After I wrote about a number of the greatest video games of 2023 (up to now) earlier within the 12 months, I figured I’d be writing one other one earlier than we do our Recreation of the Yr lists. I didn’t count on to have far too many nice video games to jot down about earlier than even hitting the vacations. That’s the place at this time’s function comes into the image. Whereas everybody is probably going nonetheless knee deep into Baldur’s Gate 3 (evaluate coming quickly) or Starfield, there are tons of nice indies hitting Steam and consoles.
I’ve put collectively an inventory of 20 (and a few bonuses) nice new indie video games which are price your time in your Steam Deck. This record is in no specific order, and I’ll be together with a couple of updates on notable video games on the finish as a result of it’s at all times price highlighting when a developer goes again and improves or fixes a sport that had plenty of potential. Let’s get into it then.
Blasphemous 2
I didn’t play the unique Blasphemous a lot till this 12 months, and I remorse not attending to it sooner. It felt like a type of video games I’d take pleasure in extra on a conveyable, and I’ve since loved it on each Swap and Steam Deck. When a developer pronounces a sequel to a beloved indie, I at all times hope it at worst is simply extra of the identical. Blasphemous 2 shouldn’t be that, and it managed to shock me fairly a bit. I do know it’s quickly, however Blasphemous 2 is a giant step in the proper route. It undoubtedly appears like the whole lot I appreciated within the authentic has been improved on right here with the problems additionally addressed. Blasphemous 2 jogs my memory of going from Nioh to Nioh 2 in enhancements. Purely a implausible and difficult metroidvania.
Steam Deck Ranking from Valve: Verified
Sea of Stars
After I tried the Sea of Stars demo some time in the past, I felt prefer it had the potential to be one thing particular. Quick ahead to the total sport’s launch and that ended up being the case regardless of the few points I’ve with it. Sea of Stars, like Chained Echoes, is a implausible indie tackle what made turn-based RPGs particular again within the 90s. Sabotage Studio nailed nearly the whole lot with Sea of Stars, and I’m shocked at how content-packed it’s with out feeling padded in any respect. That is greatest on Steam Deck primarily based on what I’ve performed of all variations. I’m already trying ahead to purchasing the bodily launch on Swap and PS5 subsequent 12 months.
Steam Deck Ranking from Valve: Verified
HoloCure
At any time when I discussed Vampire Survivors or video games like that, I had mates inform me I ought to play HoloCure. In fact I needed to, however was too lazy to sideload it on Steam Deck by way of the itch.io model. The sport appeared super-polished and it featured many Vtubers I like watching, so it was solely a matter of time earlier than I attempted it. When the developer introduced it was coming to Steam, I made a decision to attend. Having now performed plenty of HoloCure on Steam Deck, it’s very good. Unbelievably good as a sport, and is my favourite piece of Vtuber media proper now. Additionally it is free, which suggests it’s best to cease studying in regards to the sport and simply attempt it. You’ll not remorse it.
Steam Deck Ranking from Valve: Untested
Halls of Torment
Halls of Torment is a Vampire Survivors-like with a Diablo aesthetic. After I was taking a look at moving into extra video games like Vampire Survivors, everybody advisable Halls of Torment continually, and so they have been proper. It is a very good sport even in its present early entry state. It has a free demo so I’d completely suggest attempting it out on Steam Deck free of charge. I like the quests and development right here. Regardless of there being tons of video games like Vampire Survivors, Halls of Torment joins Brotato and HoloCure as my favorites alongside Vampire Survivors. Halls of Torment can be solely on PC and feels excellent on Steam Deck.
Steam Deck Ranking from Valve: Verified
Oceanhorn 2: Knights of the Misplaced Realm
I first skilled Oceanhorn 2 on Apple Arcade, and at all times hoped it could be ported to extra highly effective consoles or PC to see the attractive aesthetic shine extra. I didn’t see a lot worth within the Swap model on that entrance, however the brand new PC, PS5, and Xbox variations meant it was time to see how a lot additional Oceanhorn 2 might push its visuals. The sport itself was superb, nevertheless it feels so good on Steam Deck proper from the get go. I even loved taking part in it by way of the Steam Deck Docking Station on my 1440p monitor. Oceanhorn 2 is a big enchancment over the unique, and regardless of some repetitive fight, it’s price taking part in on Steam Deck.
