After I did just a few options on the very best Steam Deck, greatest iOS, and extra video games of 2023 (thus far), much more nice video games have been launched. I’ve additionally been taking part in most of them on Steam Deck. Whereas this yr has been fairly tough for AAA video games on PC with many launching in a poor state, there have been some notable releases which might be price highlighting not just for PC, however for these grabbing their subsequent recreation on Steam Deck. The video games right here embrace new video games, ports of console video games, and extra. In case you’ve not saved up with the Steam Deck and our protection, right here’s our devoted Steam Deck web page on TouchArcade with opinions, information, options, and extra. As typical, the listing is in no specific order and isn’t simply restricted to 10 video games. I’m sorry however 2023 has been past superb and I’ll let future Mikhail, Shaun, and Jared fear about bringing issues right down to 10 in December. Till then, benefit from the plethora of nice new video games on Steam Deck.
Avenue Fighter 6
I like Avenue Fighter 6. It’s my present general recreation of the yr above Tears of the Kingdom and every little thing else. Whereas I did get pleasure from Avenue Fighter V, it had a ton of caveats after I really useful it to individuals. Avenue Fighter 6 is a return to type, and the very best Avenue Fighter recreation alongside Avenue Fighter III: third Strike. It additionally occurs to be Steam Deck Verified by Valve. Avenue Fighter 6 features a huge single participant mode, strong on-line play, coaching, and principally has every little thing you’d hope for in a contemporary combating recreation. I’ve additionally been taking part in Avenue Fighter 6 on-line with my 8BitDo Arcade Stick on Steam Deck with no points. That is only a love letter to good combating video games and a superlative expertise general. Attempt the demo if you’d like a style of it.
Age of Wonders 4
When Paradox Interactive publishes a brand new recreation, I’m at all times to test it out. Whereas some releases lack controller assist on PC sadly, the fantasy 4X technique and turn-based tactical expertise Age of Wonders 4 has been a surprisingly nice expertise on Steam Deck. In actual fact, I appreciated it a lot on Steam Deck after I received overview code, that I purchased the sport on Xbox Sequence X as properly to assist it and to have a model I might play on console. Age of Wonders 4 has a little bit of a steep studying curve in case you’re new to the style, however it’s genuinely the most effective video games I’ve performed this yr thus far, and feels very good on Steam Deck. Age of Wonders 4 is marked as Steam Deck Playable by Valve, and solely actually has some textual content that might be too small to learn for some people. I didn’t run into some other points.
AEW: Battle Without end
When AEW: Battle Without end was introduced, I knew I needed to play it as an enormous fan of wrestling video games within the 90s. When it was launched just a few weeks in the past on all consoles together with Nintendo Change and PC platforms, I loved what I performed loads on each Steam Deck and Xbox Sequence X. Since launch, I’ve been taking part in it much more on Steam Deck, and it really performs like a dream on Valve’s handheld. In case you loved wrestling video games again within the “good outdated days”, AEW: Battle Without end is for you, and it’s my favourite wrestling recreation on Steam Deck alongside Hearth Professional Wrestling World. I can’t wait to see what Yuke’s brings to AEW: Battle Without end going ahead. AEW: Battle Without end is Steam Deck Playable by Valve, however it has no points on Steam Deck.
Dragon Quest Treasures
When Dragon Quest Treasures hit Nintendo Change late final yr, Shaun appreciated it loads. I did as properly, however the technical points within the Change model have been annoying. Sq. Enix just lately introduced it to Steam, and it principally mounted each technical situation the unique launch had, and delivered an excellent port that performs superb on Steam Deck. Dragon Quest Treasures’s mix of action-RPG, treasure-hunting, and Dragon Quest attraction makes it a should play for followers regardless of it being simpler. In numerous methods it seems like a pleasant introductory RPG for a youthful viewers, however Dragon Quest Treasures on Steam Deck is totally one of the best ways to play it, and I hope we additionally see future Dragon Quest spin-offs hit the platform alongside or not too lengthy after consoles. Dragon Quest Treasures is Steam Deck Verified by Valve.
Jagged Alliance 3
Jagged Alliance 3 from Haemimont Video games and THQ Nordic was my first Jagged Alliance recreation, and it made me instantly purchase the prior numbered entries on Steam. The turn-based tactical RPG has been one of many nicest surprises of the yr thus far regardless of just a few tough edges. These sorts of video games at all times really feel excellent to play on a transportable for decide up and play motion, and Jagged Alliance 3 is every little thing you’d hope for on Steam Deck, however it has just a few technical points. There may be alleged to be a demo so I’d advocate checking it out, however Jagged Alliance 3 is Steam Deck Playable by Valve due to some small in-game textual content and a few parts not having full controller assist.
