Weekly Steam Deck Game Reviews: Verified, Recently Released

This week's Steam Deck Weekly features reviews and impressions of several games, alongside news on verified titles and current sales. If you missed my Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 review, check it out here.

Steam Deck Game Reviews & Impressions

NBA 2K25 Steam Deck Review

NBA 2K25 marks a significant milestone: the PC version finally matches the "Next Gen" experience of PS5 and Xbox Series X. Officially optimized for Steam Deck (though not yet officially rated by Valve), it delivers a satisfying portable basketball experience, though with some familiar 2K quirks. Key improvements include ProPLAY technology and the WNBA's PC debut. The PC port boasts extensive graphical settings, including 16:10 and 800p support, AMD FSR 2, DLSS, and XeSS (though I disabled upscaling for better clarity). While load times aren't as fast as on consoles, the overall experience is excellent, especially after tweaking settings to prioritize clarity and stability at 60fps. Offline play is limited; MyCAREER and MyTEAM require an online connection. Microtransactions remain a concern, impacting some game modes.

Despite its technical limitations compared to consoles, the portability factor makes the Steam Deck version my preferred platform. The game's graphical options are extensive, allowing for customization to suit individual preferences and hardware. A Steam Deck visual preset is available, but I found it too blurry. The shader caching process on each boot is slightly inconvenient.

Offline play limitations and microtransactions are noteworthy drawbacks. However, for a visually appealing and enjoyable basketball experience, these issues are somewhat mitigated.

NBA 2K25 Steam Deck review score: 4/5

Gimmick! 2 Steam Deck Impressions

(See Shaun's Switch review here.) Gimmick! 2 runs flawlessly on Steam Deck, even without official Valve testing. A recent patch included Steam Deck and Linux fixes. The game is capped at 60fps (forcing 60hz on OLED screens is recommended). While lacking graphical options, it supports 16:10 for menus and 16:9 for gameplay. Its smooth performance makes Steam Deck verification highly likely.

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 interesting combat system blending real-time and turn-based elements. The story, visuals, and audio are highlights. A beta assist mode allows skipping combat and other conveniences. The ability to skip the first act on replays is a welcome addition.

Arco Steam Deck review score: 5/5

Skull and Bones Steam Deck Mini Review

Recently added to Steam, Skull and Bones is rated "Playable" by Valve. The initial Ubisoft Connect login process is somewhat cumbersome. For optimal performance on Steam Deck, I recommend a 30fps cap, 16:10 at 800p, FSR 2 quality upscaling, and low settings (except for textures). While still early in my playthrough, the game shows promise, particularly with recent updates. It's an online-only experience.

Skull and Bones Steam Deck review score: TBA

ODDADA Steam Deck Review

ODDADA, a music-making experience, runs perfectly at 90fps on Steam Deck, utilizing touch controls (controller support is absent but in development). It offers several graphical options but suffers from small menu text. Despite the lack of controller support, the touch controls work well, making it a strong recommendation 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. While not deeply engaging in either genre, it offers a unique experience. It runs well on Proton Experimental, with adjustable graphics settings including 16:10 support. Controls require some getting used to.

Star Trucker Steam Deck review score: 4/5

DATE A LIVE: Ren Dystopia Steam Deck Mini Review

DATE A LIVE: Ren Dystopia, a visual novel, runs perfectly on Steam Deck out of the box (720p, 16:9). It's a recommended follow-up to DATE A LIVE: Rio Reincarnation, featuring a lighthearted story, excellent art, and memorable characters. Check system settings to ensure correct button mapping.

DATE A LIVE: Ren Dystopia Steam Deck Review Score: 4/5

Total War: PHARAOH DYNASTIES Steam Deck Review Impressions

Total War: PHARAOH DYNASTIES, a significantly improved version of the original, is playable on Steam Deck but lacks controller support (trackpad and touch controls are usable). It features expanded content, new factions, and gameplay enhancements.

Pinball FX Steam Deck Impressions

Pinball FX offers a wide range of PC graphical options, including HDR support on Steam Deck. The gameplay is enjoyable, and 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), while Black Myth: Wukong remains Unsupported (despite playable performance).

Steam Deck Game Sales, Discounts, and Specials

The Games from Croatia sale offers discounts on Talos Principle and other titles.

That concludes this week's Steam Deck Weekly. Feedback is welcome!