14 Best Steam Deck Games (Updated for 2023)
Which are the best Steam Deck games that will keep you invested in 2023? Here’s the list of the must-play titles with Valve‘s handheld.
There is no doubt that Steam Deck has ignited the love for portable gaming last year. Thanks to the massive library of Steam, the device can offer thousands of games on the go. Moreover, it is also the perfect gaming machine to conquer your gaming backlog.
And when we talk about backlogs, it is possible that you might feel overwhelmed. Worry no more though, as the best games for Steam Deck will help you beat the massive list of games in no time.
Best Games to Play on Steam Deck
The list definitely starts with some of the most popular roguelikes and platformers. You might be depending on your PC and consoles for AAA games, leaving out the essential platformers. That’s where Valve’s incredibly successful handheld comes to your aid. It is simply the perfect gaming device for platformers.
That being said, don’t think that Steam Deck is not worthy of bigger titles. It can easily handle some of the most ambitious games like Elden Ring, Red Dead Redemption 2, and even Cyberpunk 2077 with mods. Let’s dive in and find out the games that you must play on the Deck!
14. Dead Cells (500 MB)
You must be living under a rock if you haven’t heard of Dead Cells. But, if you have heard about it and want to give it a chance, Steam Deck is the perfect device for it. This also applies to Dead Cells veterans who have been playing the game on PC. You will love this roguelike on Valve’s portable as jumping right into the game while watching a show or simply waiting for your coffee to brew.
13. Hi-Fi Rush (20 GB)
Hi-Fi Rush is developed by Tango Gameworks and supervised by the celebrated game designer Shinji Mikami. Yes, the same Shinji Mikami who has created the acclaimed Resident Evil franchise and the brilliant Dino Crisis.
This wonderful game is easily one of the best games that you can play on the go. It will take you to a vibrant world of robots and humans, where everything moves according to the beat. And the protagonist, who has a music player in his chest instead of a heart, destroys the robots in his way with the power of music.
Hi-Fi Rush will make you a fan with its great gameplay. It is also Deck Verified, so you should have no issues while fighting while hearing some nice beats.
12. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Complete Edition (50 GB)
Having the saga of Geralt of Rivia right beside you is bliss. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is definitely an amazing game that you need to resivit on Steam Deck. If you somehow missed this masterpiece by CD Projekt Red, the time is right to jump into it and take the role of the White Wolf.
With that said, make sure you grab the complete edition, (if you haven’t already), as that is the version that comes with two incredible DLCs, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine.
11. Stray (10 GB)
The Game Awards nominated Stray for The Game of the Year category back in December 2022. While that notion is open to questions, it is safe to say that Stray deserves a chance in your portable gaming routine. This lovely adventure game takes you to a cyberpunk future that is devoid of humanity.
As you assume the role of an orange cat that lost its way, you will love your adventures in Stray while also seeing some great art and world design.
10. Tales of Arise (45 GB)
Tales of Arise is one of the best action RPG games of 2021. Its immersive world, impressive storytelling, and engaging combat offer a solid experience on Steam Deck. As one of the best games on Valve’s handheld, you will love spending time in this massive RPG.
The title has more than 20,000 reviews on Steam with a Very Positive rating as well. It demands 45 GB of storage space to install, which makes it a great game even for those who own a 64 GB Steam Deck without an SD Card.
9. Dredge (2 GB)
Dredge is easily one of the best games on Steam Deck that you need to play right now. This is the perfect indie game for those who enjoy seeing the influence of H.P. Lovecraft.
As one of the most recent indies on Steam, Dredge has conquered the platform with an incredibly successful launch. The indie title developed by Black Salt Games combines the many perils of fishing with a Lovecraftian atmosphere. As a must-play game on Steam Deck, you will love Dredge and the single-player fishing adventure it offers.
