In the middle of summer, there’s nothing better than kicking back under a beach umbrella with a cold cocktail and maybe a trusty Steam Deck to keep you company. For me, unfortunately, that’s just a fantasy, since I won’t be spending any time under an umbrella, and even if there were one, I’d still be busy chasing after my four little princesses.
But despite that brief sad aside, I made an effort and pictured myself there, relaxing in the shade with my brand-new Steam Deck. Then came the big question: what should I play!? That’s exactly the point of this new article.
If you’re stuck trying to decide what to play on your Steam Deck, you can’t go wrong with any of these 15 top-quality RPGs.
FINAL FANTASY TACTICS – The Ivalice Chronicles
Lots of players have fond memories of taking battles everywhere with Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, and thanks to the Steam Deck and The Ivalice Chronicles, you can now do the same with the original Final Fantasy Tactics. The game that introduced the world of Ivalice now plays better than ever thanks to a visual upgrade and full voiceover.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles is Steam Deck Verified, making it a perfect addition to your portable library. Its legendary Job System gives it tons of replayability as well, as there are practically endless party builds to try!
Slay The Spire II
Slay The Spire II really is just more, better Slay The Spire, and that’s just fine with us. It’s perfect for players with hundreds (or even thousands) of hours in the original, but equally welcoming to newcomers, all with an expanded cast of heroes and meaningful choices at every turn. This truly is a game where no two runs are the same.
It’s Verified for Steam Deck, so Slay The Spire II‘s fast-paced roguelike runs are perfect for squeezing in a bit of adventure during your commute.
The original game (also Verified) is 75% off until 7 August, so if you get both Slay The Spire games bundled together by then you’re essentially getting the first one thrown in for just a couple of dollars.
Baldur’s Gate 3
One of the most underrated gaming experiences is taking a big, memorable epic and playing it over a long time, a little bit at a time – say, only when you’re traveling. This slow burn helps you really feel like you’ve gotten to know the characters and appreciate the journey.
With Baldur’s Gate 3 Verified on Steam Deck, you can try this approach with one of the deepest, most unforgettable RPGs of the decade. Of course, if you decide you’d rather fire up the Steam Deck and binge some fantasy questing at every possible opportunity instead, who am I to stop you?
Mewgenics
Mewgenics comes from the same minds that created The Binding of Isaac and The End Is Nigh, so you can already expect it to be a very twisted but unbelievably deep, well-designed game. By breeding a cat army across generations, you’ll create the ultimate fighting force, which you’ll need to win tactical battles against the game’s immense bosses.
If you’re looking for a game that you can really dive into on your Steam Deck, Mewgenics‘ roguelike gameplay gives it replayability to rival Slay The Spire… and of course, it’s Steam Deck Verified.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Sandfall’s tragic, hauntingly beautiful debut took the world by storm last year, and if you haven’t had a chance to experience Expedition 33… what are you waiting for? From its soundtrack and visuals to its unforgettable cast and just-challenging-enough battles, the only question it leaves is how on earth the developers will follow it up.
Clair Obscur is Steam Deck Verified, so you can pick off a dungeon at a time wherever you are, exploring its enchanting world at your own pace.
As it happens, the game is 20% off on Steam until 10 August, dropping from $49.99 to $39.99, giving you all the more reason to start your war against the Paintress.
Monster Sanctuary
Metroidvanias and monster-catchers are two pillars of handheld gaming, and Monster Sanctuary combines the two in a wonderfully fun package.
Not only do the turn-based battles offer a break from platforming wherever you happen to be, but adding new creatures to your roster unlocks new methods of traversal, leaning delightfully into the game’s already-inspired mashup!
Not only is Monster Sanctuary Steam Deck Verified, but it offers some very cool opportunities for building your perfect team. Best of all, it’s 75% off until 10 August, knocking the price down from $19.99 to just $4.99.
Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader
- Developer: Owlcat Games
- Release Date: 7 December, 2023
- Platform: Windows, Mac, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch 2
- Steam Page of Rogue Trader
With its sprawling narrative, fantastic tactical combat, and the deep lore of the Warhammer 40,000 universe, Rogue Trader is everything you could want in a CRPG.
It’s also perfect for playing a mission at a time or in a bingey marathon, as its structure ties individual, episodic stories together into a greater campaign for the fate of the Koronus Expanse.
All this is to say that Rogue Trader is a great choice for portable RPG gaming! While the Switch 2 version launched late last year and is an excellent addition to the Nintendo lineup, chances are pretty good that if you’re reading this, you’re a Steam die-hard, so don’t worry – it’s Deck Verified.
