Best Steam Deck Open-World Games

Valve released the Steam Deck on February 25, 2022, introducing a high-powered computer to the handheld market. Designed to allow PC players to take their Steam libraries on the go, the Deck has enjoyed a mostly positive first year. The system has a few kinks that need to be worked out and features that should be added, which is standard for any ambitious new piece of hardware.

Since the system's debut, Valve has been steadily going through the store's massive catalog of games to see which ones are fully compatible with the Steam Deck. If a title is deemed "Deck Verified," it should run well on the handheld computer. Open-world games provide arguably the greatest tests of the machine's capabilities, and quite a few massive properties have already made the cut. What are the best open-world Steam Deck games?

Marvel's Spider-Man Remastered

Steam User Rating: 96%

Originally released exclusively on the PS4, Marvel's Spider-Man surprisingly made its way to PC in the form of a remaster. Insomniac Games crafted perhaps the most complete Spider-Man game of all time, one with great combat, an entertaining central storyline, and the smoothest swinging mechanics of all time.

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Open-world games have become synonymous with expansive maps that take hours to travel from one side to the other; however, miles and miles of real estate mean nothing if traversing the world is not enjoyable. Spider-Man nails this component, so much so that the fast travel system almost feels unnecessary.

Dredge

Steam User Rating: 95%

Dredge took the world by storm when it launched in March 2023, and it is not difficult to understand why. Blending a fishing sim with Lovecraftian horror, Black Salt's title creates an oddly successful marriage between the mundane and extraordinary. The player spends the majority of their time exploring the archipelago's expansive waters in search of fish they can catch and sell, and the campaign incorporates an enjoyable storyline filled with quirky and memorable NPCs. Dredge uses a clever risk/reward system that forces fishermen to be wary of the nighttime since it sparks the arrival of all sorts of monstrosities that would not seem out of place in classic horror literature.

Modern open-world projects tend to believe that "more is more," a design philosophy that has repeatedly resulted in overly lengthy experiences burdened with too much filler content. While by no means short, Dredge does not overstay its welcome either, and its map is sizable without stretching itself too thin.

Elden Ring

Steam User Rating: 92%

Released on the same day as the Steam Deck, Elden Ring gave Valve's computer a baptism by fire, and it passed with flying colors. FromSoftware successfully adapted its Dark Souls formula to an open-world setting, one that recommends and rewards exploration. While traversing the sandbox, players are mostly free to roam as they please, discovering enemies, catacombs, dragons, and loot along the way.

Furthermore, within the Lands Between's regions are large dungeons reminiscent of the classic Metroidvania-style locations of the developer's previous releases, allowing the game to also cater to fans who prefer the old ways. Elden Ring is a massive game that is absolutely stuffed with secret areas, hidden quest lines, and optional bosses, all of which can be experienced on the bus thanks to the Steam Deck.

The Long Dark

Steam User Rating: 91%

Over the last few years, survival games have become increasingly popular, and the genre is a particularly seamless fit for open-world design. In fact, an argument could be made they bring the best out of each other, and few projects showcase this marriage's stability better than The Long Dark. Hinterland's title offers a few different modes, but Survival is the one players will want to jump into if they are seeking an open-world experience.

Set in the frozen Canadian outdoors, The Long Dark simply challenges survivors to endure the weather and terrain for as long as possible. Naturally, they will need to find food, shelter, and craft tools to fight off wildlife such as bears. The game is about as challenging as one might expect from a fairly traditional survival package, although there is a Story mode for anyone who wants a curated campaign.

Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth

Steam User Rating: 91%

The Steam Deck is a fantastic device for Yakuza/Like a Dragon, with most of the games marked as verified. Complete newbies who are not sure where to start can try out Yakuza 0, which has aged like fine wine. Alternatively, Yakuza: Like a Dragon represents the start of a new era for the franchise, one that is somewhat beginner-friendly despite still connecting to the previous entries in a few ways. Like a Dragon: Ishin! Is a standalone spin-off with a historical twist, making it a viable candidate for newcomers or people interested in Japan's Bakumatsu era. Compared to those entry points, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is a bit harder to recommend to the uninitiated since it is very much a direct sequel to its predecessor; however, it is also one of the best Steam Deck open-world games, and arguably the IP's most ambitious project yet.

