Best Deck Verified RPGs For The Steam Deck

The Steam Deck launched on February 25, 2022, commencing a new era in handheld gaming. Now, people can take their extensive Steam libraries on the go without needing to pick up a gaming laptop. While unsurprisingly not perfect, the console’s takeoff has been decent, garnering a fair amount of praise along with some valid criticisms that might be ironed out in the future.

Since the platform’s debut, Valve has been testing games and labeling them as Deck Verified, which means they run well on the Steam Deck. Naturally, this process will take time considering the sheer quantity of projects on Steam, but plenty of massive games have already been confirmed. What are the best RPGs​​​​​ on Steam Deck?

Updated February 26, 2024 by Mark Sammut: February 2024 was not a particularly huge month for Steam Deck RPGs, although the genre did receive a few projects that were verified. Bandle Tale: A League of Legends Story is a cute spin-off, although someone’s mileage will likely depend on their love for LoL. Atlus also released a title that will likely go down as one of the year’s best JRPGs, and it is Steam Deck verified. The genre’s near future has a few exciting releases as well, including Dragon’s Dogma 2, Crown Wars: The Black Prince, Palia, and Sand Land. Hopefully, some of these are graded as Great on Deck.

Persona 3 Reload

Steam User Rating: 97%

The Steam Deck is a pretty great device for Persona. Valve’s store has seven of the franchise’s games, and five of them are verified for the handheld system. There are two exceptions: Persona 4 Arena Ultimax and Persona 5 Strikers. Both of these are currently marked as unsupported, although the latter seems to be manageable with some tweaks (according to Protondb). Otherwise, fans can play through Persona 3 Portable, Persona 4 Golden, Persona 5 Royal, Persona 5 Tactica, and Persona 3 Reload. All of these are good-to-great, and an argument could be made that P5R represents the franchise at its best. However, 2024’s Persona 3 remake also compares favorably to any turn-based JRPG on Steam, and it offers the ideal way to experience perhaps the darkest and greatest story in Atlus’ decorated series.

The PS2 original was a landmark release as it moved the Megami Tense spin-off series into social sim territory, a shift that would come to define Persona‘s identity. Although a touch rudimentary compared to its sequel, Persona 3‘s social links are still satisfying, and Reload modernizes them just enough to accommodate current standards while retaining its predecessor’s core. The turn-based battles are traditional but entertaining, and they are complemented by a well-done monster-catching system that encourages continuous growth.

Baldur’s Gate 3

Steam User Rating: 96%

After a couple of fruitful years in Steam’s early access program, Larian Studios’ Baldur’s Gate 3 made its full debut at the beginning of August 2023, launching to a standing ovation and near-universal praise. BG3 was one of 2023’s best additions to the genre, along with just being one of the year’s greatest overall games. The title was immediately Deck Verified, and it runs pretty well on Valve’s portable system. If someone has a gaming desktop, they should opt to use that system as the game benefits from a larger screen and the (presumably) stronger specs, but its performance is serviceable on the Steam Deck.

Baldur’s Gate 3 is a turn-based tactical RPG that takes inspiration from Larian’s Divinity: Original Sin 2, so fans of the latter should have an idea of what to expect from the new title. That said, the 2023 release will likely be most people’s first foray into this subgenre, and they could not ask for a better entry point. The game offers deep customization, a fully realized world, great flexible storytelling, and a complex battle system that requires strategic thought and a proper grasp of each party member’s strengths and weaknesses.

Cassette Beasts

Steam User Rating: 96%

Cassette Beasts presents a genuine case for being the best Pokemon alternative of the last few years, outside of perhaps Palworld. Washing up on a dreamy island, players are given a lot to digest as they find their way to a village and, eventually, join the Rangers. Also, they pick up the ability to transform into monsters in battles, and they can even fuse with their partners’ beasts to create an especially strong temporary fighter.

Cassette Beasts has beautiful visuals, accessible but challenging gameplay, and a decently sized world. While the main storyline is quite lengthy, the RPG also has quite a bit of optional content that encourages players to thoroughly explore the map. The turn-based combat system builds on the genre’s fundamentals to craft something familiar but still unique.

South Park: The Stick Of Truth

Steam User Rating: 97%

While The Fractured but Whole has yet to receive the Deck Verified stamp on Steam, South Park: The Stick of Truth has already made the grade. Obsidian’s RPG beautifully recreates the art style of the beloved show, allowing fans to immersive themselves in this universe like never before.

Fan service is not the only that The Stick of Truth has to offer though, as this is a fundamentally sound turn-based RPG that pays homage to the genre while simultaneously poking fun at some of its conventions. Players are cast as the New Kid, and it takes long before they are embroiled in an epic conflict fueled by a potent MacGuffin.

