After I wrote about among the finest video games of 2023 (up to now) earlier within the 12 months, I figured I’d be writing one other one earlier than we do our Sport of the 12 months lists. I didn’t count on to have far too many nice video games to put in writing about earlier than even hitting the vacations. That’s the place at the moment’s function comes into the image. Whereas everybody is probably going nonetheless knee deep into Baldur’s Gate 3 (assessment coming quickly) or Starfield, there are tons of nice indies hitting Steam and consoles.
I’ve put collectively an inventory of 20 (and a few bonuses) nice new indie video games which can be value your time to your Steam Deck. This listing is in no specific order, and I’ll be together with a number of updates on notable video games on the finish as a result of it’s all the time value highlighting when a developer goes again and improves or fixes a sport that had quite a lot of potential. Let’s get into it then.
Blasphemous 2
I didn’t play the unique Blasphemous a lot till this 12 months, and I remorse not attending to it sooner. It felt like a kind of video games I’d take pleasure in extra on a conveyable, and I’ve since loved it on each Swap and Steam Deck. When a developer pronounces a sequel to a beloved indie, I all the time hope it at worst is simply extra of the identical. Blasphemous 2 just isn’t that, and it managed to shock me fairly a bit. I do know it’s quickly, however Blasphemous 2 is an enormous step in the proper path. It undoubtedly appears like all the things I favored within the unique has been improved on right here with the problems additionally addressed. Blasphemous 2 jogs my memory of going from Nioh to Nioh 2 in enhancements. Purely a unbelievable and difficult metroidvania.
Steam Deck Score from Valve: Verified
Sea of Stars
After I tried the Sea of Stars demo some time in the past, I felt prefer it had the potential to be one thing particular. Quick ahead to the complete sport’s launch and that ended up being the case regardless of the few points I’ve with it. Sea of Stars, like Chained Echoes, is a unbelievable indie tackle what made turn-based RPGs particular again within the 90s. Sabotage Studio nailed virtually all the things with Sea of Stars, and I’m shocked at how content-packed it’s with out feeling padded in any respect. That is finest on Steam Deck based mostly on what I’ve performed of all variations. I’m already trying ahead to purchasing the bodily launch on Swap and PS5 subsequent 12 months.
Steam Deck Score from Valve: Verified
HoloCure
At any time when I discussed Vampire Survivors or video games like that, I had pals inform me I ought to play HoloCure. In fact I needed to, however was too lazy to sideload it on Steam Deck via the itch.io model. The sport appeared super-polished and it featured many Vtubers I like watching, so it was solely a matter of time earlier than I attempted it. When the developer introduced it was coming to Steam, I made a decision to attend. Having now performed quite a lot of HoloCure on Steam Deck, it’s excellent. Unbelievably good as a sport, and is my favourite piece of Vtuber media proper now. It’s also free, which implies you must cease studying in regards to the sport and simply strive it. You’ll not remorse it.
Steam Deck Score from Valve: Untested
Halls of Torment
Halls of Torment is a Vampire Survivors-like with a Diablo aesthetic. After I was moving into extra video games like Vampire Survivors, everybody advisable Halls of Torment continuously, they usually have been proper. This can be a excellent sport even in its present early entry state. It has a free demo so I’d completely suggest making an attempt it out on Steam Deck at no cost. I like the quests and development right here. Regardless of there being tons of video games like Vampire Survivors, Halls of Torment joins Brotato and HoloCure as my favorites alongside Vampire Survivors. Halls of Torment can be solely on PC and feels good on Steam Deck.
Steam Deck Score from Valve: Verified
Oceanhorn 2: Knights of the Misplaced Realm
I first skilled Oceanhorn 2 on Apple Arcade, and all the time hoped it could be ported to extra highly effective consoles or PC to see the attractive aesthetic shine extra. I didn’t see a lot worth within the Swap model on that entrance, however the brand new PC, PS5, and Xbox variations meant it was time to see how a lot additional Oceanhorn 2 might push its visuals. The sport itself was superb, nevertheless it feels so good on Steam Deck proper from the get go. I even loved taking part in it via the Steam Deck Docking Station on my 1440p monitor. Oceanhorn 2 is a big enchancment over the unique, and regardless of some repetitive fight, it’s value taking part in on Steam Deck.