Steam Deck Ranking from Valve: Verified
Astronaut: The Finest
I performed a little bit of Astronaut: The Finest pre-release, however solely just lately acquired into it. I like when video games attempt to do various things with their settings, gameplay, or with genre-blending mechanics. Astronaut: The Finest needs you to fail, and makes it humorous. Combining procedurally generated recruitable characters with different missions and a ton of allure makes Astronaut: The Finest, the most effective type of expertise you possibly can have as a enjoyable break between Starfield and Baldur’s Gate 3 classes. As a PC-only sport proper now, I feel Astronaut: The Finest is greatest (I wasn’t even going to try to resist) on Steam Deck.
Steam Deck Ranking from Valve: Untested
Affogato
Affogato is a really spooky sport in the way it appears to have tapped into a number of issues I like and mixed them into one thing that’s higher than an precise affogato. I’m not simply saying that as a result of I want black espresso. Affogato blends in barista administration, reverse tower protection, RPG, and extra with attractive artwork, nice music, and a very good story. It’s only a rattling good sport, and performs nicely on Steam Deck. Valve says some textual content is likely to be too small to learn on the small display screen, nevertheless it wasn’t a difficulty for me. You probably need to get the bundle with the soundtrack as nicely. I hope this one will get a bodily launch in some type.
Steam Deck Ranking from Valve: Playable
Transferring Out 2
When Overcooked 2 was introduced with on-line play, I used to be tremendous comfortable to see such a tremendous idea lastly attain its potential. Transferring Out 2 gave me comparable emotions when it was introduced, and I feel it exceeded all my expectations. The visible enhancements, on-line help, accessibility choices, and very good core gameplay make it top-of-the-line get together video games of 2023, and a simple advice for Steam Deck house owners. This one has a free demo as nicely, so I’d suggest checking it out. It additionally makes the unique not price taking part in, although I hope we get an Overcooked: All You Can Eat Version model bundle for the Transferring Out video games sooner or later. I additionally ended up testing this out with a pal by way of Distant Play Collectively, and it labored completely on Steam Deck.
Steam Deck Ranking from Valve: Verified
Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical
I’ve had Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical on Steam Deck since earlier than launch, and it felt like an ideal match for the system. The sport itself is the proper sport for individuals who take pleasure in music-focused experiences, narrative journey video games, and the theater. It has some points with audio ranges, however I beloved Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical by the top, and would suggest it on Steam Deck over Nintendo Swap. It shines on the Deck, and I’m trying ahead to replaying it within the close to future.
Steam Deck Ranking from Valve: Verified
The Making of Karateka
Wait, why is The Making of Karateka on an indie record? Effectively, Digital Eclipse is an indie developer, and so they have launched a masterpiece with The Making of Karateka. Whereas I’ve beloved the work they put into retro collections with bonus content material, The Making of Karateka is on a complete different degree. I nearly referred to as this a Michelin Star-like expertise, however even that appears like underselling how a lot care and work went into making The Making of Karateka nearly as good as it’s. I’d purchase a brand new Gold Grasp Sequence launch from Digital Eclipse even when they do one on a sport I hate. Even in case you don’t care about Karateka, that is the gold commonplace in gaming preservation. Now please do Prince of Persia subsequent.
Steam Deck Ranking from Valve: Untested
Six Ages 2 Lights Going Out
Six Ages 2 Lights Going Out has already gotten a 5/5 from Shaun for its iOS launch, however what about Steam Deck? Effectively it doesn’t appear to have native controller help, however performs nice with contact controls. It additionally serves as an awesome introduction to A Sharp’s video games, and an awesome turn-based tactical and narrative expertise. I can’t recover from how gorgeous the artwork is. I want there was a demo for this one for newcomers, however in case you did play prior video games or need a pretty mix of an awesome narrative and glorious turn-based gameplay, that is for you.
Steam Deck Ranking from Valve: Untested
Venba
Venba is a superb and brief narrative cooking sport that taught me some issues I didn’t find out about Indian cooking. I like the aesthetic and story, however was disenchanted by the shortage of contact help on Swap. Again after I performed it there, I additionally performed Venba on Steam Deck, and it controls brilliantly right here in handheld mode and after I join the Deck to my monitor. Venba offers with varied subjects like immigration, heritage, household, and extra, however manages to cowl so much in its brief run time. I completely suggest taking part in this on no matter platform you need to attempt it on, however simply play it.
