The Steam Deck offers PC gaming on the go. Which are the best Deck Verified games?
Launching on February 25, 2022, the Steam Deck introduced Valve to the handheld gaming world. Coming in three variants, these devices are intended to provide a portable option for PC gamers, one that does not come at a high cost of performance. The product has received a mostly positive reception, and the Steam Deck is steadily becoming easier to acquire.
Since the hardware’s release, Valve has been gradually going through Steam’s massive library to verify that a game is compatible with the Steam Deck. Any title that receives the company’s seal of approval has passed all checks and should be a good experience on the portable system. Using Deck Verified as a criterion, let’s take a look at the best games for Steam Deck.
Hogwarts Legacy has been arguably the game of 2023 so far, at least in terms of popularity. The Harry Potter title takes place roughly a century prior to the events of the books and movies, allowing players to follow a unique story set within the Wizarding World. Avalanche’s project brings to life a lavish and detailed open-world, and the game shines brightly when it simply encourages players to exist within its immersive environments.
Even though a Nintendo Switch port has been announced, at the moment, the only way to play Hogwarts Legacy on the go is through a Steam Deck (or, technically, a laptop). Once upon a time, these types of projects seemed destined to remain on home consoles or computers, but Valve’s portable system has destroyed the barrier separating these sides of the gaming marketplace.
Hi-Fi Rush came out of nowhere. Tango Gameworks’ game was announced and released on the same day, and it is even available on Xbox Game Pass. As an added bonus, the hack and slash title is already Steam Deck verified, so owners of the handheld system can immediately jump into this project.
Boasting striking visual design and a stellar soundtrack, Hi-Fi Rush is a feast for the senses. Ultimately, high production value does not mean that much if the gameplay is not up-to-snuff, which is something that Tango clearly understands. Hi-Fi Rush rewards players who synch their movement with the beat, and this goes beyond providing a power boost in combat. Even explorative actions benefit from this synergy.
Once upon a time, a PlayStation console was necessary to experience a mainline Persona entry, but that is no longer the case. The latest turn-based entry in Atlus’ franchise is now available on the Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and PC, the latter of which also means Persona 5 Royal can be played on the Steam Deck. Offering more than 100 hours of content, this beloved JRPG can keep someone entertained for potentially months.
The story revolves around the Phantom Thieves, a group of teenagers who seek to inspire social change by invading a corrupt individual’s Palace, a metaphysical representation of their negativity. P5R is divided into two sections: social sim and dungeon crawling. The latter features relatively traditional turn-based combat, albeit one elevated through a stylish presentation and an addictive monster-collecting system. Outside of palaces, players can hang out with their friends, grab a bite to eat, and take on adults who are ruining the world.
On June 30, 2022, Cuphead released its long-awaited The Delicious Last Course expansion, making this the ideal time to jump into the hard-as-nails platformer. Inspired by classic cartoons, Cuphead has gorgeous visuals, tight controls, and many brilliantly designed bosses that yearn to make players suffer.
The best Steam Deck games might be the ones that cater to shorter play sessions, and Cuphead is one such title. Now, while the levels themselves are not extremely long, their high difficulty greatly expands their completion time, so they do require commitment. Also, try to resist the urge to fling the Steam Deck out of a window out of sheer frustration.
A pleasant surprise, Neon White is specifically designed for speedrunning. The goal is to repeat stages in search of progressively quicker times, and while that might seem like a niche structure, the game’s strong fundamentals give it wide appeal. Neon White builds its platforming and combat on a card-based system that forces the player to think on their feet, and executing a perfect run after memorizing the stage’s layout is incredibly satisfying.
As stages do not last more than a few minutes, this is the perfect Steam Deck game for short bus rides or quick breaks. Admittedly, Neon White’s addictive nature makes it difficult to put down once someone finds their rhythm, which might lead to some missed meetings.
Released alongside the Steam Deck, Elden Ring was something of a test of the portable system’s potential. Can Valve’s platform handle a massive open-world game that just debuted in 2022? Luckily, the answer is yes!
Elden Ring is arguably the best game of 2022 so far, so there is a great chance that most Steam Deck adopters have already traveled or will be traveling to the Lands Between. What awaits them is a pretty impressive experience that delivers decent performance and visuals. The Steam Deck has made playing Elden Ring on a flight a reality, something that hardly seemed possible prior to the platform’s launch. It is also way more comfortable than gaming laptops for these types of situations.
Valve has been working with CD Projekt Red to optimize The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Cyberpunk 2077 for the Steam Deck, ensuring that owners can take these ambitious RPGs on the go and have a blast in the process. The Witcher 3 set a benchmark for gaming in general, particularly when it comes to storytelling in side content.
Set in a beautifully crafted world that builds upon the lore of previous franchise releases while still delivering an accessible package for newcomers, The Witcher 3 is gripping, deep, and addictive. The combat system takes a bit of getting used to, but things do start to come together once the player grows familiar with Geralt’s signs and tools.
Celebrating more than a decade on the market, Euro Truck Simulator 2 has expanded by leaps and bounds since its debut. SCS Software’s driving sim asks players to grow a hauling empire, a journey that comes with humble beginnings. After spending a couple of hours working for established businesses, drivers can venture out on their own and start companies, a decision that opens up a host of management options.
Euro Truck Simulator 2 is an oddly cathartic experience. When out on the open road, the rest of the (real) world has a tendency to disappear into the background. It is refreshing. SCS’s sim is at its best with a gaming wheel and a large monitor, but the Steam Deck is also an option.
A few years ago, it would have seemed ludicrous to imagine that Sony’s newest God of War would not only be available on a portable system but specifically one released by Valve. Changes things up significantly from previous entries in the series, 2018’s God of War drops Kratos and his son, Atreus, in Nordic mythology, and the latter’s deities are not particularly enamored by the Spartan’s arrival.
The first entry in a new saga, this game finds Kratos going on a pilgrimage to pay respect to his deceased wife while trying to foster a stronger bond with his child.
Roguelite games are an acquired taste, but Hades is one of the more welcoming options out there for people who do not typically love this sub-genre. The basic gameplay loop is still there: players run through the same stages over and over again. However, in this game, death does not result in a full reset; in fact, the story develops naturally with each defeat, so there is a constant sense of progression.
Narratively, Hades follows Zagreus, the son of the titular god, as he attempts to leave the Underworld for Olympus. The journey is brutal and, more importantly, memorable.
Hard-as-nails 2D indie platformers are not in short supply, and these games can start to blend together. However, Celeste will not be mistaken for any of its peers. A rare example of a story-driven entry in the genre, the 2018 title follows Madeline as she climbs a mountain that echoes her personal struggles. Consequently, the punishing gameplay complements the narrative being told, reflecting the protagonist’s insecurities and trauma.
Putting the story to one side, Celeste’s gameplay still holds up in a vacuum. The controls are tight and the levels are well-designed, and the game is a popular fixture of the speedrunning scene.
An early access game, Vampire Survivors has taken the world by storm since its launch. Split into stages, players lead a character through (bullet) hell as they power up along the way. On the surface, there is nothing about this setup that seems particularly unique, but the execution is always key in these instances.