Steam Deck Score from Valve: Verified
Astronaut: The Finest
I performed a little bit of Astronaut: The Finest pre-release, however solely lately received into it. I like when video games attempt to do various things with their settings, gameplay, or with genre-blending mechanics. Astronaut: The Finest desires you to fail, and makes it humorous. Combining procedurally generated recruitable characters with different missions and a ton of attraction makes Astronaut: The Finest, the most effective form of expertise you may have as a enjoyable break between Starfield and Baldur’s Gate 3 classes. As a PC-only sport proper now, I feel Astronaut: The Finest is finest (I wasn’t even going to try to resist) on Steam Deck.
Steam Deck Score from Valve: Untested
Affogato
Affogato is a really spooky sport in the way it appears to have tapped into a number of issues I like and mixed them into one thing that’s higher than an precise affogato. I’m not simply saying that as a result of I choose black espresso. Affogato blends in barista administration, reverse tower protection, RPG, and extra with attractive artwork, nice music, and a very good story. It’s only a rattling good sport, and performs properly on Steam Deck. Valve says some textual content may be too small to learn on the small display screen, nevertheless it wasn’t a problem for me. You possible wish to get the bundle with the soundtrack as properly. I hope this one will get a bodily launch in some kind.
Steam Deck Score from Valve: Playable
Transferring Out 2
When Overcooked 2 was introduced with on-line play, I used to be tremendous joyful to see such an incredible idea lastly attain its potential. Transferring Out 2 gave me related emotions when it was introduced, and I feel it exceeded all my expectations. The visible enhancements, on-line help, accessibility choices, and excellent core gameplay make it probably the greatest get together video games of 2023, and a simple suggestion for Steam Deck homeowners. This one has a free demo as properly, so I’d suggest checking it out. It additionally makes the unique not value taking part in, although I hope we get an Overcooked: All You Can Eat Version fashion package deal for the Transferring Out video games sooner or later. I additionally ended up testing this out with a pal via Distant Play Collectively, and it labored completely on Steam Deck.
Steam Deck Score from Valve: Verified
Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical
I’ve had Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical on Steam Deck since earlier than launch, and it felt like an ideal match for the system. The sport itself is the proper sport for individuals who take pleasure in music-focused experiences, narrative journey video games, and the theater. It has some points with audio ranges, however I beloved Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical by the tip, and would suggest it on Steam Deck over Nintendo Swap. It shines on the Deck, and I’m trying ahead to replaying it within the close to future.
Steam Deck Score from Valve: Verified
The Making of Karateka
Wait, why is The Making of Karateka on an indie listing? Properly, Digital Eclipse is an indie developer, they usually have launched a masterpiece with The Making of Karateka. Whereas I’ve beloved the work they put into retro collections with bonus content material, The Making of Karateka is on an entire different degree. I virtually referred to as this a Michelin Star-like expertise, however even that appears like underselling how a lot care and work went into making The Making of Karateka nearly as good as it’s. I’d purchase a brand new Gold Grasp Sequence launch from Digital Eclipse even when they do one on a sport I hate. Even if you happen to don’t care about Karateka, that is the gold customary in gaming preservation. Now please do Prince of Persia subsequent.
Steam Deck Score from Valve: Untested
Six Ages 2 Lights Going Out
Six Ages 2 Lights Going Out has already gotten a 5/5 from Shaun for its iOS launch, however what about Steam Deck? Properly it doesn’t appear to have native controller help, however performs nice with contact controls. It additionally serves as an incredible introduction to A Sharp’s video games, and an incredible turn-based tactical and narrative expertise. I can’t recover from how gorgeous the artwork is. I want there was a demo for this one for newcomers, however if you happen to did play prior video games or desire a pretty mix of an incredible narrative and wonderful turn-based gameplay, that is for you.
Steam Deck Score from Valve: Untested
Venba
Venba is a wonderful and brief narrative cooking sport that taught me some issues I didn’t learn about Indian cooking. I like the aesthetic and story, however was upset by the dearth of contact help on Swap. Again after I performed it there, I additionally performed Venba on Steam Deck, and it controls brilliantly right here in handheld mode and after I join the Deck to my monitor. Venba offers with varied subjects like immigration, heritage, household, and extra, however manages to cowl lots in its brief run time. I completely suggest taking part in this on no matter platform you wish to strive it on, however simply play it.