Steam Deck Ranking from Valve: Verified
UFO Unidentified Falling Objects
UFO Unidentified Falling Objects is a mix of puzzles and platforming however not in the best way you’d count on. It’s the type of sport you’d need to attempt for a couple of minutes, however lose hours to. I additionally love the arcade-y gameplay that accompanies the superb visuals and audio design. UFO Unidentified Falling Objects has a demo on Steam, so it’s price trying out, and it feels proper at house on Steam Deck. It satiated my want for extra Mr Driller in case you’ve performed that as nicely.
Steam Deck Ranking from Valve: Playable
PixelJunk Scrappers Deluxe
PixelJunk Scrappers Deluxe is one other sport that started life on Apple Arcade, however discovered a brand new house on PC and consoles afterward. Whereas its preliminary launch had a couple of balancing points for solo play, I can safely suggest it on Steam Deck (the place it even runs at 120fps when docked) for a stunning party-style sport with Q-Video games’ distinctive allure. Q-Video games is a developer I’ll attempt something by, and PixelJunk Scrappers Deluxe is certainly one of its extra fascinating releases. I by no means acquired bored with the rubbish stacking, catchy music, and glorious aesthetic PixelJunk Scrappers Deluxe has. For those who skipped it on Apple Arcade, that is a simple advice on Steam Deck.
Steam Deck Ranking from Valve: Verified
Fae Farm*
I’m reviewing Fae Farm on Swap and Steam Deck, however can talk about the early chapters of the sport forward of the evaluate embargo. Based mostly on what I’ve performed up to now, Fae Farm is a stunning addition to the life and farming simulation style with its personal spin on issues. In plenty of methods, Fae Farm appears like a best hits of the style greats whereas attempting to do its personal factor, however it’s a bit missing solely in its relationships proper now. Every little thing else up to now feels polished and enjoyable. I’m additionally very impressed with it on Steam Deck the place I would find yourself taking part in it by way of until the top. I’ll have extra to say about Fae Farm in my full evaluate overlaying the Swap model as nicely, however in case you take pleasure in life and farming sims, I can’t think about you gained’t like Fae Farm. Simply don’t go into it anticipating Story of Seasons degree character relationships. I’m trying ahead to seeing how issues play out afterward within the sport.
Steam Deck Ranking from Valve: Untested
Goodbye Volcano Excessive
Having initially been revealed again in 2020 for the PS5, KO_OP’s Goodbye Volcano Excessive lastly launched final week, and it ended up being excellent. Combining visible novel-style storytelling, decisions, good music, drama, and extra, Goodbye Volcano Excessive has an fascinating setting and characters, however is a bit buggy. I loved my time with it on Steam Deck, however really feel prefer it might’ve used a bit extra animation selection and polish. Hopefully the latter can arrive quickly, as a result of Goodbye Volcano Excessive is certainly one of this 12 months’s most fascinating indie video games, and the lengthy street to launch has been price it. I don’t suppose it managed to hit the highs Life is Unusual did for me with its story, however I nonetheless suggest attempting Goodbye Volcano Excessive on Steam Deck.
Steam Deck Ranking from Valve: Untested
Thronefall
Even in its present early entry state, Thronefall is a cultured and fascinating sport that blends in parts of tower protection, metropolis constructing, and technique, however one which feels prefer it has tried to take away any fluff so to talk. It’s a attractive sport that feels very targeted on what it units out to do, and regardless of the brief playtime for the sport’s present state, I can safely suggest it, and it performs brilliantly on Steam Deck. I can’t wait to see the way it evolves over time, and shall be revisiting it with main updates.
Steam Deck Ranking from Valve: Playable
Bleak Sword DX
At a sure level, I began hoping extra Apple Arcade video games get ported so that they’d nonetheless be preserved as soon as they go away the service. Bleak Sword from more8bit is certainly one of my favourite video games on Apple Arcade, and it acquired an enhanced launch for PC and Nintendo Swap with Bleak Sword DX including in additional content material and mainly making it really feel higher on bigger screens. I like the aesthetic and gameplay in Bleak Sword, and it feels proper at house on Steam Deck. Jim Guthrie’s music is at all times a spotlight in any sport, and it’s glorious in Bleak Sword DX. I’m undecided if or when the content material will come to Apple Arcade, however Bleak Sword DX is a simple advice. Now we simply want a pleasant bodily launch for Swap sooner or later.
