The launch of Steam Deck has completely revolutionized the gaming industry, especially for PC gamers. This gaming marvel basically takes the portability of consoles and combines it with the performance of PCs. As a result, the massive gap between the two factions has greatly decreased as it welcomes both playing styles. So, are you looking for the best games on Steam Deck to obsess over this summer?
Don’t worry we’ve got you covered, as always. Here are the top 9 Best games for Steam Deck that you can enjoy in 2024:
Ghost of Tsushima
No best Steam Deck games 2024 list is complete without a mention of Ghost of Tsushima. This beautiful RPG was recently released for PC and Steam Deck, and it has already broken all player-count records on Steam. Basically, you play as a rebel warrior who’s fighting against the Mongol invasion of Japan, so you should expect some serious samurai-style combat and oversized weapons in the game.
Adding to the lore, the game is set in medieval Japan, and every bit of the world is worth taking a snapshot. Furthermore, players have reported that Ghost of Tsushima performs way better on Steam Deck than most high-end gaming PCs. Lastly, it features a lengthy story, so you should expect to clear your schedule for the rest of the summer if you decide to download it.
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Expansion
Elden Ring has remained at the top of every list since its release, and for good reasons. This award-winning RPG was developed by FromSoftware back in 2022 and is still considered the best in 2024, especially after the new Shadow of the Erdtree DLC. So, even if you have already finished NG+10 on Elden Ring, now is the best time to get back to playing as the new DLC is basically a whole new game.
Elden Ring features a massive world of the Lands Between, filled with dungeons, oversized bosses, overpowered players, and deep, Deep lore. Moreover, you can also enjoy playing Elden Ring Online to enjoy it with your friends in the co-op mode and raid other Tarnished. Overall, Elden Ring is one of those must-have experiences that everyone should taste at least once in their life.
God of War
God of War is a 2019 title that was initially released as a PlayStation exclusive and was later released for PC and Steam Deck. This game is a spin-off of the original GoW series and features the same hero Kratos as the main protagonist. However, instead of battling through the Greek realm, he has turned to Norse mythology to take revenge for his wife’s death.
This game has really set an example for how console games should optimize their PC porting. From ultra-realistic battle cries to the visually spectacular and detailed game world, this game has everything that every PC gamer dreams. Furthermore, you don’t really need to play all the previous titles to understand its lore, as this game features a completely new storyline. So, if you are interested in story-drive pure action-adventure games, you should definitely check this one out, we really loved it on our Steam Deck.
Baldur’s Gate 3:
Baldur’s Gate 3 broke all MMORPG records after its full release. This game debuted back in 2023 and was well-received by the gaming community. It is arguably the Steam best-rated game of 2024, with over a million players regularly joining the dedicated servers.
BG3 is an action-adventure MMORPG that ticks every checkbox of a great game. From narrative-driven game progression to a plethora of powers to choose for your character build, every bit of the game is worth obsessing over. In short, if you already like MMORPGs or are looking for a new genre, Baldur’s Gate 3 is the right choice for every Steam Deck user.
Hogwarts Legacy: 2024 DLC Update
2024 has been a year of expansions and DLC for our beloved RPGs, and Hogwarts Legacy is no different. Hogwarts Legacy offers the experience that most of us dreamt of throughout our childhood, i.e., attending the Hogwarts School. The game was released back in 2023 and didn’t receive any major content updates until May 2024.
Unlike other HP titles, you take part in school activities, attend classes to learn spells, solve mysteries, complete Ancient Magic quests, and even tame magical creatures. In short, Hogwarts Legacy is one of the best games to play on Steam Deck in 2024, especially if you haven’t experienced it yet.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Ah, The Witcher 3, probably the only game that has the potential to challenge giants like Skyrim and GTA V. This game was released back in 2013 and still holds a top spot in most gamers’ hearts. From beautiful environments, to engaging combat mechanics, and a compelling lore, Witcher 3 is just a perfectly, flawless game in every aspect.
Furthermore, this game has been regularly receiving content updates and DLCs that keep players coming back for more. So, if you really want to experience the top games on Steam Deck, you should definitely check out the Witcher 3, trust me, you’ll love it.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Sekiro is yet another FromSoftware title worthy of every bit of praise. This game was released back in 2019 and is still played by thousands of players. This souls-like game has the difficulty of Dark Souls and a compelling story like Elden Ring. However, the enemies are extremely difficult to tackle, so we only recommend it for Dark Souls Veterans.
Other than the difficult combat mechanics, Sekiro definitely deserves a top-spot among the Steam Deck best games in 2024. For instance, the game has a deep lore, a compelling story, realistic combat mechanics, and a beautiful samurai-style world for you to explore. Beware, this game is extremely frustrating and you will obsess over it for countless hours, so make sure to complete any remaining titles before you start playing it.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2 is an action-adventure game developed and published by Rockstar Games and released in 2013. However, it is still considered to be one of Rockstar’s finest works after the Grand Theft Auto series. This game is set in the old wild west and features all the troubles that cowboys had to face in those days.
The world is incredibly detailed, with realistic weather patterns, and has exceptional visuals. Beside the compelling story, endless action, and realistic horse riding, you can also engage in various activities such as hunting, fishing, and gambling. So, if you are a fan of the Wild West, RDR2 is definitely among the Steam Deck best games to play in 2024, given you haven’t already played it.
Valheim
Valheim is a game with a unique blend of survival, exploration, and Norse mythology. Much like Kratos in Greek mythology, the story of Valheim follows your journey through the Norse realm of gods and goddesses. You start the game as a fallen Viking warrior who must defeat The Forsaken and conquer the mysterious lands.
Besides the endless action-adventure, you must explore Valheim, gather resources, build structures, craft weapons and armor to survive and defeat the bosses. Moreover, the game also has a co-op mode, where you can invite your friends to join in your adventure. Overall, Valheim is the perfect game for those who enjoy survival and exploration games on their Steam Deck.
Wrapping Up
Steam Deck offers a plethora of interesting games, suitable for all players. From the mind-boggling puzzles of Hogwarts Legacy to the frustrating boss battles of Elden Ring, you can play almost every AAA title on your powerful handheld gaming console. Hopefully, this article has done justice with your favorite best games on Steam Deck. Still, feel free to provide your favorite games, in case we missed them, Happy Gaming!
