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There have been so many superb video games that have been launched this 12 months, and it is fairly overwhelming. It felt like there was at the very least one sport every week that was big, and as a gamer, it felt like there was at all times one thing to play. Now, with the 12 months virtually over, I wished to have a look again and speak about a few of my favourite video games on the Steam Deck. So, listed here are our prime 20 video games on the Steam Deck from this 12 months.
As slightly disclaimer, this record relies on each the sport’s high quality and Steam Deck compatibility. Each sport listed right here is one that’s playable and pleasant on the Steam Deck. This record can be based mostly on our opinion from our time taking part in the video games from this 12 months.
20. Ninja Gaiden 4 (SDHQ Assessment)
I totally anticipated Ninja Gaiden 4 to not be playable on the Steam Deck, understanding the form of intense expertise we have been moving into, however right here we’re, and it is truly playable. It’s one among my favourite motion video games this 12 months, bringing the extraordinary, gory fight, a brand new character to play as, and an entertaining story, along with an excellent visible spectacle. It does want to stay to 30 FPS, but it surely appears to be like respectable and is playable, which is greater than I anticipated.
I had a lot enjoyable taking part in Ninja Gaiden 4, and I believe it is a unbelievable sport. Nevertheless, efficiency on the Steam Deck does require loads of compromise, and whereas I’d nonetheless think about it playable, it borders on unplayable.
19. The Alters (SDHQ Assessment)
Regardless of some compromises to run on the Steam Deck, I fell in love with The Alters. The gameplay loop includes deciding the right way to handle every day and gathering sufficient supplies to stave off demise and transfer the story alongside. It is a unbelievable loop with a wierd, but satisfying angle of utilizing clones to make all of it occur. Couple that with nice voice performing and playable efficiency on the Steam Deck, and we get an expertise value taking up the go.
I like The Alters as a sport, and it is higher on the Steam Deck than I anticipated, but it surely nonetheless requires a good quantity of compromise. It is sufficient to make the sport a better-looking expertise on a extra highly effective PC, but it surely’s nonetheless very playable right here.
18. DYNASTY WARRIORS: ORIGINS (SDHQ Assessment)
The Warriors video games have at all times been my responsible pleasure for gaming, and Dynasty Warriors: Origins took it to a different degree. Whereas the button-mashing gameplay of 1 vs 1000 remains to be right here, it has extra RPG-focused components like its story, development, and anonymous hero that work higher than I anticipated. There’s additionally a bit extra depth into the fight, and pairing it with the Steam Deck makes it an effective way to grind on the go.
I’ll admit, I do actually just like the Warriors collection, however Origins felt like a step up from the standard. It is a load of enjoyable, and regardless of the compromises wanted, it sticks sturdy at 30 FPS whereas nonetheless wanting good.
17. Sonic X Shadow Generations (SDHQ Assessment)
I cherished Sonic Generations when it got here out, so having an up to date model with additional content material that really works on the Steam Deck was excessive on my record of video games I used to be excited to play once more. Sonic X Shadow Generations makes it so the primary sport is totally playable, hitting a straightforward 60 FPS on the Deck, whereas the brand new Shadow content material is ready to hold to 40 FPS. It does have up to date visuals over the primary sport, which is why it’s extra intensive, but it surely’s nonetheless very playable on the go.
I do know it is a remaster with new content material, however the sport is simply so good and runs like a allure on the Steam Deck. It is laborious to not love this model of the sport.
16. Silent Hill f (SDHQ Assessment)
Silent Hill f is the opposite horror sport I had been wanting ahead to this 12 months, aside from Cronos, and it is nice as effectively. It does really feel extra action-based than different Silent Hill video games, however the story itself is a deal with. You play as Hinako, who has to run by means of city, confronting her personal demons, whereas additionally battling monsters. It is also stunning how playable it’s on the Steam Deck, and I had a blast taking part in by means of it on the go.
I cherished taking part in by means of Silent Hill f on the Deck, and I used to be actually shocked by how good it was. I do want the sport have been much less combat-heavy, however with some minor adjustments, the visuals have been good with a strong 30 FPS.
15. SHINOBI: Artwork of Vengeance (SDHQ Assessment)
SHINOBI: Artwork of Vengeance was a pleasure to play by means of. It captured me with its attractive artwork type and action-packed fight that relied on combos to whittle down enemy well being and kill them. Fight typically is sort of partaking and detailed, and whereas I wasn’t at all times pleased with the development system, it did not decelerate my enjoyment of the expertise. It is also excellent to play on the Steam Deck, so no complaints there!
I actually get pleasure from SHINOBI, and it is a unbelievable platformer. It runs like a allure on the Steam Deck with an excellent fight system that makes combos really feel a lot enjoyable to truly use.
14. Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound (SDHQ Assessment)
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound fulfilled what I wished to see in an motion side-scroller after I obtained my arms on it. As a substitute of specializing in detailed fight mechanics, we solely hit enemies as soon as for them to die. I’m not a fan of bullet-sponge enemies, so this was a deal with. It additionally has superb pixel paintings, superb animations, nice degree design, and excellent Steam Deck efficiency.
