Just a few months after I wrote about the very best video games of 2023 on iOS, Change, and Steam Deck as of the primary quarter of the yr, I’ve been enjoying a ton of nice indie video games on Valve’s handheld system. It has been arduous to convey this record down to simply 10 (ish), however these video games have impressed me fairly a bit. I’ve additionally included two bonus video games which I speak about intimately on the finish of this function. Try all our Steam Deck protection right here. As typical, this record of the very best new indie video games to play on Steam Deck is in no explicit order.
Greatest New Indie Video games To Play on Steam Deck in 2023
Planet of Lana
I wasn’t conscious of Planet of Lana till a couple of weeks in the past once I noticed the beautiful trailer main as much as its launch on Xbox and PC platforms. The puzzle journey recreation is gorgeous with glorious music, and it has been one of many greatest surprises of the yr thus far. Whereas some puzzles and platforming components may be simpler than anticipated, Planet of Lana is a straightforward advice if you happen to’re concerned with emotional tales, nice visuals, and attention-grabbing gameplay. Having loved it fairly a bit on Steam Deck, I’ve been replaying it on Xbox due to how a lot I really like the ambiance.
Darkest Dungeon II
Darkest Dungeon II is a recreation I used to be trying ahead to ever because it hit early entry on the Epic Video games Retailer. When Threat of Rain 2 was introduced, I wasn’t offered on it going 3D after having fun with the primary recreation as a lot as I did. It delivered in spades, and acquired me excited for extra sequels like that. With Darkest Dungeon II’s 1.0 launch, it hit Steam, however had a little bit of a rocky launch. After a couple of updates, Darkest Dungeon II on PC is an enormous step ahead for the franchise, and is a pleasure to play with some tweaking on Steam Deck. It may be my favourite indie sequel in years alongside Rogue Legacy 2. Whereas Darkest Dungeon II performs so much higher on my laptop computer, I loved the unique an excessive amount of on a transportable to surrender on enjoying this on Deck. It doesn’t have official controller help, so I perceive if somebody needs to attend earlier than grabbing it. As certainly one of my favourite indie releases, the trouble to make it run and play comparatively properly has been value it for me. As soon as this will get full controller help, it’s possible going to be among the finest video games of the yr general for Steam Deck.
Idol Showdown
Idol Showdown from Besto Video games is a totally free hololive fan recreation that occurs to be a brilliant enjoyable combating recreation as properly. It helps you to play as hololive vtubers with simple controls, strong on-line play, and loads of care and love for the supply materials. Whereas I get that this may not enchantment to those that aren’t followers of hololive expertise, it’s properly value testing for the low asking value of free. When you do occur to be a fan of hololive, this could already be in your Steam Deck. It has a stunning quantity of content material for a free fan recreation as properly.
Cassette Beasts
A buddy of mine who is a large Pokemon fan instructed me Cassette Beasts is his favourite monster amassing recreation ever. Whereas it has all the time seemed good, that remark acquired me concerned with checking it out. I’ve been enjoying it on each Change and Steam Deck, and whereas the previous is in a tough state proper now, it performs brilliantly on Steam Deck. I really like the model, music, and gameplay mechanics. We’ve seen a great deal of video games attempt their hand at monster amassing, however Cassette Beasts is the primary one that truly manages to go all the best way with its designs, gameplay, and exploration.
Fuga: Melodies of Metal 2
CyberConnect2’s ardour mission Fuga: Melodies of Metal is a recreation I featured in our greatest hidden gems of 2021 record for Nintendo Change. The sequel launched a couple of weeks in the past a day earlier than The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. I’ve been chipping away on the turn-based tactical RPG, and it is a superb sequel. I’d advocate making an attempt the demo for the primary recreation if you happen to’ve not heard of this. Whereas Fuga: Melodies of Metal 2 does have additions and enhancements over the primary recreation, it nonetheless could be very a lot a sequel persevering with the story with gameplay that feels acquainted. It will be attention-grabbing to see what occurs when Fuga: Melodies of Metal 3 releases sooner or later. Fuga: Melodies of Metal 2 is a cultured and meaty recreation in its present state, however one which I hoped to see do a bit extra in comparison with the primary entry.
Limitless Monday: Goals and Deadlines
Limitless Monday: Goals and Deadlines is a visible novel about procrastinating, initiatives, burgers, nice characters, glorious artwork, and catchy music. It has been an outstanding distraction and stress-free expertise from all of the lengthy RPGs I’ve been enjoying over the previous couple of weeks. It’s ironic that I used Limitless Monday: Goals and Deadlines as a break from ending my very own writing work as I attempted to get the endings and soak in additional of the characters. Whereas there’s a profit to understanding a number of the characters by means of the hcnone’s (the developer and artist) work, it’s nonetheless value experiencing by itself if you happen to just like the artwork within the screenshots on Steam.