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By  Waseem Muhammad

Yakuza is known for utilizing small but dense maps overflowing with side quests, mini-games, and shops. Size is not everything, and Sega's franchise proves that claim better than most other series. While big when compared to its predecessors, Infinite Wealth's world is still compact and accessible, with there not being a single wasted space in any of the included cities. More importantly, the game tells a brilliant story that balances drama, action, and absurdist humor. The mini-games are also fantastic, and they can easily keep someone busy for hours on end.

Days Gone

Steam User Rating: 92%

Originally released exclusively on the PS4, Days Gone eventually made its way to PC. The zombie-themed open-world title centers around gang culture, so much so that a motorbike serves as the game's main source of transportation. Players are Deacon St. John, a biker who heads out on the road after receiving a tip suggesting his wife might still be alive.

Days Gone has a slow start, both in terms of its story and gameplay. However, Bend Studio's project improves significantly as it goes along, particularly once the protagonist starts to upgrade his ride. Zombies are so overdone that they have lost most of their fear factor, but Days Gone uses sheer numbers to elevate this issue. The game throws enormous hordes of undead walkers at Deacon, and these encounters are especially intense at night.

Goat Simulator 3

Steam User Rating: 97%

Looking to mess around in a sandbox? Then, Goat Simulator 3 should be the perfect fit. Although slightly more curated than its charming predecessor, the 2022 sequel still prides itself on delivering over-the-top silliness that rewards players who are willing to break everything.

Packed to the brim with parodies, Goat Simulator 3 is a joke game that knows its strengths and generally plays to them. San Angora serves as the main city, and it is reasonably impressive considering this is a fairly small title when compared to many other open-world romps.

Sea Of Thieves

Steam User Rating: 90%

Underwhelming launch aside, Sea of Thieves has blossomed into a fairly awesome multiplayer game, arguably cementing itself as one of Rare's best projects of the 2000s. Now, as a single-player option, the title struggles to measure up to the best open-world Steam Deck games since it can be quite repetitive and directionless; however, Sea of Thieves is obviously intended to be played as part of a crew.

Sea of Thieves is one of those releases that is only as fun as its players make it, although Rare has now added more than enough content to give users all the necessary tools to craft a memorable adventure. Although quite vast and ambitious, the game is not especially difficult to run, and it works well on the Deck.

Outer Wilds

Steam User Rating: 95%

Open-world games typically move at a leisurely pace dictated by a player's whims. Outer Wilds is a somewhat different beast as the campaign revolves around a 22-minute time loop, one that resets when, well, everything ends. As an astronaut, Outer Wilds players must travel to a variety of planets in search of information regarding the solar system's impending doom and its link to an alien race.

Outer Wilds revolves around exploration and not combat, with players spending most of their time trying to piece together the lore through brief interactions with NPCs and environmental storytelling. It makes for a captivating open-world experience.

Grounded

Steam User Rating: 89%

Obsidian's Grounded is a survival game set in the most dangerous place known to man: a backyard. Admittedly, that does not sound particularly intense on paper; however, this familiar setting transforms into a place of awe and peril when viewed from the size of an ant. Yes, Grounded tells a Honey, I Shrunk the Kids-type story, just with a lot more near-death situations. Supporting co-op but also fun solo, the game unleashes players on a surprisingly big map and challenges them to make the most of the situation, which is easier said than done when this world is split into insect-based societies that might not be all that welcoming.

Like most of Obsidian's projects, Grounded is charming, well-written, and addictive. While not particularly groundbreaking for the survival genre, the gameplay loop works well and complements the setting. The game also has a story, although players can largely ignore it and just focus on the minute-to-minute routine as they scour for resources and build and maintain their base.