Best Steam Deck Games of 2023 So Far 2 – Street Fighter 6, Diablo IV, Age of Wonders 4, Jagged Alliance 3, and More – TouchArcade
After I did a number of options on the perfect Steam Deck, finest 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 value highlighting not just for PC, however for these taking a look at grabbing their subsequent sport on Steam Deck. The video games right here embrace new video games, ports of console video games, and extra. When you’ve not saved up with the Steam Deck and our protection, here’s our dedicated Steam Deck page on TouchArcade with critiques, information, options, and extra. As typical, the checklist 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.
Road Fighter 6
I like Road Fighter 6. It’s my present total sport of the yr above Tears of the Kingdom and every part else. Whereas I did get pleasure from Road Fighter V, it had a ton of caveats once I advisable it to folks. Road Fighter 6 is a return to type, and the perfect Road Fighter sport alongside Road Fighter III: third Strike. It additionally occurs to be Steam Deck Verified by Valve. Road Fighter 6 features a huge single participant mode, sturdy on-line play, coaching, and principally has every part you’d hope for in a contemporary combating sport. I’ve additionally been taking part in Road 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 total. Strive the demo if you’d like a style of it.
Age of Wonders 4
When Paradox Interactive publishes a brand new sport, I’m at all times to test it out. Whereas some releases lack controller help 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. The truth is, I appreciated it a lot on Steam Deck once I obtained overview code, that I purchased the sport on Xbox Sequence X as nicely to help it and to have a model I may play on console. Age of Wonders 4 has a little bit of a steep studying curve if you happen to’re new to the style, however it’s genuinely among the best 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 another 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 a number of weeks in the past on all consoles together with Nintendo Swap and PC platforms, I loved what I performed so much 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. When you loved wrestling video games again within the “good outdated days”, AEW: Battle Without end is for you, and it’s my favourite wrestling sport 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, but it surely has no points on Steam Deck.
Dragon Quest Treasures
When Dragon Quest Treasures hit Nintendo Swap late final yr, Shaun liked it a lot. I did as nicely, however the technical points within the Swap model had been annoying. Sq. Enix just lately introduced it to Steam, and it principally mounted each technical difficulty the unique launch had, and delivered an incredible 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 quite a lot of methods it seems like a pleasant introductory RPG for a youthful viewers, however Dragon Quest Treasures on Steam Deck is totally one of the simplest 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 sport, 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 a number of 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 part you’d hope for on Steam Deck, but it surely has a number of technical points. There may be presupposed to be a demo so I’d suggest 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 help.
CONVERGENCE: A League of Legends Story
I performed CONVERGENCE: A League of Legends Story on Swap and was upset within the technical points, however enjoyed everything else the game had to offer. On Steam Deck, there are not any technical points, and the wonderful platformer with polished gameplay and stage design is one among Riot Forge’s finest releases thus far. When you get pleasure from metroidvanias, like League of Legends, or simply need an incredible sport 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 way of its iOS updates and extra, however the perfect model of Ghost Trick is unquestionably the brand new remaster Capcom launched on PC, Swap, PS4, and Xbox One. Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective is finest on Nintendo Swap thanks to higher contact help and a greater display in case you have the OLED mannequin, however it’s flawless on Steam Deck. It’s Steam Deck Verified by Valve as nicely. Whereas it provides nothing actually for individuals who performed it earlier than on DS or iOS, Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective’s remaster is the perfect model with its excessive decision visuals, new soundtrack possibility, and extra. It’s a puzzle journey masterpiece that has aged brilliantly, and one among Capcom’s finest.
Etrian Odyssey Origins Assortment
When you’re a fan of dungeon RPGs, you possible 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 a number of 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 towards this launch is the dearth 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 model of Octopath Traveler was an incredible shock final yr, and was the primary official launch of the Tremendous Famicom sport outdoors Japan on Nintendo Swap. A number 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 solution 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 if you happen to aren’t certain it’s for you.
OXENFREE II: Misplaced Indicators
I already reviewed OXENFREE II: Misplaced Indicators protecting it on a number of platforms with a give attention to the iOS launch by way of Netflix, but it surely stays among the best 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 obtained Steam Deck Verified by Valve. The rise in high quality throughout visuals, scope, and story all make OXENFREE II: Misplaced Indicators really feel even higher than the primary sport. When you get pleasure from narrative thrillers, OXENFREE II: Misplaced Indicators is for you, and whereas I do suggest taking part in it on Netflix Video games for cellular if you happen to can, it’s a unbelievable expertise on Steam Deck out of the field. I’m glad to see the group ship in spades with this sequel underneath 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 a number of years in the past on Nintendo Swap and PS4, and eventually hit Steam days in the past (as of this writing). I beloved it as a result of it undoubtedly is likely one of the higher beat-em-ups of its time, and the Tengo Undertaking launch is strictly what it wanted to be value getting right now. When 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 among 2023’s finest 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 aspect, The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie is not great on Switch, but it surely shines on Steam Deck. The one factor to remember is The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie is the worst place to begin if you happen to’re not already invested into Falcom’s superb Trails collection. You completely have to play a minimum of the 4 Trails of Chilly Metal video games and each Crossbell video games earlier than taking part in this. Barring that caveat, you’ll be able to’t go fallacious 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 sport to all consoles and PC platforms. Whereas the unique debuted on Steam and Swap, this one was launched on each console and Steam from the beginning, bringing a a lot better sport to fashionable platforms. Whereas I feel each Katamari REROLL video games are value 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 help however defaults to 720p. That is bizarre contemplating most Verified video games don’t even have 16:10 and 800p help, so We Love Katamari REROLL+ Royal Reverie is doing greater than typical. Both method, I’ll save my rant on Valve’s verification system for an additional day. We Love Katamari REROLL+ Royal Reverie is totally value your time, and one of the crucial 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 under, I point out these earlier than speaking about why stated video games are superb and price taking part in on Steam Deck.
Diablo 4
Diablo 4 is what obtained me to look into sideloading different sport launchers on Steam Deck. I detailed the method in my Steam Deck review. Whereas I’m not a fan of it being online-only, Diablo 4 is good, and I can’t wait to play it by way of the upcoming seasons. It seems like a sport Blizzard made to point out 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, but it surely isn’t an incredible 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 difficulty I had with the unique sport (which I recently reviewed on Switch), and is simply plain enjoyable to play with associates. I’ve tried two lessons thus far throughout Steam Deck and Xbox Sequence X, and really feel like this one will find yourself on my total Sport of the 12 months checklist on the charge issues are going. It’s that good, however I’m upset to see it will possibly’t even keep 30fps with every part set to low and upscaling utilized in its present state. The one massive benefit to it on Steam Deck over consoles is the truth that I can use gyro aiming due to Steam Enter.
Exoprimal
The ultimate sport I wished to function is one many would possibly skip due to its reception on-line. Exoprimal from Capcom is a enjoyable mix of what I like in hero shooters and Earth Protection Pressure. An awesome podcast sport if you happen to could, 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 might want to tolerate 4 or 5 hours of repetitive simple missions earlier than you get to the great things. This one is in Xbox Sport Cross as nicely, so I’d suggest making an attempt it there earlier than shopping for it on Steam for Steam Deck in case you have the choice. The sport runs high quality on Steam Deck, and gyro by way of Steam Enter helps, but it surely 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 function on the perfect Steam Deck video games of 2023 thus far helped you discover one thing new on your Steam Deck. When you missed half one, learn it here. When you assume I missed one thing, be at liberty to let me know within the feedback under. I’m engaged on a brand new indie checklist as nicely for Steam Deck within the coming weeks. Thanks for studying.
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