CONVERGENCE: A League of Legends Story
I performed CONVERGENCE: A League of Legends Story on Change and was dissatisfied within the technical points, however loved every little thing else the sport needed to provide. On Steam Deck, there aren’t any technical points, and the wonderful platformer with polished gameplay and stage design is one in every of Riot Forge’s greatest releases thus far. In case you get pleasure from metroidvanias, like League of Legends, or simply need an excellent recreation to play on the go, CONVERGENCE: A League of Legends Story from Riot is for you. CONVERGENCE: A League of Legends Story is marked as Steam Deck Playable by Valve due to some in-game textual content being too small.
Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective
I’ve written about Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective by its iOS updates and extra, however the very best model of Ghost Trick is certainly the brand new remaster Capcom launched on PC, Change, PS4, and Xbox One. Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is greatest on Nintendo Change thanks to higher contact assist and a greater display if in case you have the OLED mannequin, however it’s flawless on Steam Deck. It’s Steam Deck Verified by Valve as properly. Whereas it provides nothing actually for many who performed it earlier than on DS or iOS, Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective’s remaster is the very best model with its excessive decision visuals, new soundtrack possibility, and extra. It’s a puzzle journey masterpiece that has aged brilliantly, and one in every of Capcom’s greatest.
Etrian Odyssey Origins Assortment
In case you’re a fan of dungeon RPGs, you seemingly have heard of Atlus’ Etrian Odyssey collection. The map-making dungeon RPG collection that started on DS noticed three entries there earlier than the collection jumped to 3DS with just a few extra video games and spin-offs. The 3DS video games and remakes are very good, however Atlus determined to return to the start with the Etrian Odyssey Origins Assortment. This assortment, Steam Deck Verified by Valve, consists of enhanced remasters of the Nintendo DS Etrian Odyssey trilogy with visible upgrades, soundtrack upgrades, high quality of life enhancements, accessibility choices, and extra. The one knock in opposition to this launch is the shortage of latest content material from the 3DS remakes of the primary two video games. The asking worth may appear excessive, however this assortment over delivers in its high quality and the way a lot time you’re going to get out of it.
LIVE A LIVE
Sq. Enix’s remake of LIVE A LIVE within the HD 2D type of Octopath Traveler was a tremendous shock final yr, and was the primary official launch of the Tremendous Famicom recreation exterior Japan on Nintendo Change. A couple of months in the past, Sq. Enix introduced LIVE A LIVE to Steam, PS4, and PS5 worldwide, and the Steam Deck model is my favourite technique to play it. It’s the better of each worlds, giving me a transportable expertise of a JRPG that was forward of its time, and one which delivers prime quality visuals and clean efficiency throughout the board. Even in 2023, LIVE A LIVE is a should play for any JRPG fan, and it’s Steam Deck Verified by Valve. I urge you to check out the demo in case you aren’t certain it’s for you.
OXENFREE II: Misplaced Alerts
I already reviewed OXENFREE II: Misplaced Alerts protecting it on a number of platforms with a concentrate on the iOS launch by Netflix, however it stays the most effective releases of the yr thus far for Steam Deck house owners. I had no points taking part in it on Deck, and it even just lately received Steam Deck Verified by Valve. The rise in high quality throughout visuals, scope, and story all make OXENFREE II: Misplaced Alerts really feel even higher than the primary recreation. In case you get pleasure from narrative thrillers, OXENFREE II: Misplaced Alerts is for you, and whereas I do advocate taking part in it on Netflix Video games for cellular in case you can, it’s a unbelievable expertise on Steam Deck out of the field. I’m glad to see the staff ship in spades with this sequel below Netflix, and I hope we do get OXENTHREE sooner or later.
The Ninja Saviors Return of the Warriors
The Ninja Saviors Return of the Warriors from Tengo Undertaking and Natsume launched just a few years in the past on Nintendo Change and PS4, and at last hit Steam days in the past (as of this writing). I beloved it as a result of it positively is likely one of the higher beat-em-ups of its time, and the Tengo Undertaking launch is strictly what it wanted to be price getting right now. In case you get pleasure from 2D motion video games and have wished the definitive version of The Ninja Warriors on SNES, Tengo Undertaking’s The Ninja Saviors Return of the Warriors is for you. Whereas it hasn’t been examined by Valve on Steam Deck but, I’ve had no points taking part in it each over the Steam Deck Docking Station and on the hand-held itself. Pure enjoyable.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie
The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie is one in every of 2023’s greatest PC ports, and one other unbelievable launch by PH3 bringing an excellent Falcom JRPG to Steam Deck. The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie is Steam Deck Verified, and it runs flawlessly, and is my favourite model of the sport even above the PS5 launch. On the moveable facet, The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie just isn’t nice on Change, however it shines on Steam Deck. The one factor to remember is The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie is the worst place to begin in case you’re not already invested into Falcom’s superb Trails collection. You completely must play not less than the 4 Trails of Chilly Metal video games and each Crossbell video games earlier than taking part in this. Barring that caveat, you possibly can’t go flawed with The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie on Steam Deck.
