The 10 Best Games on Steam Deck of 2024

Posted by By our-little-miss-is-home December 26, 2024 2 Views 25 Min Read
The 10 Best Games on Steam Deck of 2024

For decades, Nintendo has had an iron grip on the handheld gaming market. While there have been competitors from Sega and Sony over the years, few have matched the lofty heights of the Game Boy, the Nintendo DS, and the Nintendo Switch, but Valve’s Steam Deck has truly given Nintendo a run for its money.

Valve’s Steam Deck isn’t the first portable PC, but it is one of the most accessible. Players simply need to boot up the Steam Deck, log into their Steam account, and their entire Steam library will be waiting for them, ready to download and take on the go. Of course, some games run much better on the handheld than others, and this year saw a bevy of excellent, well-performing games hit the Steam Deck. These ten not only run well but are excellent games in their own right (listed below in alphabetical order).

Xbox OG logo on the Steam Deck

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Balatro

Check Out Balatro on OpenCritic

One of the most renowned indie games of 2024, Balatro is a poker-inspired roguelike deck-builder that’s been heavily praised for its addictive gameplay loop and its stylish presentation. Balatro‘s addictive loop goes hand-in-hand with the Steam Deck, with the console’s handheld nature encouraging players to pick up and play just one more round. Balatro has also been nominated in the Steam Awards’ Best Game on Steam Deck category.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Check Out Game Rant’s Dragon Age: The Veilguard Review

There’s no denying that Dragon Age: The Veilguard runs surprisingly well on the Steam Deck. Sprawling multi-hour RPGs and the Steam Deck are usually a match made in heaven, and that’s the case again here. From creating a unique Rook in the character creator and exploring the world of Thedas to completing companion quests and completing the main story, Dragon Age: The Veilguard is a meaty RPG, and pairing this adventure with a Steam Deck for on the go gameplay is many-a-fan’s dream come true.

Fields of Mistria

Check Out Fields of Mistria on OpenCritic

Fields of Mistria has often been described as a more refined version of Stardew Valley. Where Stardew Valley focuses on in-depth farming and life-sim mechanics, Fields of Mistria offers a more accessible farming adventure with a sprinkling of RPG mechanics, which an impressive amount of content for an Early Access title. Fields of Mistria is designed to be played for a few hours at a time, with players being able to complete their in-game chores and further their relationships with the townsfolk in quick bursts. This makes Fields of Mistria an ideal game for the Steam Deck.

God of War Ragnarok

Check Out Game Rant’s God of War Ragnarok PC Review

Much like its 2018 predecessor, God of War Ragnarok received unanimous praise across the board, delivering another emotive, thematically rich story alongside a wealth of gameplay improvements and new features. There’s really nothing else that needs to be said; the God of War franchise speaks for itself. As such, there was a lot of hype around this game this year. God of War Ragnarok came to Steam back in September, and its Verified status makes it one of the most impressive Steam Deck games to date.

Hades 2

Check Out Hades 2 on OpenCritic

Hades 2 wowed both fans and critics alike when it shadow-dropped in Early Access back in May. Developer Supergiant Games’ only direct follow-up, Hades 2 delivers everything fans could have ever wanted from a sequel, and it isn’t even finished yet. More weapons, more mythological characters, enemies, and bosses, and another riveting story are all present in Hades 2. Much like Balatro, Hades 2‘s roguelike nature makes it ideal for short bursts of gameplay on the Steam Deck, and it’s already secured itself a Verified rating.

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Lorelei and the Laser Eyes

Check Out Game Rant’s Lorelei and the Laser Eyes Review

From the same studio behind 2019’s Sayonara Wild Hearts, Lorelei and the Laser Eyes is a puzzle game that oozes atmosphere. Summoned to a seemingly abandoned hotel, players must unravel a mystery through a series of non-linear puzzles. Lorelei and the Laser Eyes feels like Professor Layton meeting Resident Evil. The brevity but engaging nature of Lorelei and the Laser Eyes‘ puzzles make it a great fit for the Steam Deck.

Check Out Game Rant’s Metaphor: ReFantazio Review

Though it technically only has a “Playable” compatibility rating on Steam, Metaphor: ReFantazio can run surprisingly well on the Steam Deck after just a few minutes of tweaking its in-game settings. Much like Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Metaphor: ReFantazio‘s sprawling RPG structure feels tailor-made for a handheld console like the Steam Deck, where players can hop in and progress the story through regular, bite-sized increments. And Metaphor: ReFantazio‘s story is one certainly worth playing through, with it having just won the Best Narrative category at the Game Awards 2024, along with Best RPG and Best Art Direction.

Nine Sols

Check Out Nine Sols on OpenCritic

One of 2024’s hidden indie gems, Nine Sols is a great 2D Metroidvania with satisfying combat heavily inspired by FromSoftware’s Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. In the player’s quest to slay the titular bosses, they’ll journey across a vivid Taopunk setting, complete with lively allies, even livelier adversaries, and plenty of opportunities to learn more about this lore-rich Sci-Fi world. The Steam Deck has always been a haven for indie games, and Nine Sols is worth checking out for any owners looking to play an engrossing FromSoft-inspired Metroidvania.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

Check Out Game Rant’s Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Review

Another 2D Metroidvania, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown brought the franchise back from the dead earlier this year, and it was quite the triumphant return. Vibrant visuals, fast-paced combat, fluid platforming mechanics, and some surprisingly challenging environmental puzzles that combined all the game’s strengths set Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown apart from the middling series entries that came before it. Though it was initially only available on Ubisoft’s PC platform, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown has since come to Steam, where it received a Verified rating for Steam Deck compatibility.

UFO 50

Check Out UFO 50 on OpenCritic

Another indie gem this year, UFO 50 is an incredibly ambitious project from Spelunky developer Mossmouth, delivering 50 individual, full-length video games in one package. UFO 50 tells the story of the fictional game company UFO Soft, detailing its life in a collection of games released by the fictional company from the years 1982-1989. As such, each of UFO 50‘s games authentically replicates the look, feel, and sound of NES and SNES-era video games. UFO 50‘s library runs the gamut of genres, many of which are perfectly suited to the Steam Deck’s handheld nature.

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