Summary
- Roguelikes pair perfectly with the Steam Deck's handheld mode for quick bursts of chaos and thrill.
- Noita, Vampire Survivors, and Spelunky 2 are standout titles on the Steam Deck for their gameplay and performance.
- Steam Deck's portability enhances the experience of playing roguelikes like Hades and Dead Cells with their fluid controls.
There’s something special about losing a run, sighing dramatically, and then immediately booting up another — especially when it all happens in the comfort of handheld mode. Roguelikes and the Steam Deck go together like crit damage and lucky rolls. These are games built on short bursts of chaos, near-misses, and the thrill of the unknown, and that bite-sized magic just hits harder when curled up with a portable console.
8 Best Open-World Games To Play On Steam Deck, Ranked
Open-world games aren't just reserved for consoles and PC. These immersive titles can be enjoyed just as well on Steam Deck's handheld format.
And with the Steam Deck’s sleep-resume function, the low power draw of these games, and fully customizable controller layout, these titles are practically living their best lives on this handheld system.
8 Noita
Where Every Pixel Can — & Absolutely Will — Betray You
Noita
- Released
- October 15, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Nolla Games
- Publisher(s)
- Nolla Games
- Genre(s)
- Platformer, Roguelike
- Platform(s)
- PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Noita is the kind of game that doesn’t just encourage chaos; it begs for it. Players control a wand-wielding sorcerer descending through procedurally generated caverns, with every pixel in the world governed by realistic physics. Water conducts electricity, oil catches fire, and acid eats through stone. It's less of a roguelike and more of a disaster simulator wrapped in a spellcrafting sandbox.
What makes Noita such a standout on the Steam Deck is how easy it is to fall into “just one more run” syndrome. The controls translate surprisingly well to the Deck’s layout, despite being originally designed for mouse precision. And, since it’s not a particularly power-hungry title, it runs smoothly for long sessions without turning the battery into a molten puddle.
7 Vampire Survivors
Auto-Attacks, Zero Chill, & Peak Portable Addiction
Vampire Survivors
- Released
- December 17, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Luca Galante
- Publisher(s)
- Luca Galante
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike
- Platform(s)
- Mobile, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
This unassuming pixel art game turned into a global obsession for a reason. Vampire Survivors turns every run into a dopamine machine, dropping players into massive arenas where the only goal is survival. There’s no attack button — characters automatically dish out pain — so the focus shifts to clever movement, enemy herding, and the thrill of stacking absurdly broken upgrade combos.
8 Best Games Similar To Vampire Survivors
After completing Vampire Survivors, some players might be looking for a similar experience, and these games may be just the thing.
Its genius lies in the simplicity. Perfect for pick-up-and-play sessions on the go, it boots up in seconds and needs next to nothing to run flawlessly on the Steam Deck. Players have used it to drain flights, meetings, and lunch breaks dry without even realizing. It doesn't punish pausing mid-run either, so it pairs well with the Deck’s quick suspend feature.
There’s also a surprisingly deep layer of progression underneath all the chaos. Unlocking new characters, exploring hidden stages, and discovering weapon evolutions give it serious legs. And, with content updates rolling out steadily (plus a couple of DLCs), Vampire Survivors keeps finding new ways to ruin people’s productivity — on the go or otherwise.
6 Spelunky 2
Bring A Whip To A Gunfight — Then Step On A Spike
Spelunky 2
- Released
- September 15, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Mossmouth, BlitWorks
- Publisher(s)
- Mossmouth
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike, Platformer
- Platform(s)
- Switch, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Spelunky veterans already know the deal. Every object in Spelunky 2 is out to kill. Rocks bounce off walls and crush skulls. Ghosts chase the greedy. Even harmless-looking turkeys can become ticking time bombs in the right (or wrong) hands. It’s a game about learning through failure — and then failing again because a mole blindsided you through solid ground.
This sequel doesn’t change the formula too much, but it doesn’t need to. It deepens the original’s systems, adds layers of secrets, and refines the chaos. And, while Spelunky 2 demands precision, it’s surprisingly comfortable on the Steam Deck. The controls are tight enough to support clutch movement, and the screen real estate feels just right — big enough to see traps coming, small enough to forget you’re dying in HD.
5 Risk Of Rain
A Tiny Game About Growing Into A God
Risk of Rain
- Released
- November 8, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- Platform(s)
- PS Vita, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, macOS, Linux
The original Risk of Rain might not have the bombast of its 3D sequel, but there’s still a reason purists swear by it. It’s compact, fast-paced, and loaded with that classic "power curve" satisfaction. Runs start off slow, with players barely surviving against jellyfish and golems, but by the end, they’re dodging missile swarms and dropping nukes while sprinting at the speed of light.