Tales Of Arise

Steam User Rating: 88%

Bandai Namco’s Tales franchise has been delivering (generally) fun action JRPGs for more than two decades, and the series is currently going from strength to strength. Tales of Arise is a contender for one of the license’s best games, which is a claim not made lightly. Set in a world defined by discrimination, Arise follows two people from opposite sides of the conflict who are drawn together and go on a challenging quest to bring change to Dahna.

Both Arise‘s story and characters are strong, particularly the latter; however, a gripping narrative would fall flat if the game was not fun to play. Thankfully, Arise‘s combat is fantastic.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Steam User Rating: 96%

There are hundreds of great RPGs, but only a handful can be said to have changed the genre (hopefully for the better). The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is an example of a relatively recent release that altered the gaming landscape by simply setting a new standard of excellence.

Since this project’s release, RPGs in general have seemingly started to make more of an effort to ensure side quests are meatier experiences. Obviously, TheWitcher 3 was not the first game to deliver great secondary content, but it arguably perfected it. The rest of the package is also incredible, be it the open-world, main storyline, or voice acting. That said, the combat can be a bit polarizing, although things do start to come together once players grow familiar with its systems.

Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth

Steam User Rating: 91%

For the most part, Yakuza has always been tangibly related to the RPG genre. Most of the real-time action entries have players role-play as Kazuma Kiryu in epic and periodically silly stories that feature small but dense open-worlds filled with optional content and quests. Yakuza: Like a Dragon changed things around by switching to turn-based combat, introducing a new main city, and promoting Ichiban to the franchise’s protagonist. Considering the sheer volume of modifications, the fact the game still felt like an authentic Yakuza experience speaks to the quality of its writing.

2024’s Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth takes its predecessor’s concepts and runs with them, crafting an overall fantastic and deep experience that highlights the license at its best. Ichiban returns as the protagonist, although he is now accompanied by Kiryu who takes a more active role in the story. The sequel also shifts the setting to Hawaii, a decision that comes as a breath of fresh air since the series is known to recycle maps fairly frequently.

Infinite Wealth‘s battle system is largely similar to Yakuza: Like a Dragon‘s version, albeit fine-tuned to provide an overall more satisfying and over-the-top experience. The title takes obvious inspiration from JRPG classics, including incorporating a Jobs system akin to something like Final Fantasy. Naturally, the game has way more to offer than just combat, as it comes packed with an extensive main story and a plethora of impressive mini-games that can keep someone entertained for hours on end.

Elden Ring

Steam User Rating: 92%

Released on the same day as the Steam Deck, Elden Ring was the ultimate test of the handheld system’s potential. Can Valve’s platform run a massive open-world RPG with enough content to last hundreds of hours? The answer proved to be “yes,” and playing Elden Ring on the go is just as awe-inspiring as booting The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on the Nintendo Switch.

FromSoftware’s 2022 title drops players in the Lands Between, a vast nightmarish world that demands to be thoroughly explored. Boasting a deep customization system, dozens of epic boss fights, and rich lore, Elden Ring is incredible. Obviously, the Steam Deck is not the best way to experience Elden Ring as it does come with quite a few performance concessions compared to a mid-tier home computer or modern consoles, but it runs well enough to be playable.

Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade

Steam User Rating: 89%

Square Enix’s Final Fantasy 7 Remake takes the seminal PS1 JRPG and gives it way more than just a fresh coat of paint. In part 1 of the story, players are guided through Cloud Strife’s early days as a member of AVALANCHE, a crew that strives to undermine the actions of the Shinra Corporation. Swapping turn-based combat for real-time action, the remake offers a surprising amount of depth across its various playable characters.

Intergrade comes packaged with Yuffie’s DLC, an extension of the base game that provides even more stellar combat and character-building moments. Although the PC version garnered some criticism upon release, Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade is still overall a net positive and one of the best Deck Verified RPGs​​​​​ on Steam.

Octopath Traveler 2

Steam User Rating: 95%

The sequel to 2018’s Octopath Traveler primarily opts to fine-tune its predecessor’s stellar work, resulting in a similar but slightly improved experience. For the uninitiated, the campaign follows eight characters who follow their own storylines which do not really cross over. This creative choice does create a somewhat disjointed experience, although the individual quests maintain a reasonably high standard of quality.

Octopath Traveler 2 utilizes a turn-based combat system reminiscent of classic Square Enix productions from the 1990s. The tried-and-tested system works well and should hit the spot for anyone fond of old-school JRPGs.

