The Best Steam Deck Games of 2024 So Far – Granblue Fantasy Relink, Banishers, Like a Dragon 8, Tekken 8, P3R, and More – TouchArcade Leave a comment

Two years after launching, not solely is Valve’s Steam Deck higher than ever, nevertheless it additionally has a plethora of recent large 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 what’s been out since early January, there have been far too many video games I wished to focus on, however I made a decision to place collectively a listing of my favorites. The video games featured right here embrace we’ve reviewed and a few surprises. This record is in no explicit order as traditional. I’ve additionally specified if a sport is marked Steam Deck Verified or Playable by Valve.

The Finest Steam Deck Video games of 2024 So Far

Tekken 8

Tekken 8 isn’t solely a return to kind for the franchise in pushing visuals, but in addition a unbelievable combating sport throughout the board that has been a pleasure to play on each platform. On Steam Deck, I used to be initially frightened how it could run as a PS5 and Xbox Sequence X title, however it’s surprisingly good on the system each on-line and offline. If you happen to 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 superb 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 a brilliant enjoyable motion RPG that has been superior to play solo and with pals. It additionally serves as an excellent introduction to Cygames’ superb Granblue Fantasy world and feels constructed for Steam Deck with how good it appears and runs on the system. Granblue Fantasy: Relink is a straightforward sport of the 12 months contender that I will probably 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 sport. The shortage of the Persona 3 Moveable story content material is disappointing, however this launch has every little thing else I wished from a remake of one in all Atlus’ greatest 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 assumed it was the most effective RPGs I’ve ever performed. A number of months later, I’ve begun considering of it as one in all my favourite video games of all time. Whereas it isn’t as accessible with just a few video games I’d suggest taking part in earlier than it to get essentially the most out of the expertise, it’s a unbelievable expertise from begin to end, and an outstanding turn-based RPG that I am keen on. I actually need 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 hassle 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 sport I’ve loved dipping into each day on Steam Deck. I haven’t even seemed into the net but as a result of the offline mode is so good. This can be a sensible motion RPG with its courses, ability timber, and soundtrack. Final Epoch is formally rated Steam Deck Playable by Valve.

Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden

I had this on my record of the 2024 video games I wished 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 advice on Steam Deck. Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is formally rated Steam Deck Playable by Valve.

Penny’s Large Breakaway

Other than just a few points that obtained fastened post-launch, Penny’s Large Breakaway is a unbelievable 3D platformer. It has chic gameplay, a superlative soundtrack, and lovely visuals. The icing on the cake is it appears excellent 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 Large 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 Large 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 sport, however hadn’t ever performed it. The remaster launched and is great outdoors one performance-related drawback that will or is probably not an issue for you. Fortunately, the Steam Deck refresh charge possibility on the OLED mannequin allowed me to manually repair this and get an ideal expertise. The sport is nice enjoyable to play as effectively, however I particularly suggest it on Steam Deck OLED when 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 not watch for it to come back to iOS so I’ve it on each single machine. Balatro is a poker roguelike that options a lot depth hidden away that I’m always stunned at it even 80 hours later. I’m listening to the primary theme proper now as effectively. 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 need extra from it. I want it lined all of Jeff Minter’s video games together with the more moderen releases, however barring that grievance, that is principally every little thing I wished from a brand new Gold Grasp sequence launch, and it even obtained 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 sequence. You probably have even the smallest curiosity in indie sport improvement or Jeff Minter, that is an important. Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story has been rated Steam Deck Playable by Valve.

If you happen to’re questioning why there are 11 video games on this article as an alternative of the standard 10, I used to be going to chop one to have as a bonus, however figured each single sport on this record is value your time on Steam Deck so right here we’re.

Hopefully this function helped you discover one thing you haven’t performed this 12 months to date but. I’m wanting ahead to what else manages to get on my (potential) Recreation of the 12 months record within the coming months. You possibly can learn all our previous and future Steam Deck protection right here. You probably have any suggestions for our Steam Deck protection, this function, or what else you’d wish to see us do across the Steam Deck, tell us within the feedback under. Thanks for studying.