Because of its minimalist pixel art and modest system demands, Risk of Rain barely makes the Steam Deck break a sweat. It loads instantly, saves power, and can sit frozen in memory for hours without a hiccup. That makes it one of the best low-maintenance roguelikes to keep installed for random dopamine hits.
4 Hades
Death Is Just A Mid-Run Coffee Break
Hades
- Released
- September 17, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Supergiant Games
- Publisher(s)
- Supergiant Games
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Roguelite
- Platform(s)
- PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Switch, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
There are very few roguelikes with a fanbase as passionate as Hades', and it’s not hard to see why. Players take control of Zagreus, son of Hades, on his endless attempts to escape the Underworld. Along the way, they build ever-changing builds using godly boons, dodge projectiles with buttery dashes, and get wrapped up in a surprisingly heartfelt tale of family dysfunction and immortality.
Indie Roguelike Games to Play if You Like Hades
Hades, the roguelike ARPG from Supergiant Games, was one of the biggest hits of 2020, but there are plenty of other indie roguelikes to explore.
The real secret weapon of Hades on the Steam Deck is how fluid and responsive it feels. Supergiant's signature animation work and combat polish mean every swing and dodge lands exactly when it should, even on a handheld screen. Combine that with the Deck’s responsive controls and low latency, and combat remains as silky in portable mode as it does on a desktop rig.
3 The Binding Of Isaac
A Childhood Nightmare That’s Better With A D-Pad
The Binding of Isaac
- Released
- September 28, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Violence, Blood and Gore, Crude Humor
- Developer(s)
- Edmund McMillen, Florian Himsl
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Wii U, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
The Binding of Isaac practically invented the modern roguelike boom. Edmund McMillen’s top-down twin-stick shooter mashed together biblical trauma, grotesque art, and Zelda-like dungeon crawling in a package that somehow never stopped evolving. Since 2011, it’s seen countless expansions, re-releases, and balance overhauls — turning it into a labyrinthine beast of unlockables and secrets.
Despite how overwhelming it can get, Isaac runs like a dream on the Steam Deck. It’s light on resources, runs at full speed, and handles inputs with sharp responsiveness. But, more importantly, it feels right here. Something about the D-pad-friendly design, bite-sized runs, and endless variety clicks with handheld play in a way that even its console ports didn’t quite manage.
2 Slay The Spire
Math, Murder, & The Most Addictive Cards You’ll Ever Draw
Slay the Spire
- Released
- January 23, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Mega Crit
- Publisher(s)
- Humble Bundle
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike, Deckbuilding
- Platform(s)
- Android, iOS, PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
What began as a curious genre blend has become one of the most influential indie games of the decade. Slay the Spire takes the structure of a roguelike and mixes it with a deeply strategic deck-building system. Players choose one of several characters, each with their own playstyle, and attempt to climb a procedurally generated tower filled with fights, relics, and decisions that matter.
What makes it such a perfect Steam Deck companion is how low-pressure the gameplay feels. There’s no twitchy aiming or frantic dashes — just careful decisions and satisfying synergies. It’s turn-based, so there’s no penalty for pausing mid-run, and the entire game can be played at a thoughtful pace. Great for winding down or zoning out during a commute.
1 Dead Cells
Momentum Feels Better When It Fits In Your Hands
Dead Cells
- Released
- August 7, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Motion Twin
- Publisher(s)
- Motion Twin
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike
- Platform(s)
- Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Dead Cells thrives on movement. Every jump, roll, and slash in this 2D action roguelike feels like a conscious decision, and the second a player gets into a rhythm, it’s hard to stop. The game’s procedural levels shift around tight combat, branching paths, and a loadout system that rewards experimentation.
Motion Twin put serious love into making the animations smooth, the hit feedback crunchy, and the build variety satisfying. And, on the Steam Deck, all of that clicks immediately. The controls are tight and responsive, the visuals are crisp even on the smaller screen, and performance is locked in — so players can blast through biomes without a single dropped frame or missed dodge.
Where Dead Cells really shines as a portable experience is in its pacing. Some runs take 15 minutes, some take an hour, and either one can be suspended mid-swing thanks to the Deck’s sleep mode. With multiple DLC expansions (including a full Castlevania crossover) and a combat system that never feels stale, Dead Cells becomes that one game always worth booting up… especially when there's just enough time for one more run.
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