Two years after launching, not solely is Valve’s Steam Deck higher than ever, nevertheless it additionally has a plethora of latest massive and small video games arriving and dealing completely out of the field. There are some exceptions in fact, however 2024 has been excellent for the platform. Whereas taking a look at what’s been out since early January, there have been far too many video games I needed to spotlight, however I made a decision to place collectively a listing of my favorites. The video games featured right here embody we’ve reviewed and a few surprises. This checklist is in no specific order as normal. I’ve additionally specified if a recreation is marked Steam Deck Verified or Playable by Valve.
The Greatest Steam Deck Video games of 2024 So Far
Tekken 8
Tekken 8 just isn’t solely a return to kind for the franchise in pushing visuals, but additionally a implausible preventing recreation throughout the board that has been a pleasure to play on each platform. On Steam Deck, I used to be initially fearful how it might run as a PS5 and Xbox Collection X title, however it’s surprisingly good on the system each on-line and offline. For those who haven’t performed Tekken shortly, Tekken 8 is greater than value getting, and I’m glad to see it look attractive all through with its wonderful character designs and levels. Tekken 8 greater than made up for the way disappointing Tekken 7 was for me. Tekken 8 is formally rated Steam Deck Playable by Valve.
Granblue Fantasy: Relink
After a number of delays, Granblue Fantasy: Relink hit Steam and PlayStation platforms, and it delivered an excellent enjoyable motion RPG that has been superior to play solo and with pals. It additionally serves as a superb introduction to Cygames’ wonderful Granblue Fantasy world and feels constructed for Steam Deck with how good it seems to be and runs on the system. Granblue Fantasy: Relink is a straightforward recreation of the 12 months contender that I will likely be taking part in all year long on-line and offline. Granblue Fantasy: Relink is formally rated as Unsupported on Steam Deck by Valve, nevertheless it performs nice. Hopefully they repair the ranking quickly.
Persona 3 Reload
As a remake of the unique Persona 3, I used to be shocked at how fashionable Atlus made it really feel with this remake. The gameplay enhancements, new visuals, redone music, and new voice appearing all come collectively to make Persona 3 Reload really feel like a brand-new fashionable Persona recreation. The dearth of the Persona 3 Transportable story content material is disappointing, however this launch has every little thing else I needed from a remake of considered one of Atlus’ finest video games. Persona 3 Reload is formally rated Steam Deck Verified by Valve.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
After I beat Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth earlier this 12 months, I believed it was among the finest RPGs I’ve ever performed. A couple of months later, I’ve begun pondering of it as considered one of my favourite video games of all time. Whereas it isn’t as accessible with a number of video games I’d advocate taking part in earlier than it to get probably the most out of the expertise, it’s a implausible expertise from begin to end, and an outstanding turn-based RPG that I like. I actually wish to simply replay it proper now. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is formally rated Steam Deck Verified by Valve.
Final Epoch
I didn’t actually trouble with this throughout early entry, however correctly jumped in with controller assist and don’t remorse it one bit. Misplaced Epoch with its offline assist and polished motion RPG expertise proper now has been a recreation I’ve loved dipping into each day on Steam Deck. I haven’t even seemed into the web but as a result of the offline mode is so good. This can be a sensible motion RPG with its courses, talent timber, and soundtrack. Final Epoch is formally rated Steam Deck Playable by Valve.
Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden
I had this on my checklist of the 2024 video games I needed to play on Steam Deck, and I’m glad it delivered with its narrative and gameplay. I all the time had religion within the developer, however Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden has been one of many nicest surprises of 2024. It’s an motion RPG that mixes some mechanics from different video games I’ve loved, however the narrative is what actually elevates it to greatness. I’m undoubtedly going to replay this on PS5 sooner or later, however it’s a straightforward suggestion on Steam Deck. Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is formally rated Steam Deck Playable by Valve.
Penny’s Huge Breakaway
Except for a number of points that bought fastened post-launch, Penny’s Huge Breakaway is a implausible 3D platformer. It has chic gameplay, a superlative soundtrack, and lovely visuals. The icing on the cake is it seems to be good whereas operating at 90fps on Steam Deck OLED. I don’t even care concerning the different variations of the sport after taking part in it right here. Penny’s Huge Breakaway is my favourite 3D platformer since Tremendous Mario Odyssey and I hope the soundtrack will get a vinyl launch sooner or later. Penny’s Huge Breakaway is formally rated Steam Deck Verified by Valve.
Logiart Grimoire
Let’s be actual right here. That is simply Picross on Steam Deck, and I’m glad it exists. Jupiter, builders of the particular excellent Picross video games, launched this as a brand new IP, however is Picross with a twist, and my solely grievance is the soundtrack isn’t what I often like after I’m taking part in these video games. It runs flawlessly on Steam Deck and is value shopping for. I hope we get extra like this from Jupiter on PC sooner or later. Logiart Grimoire is formally rated Steam Deck Verified by Valve.
Star Wars: Darkish Forces Remaster
When Nightdive Studios introduced a remaster of Star Wars: Darkish Forces, I used to be excited as a result of I had heard rather a lot concerning the recreation, however hadn’t ever performed it. The remaster launched and is great exterior one performance-related drawback which will or will not be an issue for you. Fortunately, the Steam Deck refresh fee possibility on the OLED mannequin allowed me to manually repair this and get an ideal expertise. The sport is nice enjoyable to play as properly, however I particularly advocate it on Steam Deck OLED should you personal one. Star Wars: Darkish Forces Remaster is formally rated Steam Deck Verified by Valve.
Balatro
Alongside Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Balatro is a robust contender for Recreation of the 12 months 2024. I play it each day and I can’t watch for it to return to iOS so I’ve it on each single system. Balatro is a poker roguelike that options a lot depth hidden away that I’m consistently stunned at it even 80 hours later. I’m listening to the primary theme proper now as properly. Don’t sleep on Balatro. Balatro is formally rated Steam Deck Verified by Valve.
Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story
The one drawback with Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story is that I would like extra from it. I want it coated all of Jeff Minter’s video games together with the newer releases, however barring that grievance, that is principally every little thing I needed from a brand new Gold Grasp collection launch, and it even bought us Llamatron on fashionable consoles and PC. Digital Eclipse retains elevating the bar and I can’t wait to see what’s subsequent within the collection. If in case you have even the smallest curiosity in indie recreation improvement or Jeff Minter, that is a vital. Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story has been rated Steam Deck Playable by Valve.
For those who’re questioning why there are 11 video games on this article as a substitute of the standard 10, I used to be going to chop one to have as a bonus, however figured each single recreation on this checklist is value your time on Steam Deck so right here we’re.
Hopefully this characteristic helped you discover one thing you haven’t performed this 12 months up to now but. I’m wanting ahead to what else manages to get on my (potential) Recreation of the 12 months checklist within the coming months. You may learn all our previous and future Steam Deck protection right here. If in case you have any suggestions for our Steam Deck protection, this characteristic, or what else you’d wish to see us do across the Steam Deck, tell us within the feedback under. Thanks for studying.
