This week's Steam Deck Weekly roundup features reviews and impressions of several recently played games, highlighting their performance and features on the handheld. We'll also cover some notable sales and newly verified/playable titles.
Steam Deck Game Reviews & Impressions
NBA 2K25 Steam Deck Review
Despite the usual yearly sports game skepticism, NBA 2K25 stands out. It's the first PC version since the PS5 launch to offer the "Next Gen" experience, and it's officially optimized for Steam Deck (though not yet officially rated by Valve). My experience playing it on the Steam Deck, alongside console versions, was positive, though some familiar 2K quirks remain.
Key features for PC players include ProPLAY technology (previously exclusive to PS5/Xbox Series X) and the PC debut of WNBA and MyNBA mode. If you've held off on recent PC 2K titles, this is the one to get. The hope is its success will ensure future PC releases maintain this level of quality and Steam Deck optimization.
The Steam Deck and PC versions boast 16:10 and 800p support. AMD FSR 2, DLSS, and XeSS are supported, but I found disabling them improved clarity. Extensive graphical settings are available, including v-sync options (a 90/45fps dynamic v-sync is included), HDR (functional on Steam Deck), texture detail, and shader options. Initial shader caching is recommended, though the game does a quick cache on each boot.
Extensive graphics settings allow for fine-tuning, but I found a balance of medium settings (player and shader detail) with 60fps at 60hz provided the best visual clarity and stability. The default Steam Deck preset appeared overly blurry.
Offline play is partially supported; quick play and eras work offline, but MyCAREER and MyTEAM require an internet connection. Offline loading times are noticeably faster.
While technically inferior to the console versions, the portability factor makes the Steam Deck a preferred platform for me. Load times are slower than on PS5/Xbox Series X, and there's no crossplay. The usual microtransaction issues persist, significantly impacting certain game modes. At a $69.99 price point, this is a factor to consider.
Ultimately, NBA 2K25 on Steam Deck provides a fantastic portable basketball experience, matching the PS5/Xbox Series X feature set. With some adjustments, it looks and runs great. However, be mindful of the microtransactions.
NBA 2K25 Steam Deck review score: 4/5
Gimmick! 2 Steam Deck Impressions
(See Shaun's Switch review [link]) Gimmick! 2 runs well on Steam Deck, even without Valve verification; recent patches included Steam Deck and Linux fixes. It's capped at 60fps (forcing 60hz on OLED screens is recommended to avoid jitter), lacks graphical options, but supports 16:10 for menus (gameplay remains 16:9). Its smooth out-of-the-box performance suggests imminent Steam Deck verification.
While a higher framerate would be welcome, it's not a major drawback. The game itself is excellent.
Arco Steam Deck Mini Review
Arco, a dynamic turn-based RPG, is already Steam Deck Verified and runs flawlessly. Capped at 60fps (16:9 only), it includes a beta assist mode (skip combat, infinite dynamite, etc.) and the ability to skip the first act on replays.
The game surpasses expectations, offering a compelling blend of real-time and turn-based elements, superb visuals, music, and a captivating story. A free demo is available.
Arco Steam Deck review score: 5/5
Skull and Bones Steam Deck Mini Review
Recently released on Steam, Skull and Bones is rated "Playable" by Valve. The Ubisoft Connect login process is slow. At 30fps (16:10, 800p), with FSR 2 quality upscaling and low settings (textures set to high), performance is stable.
Early impressions are positive, showing improvement over previous versions. It's online-only.
Recommendation pending further playtime, but the free trial is worth checking.
Skull and Bones Steam Deck review score: TBA
ODDADA Steam Deck Review
ODDADA, a music-making experience, runs perfectly at 90fps, offering resolution, v-sync, and anti-aliasing options. Menu text is small. Currently lacks controller support, but touch controls work well.
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 well on Proton Experimental, offering extensive graphical settings (16:10 support included). A custom preset with low shadows and normal settings (excluding temporal anti-aliasing) yielded ~40fps. Controls need improvement.
Despite its flaws, the gameplay loop, visuals, writing, and voice acting are enjoyable.
Star Trucker Steam Deck review score: 4/5
DATE A LIVE: Ren Dystopia Steam Deck Mini Review
DATE A LIVE: Ren Dystopia runs perfectly on Steam Deck (720p, 16:9). Check system settings for button configuration.
A great follow-up to Rio Reincarnation, highly 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. On Steam Deck, it's playable with trackpad and touch controls (lacks controller support).
Initial impressions are positive.
Pinball FX Steam Deck Impressions
Pinball FX offers a robust PC port with HDR support on Steam Deck. Gameplay is excellent; the free-to-play version is recommended to test compatibility and sample tables.
New Steam Deck Verified & Playable Games
Notable additions include Hookah Haze and OneShot: World Machine Edition (Verified). Black Myth: Wukong's "Unsupported" status is surprising given its performance.
Steam Deck Game Sales
The Games from Croatia sale features discounts on Talos Principle and other titles.
This concludes this week's Steam Deck Weekly. Feedback is welcome.
