The 20 Best New Indie Games To Play on Steam Deck – From ‘HoloCure’ and ‘Blasphemous 2’ to ‘Affogato’ and ‘Sea of Stars’

After I wrote about a number of the greatest 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 Recreation of the Yr 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 right this moment’s characteristic comes into the image. Whereas everybody is probably going nonetheless knee deep into Baldur’s Gate 3 (evaluate 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 on your Steam Deck. This checklist is in no specific order, and I’ll be together with just a few updates on notable video games on the finish as a result of it’s at all times value highlighting when a developer goes again and improves or fixes a sport that had numerous 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 type of video games I’d take pleasure in extra on a transportable, and I’ve since loved it on each Change and Steam Deck. When a developer broadcasts a sequel to a beloved indie, I at all times 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 a giant step in the precise course. It positively appears like every little thing I favored within the authentic 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 every little thing with Sea of Stars, and I’m shocked at how content-packed it’s with out feeling padded in any respect. That is greatest on Steam Deck based mostly on what I’ve performed of all variations. I’m already wanting ahead to purchasing the bodily launch on Change and PS5 subsequent 12 months.

Steam Deck Score from Valve: Verified

HoloCure

Each time I discussed Vampire Survivors or video games like that, I had mates inform me I ought to play HoloCure. After all 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 numerous HoloCure on Steam Deck, it’s excellent. Unbelievably good as a sport, and is my favourite piece of Vtuber media proper now. It is usually free, which suggests you need to cease studying in regards to the sport and simply attempt 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 stepping into extra video games like Vampire Survivors, everybody advisable Halls of Torment continually, and so they 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 totally free. 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 at all times hoped it might 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 Change 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 wonderful, but it surely 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 large 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 not too long ago bought 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 various missions and a ton of appeal makes Astronaut: The Finest, the perfect type of expertise you possibly can have as a enjoyable break between Starfield and Baldur’s Gate 3 periods. As a PC-only sport proper now, I feel Astronaut: The Finest is greatest (I wasn’t even going to attempt 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 want 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 effectively on Steam Deck. Valve says some textual content is likely to be too small to learn on the small display screen, but it surely wasn’t a difficulty for me. You seemingly wish to get the bundle with the soundtrack as effectively. I hope this one will get a bodily launch in some type.

Steam Deck Score from Valve: Playable

Shifting Out 2

When Overcooked 2 was introduced with on-line play, I used to be tremendous glad to see such a tremendous idea lastly attain its potential. Shifting 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 top-of-the-line celebration video games of 2023, and a simple suggestion for Steam Deck house owners. This one has a free demo as effectively, 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 bundle for the Shifting Out video games sooner or later. I additionally ended up testing this out with a good friend 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 Change. It shines on the Deck, and I’m wanting 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 checklist? Nicely, Digital Eclipse is an indie developer, and so they 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 stage. I virtually known 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 pretty much 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 in case you don’t care about Karateka, that is the gold commonplace 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? Nicely it doesn’t appear to have native controller help, however performs nice with contact controls. It additionally serves as an amazing introduction to A Sharp’s video games, and an amazing 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 in case you did play prior video games or desire a beautiful mix of an amazing narrative and glorious turn-based gameplay, that is for you.

Steam Deck Score from Valve: Untested

Venba

Venba is a superb and brief narrative cooking sport that taught me some issues I didn’t find out about Indian cooking. I am keen on the aesthetic and story, however was disillusioned by the dearth of contact help on Change. Again once I performed it there, I additionally performed Venba on Steam Deck, and it controls brilliantly right here in handheld mode and once I join the Deck to my monitor. Venba offers with varied subjects like immigration, heritage, household, and extra, however manages to cowl loads in its brief run time. I completely suggest taking part in this on no matter platform you wish to attempt 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 best way you’d count on. It’s the type of sport you’d wish to attempt for a couple of minutes, however lose hours to. I additionally love the arcade-y gameplay that accompanies the wonderful 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 in case you’ve performed that as effectively.

Steam Deck Score from Valve: Playable

PixelJunk Scrappers Deluxe

PixelJunk Scrappers Deluxe is one other sport that began life on Apple Arcade, however discovered a brand new dwelling on PC and consoles afterward. Whereas its preliminary launch had just a few 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 appeal. Q-Video games is a developer I’ll attempt something by, and PixelJunk Scrappers Deluxe is one among its extra fascinating releases. I by no means bought bored with the rubbish stacking, catchy music, and glorious aesthetic PixelJunk Scrappers Deluxe has. Should you skipped it on Apple Arcade, that is a simple suggestion on Steam Deck.

Steam Deck Score from Valve: Verified

Fae Farm*

I’m reviewing Fae Farm on Change and Steam Deck, however can talk about the early chapters of the sport forward of the evaluate embargo. Based mostly 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 numerous 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. Every thing 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 evaluate overlaying the Change model as effectively, however in case you take pleasure in life and farming sims, I can’t think about you gained’t like Fae Farm. Simply don’t go into it anticipating Story of Seasons stage character relationships. I’m wanting 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 fascinating 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 among this 12 months’s most fascinating indie video games, and the lengthy street to launch has been value it. I don’t suppose 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 refined and fascinating sport that blends in components 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 targeted 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 can 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 so that they’d nonetheless be preserved as soon as they go away the service. Bleak Sword from more8bit is one among my favourite video games on Apple Arcade, and it bought an enhanced launch for PC and Nintendo Change with Bleak Sword DX including in additional content material and principally 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 at all times a spotlight in any sport, and it’s glorious in Bleak Sword DX. I’m undecided if or when the content material will come to Apple Arcade, however Bleak Sword DX is a simple suggestion. Now we simply want a pleasant bodily launch for Change 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 might scale to PC and console. I’ve now performed it on each Steam Deck and Nintendo Change, and the turn-based RPG that has some components of deck-building and basic JRPGs continues to impress me. I like the pixel artwork, music, and the gameplay by no means will get previous. 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 attempt 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 once I was reviewing it, and it not too long ago bought its main stability 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 would devour 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 focus on for its main replace. It appears like ready on taking part in The Final Case of Benedict Fox may’ve been for the perfect with how much has been fixed and improved, and there’s extra deliberate for future updates as highlighted on the Steam page. Should 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, but it surely has massively improved on Steam Deck since launching. Not solely is it better-optimized, but it surely has full controller help now, and is Steam Deck Verified. Should you held off on getting it earlier than, rectify that and play one among this 12 months’s greatest Steam releases, and a worthy successor of the chic however difficult authentic sport. I don’t know if this may hit iPad like the primary sport did, however I hope it does no less than come to Change so I can 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 just a few months in the past. The tactical RPG felt very completely different from the style staples because of its grim setting, but it surely 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, but it surely nonetheless might use some extra work. On a reduction, I’d say go for it in case you benefit from the style and wish one thing darker and more difficult.

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 glorious sport. It provides a ton of latest issues to play with in your zoo, and I like the aesthetic. Should you loved the bottom sport, that is a simple suggestion, and Let’s Construct a Zoo continues to be nice on Steam Deck, however the textual content dimension is usually 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 shade choices are sensible. It is usually 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 remember to write about extra nice indie video games I’ve been taking part in on Steam Deck. Should you suppose I missed one thing you’d suggest both in right this moment’s checklist or my last one, let me know within the feedback under. Thanks for studying.

Fascinated with extra Steam Deck protection? Take a look at our Steam Deck suggestions!