Divinity: Original Sin 2 – Definitive Edition

Steam User Rating: 95%

A convincing argument can be made that Divinity: Original Sin 2 was the most complete RPG of the 2010s. The game has impeccable world-building, fairly great writing for its main and secondary quests, deep customization, and a complex grid-based combat system that arguably perfects this style of gameplay. This title sits comfortably alongside the genre’s best offerings, and its replayability means that someone could spend years tied to this RPG.

If there is one criticism that could be made of Divinity: Original Sin 2, it is that the game is not that welcoming to newcomers. People unfamiliar with CRPGs are likely to spend the first couple of hours at a complete loss as they stumble awkwardly from one fatal encounter to the next. However, once things click, things really get going.

Nobody Saves The World

Steam User Rating: 91%

A dungeon crawler with a stellar central gimmick, Nobody Saves the World casts players as a literal empty slate, albeit one that can transform into a variety of archetypes through the use of a wand. Each form has unique and situational skills, and a lot of the fun comes from experimenting with the builds to see which ones work best in a particular situation.

Nobody Saves the World has a lot more to offer than just a cool mechanic, however, as the game’s art style and world are both fantastic. The action RPG oozes charm and personality out of every frame, and its presentation suits a portable system such as the Steam Deck.

Darkest Dungeon

Steam User Rating: 91%

Darkest Dungeon is not for the faint of heart, but it sure is addictive. Set in a gothic world drenched in horror imagery and concepts, the game casts players as the new owner of a creepy mansion that just happens to be sitting on top of a dungeon. Beckoned by the siren call of potential riches and power, adventurers are drawn to the punishing realm’s depths, and most of them will not survive the ordeal. Players hire these warriors to descend the dungeon and uncover its secrets, all the while engaging in challenging turn-based combat against some truly horrifying entities.

With a wide selection of classes and permadeath, Darkest Dungeon encourages players to constantly experiment with their party setup as they desperately search for the optimal configuration that will finally allow them to take that extra step. The dungeon itself is procedurally generated, which greatly amplifies the game’s replay value. The battle system is nothing too unusual, but it has a few quirks that allow it to stand out from the crowd. Darkest Dungeon also uses a stress meter that steadily builds as adventurers spend more time roaming the pitch-black corridors while fighting the nightmares held within.

Darkest Dungeon 2
is also a very good, albeit very different RPG; however, the sequel is only “Playable” on the Steam Deck.

Chained Echoes

Steam User Rating: 91%

Steam is packed with 16-bit indie games that harbor back to the days of the SNES, particularly when it comes to platformers and Metroidvanias. While not quite as common, developers do occasionally take notes from classic JRPGs like Chrono Trigger, Mana, Final Fantasy, and Dragon Quest. Chained Echoes wears its inspiration on its sleeve without feeling like a blatant copy; in fact, the game shows that certain ideas are simply timeless.

Chained Echoes is not only ambitious but also refreshingly polished. The game tells an effective storyline that features a wide assortment of memorable characters and should keep most players engaged for around 30 hours. Such a lengthy campaign needs to be built on strong gameplay, something Chained Echoes nails. Initially, the battle system will seem fairly typical for the genre; however, the game introduces a unique risk-reward mechanic that adds an element of strategy to each encounter. It works wonders to extend the combat’s longevity.

Dave The Diver

Steam User Rating: 97%

A highlight of the 2023 calendar, Dave the Diver is an absolute treat that can satisfy various cravings. Want a management sim that is enjoyable and not too demanding? Then, get ready to run a sushi restaurant. Craving deep sea exploration? Well, Dave spends his days hunting fish in a gorgeous underwater cavern with a mysterious edge. Craving a light RPG that has most of the genre’s hallmarks? Dave the Diver will scratch that itch.

Ambition can be a recipe for disaster, but Dave the Diver manages to blend multiple genres and concepts to create a unique package that comes together surprisingly well. It is also one of the most relaxing Steam Deck RPGs, while still offering a challenge through its combat and loadout system.

Star Ocean: The Second Story R

Steam User Rating: 96%

The only Deck Verified Star Ocean game, The Second Story R is arguably the franchise’s best release in years, and it should not be dismissed as just a retread of a PS1 classic. In this case, the “R” stands for remake rather than remaster, and the 2023 JRPG does an admirable job of modernizing the original’s visuals, gameplay, and presentation while preserving its charm and personality.

The Second Story R uses Square Enix’s 2D-HD aesthetic, which is a great fit for the game. The real-time combat system was tweaked and freshened up, although not too much needed to be altered as The Second Story‘s gameplay holds up well.

WitchSpring R

Steam User Rating: 97%

The WitchSpring series has been around for nearly a decade, although its games have been primarily limited to mobile devices. As well-regarded as most of these releases have been, their platform exclusivity means they will never be acknowledged by a large group of players for the simple reason that mobile gaming is not for everyone (which is fine). Thankfully, the IP has finally started to make its way to other ecosystems, with WitchSpring R landing on PC via Steam.

