Best Steam Deck Games of 2023 So Far – Dead Space, Hi Fi Rush, Octopath Traveler II, and More – TouchArcade

Rounding off our greatest of 2023 (up to now) protection, I’ve put collectively a listing of the most effective Steam Deck video games of the 12 months. These embody new video games, ports of console video games, remakes, and extra. For those who’ve not stored up with the Steam Deck and our protection, Jared lately reviewed the WaterField Steam Deck case, and I’ve been writing about all the most effective video games by critiques and extra. Try all our Steam Deck protection right here. As typical, the listing is in no specific order.

Hello-Fi Rush

Bethesda’s rhythm motion recreation Hello-Fi Rush impressed the hell out of me proper from the beginning when it was launched earlier this 12 months. I performed all of it the best way on Steam Deck greater than twice, and have been slowly making my approach by a fifth playthrough on Xbox Sequence X. I really like the characters, music, and superb fight in Hello-Fi Rush. That is positively my favourite Bethesda recreation ever, and a vital on Steam Deck in case you take pleasure in rhythm video games and motion video games.

Like a Dragon: Ishin

Like a Dragon: Ishin is a mix of a remake and remaster of Yakuza Ishin that was launched solely in Asia and Japan on PS4 and PS3 a few years in the past. The spin-off was enhanced and up to date for all present consoles and PC, and it’s good on Steam Deck. Whereas it has many character likenesses from prior Yakuza video games, Like a Dragon: Ishin has a standalone story, and it is among the greatest within the sequence. For those who benefit from the sequence, this can be a should purchase. There are higher entry factors although in case you’re new, like Yakuza 0.

Useless Area Remake

This 12 months’s Useless Area remake is among the most visually spectacular video games shortly, and it seems and performs surprisingly nicely on Steam Deck. Regardless of a barely tough launch day, Valve’s Proton fixes have made Useless Area a survival horror important for Steam Deck homeowners, and a real tech showcase for the platform. It’s gorgeous, and was superb to play on each PS5 and Steam Deck when it was launched. Hopefully we see the sequel remade sooner or later.

Octopath Traveler II

When the unique Octopath Traveler hit PC platforms following its Swap exclusivity, the HD 2D aesthetic benefited rather a lot from larger resolutions and body charges. Quick ahead to Octopath Traveler II hitting PC, Swap, PS5, and PS4 concurrently, and it delivers very good visuals at 60fps on Steam Deck with none compromise. I’ve performed Octopath Traveler II on all platforms, and it shines on Steam Deck for positive. It’s considered one of Sq. Enix’s greatest video games of all time, and a vital JRPG.

Resident Evil 4 Remake

Resident Evil 4 Remake is one other large price range horror motion recreation that shocked me with how good it performs on Steam Deck. Additionally it is the one moveable expertise for the remake proper now. Having now performed it on PC, PS5, and Steam Deck, the DualSense options positively make the PS5 model my favourite, however Resident Evil 4 Remake is so good on Steam Deck, and it performs with out points from the get go. The sport itself has a couple of irritating moments, however it nonetheless will get my highest potential advice for Steam Deck homeowners hoping to expertise the reimagining of a traditional on the go.

Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society

You could be questioning why that is in each our Swap and Steam Deck lists for the most effective video games of the 12 months up to now. Effectively, Labyrinth of Galleria is a particular recreation, and it’s value your money and time if in case you have even the smallest curiosity in dungeon RPGs. Whereas it was superb on Swap, it’s excellent on Steam Deck with completely no points. You may even expertise it at 1440p with out points over HDMI like I did in my testing. The story, characters, and tons of depth in Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society make it top-of-the-line video games of the 12 months up to now on any platform.

Dredge

For some purpose, Dredge wasn’t on my radar till nearer to launch when a good friend informed me what it was. Being informed one thing seems like Disco Elysium with fishing might be the best solution to get me concerned with something. Dredge is a fishing journey recreation about going exterior your consolation zone, exploring the unknown, Lovecraftian horror, and being at zen. I performed it and beloved it on Xbox, however it feels excellent to expertise on the go, and I’ve been replaying and adoring it on Steam Deck. Dredge is well top-of-the-line indies I’ve performed in a very long time.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure

When writing about why The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure is among the greatest Swap video games of the 12 months up to now, I coated the way it and Trails from Zero type a improbable duology of necessities for any JRPG fan. The Swap model was an enormous step up over the PS4 launch, and the Steam Deck model can take issues even additional in case you play handheld and docked by HDMI. The PC model is definitive, and it shines even at larger decision and body charges on Steam Deck. Trails to Azure is classy on each Swap and Steam Deck.

Pizza Tower

The fast-paced 2D platformer Pizza Tower seems like a contemporary tackle Wario Land with its superb pixel artwork, platforming, and catchy soundtrack. I really like the humor, aesthetic, and it’s the excellent recreation to play on the go. Proper now Pizza Tower is barely out there on PC, so it being this good on Steam Deck is nearly as good as a slice of pepperoni. I’ll be shocked if Pizza Tower isn’t on my greatest video games to play on Steam Deck listing in December. For those who don’t like the way it seems and assume it isn’t for you, not less than hearken to Pizza Deluxe from the soundtrack.

Bonus:

Chained Echoes

Sure, Chained Echoes didn’t come out in 2023, however it launched very near the tip of final 12 months, which was too late for me to have performed sufficient for our lists again then. I’ve owned it on PC since day one, and lately received into it on Swap as nicely. Shaun mentioned Chained Echoes was “completely unbelievable”, and he was proper. Chained Echoes will get it. I see tons of “throwback JRPG” like indie video games, however few handle to truly ship. Chained Echoes completely provides its personal allure and concepts to what I really like about JRPGs. I gained’t even hesitate to say Chained Echoes with its beautiful world design, distinctive mechanics, and nice music is a vital on each Steam Deck and Nintendo Swap. Actually a gem.

I’m positive there are a couple of extra video games I didn’t get round to taking part in on Steam Deck this 12 months, so be happy to let me know if there’s one thing you assume I ought to play or missed out on this characteristic. Thanks for studying.

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