The Steam Deck has taken the gaming world by storm since its release in February 2022. Valve‘s handheld PC packs impressive specs into a portable frame, making it more than capable of running intensive games on the go. This opens up exciting possibilities for RPG fans looking to immerse themselves in epic adventures, wherever they may roam.
In this guide, we‘ll be counting down the 10 best RPGs that take advantage of the Steam Deck‘s powerful hardware. From real-time combat to deep character progression, these games offer hundreds of hours of content for intrepid adventurers.
What Makes A Great RPG for the Steam Deck?
When compiling this list, there were a few key factors we kept in mind for what constitutes an exceptional Steam Deck RPG:
Intuitive Controls: The Steam Deck‘s compact form factor and touchpads call for control schemes that feel natural. Complex keyboard and mouse setups don‘t translate well here. The best Deck RPGs utilize simplified, yet deep mechanics.
Not Too Graphically Intensive: While the Steam Deck is mighty, it can‘t compete with a high-end gaming PC. To run smoothly, RPGs need to focus on art direction over pure technical prowess. Stylized graphics tend to work better than photorealism.
Fun in Short Bursts: A handheld lends itself well to picking up a game for brief sessions. The top Steam Deck RPGs avoid repetitive grindfests and long cutscenes. Instead, they always give players something exciting to do.
Good Port: Games built with consoles and mobiles as lead platforms tend to run and control better on the Deck. We emphasized RPGs with quality Deck support and verification.
With these criteria in mind, let‘s dive right into the games!
10. Dragon‘s Dogma: Dark Arisen
Genre: Action RPG
While originally released in 2013, Capcom has kept Dragon‘s Dogma relevant with improved ports. This is exemplified by the Steam Deck verified Dark Arisen edition, which runs flawlessly and loads quickly.
The gameplay puts an exciting spin on real-time combat, with surprisingly deep party customization akin to a proper RPG. Climbing onto monstrous beasts Shadow of the Colossus-style also never gets old. Use magic and archery to chip away armor so your melee warriors can deal direct damage to an enemy‘s flesh.
With the Deck‘s controls and performance upgrades, Dragon‘s Dogma has truly earned dark horse status as an open-world action-RPG great.
9. Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition
Genre: JRPG
Bandai Namco essentially remade this fan-favorite JRPG for current consoles and PC with the Definitive Edition. With a focus on real-time, action-oriented combat and expanded content over the original, it plays extremely well on Valve‘s new handheld.
The story is classic JRPG fare at first glance, but offers deeper themes on morality and redemption upon closer inspection. Combine this with one of the most likable rogue-with-a-heart-of-gold protagonists around, Yuri Lowell, and Tales of Vesperia tugs the heartstrings while dishing out fast-paced combos.
8. Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster
Genre: JRPG
Considered one of the best Final Fantasy games, FFX received an impressive HD overhaul along with its quirky but fun sequel X-2. The Steam Deck makes these classics even more appealing thanks to the fine-tuned turn-based combat working perfectly with touchscreen controls.
Add in the memorable story centered on Yuna‘s pilgrimage to defeat the world-ending Sin, the stellar soundtrack, extensive side content, and mini-games (Blitzball, anyone?), and this FF duo shines brightly on the go.
7. South Park: The Stick of Truth/The Fractured But Whole
Genre: Comedy RPG
These two hilarious South Park RPGs run flawlessly on the Steam Deck, bringing the cartoon antics of Stan, Kyle and crew to handheld players for the first time. Both games play like interactive episodes, with themes and jokes fans will appreciate.
While Stick of Truth focuses on traditional fantasy fare with magic and elves, The Fractured But Whole skews more towards makeshift superheroes. Yet the synergy-focused turn-based battles stay engaging across both titles. Those who don‘t mind crude humor will find these RPGs to be pure gold (well, gold-plated).
6. Divinity: Original Sin 2 – Definitive Edition
Genre: CRPG
Heralded as one of the greatest modern CRPGs, DOS2 offers an unparalleled level of choice & consequence within fantastical isometric worlds. The Definitive Edition‘s quality-of-life improvements translate excellently to the Steam Deck‘s controls and portable mode.
Gather up to 3 friends for online and local co-op campaigns allowing both competitive and cooperative play between custom characters. With creative spell combinations, interactive environments, reactive NPCs, and skills ranging from teleportation to summoning the dead, this 100+ hour journey never gets old.
5. Persona 4 Golden
Genre: JRPG
If you only play one Shin Megami Tensei game, make it Persona 4 Golden. Atlus went above and beyond remastering an already phenomenal JRPG for modern platforms. From enhanced visuals to additional voiced lines and content, this represents P4 in its ultimate form.