HUMANITY
When HUMANITY was introduced for VR, I used to be disillusioned as a result of I don’t see myself ever investing into that ecosystem. I borrowed a buddy’s headset for Tetris Impact and Rez Infinite which had been each elegant, however I nonetheless don’t see myself shopping for an costly headset for a couple of video games. When HUMANITY was confirmed as playable on not simply PS5, but in addition PC with out VR, I used to be hyped, and the demo offered me on it. The puzzle platformer the place you play a Shiba Inu is elegant, elegant, and important with its high quality ranges and creation instruments. It seems like an summary and extra polished tackle Lemmings in 3D as properly. That is positively a recreation I’ll check out if I ultimately get a VR headset. On Steam Deck, it performs like a dream barring some textual content being a bit too small.
A Area for the Unbound
Whereas A Area for the Unbound had a couple of segments within the center that would’ve been higher, it is likely one of the finest narrative pushed indie video games I’ve performed in a very long time. Regardless of not having been to Indonesia which evokes the setting, the storytelling, characters, and ambiance all felt excellent. It jogged my memory of how I felt enjoying The Children We Have been and Persona 4 Golden in that sense. When you get pleasure from memorable tales and nice characters, A Area for the Unbound is a straightforward advice, and it runs completely on Steam Deck. I’ve performed it on each Change and Steam Deck, and it’s a great moveable expertise.
Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun
My expertise with Warhammer 40,000 is restricted to the Daybreak of Struggle video games, however Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun being a boomer shooter means I used to be instantly . Having performed it, Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun seems like a mix of boomer shooters with what trendy Doom video games are going for. Merely put, Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun is an important even if you happen to don’t care or aren’t aware of Warhammer 40,000. The gameplay and aesthetic is that good. Whereas the extent design may’ve been higher in components, I’ve been having a ton of enjoyable with Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun on Steam Deck exterior of movies not enjoying. That’s the one caveat to bear in mind. Regardless of the unsupported label from Valve, solely the movies don’t play with every part else working positive.
Mr Solar’s Hatbox
I’ve been a fan of Kenny Solar for a very long time, so when Uncooked Fury introduced that it was publishing Mr Solar’s Hatbox by the developer, I used to be instantly . Mr Solar’s Hatbox is a platformer roguelike that borrows from video games like Steel Gear Strong V and XCOM 2 in hilarious methods. The mission selection, easy gameplay, and customization actually elevate Mr Solar’s Hatbox into certainly one of Kenny Solar’s finest video games but. If the premise of upgrading your base, utilizing completely different sorts of hats with stats, and upgrading your workforce sounds attention-grabbing, that is for you. The construction completely fits moveable play, and it’s Steam Deck Verified as of this writing.
Bonus
Prepare dinner Serve Without end
The explanation Prepare dinner Serve Without end is on this bonus portion and never in the principle record, is as a result of it’s presently in Steam Early Entry. When you’ve not already learn my interview with David Galindo about Prepare dinner Serve Without end and Prepare dinner Serve Scrumptious, it’s right here. Prepare dinner Serve Without end will not be a Prepare dinner Serve Scrumptious recreation, however a brand new simulation expertise aiming to be extra journey targeted with its accessible gameplay. Prepare dinner Serve Without end feels constructed for a controller from the beginning, which makes it higher on Steam Deck, and it even helps co-op play for the marketing campaign. I’ll be doing a full assessment of this one when it hits 1.0, however for now, I’m having fun with many facets of Prepare dinner Serve Without end and am trying ahead to seeing the way it evolves over time.
The Final Case of Benedict Fox
The Final Case of Benedict Fox is a recreation that’s equal components spectacular and disappointing. I really like the visuals, worldbuilding, puzzles, and different facets of the sport, however all the expertise is held again by its precise platforming and fight. Having been by means of screenshots and trailers, The Final Case of Benedict Fox is a recreation that appears and sounds nice, however one which simply doesn’t really feel good to play sadly. In its present state, I needed to spotlight these facets of The Final Case of Benedict Fox, but in addition spotlight why it doesn’t work. I loved my time with it on Steam Deck regardless of these points, however I can’t actually advocate it at full value in its present state. When you’re a fan of metroidvania video games, I’d advocate watching some footage of The Final Case of Benedict Fox to see how beautiful it seems and sounds.
Hopefully this function launched you to an awesome recreation you hadn’t heard of whereas additionally reminding you of how good the latest indie recreation releases have been in a slew of some dangerous AAA PC ports. If there’s a recreation you assume I ought to’ve included, let me know within the feedback and I’ll attempt it for the following Steam Deck function we do. Thanks for studying.
Observe: Any Steam Deck label talked about like verified or unsupported applies as of the date of publishing this function. A few of these change over time so maintain that in thoughts.
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