That is one other nice platformer, and it runs extraordinarily effectively on the Steam Deck. It offers a really comparable feeling to SHINOBI: Artwork of Vengeance, however I desire this sort of fight, the place one strike can kill an enemy.
13. Gears of Conflict: Reloaded (SDHQ Assessment)
The remaster for Gears of Conflict was an effective way to get again into the collection, whereas bringing it to Steam. It would not have a ton of recent options, and appears fairly near the Final Version on Xbox Sport Go, but it surely brings again multiplayer, updates its visuals slightly bit, and comes with unbelievable help for the Steam Deck, making it straightforward to play at 60 FPS.
Regardless that it is a re-release of fairly an outdated sport, I had loads of enjoyable getting again into it and taking part in on the Steam Deck, which was a deal with. I nonetheless want it did slightly extra, and there are some elements within the story that may drop beneath 60 FPS, but it surely’s nonetheless great.
12. Warriors: Abyss (SDHQ Assessment)
I like the Dynasty Warrior video games, and turning it right into a roguelike was a unbelievable transfer. Warriors: Abyss has you select a personality and battle by means of phases to earn buffs and get stronger all through every run. You may unlock new everlasting buffs, characters, and extra to maintain coming again. It additionally runs completely on the Steam Deck, so I’d say it is value it for a large number of causes.
Roguelikes really feel proper at dwelling on the Deck, and mixing Warriors gameplay with a roguelike format labored so effectively. It does get slightly monotonous the longer you play, but it surely’s nonetheless nice sufficient for me to maintain coming again.
11. Cut up Fiction
I like taking part in co-op video games, and Cut up Fiction is one other nice one from developer Hazelight Studios. Whereas the story is respectable, it is the gameplay that’s simply superb. There are tons of various environments to run by means of and obstacles to beat together with your companion, who you possibly can see by way of the vertical break up display screen. It does have some compromises to run on the Steam Deck, but it surely’s nonetheless very playable and a pleasure to expertise when mendacity in mattress subsequent to your companion.
Cut up Fiction is such a enjoyable sport, and I had a good time taking part in it with my spouse. It is not a strong 60 FPS on the Deck, however it’s nonetheless playable and appears strong, too.
10. Dragon Quest 1&2 HD-2D Remake (SDHQ Assessment)
I cherished Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake on the Steam Deck, so I used to be certain to get pleasure from Dragon Quest 1&2’s HD-2D Remake as effectively. And I did. It is two video games packed into one, and so they provide decently differing experiences that make them really feel totally different, but comparable on the identical time. Nevertheless, the story from 1 continues into 2, making it worthwhile to play them each. And naturally, it is only a deal with on the Steam Deck, so there aren’t any complaints there!
Enjoying by means of JRPGs feels proper at dwelling on moveable gadgets, and Dragon Quest 1&2 have been two of my favorites to get pleasure from this 12 months on the Steam Deck. The OLED display screen makes the HD-2D type look excellent, and I believe it is a nice sport to speculate time into when taking part in on the go.
9. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds (SDHQ Assessment)
I like Mario Kart, and I’ve at all times wished one thing prefer it for the Steam Deck. Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds was that sport for me. Whereas it is not precisely the identical, it has some distinctive options that assist it stand out, corresponding to its forged of racers, customizable choices that have an effect on your automotive, and mid-race stage adjustments. It is loads of enjoyable and might simply hit 60 FPS on Steam Deck with good visuals, so it is an excellent possibility on the go.
I used to be pleasantly stunned with how effectively Sonic Racing runs and appears on the Steam Deck. 60 FPS with close to max visuals in a racing sport the place efficiency/framerate goes to be crucial is simply nice, and with how pleasant the gameplay is, it is laborious to disclaim simply how nice it’s to play on the go.
8. The Hundred Line -Final Protection Academy- (SDHQ Assessment)
Danganronpa was one among my favourite detective-esque visible novels, so I used to be instantly in when the identical staff behind the sport was making a brand new one with fight. The Hundred Line is a unbelievable expertise with one among my favourite tales in a online game I performed this 12 months. The fight is loads of enjoyable, and it has some Persona-esque development components to it. Nevertheless, with how nice it runs on the Steam Deck, it is laborious to not suggest taking part in it on the go.
Each time I take into consideration The Hundred Line, it makes me want it have been mentioned extra. The paintings is unbelievable, the characters are memorable, the story is partaking, and there are such a lot of branches that may all give little items of data to offer us the total story. And with it working flawlessly on the Steam Deck at 60 FPS, it is a straightforward suggestion.
7. Cronos: The New Daybreak (SDHQ Assessment)
I had been wanting ahead to Cronos: The New Daybreak ever since Bloober Staff introduced it, and it completely lived as much as it. You are attempting to determine the origins of what brought about the apocalypse and destroyed human civilization, whereas additionally needing to battle monsters that may rework into lifeless our bodies of different monsters. I used to be shocked by how playable it’s on the Steam Deck, hitting 30 FPS with out subject on the bottom settings, whereas nonetheless wanting nice.
