I ca n’t suppose life without my Steam Deck . Valve ’s handheld PC hasfundamentally changed how I play gameswith a massive chunk of my playday now happening on the twist . I do n’t travel without it and I ’m even using my Nintendo Switch less and less because of it . It ’s a biography - saver for someone who travel and commutes quite a bit .
Because I ’m so often on the move , I like to keep a few games always installed on my Steam Deck . It ’s a modest fistful of titles that I can bring up any time when I ’m not sure what to play . These be given to be “ infinitely replayable ” titles , like roguelikes , that can kill a long flight or train ride with relaxation . If you ’re look for some standby plot that you may always go back to when you require something to recreate , I commend keeping these games installed on your Steam Deck at all times .
Vampire Survivors
If you were to ask me what the Steam Deck ’s killer app is , I ’d probably sayVampire Survivors . The indie secret plan was a adept in 2022 ( it launched at the tail end of 2021 ) thanks to its low price tag and streamlined gameplay . All you have to do is dodge waves of foe while your freak - track down hero motorcar attacks . It vocalize simple , but it ’s still one of the most engrossing gameplay loops out there . Whenever I stretch it up on an aeroplane , I find that an hour goes by in no time . As an add fillip , it ’s a great mode to push your Steam Deck to its limits ; turn on your frame rate comeback and watch how low it can go as thousands of enemies photoflood the screen door .
UFO 50
ThoughUFO 50is young , it ’s already become my go - to Steam Deck plot — and I do n’t think that ’ll change any time before long . The challenging release carry 50 original 8 - number games that are loaded with creative energy . you could meet everything from a gunpoint - and - click horror game to a miniature twist onInto the Breach . With so many games to work , and multiple finish to chase in each for completionists , UFO 50is the ultimate portable game . I ’ve put over 65 hours into it so far and have only hit credit in 13 games . you’re able to require to get one C of hours out of it .
Balatro
If you have n’t playedBalatroyet , prepare to lose an intact week of your lifespan after grabbing it . The fantastical poker game roguelike is the ultimate “ one more rotund ” game thanks to its elegant deckbuilding loop . The destination is to play poker hands to excruciate up chips , but that ’s made more complex thanks to Jokers that give player passive abilities , bill of fare upgrades , and more . There are a wealthiness of strategies to try in each runnel , which makesBalatrothe variety of game you always need handy when inspiration strikes . Just be warned : It ’s a voiceless game to put down .
Elden Ring
Almost all of the game I ’ve nibble here are indie , and for expert rationality . While the Steam Deck can operate big - budget game , they can be a drain on the barrage and come with mixed carrying out . It ’s not the ideal manner to play a peck of game , butElden Ringis an exception to the rule . The open - world action RPG is so enormous that it invites you to find fault off at it slowly over time . There ’s no well manner to do that than by pick up your Steam Deck every now and then to poke into a new quoin of The Lands Between . You may need aSteam Deck OLEDif you project to make this one of your go - to game , though .
Hades 2
Hadeshas been a go - t0 portable game of mine since 2020 , but it ’s finally been overthrown by its own sequel . Aides 2is still in early access code , but it ’s already one of the Steam Deck ’s most essential game . Even in its bare United States Department of State , the action plot already experience doubly as big as its predecessor . Aside from the core roguelike running , there ’s also a second tally you may take on that takes players through an entirely different set of biomes . With plenty of ways to gainsay yourself after clearing a run , it ’s the kind of biz you should always have installed .
Dead Cells
You ca n’t speak about action roguelikes without mentioningDead Cells . Motion Twin ’s hit roguelike still ranks among the genre ’s best thanks to its crunchy pixel art , knavish 2D action at law , and a mystifying patterned advance organization that makes each ravel sense worthwhile . It ’s also been updated several times , which gives instrumentalist a wealth of content to number back to , include its excellentReturn to CastlevaniaDLC . Even after playing it for old age , I still sense like I ’ve yet to overcome it , make it the sort of game I always want to keep on deck .
Slay the Spire
If fast material - meter action is n’t so much your thing , there are plenty of great Steam Deck biz that may be more your speed . murder the Spireis chief among them , as it ’s still one of the well game you’re able to have on standby . The roguelike deckbuilder has players assail enemy and defending against them with a growing deck of cards . It ’s a strategically rich game that rewards actor who think creatively and build the ultimate deck . With asequel in the works , I imagineSlay the Spirewill persist one of the effective Steam Deck option for a long time .
Into the Breach
Into the Breachis one of the few game that Digital Trends has evergiven a perfect limited review score , and for honorable reason . The tactics biz , in which players use mechs to defend a city from intrude on glitch , is about utter . It almost feel like gaming ’s interpretation of chess game , as players can expend a farseeing time on each act trying to figure out the good move to keep the city alive . There ’s almost always an solution , too , so it ’s a great game for those who desire to use their brain more than their finger .
Stardew Valley
Animal Crossing may not be ( legally ) available on Steam Deck , but the next secure thing is . Stardew Valleyis the variety of game that was built for a portable personal computer . The recondite farming simulation is the variety of game you always want to have install so you may check in on your crop or go fish at any meter . If you ’ve played it to death and are looking something for something new instead , give early accession gameFields of Mistriaa adjudicate instead . It ’s already a enceinte fit for Steam Deck .
Dorfromantik
In addition to a entourage of roguelikes , I love to keep some city builder installed at all times . There are pot of options that run well on Steam Deck , but my high-pitched passport goes toDorfromantik . The relaxing plot has histrion building cities out of interconnected tiles that turn into picturesque landscape over clip . Being intimate is a summation , but its real collection is its tactile gameplay grummet that is easy to get drop off in for hours — especially in creative mode .