Steam Deck Score from Valve: Verified
UFO Unidentified Falling Objects
UFO Unidentified Falling Objects is a mix of puzzles and platforming however not in the way in which you’d count on. It’s the form of sport you’d wish to strive for a couple of minutes, however lose hours to. I additionally love the arcade-y gameplay that accompanies the superb visuals and audio design. UFO Unidentified Falling Objects has a demo on Steam, so it’s value testing, and it feels proper at dwelling on Steam Deck. It satiated my need for extra Mr Driller if you happen to’ve performed that as properly.
Steam Deck Score from Valve: Playable
PixelJunk Scrappers Deluxe
PixelJunk Scrappers Deluxe is one other sport that started life on Apple Arcade, however discovered a brand new dwelling on PC and consoles afterward. Whereas its preliminary launch had a number of balancing points for solo play, I can safely suggest it on Steam Deck (the place it even runs at 120fps when docked) for a beautiful party-style sport with Q-Video games’ distinctive attraction. Q-Video games is a developer I’ll strive something by, and PixelJunk Scrappers Deluxe is one in all its extra attention-grabbing releases. I by no means received uninterested in the rubbish stacking, catchy music, and wonderful aesthetic PixelJunk Scrappers Deluxe has. In case you skipped it on Apple Arcade, that is a straightforward suggestion on Steam Deck.
Steam Deck Score from Valve: Verified
Fae Farm*
I’m reviewing Fae Farm on Swap and Steam Deck, however can focus on the early chapters of the sport forward of the assessment embargo. Primarily based on what I’ve performed up to now, Fae Farm is a beautiful addition to the life and farming simulation style with its personal spin on issues. In quite a lot of methods, Fae Farm appears like a best hits of the style greats whereas making an attempt to do its personal factor, however it’s a bit missing solely in its relationships proper now. All the pieces else up to now feels polished and enjoyable. I’m additionally very impressed with it on Steam Deck the place I’d find yourself taking part in it via until the tip. I’ll have extra to say about Fae Farm in my full assessment masking the Swap model as properly, however if you happen to take pleasure in life and farming sims, I can’t think about you received’t like Fae Farm. Simply don’t go into it anticipating Story of Seasons degree character relationships. I’m trying ahead to seeing how issues play out afterward within the sport.
Steam Deck Score from Valve: Untested
Goodbye Volcano Excessive
Having initially been revealed again in 2020 for the PS5, KO_OP’s Goodbye Volcano Excessive lastly launched final week, and it ended up being superb. Combining visible novel-style storytelling, decisions, good music, drama, and extra, Goodbye Volcano Excessive has an attention-grabbing setting and characters, however is a bit buggy. I loved my time with it on Steam Deck, however really feel prefer it might’ve used a bit extra animation selection and polish. Hopefully the latter can arrive quickly, as a result of Goodbye Volcano Excessive is one in all this 12 months’s most attention-grabbing indie video games, and the lengthy street to launch has been value it. I don’t assume it managed to hit the highs Life is Unusual did for me with its story, however I nonetheless suggest making an attempt Goodbye Volcano Excessive on Steam Deck.
Steam Deck Score from Valve: Untested
Thronefall
Even in its present early entry state, Thronefall is a cultured and attention-grabbing sport that blends in parts of tower protection, metropolis constructing, and technique, however one which feels prefer it has tried to take away any fluff so to talk. It’s a attractive sport that feels very centered on what it units out to do, and regardless of the brief playtime for the sport’s present state, I can safely suggest it, and it performs brilliantly on Steam Deck. I can’t wait to see the way it evolves over time, and will probably be revisiting it with main updates.
Steam Deck Score from Valve: Playable
Bleak Sword DX
At a sure level, I began hoping extra Apple Arcade video games get ported in order that they’d nonetheless be preserved as soon as they go away the service. Bleak Sword from more8bit is one in all my favourite video games on Apple Arcade, and it received an enhanced launch for PC and Nintendo Swap with Bleak Sword DX including in additional content material and mainly making it really feel higher on bigger screens. I like the aesthetic and gameplay in Bleak Sword, and it feels proper at dwelling on Steam Deck. Jim Guthrie’s music is all the time a spotlight in any sport, and it’s wonderful in Bleak Sword DX. I’m unsure if or when the content material will come to Apple Arcade, however Bleak Sword DX is a straightforward suggestion. Now we simply want a pleasant bodily launch for Swap sooner or later.