I used to be so stunned with Cronos, not simply because it fulfilled my need for one more sport like Useless House, but in addition as a result of it was truly very playable on the Steam Deck. Regardless of needing some visible compromises, just like the blue mild impact on faraway objects, it nonetheless holds up as a strong moveable sport that I can fortunately suggest taking part in on.
6. Dispatch (SDHQ Assessment)
So far as visible novel-esque video games go, Dispatch is sort of presumably top-of-the-line. You’re a retired superhero who turns into a dispatch officer to ship out heroes to tackle totally different emergencies. It does have some precise gameplay to it, however the majority can be targeted on the visible novel-like story and selections you make, which is nice as a result of the story is simply unbelievable. This additionally makes it near-perfect to play on the Steam Deck, and that is by no means a foul factor.
I anticipated Dispatch to have an excellent story, however I by no means anticipated it to be pretty much as good as it’s. It combines humor with an intriguing story effortlessly, has some unbelievable voice expertise, respectable gameplay, and runs completely on the Steam Deck.
5. FANTASY LIFE i: The Woman Who Steals Time
Fantasy Life i used to be one of many video games this 12 months that snuck up on me and I ended up falling in love with. It is a attractive and enjoyable JRPG the place you’ll form your personal island to your liking. There are 14 totally different jobs you possibly can decide up, all with their very own development, and you’ll in the end find yourself fishing, cooking, preventing, and far more to progress. It is an excellent sport to play, particularly on the Steam Deck, and it is positively well worth the time funding.
I used to be truly slightly late to the celebration for Fantasy Life i, however I’m glad I obtained there. I had a lot enjoyable taking part in it, and as a JRPG fan who loves grinding, customization, and strong Steam Deck efficiency, this had lots to supply in a superbly moveable bundle.
4. Bionic Bay (SDHQ Assessment)
I really feel like when video games launch in direction of the start of the 12 months, they are not talked about as a lot except they carry out extraordinarily effectively. In Bionic Bay’s case, it was launched a couple of week earlier than Clair Obscur launched, which fairly shortly overshadowed it. Nonetheless, Bionic Bay is likely one of the finest platformers I’ve ever performed. I like the physics-based nature, cool powers, and exquisite visuals, whereas additionally having fun with its nice efficiency on the Steam Deck.
I used to be blown away by Bionic Bay when it was launched, and I really feel it nonetheless holds sturdy right now. It is one among my favourite platformers for cause, and with how effectively it runs on the Steam Deck, it is laborious to not think about this a necessary to your moveable library.
3. Blue Prince (SDHQ Assessment)
Blue Prince wowed me after I first noticed it at GDC, and I used to be enamored with it as quickly as I obtained my arms on it. It takes a roguelike format, however has puzzle components with riddles in virtually each room, making you fastidiously plan out and take into consideration the way you wish to construct your structure to get to the elusive forty fifth room of the mansion. And with how excellent it feels for the Steam Deck, that is a straightforward suggestion that I wouldn’t move on.
This sport felt like one thing particular. I had by no means put collectively a roguelike on this means, and I cherished it. The puzzles have been partaking and thought-provoking, whereas the gameplay was intuitive and entertaining. It was laborious to cease taking part in, and it’s a sport I can suggest to everybody and anybody who owns a Steam Deck.
2. Megabonk
Megabonk is the second sport that dominated my free time, and it is simply unbelievable. This combines gameplay components of each Vampire Survivors and Danger of Rain 2 to create this bizarre, but addictive expertise with chunk of content material that feels not possible to place down. I like the sport, and with how splendidly it runs on the Steam Deck, that is one you’ll need so as to add to your library.
Megabonk is definitely the sport I performed essentially the most on the Steam Deck, and it was one among my favorites of the complete 12 months. It had sufficient variations as a roguelike to maintain me , whereas additionally having comparable mechanics that felt acquainted.
1. BALL x PIT (SDHQ Assessment)
There have been two video games that, when launched, dominated my free time after I wasn’t reviewing video games. BALL x PIT was the primary of them. Combining mechanics from Brick Breaker and Galaga, whereas including fascinating roguelike components and slight metropolis administration, created an unbelievable mixture of gameplay that was laborious to place down. It seems like the proper match for the Steam Deck, and with how effectively it performs, it most positively is.
I gave loads of thought as to which sport ought to be number one on this record, and it in the end got here right down to uniqueness, which BALL x PIT has in droves. I fell in love with its gameplay, each the roguelike ball flinging and city administration, and it’s hands-down my favourite sport of this 12 months.
And people are our prime 20 Steam Deck video games from 2025. This has been such an incredible 12 months crammed with so many nice video games that it was so laborious to decide on. Nonetheless, these are my favorites of the 12 months, and every one among them is value trying out.
Tell us what your favourite sport of 2025 is within the feedback beneath!
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