25 Best Steam Deck Games To Play In 2024 [Free, Multiplayer]
Get the most compatible and enjoyable games on Steam Deck
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Key notes
- Steam Deck looks like Nintendo Switch but is more powerful and feature-rich.
- You can access any games from your Steam library from this device.
- This article has featured the best popular, enjoyable, and compatible games for Steam Deck in this article.
Are you looking for the best Steam Deck games to play in 2022? Valve has verified several thousand games officially for this device. But, in this article, we will feature the best ones.
Steam Deck is a newcomer in the console world for gamers who wants portability. Like Nintendo Switch, it has a small size. But, in terms of functionalities, it is ahead.
Unlike Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck allows you to play PC games on a small portable device, and if necessary, these can be played on a bigger screen as well.
Can you play any games on Steam Deck?
You can access all of the games available on your Steam library from a Steam Deck device. Technically, yes. You can play any game on this console thanks to its fantastic hardware capacity.
However, not all games will work well because of many limitations. Some games will indeed work well. But, there are games that don’t run smoothly on a mid-level gaming PC. These may not work perfectly on Steam Deck, either.
So, for your convenience, we have prepared a list of the best Steam Deck games that will work great on this device and can give you great enjoyment.
Can Steam Deck run AAA games?
Yes. In fact, Steam Deck can run some AAA games really well and better than expected. Though some titles struggle to deliver a smooth experience, most modern AAA ones still run perfectly.
What are the best games for Steam Deck?
Steam Deck: Best indie games
1. Stray – Best cat game
BlueTwelve Studio developed this amazing indie adventure game called Stray. After getting released in 2022, it has gained a lot of popularity among a class of gamers.
Currently, Stray is one of the best Steam Deck games to try out. In this game, you will play as a Cat who will have to escape a walled cyber-city by unlocking the mystery and avoiding danger.
⇒ Get Stray
2. Stardew Valley – Best Pixel Art indie game
The Stardew Valley is one of the best indie simulation role-playing games for Steam Deck. Eric Barone is the developer, and ConcernedApe is the publisher of this fantastic game.
Here, you will have to grow your inherited farm from your grandfather. While playing, you will have to face a lot of puzzles and challenges. Overall, it is a very enjoyable and playable game on a device like Steam Deck.
3. Project Zomboid – Excellent indie survival game
If you like zombie survival games, you will like Project Zomboid. The British Canadian independent developer Indie Stone has developed this open-world indie isometric horror survival game.
In this game, you will play as a survivor. You will have to build defenses and survive. There is a lot of fun in this game which is very much playable on Steam Deck.
Best multiplayer games
4. Apex Legends – Most exciting multiplayer game
Who doesn’t know about Apex Legends? This free multiplayer battle royale-hero shooter game has been developed by Respawn Entertainment and published by the famous Electronic Arts.
As it is a battle royal game, you know what to do. You will have to fight with competitors to earn reputation, fame, and glory. Recently, it has been verified by Valve as Steam Deck optimized.
⇒ Get Apex Legends
5. F1 22 – Race with others
If you want to enjoy a modern high-end racing multiplayer game on Steam Deck, F1 22 is indeed one of the best choices. This is a fantastic game published by EA Sports and developed by Codemasters.
You will have to race with other players in this game. There are a lot of elements like creating a team, career mode, race head-to-head, etc. All of these indeed will give an excellent experience on Steam Deck.
⇒ Get F1 22
6. Terraria – Multiplayer Pixel Art game
Terraria is a multiplayer action-adventure game developed by Re-Logic. After its initial release in 2011, it got the attention of gamers. Even in 2022, it is doing great.
Right now, Terraria is one of the best games for Steam Deck. Valve has also verified its compatibility on this platform which is excellent news for the fanboys.
⇒ Get Terraria
7. Valheim – Best multiplayer experience with Viking culture
Being inspired by the Viking culture, the developer Iron Gate AB developed the Valheim, and Coffee Stain Publishing published this masterpiece.
If you want to explore a mystical world with other players and have a lot of different feelings, it is probably the best option for your Steam Deck console.
⇒ Get Valheim
8. Left 4 Dead 2 – Fight together against zombies
The Left 4 Dead 2 is one of the best multiplayer games for Steam Deck. If you prefer zombie apocalypse games, this title is one of the perfect choices right now.
In addition, the Left 4 Dead 2 is fully compatible with Steam Deck. Whether you play on the console itself or on the large display, you will get amusement by playing this exciting game.
Steam Deck: Good old games
9. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Best if you love killing the monsters
If you want to play some decent old games on Steam Deck, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is one of the best choices. The CD Projekt developed this game and published it in 2015.
The Witcher 3 features a world where a lot of magical things exist. You will play as a professional monster hunter and kill monsters and solve a lot of puzzles. This open-world game runs really well on this small console.
10. Euro Truck Simulator 2 – Drive the trucks throughout Europe
The Euro Truck Simulator 2 is probably the best option if you prefer open world Truck Simulator game. Even though it has been out there for a decade, it still appeals the gamers.
This old game is a Steam Deck verified title that runs well without any issues on this console. In this game, you will start as a truck driver and explore various roads, even can create your own company. Overall, it is a very enjoyable game.
⇒ Get Euro Truck Simulator 2
11. War Thunder – Modern military war game
War Thunder is another old game that is still entertaining gamers. It was first released in November 2012 by Gaijin Entertainment. Even though 2016 was its official release year, it was out there as a beta version for a very long time.
