I have to say, as a parent with very limited free time, Valve’s Steam Deck proves a capable and, dare I say, even revolutionary gaming device. It has allowed me to unwind after a long day, without worrying about what my daughter is getting into in a different room because I’m in the same room enjoying many of the same PC games I did before. And the Steam Deck price? It’s actually quite affordable. And for that price, you’ll need a few of the best Steam Deck games in your library to make the most of the handheld gaming computer of the future!
Best Steam Deck Games Out Now!
With Steam’s ever-growing library of AAA, AA, and indie games, what do you play on your brand-new handheld? You’re not left wanting for choice, and here are a few I recommend based on how fun they are to play on the go, how they run, and the price per hour to gameplay.
Stardew Valley
By now, everyone (yes, even your mother) has heard of Stardew Valley. It is the golden child of the indie scene, and rightfully so, too.
You’ll start with little to your name beside a run-down shack on a plot of overgrown farmland left behind by your late grandfather. From there, you’ll clear brush and chop down trees, plant season-specific fruits and vegetables, care for various animals, and delve deep into dungeons for a little simplified combat.
On the Steam Deck, with controller inputs, Stardew Valley runs very well. It doesn’t lag, the battery life is exceptional, and on a small screen, the pixelated details truly shine through.
For the reasonable price tag of $14.99 on Steam, Stardew Valley is worth the asking price and then some. But if you’re frugal, the farming sim regularly goes on sale.
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Cult of the Lamb
I’m generally not one to enjoy the roguelike genre, but my wife bought my Cult of the Lamb as a birthday present, which meant I was obligated to play. Thankfully, I fell in love with Cult of the Lamb, and I spent about 40 hours on my first playthrough.
Even if you’re new to the genre, like me, the gameplay loop in Cult of the Lamb is simplistic and straightforward, with no single boss proving exceptionally challenging. Even better is, if you’re a fan of the base-building or colony sim genres, the side goal of building up your cult can become addictive. You’ll construct new resource-gathering structures, housing, decorations, and more to benefit both yourself and your cult members.
And with a wide variety of weapons and powers, every run through the game’s dungeons can feel both unique and challenging in its own way. It’s a wonderfully addictive combination.
You can grab Cult of the Lamb for $24.99 on Steam, and I do recommend the full price on this one. It’s worth every penny, and it runs quite well on Steam Deck. This type of game almost requires a controller to play well.
Vampire Survivors
How much can I honestly say about Vampire Survivors on Steam? It’s one of the most well-known hits from 2022, and for its cheap price tag, you can nab countless hours of gameplay without taxing your new handheld in any way, shape, or form.
Seriously, according to my Steam Deck, on a full charge, I could play Vampire Survivors for nearly 7 hours without a care in the world. Not that I do, but the option is there.
The gameplay is simplistic. You control a single character, killing endless mobs of enemies with the occasional mini-boss and boss thrown into the mix. You’ll unlock new power-ups as you level up, allowing for diverse builds that wipe the floor clean.
At just $4.99 on Steam, with a $1.99 expansion available too, Vampire Survivors is one of the most affordable games on Steam Deck.
Fallout 76
Now, take a second to hear me out. I know that, in its very earliest of days, Fallout 76 was rife with issues and a severe lack of content. While the latter could still see some improvement from Bethesda, I have to be honest with myself and with you: Fallout 76 is quite a good and fun game now!
And even more surprising is, it runs exceptionally well on Steam Deck. In fact, it’s one of my go-to games on the handheld, and I can regularly get two to three hours of game time on a single charge. I experience little to no significant frame drops, and it controls rather well with controller inputs. It’s my preferred way to play the game, even on PC.
As for its price tag, at $39.99 on Steam, I can easily recommend Fallout 76 at full price. However, it often goes on sale for as low as $9.99, which is rather welcoming to new players. At over 200 hours since I bought the game in 2020, I highly recommend Fallout 76 in its current state.
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Persona 5 Royal
As the newest game release on this list, and as a more niche JRPG, Persona 5 Royal is likely the one most players would find themselves on the fence about. But honestly, the JRPG and turn-based format work quite well on Steam Deck.
Furthermore, if you’ve never played a JRPG, I cannot recommend the Persona franchise enough. They’re readily accessible, easy to master, and offer a well-crafted storyline with memorable characters and game mechanics that leave you wanting more. Yes, even after almost 100 hours of gameplay. You’ll miss your time in this one.
You’ll build concrete friendships, solve mysteries, and enjoy a lengthy RPG.
You can get Persona 5 Royal for $59.99 on Steam, though it occasionally goes on sale for up to 30% off since its release late last year.