Steam Deck Score from Valve: Verified
Soulvars
I first performed a little bit of Soulvars via its iOS launch, and was excited to see how it could scale to PC and console. I’ve now performed it on each Steam Deck and Nintendo Swap, and the turn-based RPG that has some parts of deck-building and basic JRPGs continues to impress me. I like the pixel artwork, music, and the gameplay by no means will get outdated. One factor to notice is you may must swap to Proton Experimental to play Soulvars on Steam Deck. Barring that, I’ve no points recommending it and urge you to strive the free demo on Steam if it pursuits you.
Steam Deck Score from Valve: Untested
Luck be a Landlord
Luck be a Landlord is a harmful sport on cell. I spent an excessive amount of time with it after I was reviewing it, and it lately received its main steadiness replace on each PC and cell. Whereas I feel it’s best on cell, Luck be a Landlord on Steam Deck remains to be superior, and value your time if the idea of a slot machine, roguelike, and deckbuilder hybrid appeals to you. It can eat you for days, and I don’t remorse doing that to you. Go forth and slay the slots.
Steam Deck Score from Valve: Verified
Bonus: Up to date video games from earlier this 12 months and DLC
The Final Case of Benedict Fox
The Final Case of Benedict Fox is a sport I wrote about already, however needed to spotlight for its main replace. It appears like ready on taking part in The Final Case of Benedict Fox may’ve been for the most effective with how a lot has been fastened and improved, and there’s extra deliberate for future updates as highlighted on the Steam web page. In case you purchased it and performed it round launch like I did, give it one other shot with the updates now.
Steam Deck Score from Valve: Playable
Darkest Dungeon II
Like The Final Case of Benedict Fox, Darkest Dungeon II was a sport I featured earlier than, nevertheless it has massively improved on Steam Deck since launching. Not solely is it better-optimized, nevertheless it has full controller help now, and is Steam Deck Verified. In case you held off on getting it earlier than, rectify that and play one in all this 12 months’s finest Steam releases, and a worthy successor of the chic however difficult unique sport. I don’t know if this may hit iPad like the primary sport did, however I hope it does at the very least come to Swap so I should purchase it once more.
Steam Deck Score from Valve: Verified
Redemption Reapers
Redemption Reapers from the developer of Ender Lilies had a tough launch, and wasn’t playable on Steam Deck till a number of months in the past. The tactical RPG felt very totally different from the style staples due to its grim setting, nevertheless it might use some extra. I’ve added Redemption Reapers as a bonus right here as a result of it was up to date for Steam Deck and I loved my time with it, nevertheless it nonetheless might use some extra work. On a reduction, I’d say go for it if you happen to benefit from the style and wish one thing darker and tougher.
Steam Deck Score from Valve: Playable
Let’s Construct a Zoo: Aquarium Odyssey DLC
Let’s Construct a Zoo: Aquarium Odyssey is the second DLC pack for Let’s Construct a Zoo, and it appears like a breath of recent air for an already wonderful sport. It provides a ton of latest issues to play with in your zoo, and I like the aesthetic. In case you loved the bottom sport, that is a straightforward suggestion, and Let’s Construct a Zoo continues to be nice on Steam Deck, however the textual content measurement could be a bit too small.
Steam Deck Score from Valve: Playable
TMNT Shredder’s Revenge Dimension Shellshock DLC
TMNT Shredder’s Revenge Dimension Shellshock hit PC and consoles final week, and it smashed my expectations. Not solely does it add new characters, however the brand new mode and colour choices are sensible. It’s also accompanied by new music from Tee Lopes. With TMNT Shredder’s Revenge Dimension Shellshock, I can safely say that it’s now my favourite TMNT sport ever.
Steam Deck Score from Valve: Verified
There are nonetheless many indies and up to date DLC releases I wish to play like Golden Idol Mysteries: The Lemurian Vampire, Dave the Diver (sure, I do know), and extra. I can’t wait to see what else releases this 12 months, and can you’ll want to write about extra nice indie video games I’ve been taking part in on Steam Deck. In case you assume I missed one thing you’d suggest both in at the moment’s listing or my final one, let me know within the feedback under. Thanks for studying.
Curious about extra Steam Deck protection? Take a look at our Steam Deck suggestions!