DRAGON QUEST VII Reimagined
Dragon Quest VII is another grand epic with an episodic feel, brought to the modern era with one of Square Enix’s best-executed remakes to date. Setting out to prove that there is more to the world than a single island, you’ll travel back in time to discover ancient lands sealed away, saving each one in turn.
Not only is it a treat for longtime fans, but Dragon Quest VII Reimagined is also a great entry to the series for newcomers. It’s Verified on Steam Deck, and the first part of the game is free as a demo, which carries over into the full version.
Quasimorph
It just left Early Access, and Quasimorph is shaping up to be an excellent, gritty tactical RPG that encourages you to balance risk and reward.
Each mission is highly dangerous, so you’ll need proper gear to survive, and you get to keep anything you can carry out with you… but if you die, anything your trooper was carrying is lost for good. Do you drop in with the best gear for the best chance of survival, or hedge your bets with lesser equipment, knowing it’s less of a tragedy if you’re devoured by an alien beast?
Quasimorph‘s mission structure makes it ideal for playing on the go, and the game is only getting better. It’s already Verified for Steam Deck, too, so you can start your bloody space adventures right away.
For The King II
Local multiplayer is one of the great joys of handheld gaming, so finding a co-op game that you can return to time and again with your friends is a big win if everyone has a Steam Deck. For The King II could be that game, as it offers the replayability of a roguelike with the teamwork and decision-making of a tabletop RPG.
The game is Steam Deck Verified, and if you’re going to take the plunge it might be worth considering the Deluxe Edition. It contains all the DLC to date, at a 15% overall discount – even more if you can catch the game on sale.
Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection
I hope whoever had the idea to create the Monster Hunter Stories spinoff series got a raise, because it’s not just a creative way of expanding the fanbase for the storied (but notoriously intense) series, but they’re also just great RPGs in their own right. Monster Hunter Stories 3 blends creature taming with a story of war and destiny, with a lush anime look and a vibrant world.
The entire Monster Hunter Stories trilogy is Steam Deck Verified, and you can play them in any order as they’re each a distinct narrative. That means if you like one, you’ll probably like them all, offering tons of content across all three games.
WORLD OF HORROR
Inspired by Japanese horror and old-school Apple II graphics, World of Horror is a terrifying delight. Part roguelike, part point-and-click mystery, each investigation brings you closer to unraveling the eldritch secrets of your quiet seaside town… or succumbing to the terrors hiding all around you.
If you’re a horror fan, this is one game that’s not to be missed. World of Horror is Steam Deck Verified, too, so you can play it wherever you like – preferably in the dark.
Tactics Ogre: Reborn
If you didn’t think Final Fantasy Tactics was hard enough, give Tactics Ogre: Reborn a try. Originally released around the same time as FFT and following similar mature themes around the costs of war, Tactics Ogre pushes you into the deep end early on and demands that you keep up. If you can master its deep class system, it’s an intensely rewarding experience.
If you’re up for the challenge, you can give Tactics Ogre: Reborn a go one battle at a time on the Steam Deck. The game is Verified, and there’s no DLC to worry about unless you want the soundtrack thrown in with the Premium Edition.
Chained Echoes
Back in the 16-bit era, we’d have done anything for a chance to bring games like Chrono Trigger with us on a handheld.
Portable gaming is common now, of course, so if you’re looking to recreate the magic of the mid-90s with a new game, Chained Echoes is one of the best ways to do it. Inspired by the greats but clearly standing on its own, this tale of dragons, mechs, and heroes will take you back to the good old days.
Chained Echoes is Steam Deck Verified, so you can play it wherever you are. We recommend the Complete Edition, which includes the Ashes of Elrant DLC at a 10% total discount. The game is easy to fall in love with, so chances are you’ll want the DLC when it’s time to check it out.
The Last Spell
Finally, The Last Spell‘s final-stand gameplay is great for playing on the go. Each battle, though fairly short, feels like a hard-won victory, so you can feel like you’ve accomplished something even if you only have a bus ride’s worth of time to play.
Best of all, the game’s heavy-metal soundtrack is perfect for pumping through your headphones (at a safe, reasonable level, of course).
You can get plenty of gameplay out of just the base game, but the Definitive Edition, which contains all the DLC, is 35% off until 4 August, essentially getting you the full Last Spell experience for just $5 more than the base game. Of course, it’s all Verified for Steam Deck as well.
Have you found anything interesting among these 15 RPGs that are perfect for your Steam Deck? Got a recommendation of your own? Then join the discussion on our Reddit channel. In the meantime, have a great day. See you next time!
