2, a prequel to the first game in the franchise. Rockstar is known for creating amazing games in general, and they certainly did not disappoint their fans with this one.

RDR2 follows an outlaw, Arthur Morgan, who is part of the Van der Linde gang. The fictionalized representation of the Western US is on the brink of revolution, and the gang must deal with the decline of the Wild West as they survive against various rival gangs, government forces, and other foes.

NPCs can be found doing their daily activities, which can actually change the world around you. From houses being built over the course of the game to forests being cleared, the game truly tries to make the world feel progressive.

Furthermore, the gameplay is solid, with every movement feeling as if it has proper weight behind it. The game is filled with various gunfights, heists, chases, and all sorts of moments that make you feel like an outlaw.

The game is an absolute behemoth in terms of hardware demand, but the Steam Deck handles it amazingly well. With high graphical settings, the game can easily manage 45-55 FPS, with just a few drops at 35-40 in huge areas.

Pros:

• The graphics are stunning and immerse you in a very detailed environment.
• Red Dead Redemption 2’s open world feels alive and has many things you can explore.
• The quests and missions are incredibly unique while being interesting and thrilling.
• The attention to detail is mesmerizing.
• Red Dead Redemption 2’s soundtrack is amazing and fits the atmosphere very well.

Cons:

• Red Dead Redemption 2’s wanted, and honor systems can be unfair.
• The animations can be a bit awkward sometimes.
• There is a lack of a good fast-travel system in Red Dead Redemption 2.

With that, we wrap up our list of the best Steam deck games. Do keep in mind that the Steam Deck can support hundreds of games, and there are so many amazing games out there. So, if one of your favorites didn’t make it on the list, worry not, as we’re sure it’s just as amazing as the games we mentioned!