After I wrote about a number of the finest video games of 2023 (to date) earlier within the yr, I figured I’d be writing one other one earlier than we do our Recreation of the 12 months lists. I didn’t count on to have far too many nice video games to write down about earlier than even hitting the vacations. That’s the place in the present day’s characteristic 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 can be value your time in your Steam Deck. This checklist is in no specific order, and I’ll be together with just a few updates on notable video games on the finish as a result of it’s at all times value 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 yr, and I remorse not attending to it sooner. It felt like a kind of video games I’d take pleasure in extra on a transportable, and I’ve since loved it on each Change and Steam Deck. When a developer declares a sequel to a beloved indie, I at all times hope it at worst is simply extra of the identical. Blasphemous 2 is just not that, and it managed to shock me fairly a bit. I do know it’s quickly, however Blasphemous 2 is an enormous step in the best path. It undoubtedly looks like all the things I appreciated within the unique 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 incredible and difficult metroidvania.
Steam Deck Score 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 complete 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 incredible indie tackle what made turn-based RPGs particular again within the 90s. Sabotage Studio nailed nearly all the things with Sea of Stars, and I’m shocked at how content-packed it’s with out feeling padded in any respect. That is finest on Steam Deck based mostly on what I’ve performed of all variations. I’m already trying ahead to purchasing the bodily launch on Change and PS5 subsequent yr.
Steam Deck Score from Valve: Verified
HoloCure
Every time I discussed Vampire Survivors or video games like that, I had mates inform me I ought to play HoloCure. After all I wished to, however was too lazy to sideload it on Steam Deck via the itch.io model. The sport appeared super-polished and it featured many Vtubers I really 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 excellent. Unbelievably good as a sport, and is my favourite piece of Vtuber media proper now. Additionally it is free, which implies you need to cease studying concerning the sport and simply strive it. You’ll not remorse it.
Steam Deck Score 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 stepping into extra video games like Vampire Survivors, everybody advisable Halls of Torment continuously, they usually have been proper. It is a excellent sport even in its present early entry state. It has a free demo so I’d completely suggest making an attempt it out on Steam Deck totally free. I really 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 Score from Valve: Verified
Oceanhorn 2: Knights of the Misplaced Realm
I first skilled Oceanhorn 2 on Apple Arcade, and at all times hoped it will 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 Change 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 may push its visuals. The sport itself was wonderful, however it feels so good on Steam Deck proper from the get go. I even loved taking part in it via 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 value taking part in on Steam Deck.
Steam Deck Score from Valve: Verified
Astronaut: The Greatest
I performed a little bit of Astronaut: The Greatest pre-release, however solely just lately obtained into it. I really like when video games attempt to do various things with their settings, gameplay, or with genre-blending mechanics. Astronaut: The Greatest desires you to fail, and makes it humorous. Combining procedurally generated recruitable characters with different missions and a ton of appeal makes Astronaut: The Greatest, 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 believe Astronaut: The Greatest is finest (I wasn’t even going to try to resist) on Steam Deck.
Steam Deck Score 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 properly on Steam Deck. Valve says some textual content is perhaps too small to learn on the small display screen, however it wasn’t a difficulty for me. You possible need to get the bundle with the soundtrack as properly. I hope this one will get a bodily launch in some type.
Steam Deck Score from Valve: Playable
Transferring Out 2
When Overcooked 2 was introduced with on-line play, I used to be tremendous pleased to see such a tremendous idea lastly attain its potential. Transferring Out 2 gave me related emotions when it was introduced, and I believe it exceeded all my expectations. The visible enhancements, on-line assist, accessibility choices, and excellent core gameplay make it the most effective social gathering video games of 2023, and a simple advice for Steam Deck house owners. This one has a free demo as properly, so I’d suggest checking it out. It additionally makes the unique not value taking part in, although I hope we get an Overcooked: All You Can Eat Version fashion bundle for the Transferring Out video games sooner or later. I additionally ended up testing this out with a good friend via Distant Play Collectively, and it labored completely on Steam Deck.