The heartfelt story centers on a group of high schoolers investigating a supernatural murder case plaguing their small town. Battles rely on exploiting enemies‘ elemental weaknesses, while deep social sim aspects flesh out characters through intimate conversations.
With turn-based combat and visual novel segments, P4G plays perfectly on the Steam Deck‘s touchscreen. Solving smaller bite-sized Floor Puzzles in the mysterious Midnight Channel also makes progression feel fulfilling during brief play sessions.
4. Monster Hunter Rise
Genre: Action RPG
Monster Hunter World won over many new fans with its expansive hunting grounds and stackable combat mechanics. Monster Hunter Rise builds on that formula by adding canine companions and a vertical movement system that works wonders on the Steam Deck.
Fight enormous fantastical beasts with up to three friends through the magic of online play. Craft better gear with loot acquired from slaying these titans of nature. With 14 different weapons classes boasting totally unique playstyles, you‘re bound to find something that clicks.
Capcom nailed PC optimization, making Rise run like a dream. This plays right into the Steam Deck‘s strengths for a monster hunting good time on the go.
3. Elden Ring
Genre: Action RPG
Hidetaka Miyazaki and George R.R. Martin‘s epic collaboration saw the creators of Dark Souls and Game of Thrones come together for a somber action-RPG that took the world by storm in February 2022. While punishingly difficult, Elden Ring rewards patience and teaches players through its mysterious deaths rather than lengthy tutorials.
This open-world masterpiece begs to be played in lengthy handheld sessions, questing across the richly detailed Lands Between at your own pace. Discover optional areas of pristine beauty juxtaposed against haunting boss arenas. Use magic and "Ashes of War" skills to tailor combat to your playstyle. With no set path, choose your own adventure across mist-laden hills or crumbling royal castles.
Just be ready to die…a lot!
2. Disco Elysium – The Final Cut
Genre: Detective RPG
Originally released in 2019 to widespread critical acclaim, ZA/UM Studio went back and fully voice acted the eccentric dialogue trees along with other enhancements befitting of "Disco Elysium‘s" masterpiece status. The result is a genre-redefining RPG without traditional combat or confining morality systems.
Step into the worn dress shoes of an amnesiac detective awakening from a drunken stupor to a vicious murder case. Guide conversations using 24 varied skills like Inland Empire or Rhetoric as conduits into the lead‘s unstable psyche. Will conflicting voices drive you mad or reveal the necessary clues? How players solve this open-ended case differs wildly based on choices made.
With no wrong solutions, only consequences to bear, "Disco Elysium" feels genuinely tailor-made for the Steam Deck‘s pick-up-and-play format and contextual touch controls.
1. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
Genre: Action RPG
CD Projekt Red‘s seminal open-world fantasy epic has received numerous quality-of-life patches, DLC expansions, and visual enhancements over its seven year reign. This culminates in a Deck-verified complete edition running flawlessly in both handheld and docked modes.
Become Geralt of Rivia, monster-hunter for hire, seeking his adopted daughter and searching for truth in shades of gray. Navigate morality without clear good or evil options across wars, supernatural events, and gripping character subplots spanning 50+ hours per playthrough. Both Blood and Wine and Hearts of Stone DLCs represent Witcher 3 at its absolute best.
Few games can match the strong writing, relatable characters, exciting real-time combat, meaningful choices, rewarding quest structure, gorgeous visual presentation, and sheer content seen in Wild Hunt. It‘s a true epic elevated further by complete Steam Deck compatibility.
Co-Op & Multiplayer RPG Recommendations
For those seeking to adventure with friends, here are some quick co-op/multiplayer RPG recommendations on Steam Deck:
- Divinity Original Sin 2 – Up to 4-player party-based RPG
- Magicka 1 & 2 – Chaotic magic & friendly fire centric humor RPGs
- Outward – Challenging open-world survival RPG
- Baldur‘s Gate 3 – D&D rules translate perfectly to turn-based co-op
The Best RPGs to Play on the Steam Deck
The Steam Deck has proven itself more than capable of delivering deep and engaging mobile RPG experiences. We hope this list helps handheld adventurers discover new quests and titles perfectly suited to the platform.
Ultimately genres like action, J, and turn-based RPGs shine here thanks to intuitive controls and bite-sized game sessions. The combination of portable play and PC power enables one to chip away at sprawling adventures like The Witcher 3 or intense boss rush games like Monster Hunter Rise anywhere life takes you.
Here‘s to many exciting battles, meaningful choices, and epic journeys ahead for Steam Deck RPG fans. Game on and stay tuned for more Steam Deck content!