This is a free-to-play game that features modern military combats. Recently, Valve has verified it as a compatible title for Steam Deck.
⇒ Get War Thunder
12. PAYDAY 2 – Complete missions with exciting gun fights
The PayDay 2 is another old game that is a verified title for Steam Deck. This game was released in 2013 by Starbreeze Publishing AB. Overkill – a Starbreeze Studio was behind the development of this item.
This action game has a lot of exciting elements like missions, gun fights, etc. It is not a free game. But, the price is very affordable. So, if you like, you can get the game easily.
⇒ Get PAYDAY 2
13. Brothers – A Tale of Two Sons – Dive into the fairytale
The Brothers – A Tale of Two Sons is another game from 2013 that has the quality to entertain gamers even these days. Starbreeze Studios AB is the developer company behind this game.
Here, the gamer will have to guide two brothers on their journey in the fairy tale kingdom. In this journey, they will face a lot of challenges.
⇒ Get Brothers – A Tale of Two Sons
Best Steam Deck verified games
14. ARK: Survival Evolved – Fight the predators and survive
The ARK: Survival Evolved is one of the best Steam Deck verified games out there for adventure lovers. The title states the genre of the game. It’s a survival open-world game that Studio Wildcard published in 2017.
In this game, you will have to survive on an island and do whatever it takes. The game has various enemy characters, predators like Dinosaurs, and primeval creatures. Overall, it’s a very thrilling game you can play on your Steam Deck device.
15. Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered – Best game for Marvel fans
For the spider-man fans, this is an amazing title. Currently, Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered is the best Steam Deck verified game for these specific fanboys.
The gamer will have to play as Spider-Man here and save the people and city from enemies as we saw in other similar games.
⇒ Get Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered
16. No Man’s Sky – An exciting Sci-Fi game
No Man’s Sky is one of the best games verified by Valve for their newly launched console. It is an action-adventure survival title developed by Hello Games. Since its initial release in 2016, this game has gained tremendous popularity.
This game features a galaxy to explore where gamers will find a lot of elements like lifeforms, planets, dangerous challenges, etc.
⇒ Get No Man’s Sky
17. Dying Light – Best zombie survival horror game
If you prefer survival horror games, there are no better options than Dying Light for Steam Deck. Since Valve has confirmed its compatibility, you can be sure of a smooth experience.
The game has been developed by Techland and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Since its release in 2015, it has won many gamers’ hearts. Dying Light is an FPS game that features a post-apocalyptic open world filled with flesh-hungry zombies.
⇒ Get Dying Light
Steam Deck strategy games
18. RimWorld – The best top-down strategy game
The RimWorld is an excellent indie top-down strategy game where a gamer will need to build, manage and develop a sci-fi colony. Ludeon Studios is the company behind this title.
Right now, RimWorld is one of the best strategy games you can play on Steam Deck.
⇒ Get RimWorld
19. Orcs Must Die! 3 – Create defense and fight against orcs
The Orcs Must Die! 3 is an action tower defense strategy game that was developed by Robot Entertainment and published by the same company in 2020.
In this game, you will need to fight and make a defense against massive hordes of orcs. Overall, this title can give you a smooth experience and amusement on a device like Steam Deck.
20. Into the Breach – Defeat the aliens
The Into the Breach is a turn-based strategy game where a gamer will have to control powerful mechs from the future and defeat aliens.
Subset Games was the company behind this game. Currently, it is one of the best Steam Deck strategy games to play.
Best free Steam Deck games
21. Dota 2 – The most played game
Dota 2 is a game by Valve, the company behind the platform Steam and Steam Deck. It’s a free multiplayer game that features online battles.
Another thing is that this is the most played Steam game that millions of gamers play daily. You can enjoy this excellent item on your Steam Deck device at no cost.
⇒ Get Dota 2
22. Splitgate – Free FPS multiplayer game
The Splitgate is another free Steam Deck multiplayer game. Unlike Dota, it’s an FPS game that features a sci-fi world.
1047 Games is the company behind the development and publishing of this game. As it doesn’t cost you to play, you can easily try it out on this console.
⇒ Get Splitgate
23. Team Fortress 2 – The most highly-rated free game
Team Fortress 2 is another popular free multiplayer game available on Steam Deck. Like Dota 2, Valve is also behind this title.
It is considered the most highly-rated free game of all time! Why are you waiting? You can try it out right now.
Steam Deck: Best games to emulate
24. Star Fox Adventures – Exciting old non-Steam game
The Star Fix Adventures is a 2002 action-adventure game published by Nintendo. It was a top-rated game years ago and is still a very desirable choice for old game lovers.
As Steam Deck is like a PC, you can emulate this on this device to get the classic gaming experience.
⇒ Learn about Star Fox Adventures
25. Zelda – A non-Steam fairytale game
Zelda is another non-Steam game. But, it has a fanbase all around the world. You may want to emulate this game on your Steam Deck device.
Various forums and YouTube videos suggest that Zelda is also can be emulated on this console.
How many Steam Deck games are verified?
Valve is adding new games regularly to the verified list. According to the latest report, there are over 5000 Steam Deck verified games. This number may not be the same when you read this article.
This article has featured the best Steam Deck games to play right now. If you have any recommendations, you can write them down in the comments box.