Steam Deck Ranking from Valve: Verified
Soulvars
I first performed a little bit of Soulvars by way of its iOS launch, and was excited to see how it could scale to PC and console. I’ve now performed it on each Steam Deck and Nintendo Swap, and the turn-based RPG that has some parts of deck-building and basic JRPGs continues to impress me. I like the pixel artwork, music, and the gameplay by no means will get previous. One factor to notice is you would possibly have to swap to Proton Experimental to play Soulvars on Steam Deck. Barring that, I’ve no points recommending it and urge you to attempt the free demo on Steam if it pursuits you.
Steam Deck Ranking from Valve: Untested
Luck be a Landlord
Luck be a Landlord is a harmful sport on cell. I spent an excessive amount of time with it after I was reviewing it, and it just lately acquired its main stability replace on each PC and cell. Whereas I feel it’s best on cell, Luck be a Landlord on Steam Deck remains to be superior, and value your time if the idea of a slot machine, roguelike, and deckbuilder hybrid appeals to you. It’ll eat you for days, and I don’t remorse doing that to you. Go forth and slay the slots.
Steam Deck Ranking from Valve: Verified
Bonus: Up to date video games from earlier this 12 months and DLC
The Final Case of Benedict Fox
The Final Case of Benedict Fox is a sport I wrote about already, however needed to spotlight for its main replace. It appears like ready on taking part in The Final Case of Benedict Fox would possibly’ve been for the most effective with how a lot has been mounted and improved, and there’s extra deliberate for future updates as highlighted on the Steam web page. For those who purchased it and performed it round launch like I did, give it one other shot with the updates now.
Steam Deck Ranking from Valve: Playable
Darkest Dungeon II
Like The Final Case of Benedict Fox, Darkest Dungeon II was a sport I featured earlier than, nevertheless it has massively improved on Steam Deck since launching. Not solely is it better-optimized, nevertheless it has full controller help now, and is Steam Deck Verified. For those who held off on getting it earlier than, rectify that and play certainly one of this 12 months’s greatest Steam releases, and a worthy successor of the elegant however difficult authentic sport. I don’t know if this may hit iPad like the primary sport did, however I hope it does at the least come to Swap so I should purchase it once more.
Steam Deck Ranking from Valve: Verified
Redemption Reapers
Redemption Reapers from the developer of Ender Lilies had a tough launch, and wasn’t playable on Steam Deck till a couple of months in the past. The tactical RPG felt very completely different from the style staples due to its grim setting, nevertheless it might use some extra. I’ve added Redemption Reapers as a bonus right here as a result of it was up to date for Steam Deck and I loved my time with it, nevertheless it nonetheless might use some extra work. On a reduction, I’d say go for it in case you benefit from the style and need one thing darker and more difficult.
Steam Deck Ranking from Valve: Playable
Let’s Construct a Zoo: Aquarium Odyssey DLC
Let’s Construct a Zoo: Aquarium Odyssey is the second DLC pack for Let’s Construct a Zoo, and it appears like a breath of recent air for an already glorious sport. It provides a ton of recent issues to play with in your zoo, and I like the aesthetic. For those who loved the bottom sport, that is a simple advice, and Let’s Construct a Zoo continues to be nice on Steam Deck, however the textual content measurement could be a bit too small.
Steam Deck Ranking from Valve: Playable
TMNT Shredder’s Revenge Dimension Shellshock DLC
TMNT Shredder’s Revenge Dimension Shellshock hit PC and consoles final week, and it smashed my expectations. Not solely does it add new characters, however the brand new mode and colour choices are good. Additionally it is accompanied by new music from Tee Lopes. With TMNT Shredder’s Revenge Dimension Shellshock, I can safely say that it’s now my favourite TMNT sport ever.
Steam Deck Ranking from Valve: Verified
There are nonetheless many indies and up to date DLC releases I need to play like Golden Idol Mysteries: The Lemurian Vampire, Dave the Diver (sure, I do know), and extra. I can’t wait to see what else releases this 12 months, and can you should definitely write about extra nice indie video games I’ve been taking part in on Steam Deck. For those who suppose I missed one thing you’d suggest both in at this time’s record or my final one, let me know within the feedback under. Thanks for studying.
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