This week's Steam Deck Weekly features reviews and impressions of several games recently played on the Steam Deck, including both verified and playable titles. Let's dive in!
Steam Deck Game Reviews & Impressions
NBA 2K25 Steam Deck Review
NBA 2K25 marks a significant milestone: it's the first "next-gen" PC version since the PS5 launch, and it's officially optimized for the Steam Deck. While lacking a Valve rating, my experience is overwhelmingly positive, though with some familiar 2K quirks.
Key features for PC players include ProPLAY technology (previously exclusive to PS5/Xbox Series X), the WNBA debut, and MyNBA mode. If you've held off on PC 2K titles, this is the one to get. The Steam Deck port boasts 16:10 and 800p support, AMD FSR 2, DLSS, and XeSS (though I disabled upscaling for clarity). Extensive graphics settings allow for customization, and I recommend caching shaders on initial boot. While a 60fps cap at 60hz yielded the best results for me, the built-in Steam Deck preset is functional. Offline play is limited; MyCAREER and MyTEAM require online access, but Quick Play and Eras modes work offline. Load times are slower than on consoles, and microtransactions remain a concern.
Despite technical limitations compared to consoles, the portable experience is fantastic. Load times are the main drawback. No cross-play with consoles exists.
NBA 2K25 Steam Deck review score: 4/5
Gimmick! 2 Steam Deck Impressions
Gimmick! 2, while not yet Valve-tested, runs flawlessly. The recent patch includes Steam Deck and Linux fixes. Capped at 60fps (forcing 60hz on OLED is recommended), it supports 16:10 in menus but gameplay remains 16:9. No graphics options are available. It's a strong contender for Steam Deck Verification.
Arco Steam Deck Mini Review
Arco, a dynamic turn-based RPG, is Steam Deck Verified and runs smoothly at 60fps (16:9 only). It features an assist mode (beta) for skipping combat, and the option to skip the first act on replays. The game blends real-time and turn-based elements, boasting superb visuals, music, and storytelling. A free demo is available.
Arco Steam Deck review score: 5/5
Skull and Bones Steam Deck Mini Review
Skull and Bones, recently added to Steam, is rated "Playable" by Valve. The Ubisoft Connect login process is slow. For optimal performance on Steam Deck, I recommend a 30fps cap, 16:10 at 800p, FSR 2 quality upscaling, and low settings (except high textures). It's an online-only experience. A free trial is recommended before purchasing.
Skull and Bones Steam Deck review score: TBA
ODDADA Steam Deck Review
ODDADA, a music-making experience, runs perfectly at 90fps with touch controls (no controller support yet). Graphics settings are minimal, but menu text is small. Despite the lack of controller support, it’s highly recommended for music and art enthusiasts.
ODDADA Steam Deck review score: 4.5/5
Star Trucker Steam Deck Mini Review
Star Trucker blends automobile simulation and space exploration. It runs on Proton Experimental with customizable graphics settings (including 16:10 support). Controls are a significant drawback.
Star Trucker Steam Deck review score: 4/5
DATE A LIVE: Ren Dystopia Steam Deck Mini Review
DATE A LIVE: Ren Dystopia runs flawlessly on Steam Deck at 720p (16:9). Check system settings to ensure correct button configuration. Recommended for fans of the series.
DATE A LIVE: Ren Dystopia Steam Deck Review Score: 4/5
Total War: PHARAOH DYNASTIES Steam Deck Review Impressions
Total War: PHARAOH DYNASTIES is a significant improvement over the original. While playable on Steam Deck, it lacks controller support, relying on trackpad and touch controls.
Pinball FX Steam Deck Impressions
Pinball FX offers extensive PC graphics options and HDR support on Steam Deck. The free-to-play version allows sampling before purchasing DLC.
New Steam Deck Verified & Playable Games
Notable additions include Hookah Haze and OneShot: World Machine Edition (Verified). Black Myth: Wukong remains Unsupported, despite playable performance.
Steam Deck Game Sales
The Games from Croatia sale features discounts on Talos Principle and more.
This concludes this week's Steam Deck Weekly. Feedback is welcome!