A remake of the original game in the franchise, this turn-based RPG oozes charm out of every pixel. As a witch named Pieberry, players go through a lengthy adventure that starts fairly silly and inconsequential but gradually gains a sense of scale and purpose. Taking inspiration from classic JRPGs, WitchSpring R‘s combat system does not hold too many surprises but functions well and progresses nicely.

Stardew Valley

Steam User Rating: 98%

The 2010s saw the indie gaming scene rise to unprecedented heights, and Stardew Valley is among that scene’s greatest achievements. A farming sim with heavy RPG elements, the game gives people plenty of freedom on how they develop their stretch of land and leave their mark on Pelican Town.

Stardew Valley is ambitious, complex, and endlessly playable. Although not quite as relaxing as something like Animal Crossing, Stardew Valley is perfect for those people looking for an RPG that is about everyday life rather than a grand adventure to save the world.

Pathologic 2

Steam User Rating: 92%

Pathologic 2 is unlike any other Steam Deck RPG, and the game is the definition of an acquired taste. Set in Russia during the 1910s, a surgeon returns to his hometown, only to discover that his father has been murdered and a plague has infested the village. With only 12 days to find a cure for the disease, players must mingle with the locals, determine which information to prioritize, and try to survive.

Pathologic 2 completely immerses players in its unforgiving setting, and they will not experience a moment’s peace. This RPG is also a hardcore survival horror game, one that challenges players to manage an array of meters while constantly asking them to make difficult decisions. Pathologic 2 is not meant to be fun, but it is unique and horrifying.

Project Zomboid

Steam User Rating: 94%

Launching in 2013 and still in Early Access, Project Zomboid has been a staple of Steam’s top-selling list for the best part of a decade. The open-world survival game drops players in a sandbox overrun with zombies and challenges them to rise up to the occasion. Focusing on realism, Project Zomboid pushes its story to the side to focus on gameplay, which revolves around resource management and crafting.

The Indie Stone’s project has garnered plenty of praise over the last decade, and while its hardcore nature might put off some people, Project Zomboid is almost a must-play for anyone interested in the survival genre.

Wildermyth

Steam User Rating: 95%

Ambition does not have to take the form of photo-realistic visuals or AAA budgets. Wildermyth is impressively ambitious, arguably more so than most higher-profile RPGs, and that is not meant to be taken as a slight on the latter. Worldwalker’s project captures the joy of forging a player-driven campaign in tabletop gaming, all the while delivering a competent tactical RPG system that emphasizes the characters’ personalities rather than their stats.

While campaigns start at the same place and generally follow the same general progression, each journey is made unique through procedurally-generated characters who vary greatly from one run to the next. Wildermyth combines this element of randomness with user choices that are significant, ensuring players feel like they are on an adventure rather than merely witnessing one.

Dragon Quest 11 S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition

Steam User Rating: 93%

The latest mainline entry in arguably the most influential turn-based JRPG franchise of all time, Dragon Quest 11 serves as a testament to the series’ enduring appeal. Even though its combat system and narrative do not stray far from the beaten path, the game does not feel tired, and the Definitive Edition fixes most of the small issues the vanilla version has.

Dragon Quest 11 whisks players on a colorful adventure filled with magnetic characters and gorgeous locations. Unsurprisingly for the franchise, the story is very long, easily lasting more than 50 hours; also unsurprisingly for the franchise, the game is good enough to remain interesting. While some other games certainly deserve to be in discussion, DQ11 might very well be the best JRPG on Steam Deck.

Cyberpunk 2077

Steam User Rating: 82%

Cyberpunk 2077 is no longer the same game it was in 2020, and that extends to the PC version. Out of the gate, the latter offered the best version of CD Projekt Red’s ambitious sci-fi project, and it ran well on the Steam Deck. After the 2.0 update, both of those statements hold true, which comfortably makes this once-maligned release one of the greatest Steam Deck RPGs.

Boasting a strong central story along with impeccable side content, Cyberpunk 2077 immerses players in a futuristic world that oozes substance and depth. Night City is a pleasure to explore, and it is filled with memorable NPCs. The combat system is pretty good as well, particularly once the progression system opens up a bit.

Disco Elysium – The Final Cut

Steam User Rating: 93%

Disco Elysium is a work of art, and it is also quite unlike most RPGs on Steam. Rather than focus on combat, this game revolves around dialogue and character-building, the latter of which is tied to the skills players decide to prioritize when leveling up.

Set in a dense world that walks the line between realism and fantasy, Disco Elysium tells a complicated detective story that touches upon philosophical and ethical topics. This RPG emphasizes player choice and makes each word uttered and every decision made feel significant.