We Love Katamari REROLL+ Royal Reverie
We Love Katamari REROLL+ Royal Reverie brings an enhanced model of the second Katamari recreation to all consoles and PC platforms. Whereas the unique debuted on Steam and Change, this one was launched on each console and Steam from the beginning, bringing a a lot better recreation to fashionable platforms. Whereas I believe each Katamari REROLL video games are price your time, We Love Katamari REROLL+ Royal Reverie is pure pleasure, and it’s very good on Steam Deck. Regardless of Valve’s dumb labeling of it as Playable, it’s principally excellent on Steam Deck. The rationale they marked it as Playable and never Verified is as a result of it has 800p assist however defaults to 720p. That is bizarre contemplating most Verified video games don’t even have 16:10 and 800p assist, so We Love Katamari REROLL+ Royal Reverie is doing greater than typical. Both means, I’ll save my rant on Valve’s verification system for an additional day. We Love Katamari REROLL+ Royal Reverie is totally price your time, and probably the most enjoyable video games I’ve performed this yr on any platform.
Bonus:
As with different options, there are some suggestions which have caveats. With the video games beneath, I point out these earlier than speaking about why mentioned video games are superb and price taking part in on Steam Deck.
Diablo 4
Diablo 4 is what received me to look into sideloading different recreation launchers on Steam Deck. I detailed the method in my Steam Deck overview. Whereas I’m not a fan of it being online-only, Diablo 4 is good, and I can’t wait to play it by the upcoming seasons. It seems like a recreation Blizzard made to indicate it nonetheless has what everybody beloved in regards to the outdated Blizzard. I beloved Diablo 3, Hearthstone, and the primary two years of Overwatch, however nothing since clicked like Diablo 4 did just lately. The caveat with it on Steam Deck is the sideloading wanted. Hopefully Overwatch 2 coming to Steam means Diablo 4 follows within the close to future.
Remnant II
I’m engaged on a full overview of Remnant II on Steam Deck, and have beloved the time I’ve spent in it thus far since launch, however it isn’t a tremendous expertise on Steam Deck in its present state regardless of being Steam Deck Verified by Valve. The motion journey souls-like third-person shooter principally fixes each situation I had with the unique recreation (which I just lately reviewed on Change), and is simply plain enjoyable to play with associates. I’ve tried two courses thus far throughout Steam Deck and Xbox Sequence X, and really feel like this one will find yourself on my general Sport of the 12 months listing on the charge issues are going. It’s that good, however I’m dissatisfied to see it may well’t even keep 30fps with every little thing set to low and upscaling utilized in its present state. The one huge benefit to it on Steam Deck over consoles is the truth that I can use gyro aiming due to Steam Enter.
Exoprimal
The ultimate recreation I wished to characteristic is one many may skip due to its reception on-line. Exoprimal from Capcom is a enjoyable mix of what I like in hero shooters and Earth Protection Power. An ideal podcast recreation in case you might, that has superb class selection, enjoyable gameplay, very good late-game missions, and extra. It’s held again by two main points. The primary is it being online-only like Diablo 4, and the second being that you have to tolerate 4 or 5 hours of repetitive straightforward missions earlier than you get to the great things. This one is in Xbox Sport Go as properly, so I’d advocate making an attempt it there earlier than shopping for it on Steam for Steam Deck if in case you have the choice. The sport runs nice on Steam Deck, and gyro by Steam Enter helps, however it actually shines at 60fps. Regardless of all of its points, I’ve been having fun with Exoprimal on each Steam Deck and PS5.
Hopefully my new characteristic on the very best Steam Deck video games of 2023 thus far helped you discover one thing new on your Steam Deck. In case you missed half one, learn it right here. In case you assume I missed one thing, be happy to let me know within the feedback beneath. I’m engaged on a brand new indie listing as properly for Steam Deck within the coming weeks. Thanks for studying.
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