Steam Deck Score 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 right sport for many who take pleasure in music-focused experiences, narrative journey video games, and the theater. It has some points with audio ranges, however I liked Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical by the top, and would suggest it on Steam Deck over Nintendo Change. It shines on the Deck, and I’m trying ahead to replaying it within the close to future.
Steam Deck Score from Valve: Verified
The Making of Karateka
Wait, why is The Making of Karateka on an indie checklist? Properly, Digital Eclipse is an indie developer, they usually have launched a masterpiece with The Making of Karateka. Whereas I’ve liked the work they put into retro collections with bonus content material, The Making of Karateka is on an entire different stage. I nearly referred to as this a Michelin Star-like expertise, however even that looks like underselling how a lot care and work went into making The Making of Karateka pretty much as good as it’s. I’d purchase a brand new Gold Grasp Collection launch from Digital Eclipse even when they do one on a sport I hate. Even when you don’t care about Karateka, that is the gold normal in gaming preservation. Now please do Prince of Persia subsequent.
Steam Deck Score 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? Properly it doesn’t appear to have native controller assist, however performs nice with contact controls. It additionally serves as a fantastic introduction to A Sharp’s video games, and a fantastic turn-based tactical and narrative expertise. I can’t recover from how beautiful the artwork is. I want there was a demo for this one for newcomers, however when you did play prior video games or desire a beautiful mix of a fantastic narrative and wonderful turn-based gameplay, that is for you.
Steam Deck Score from Valve: Untested
Venba
Venba is a wonderful and quick narrative cooking sport that taught me some issues I didn’t learn about Indian cooking. I am keen on the aesthetic and story, however was dissatisfied by the dearth of contact assist on Change. Again once I performed it there, I additionally performed Venba on Steam Deck, and it controls brilliantly right here in handheld mode and once I join the Deck to my monitor. Venba offers with varied matters like immigration, heritage, household, and extra, however manages to cowl so much in its quick run time. I completely suggest taking part in this on no matter platform you need to strive it on, however simply play it.
Steam Deck Score from Valve: Verified
UFO Unidentified Falling Objects
UFO Unidentified Falling Objects is a mix of puzzles and platforming however not in the way in which you’d count on. It’s the type of sport you’d need to strive 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 value testing, and it feels proper at residence on Steam Deck. It satiated my need for extra Mr Driller when you’ve performed that as properly.
Steam Deck Score from Valve: Playable
PixelJunk Scrappers Deluxe
PixelJunk Scrappers Deluxe is one other sport that started life on Apple Arcade, however discovered a brand new residence on PC and consoles in a while. Whereas its preliminary launch had just a few balancing points for solo play, I can safely suggest it on Steam Deck (the place it even runs at 120fps when docked) for a beautiful party-style sport with Q-Video games’ distinctive appeal. Q-Video games is a developer I’ll strive something by, and PixelJunk Scrappers Deluxe is certainly one of its extra attention-grabbing releases. I by no means obtained uninterested in the rubbish stacking, catchy music, and wonderful aesthetic PixelJunk Scrappers Deluxe has. When you skipped it on Apple Arcade, that is a straightforward advice on Steam Deck.
Steam Deck Score from Valve: Verified
Fae Farm*
I’m reviewing Fae Farm on Change and Steam Deck, however can focus on the early chapters of the sport forward of the evaluate embargo. Based mostly on what I’ve performed to date, Fae Farm is a beautiful addition to the life and farming simulation style with its personal spin on issues. In plenty of methods, Fae Farm looks like a best hits of the style greats whereas making an attempt to do its personal factor, however it’s a bit missing solely in its relationships proper now. The whole lot else to date feels polished and enjoyable. I’m additionally very impressed with it on Steam Deck the place I’d find yourself taking part in it via until the top. I’ll have extra to say about Fae Farm in my full evaluate overlaying the Change model as properly, however when you take pleasure in life and farming sims, I can’t think about you received’t like Fae Farm. Simply don’t go into it anticipating Story of Seasons stage character relationships. I’m trying ahead to seeing how issues play out in a while within the sport.