8. Hollow Knight (9 GB)
The sequel to the critically acclaimed Hollow Knight has been one of the most anticipated titles of the last decade. That’s because the game itself offers wonderful gameplay along with a brilliant level design and soundtrack. Hollow Knight is easily one of the best games that one must play.
Of course, it is one of the best Steam Deck games as well. This 2D action platformer takes its own spin on the souls formula. And it hits all the right spots for sure.
9. DOOM Eternal (80 GB)
There is no doubt that DOOM Eternal is one of the most celebrated first-person shooters. And playing this amazing and therapeutic game on Steam Deck is a no-brainer. Moreover, Valve’s handheld gaming PC successfully handles DOOM Eternal with no issues. Simply download and unleash hell upon the demons of, well…hell?
8. Left 4 Dead 2 (13 GB)
There is nothing better than playing a Valve classic on a Valve console. Left 4 Dead 2, without a surprise, works great on Steam Deck. And when combined with gyro controls, it offers a solid zombie-shooting experience.
You will like you are not playing this game for the 1000th time when you use the gyro controls of the Deck. It is clearly one of the best Steam Deck games that you can play.
7. Dome Keeper (512 MB)
Another great roguelike to play on your portable gaming beast is Dome Keeper. This innovative roguelike tasks you with defending your dome against hordes of enemies. As they get more powerful every turn, you need to improve your defenses by mining and gathering resources.
Whether you are on a trip or simply looking for something casual, Dome Keeper will keep you invested as it deserves a place among your games on Steam Deck. Its minuscule file size is only another great aspect of it.
6. Pentiment (12 GB)
Developed by the studio that brought us Fallout: New Vegas, Pentiment offers a story that you will not forget anytime soon. Set in the medieval era, this narrative RPG is one of the best games to play on Steam Deck. The title made its debut back in 2021 and received very positive reception around the world.
If you are into history and love games set in the medieval era, you will love playing this game on the Deck. It is also quite humble when it comes to storage space as it is only 12 GB.
5. Furi (5 GB)
Furi is the ultimate game to carry on your backpack. Developed by The Game Bakers, it boasts very difficult boss fights and an amazing soundtrack that includes the works of The Toxic Avenger.
The game puts you in the shoes of a mysterious prisoner, adamant to escape his extremely powerful captors. That will not be easy though, as all of the boss fights have their own gimmicks and quite challenging arenas. But when you brave its dangers with the smooth controls of Steam Deck, Furi turns into a challenging but very satisfying game.
4. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (25 GB)
One of the best titles to ever launch on PlayStation 3, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance works exceptionally well on the Deck. With its innovative combat and impressive production quality, it is easily one of the best games on Steam Deck that you need to play right now.
If you have already beat it, we recommend downloading it again to experience it on a portable.
3. Persona 5 Royal (41 GB)
The award-winning fifth installment of the Persona franchise has conquered the gaming landscape. And it deserves all the praise it gets thanks to its excellent story, brilliant characters, tactical combat, and more. It is easily one of the best games to try even for those who don’t fancy turn-based combat.
The title boasts a wonderfully-designed UI that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Moreover, it plays exceptionally well on Steam Deck as well. The game has received the Deck Verified badge following its successful debut.
2. Kena: Bridge of Spirits (25 GB)
Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a wonderful game that comes with great moments. It offers surprisingly difficult boss fights alongside engaging combat that is challenging at times. It also bears strong similarities with the adventure games of the PlayStation 2 era.
As it also plays well with the Deck’s controllers, it is definitely one of the best Steam Deck games that deserves your time.
1. Best Game on Steam Deck: Elden Ring (60 GB)
Of course, the ultimate game to experience on Steam Deck would be the Game of the Year award winner of 2022. Known as FromSoftware’s magnum opus, Elden Ring is clearly an essential title that you need to play on your portable gaming PC. Despite its size and demanding system requirements, Elden Ring works well on Steam Deck.
With some tweaks and adjustments, you will enjoy every second of your journey as a Tarnished on Steam Deck.