Steam Deck Score 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 attention-grabbing setting and characters, however is a bit buggy. I loved my time with it on Steam Deck, however really feel prefer it may’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 yr’s most attention-grabbing indie video games, and the lengthy highway to launch has been value it. I don’t suppose it managed to hit the highs Life is Unusual did for me with its story, however I nonetheless suggest making an attempt Goodbye Volcano Excessive on Steam Deck.
Steam Deck Score from Valve: Untested
Thronefall
Even in its present early entry state, Thronefall is a cultured and attention-grabbing sport that blends in components 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 centered on what it units out to do, and regardless of the quick 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 might be revisiting it with main updates.
Steam Deck Score from Valve: Playable
Bleak Sword DX
At a sure level, I began hoping extra Apple Arcade video games get ported in order 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 obtained an enhanced launch for PC and Nintendo Change with Bleak Sword DX including in additional content material and principally making it really feel higher on bigger screens. I really like the aesthetic and gameplay in Bleak Sword, and it feels proper at residence on Steam Deck. Jim Guthrie’s music is at all times a spotlight in any sport, and it’s wonderful in Bleak Sword DX. I’m undecided if or when the content material will come to Apple Arcade, however Bleak Sword DX is a straightforward advice. Now we simply want a pleasant bodily launch for Change sooner or later.
Steam Deck Score from Valve: Verified
Soulvars
I first performed a little bit of Soulvars via its iOS launch, and was excited to see how it will scale to PC and console. I’ve now performed it on each Steam Deck and Nintendo Change, and the turn-based RPG that has some components of deck-building and basic JRPGs continues to impress me. I really 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 strive the free demo on Steam if it pursuits you.
Steam Deck Score from Valve: Untested
Luck be a Landlord
Luck be a Landlord is a harmful sport on cellular. I spent an excessive amount of time with it once I was reviewing it, and it just lately obtained its main steadiness replace on each PC and cellular. Whereas I believe it’s best on cellular, 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 can devour you for days, and I don’t remorse doing that to you. Go forth and slay the slots.
Steam Deck Score from Valve: Verified
Bonus: Up to date video games from earlier this yr and DLC
The Final Case of Benedict Fox
The Final Case of Benedict Fox is a sport I wrote about already, however wished to focus on for its main replace. It looks 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. When you purchased it and performed it round launch like I did, give it one other shot with the updates now.
Steam Deck Score from Valve: Playable
Darkest Dungeon II
Like The Final Case of Benedict Fox, Darkest Dungeon II was a sport I featured earlier than, however it has massively improved on Steam Deck since launching. Not solely is it better-optimized, however it has full controller assist now, and is Steam Deck Verified. When you held off on getting it earlier than, rectify that and play certainly one of this yr’s finest Steam releases, and a worthy successor of the elegant however difficult unique sport. I don’t know if this can hit iPad like the primary sport did, however I hope it does not less than come to Change so I should buy it once more.
Steam Deck Score 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 just a few months in the past. The tactical RPG felt very completely different from the style staples because of its grim setting, however it may 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, however it nonetheless may use some extra work. On a reduction, I’d say go for it when you benefit from the style and need one thing darker and more difficult.
Steam Deck Score 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 looks like a breath of recent air for an already wonderful sport. It provides a ton of latest issues to play with in your zoo, and I really like the aesthetic. When you loved the bottom sport, that is a straightforward advice, and Let’s Construct a Zoo continues to be nice on Steam Deck, however the textual content dimension generally is a bit too small.
Steam Deck Score 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 shade 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 Score 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 yr, and can be sure you write about extra nice indie video games I’ve been taking part in on Steam Deck. When you suppose I missed one thing you’d suggest both in in the present day’s checklist or my final one, let me know within the feedback beneath. Thanks for studying.
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