Best RPGs On 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 April 29, 2024 by Mark Sammut: April 2024 saw the release of a few notable Steam RPGs. Sand Land, Saga Emerald Beyond, Another Crab's Treasure, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes, and Megaton Musashi W; Wired are all worth checking out, even if most of them (minus Another Crab's Treasure) are not verified for the Steam Deck. This month also saw a classic Bethesda franchise receive a significant resurgence in popularity.

1 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.

2 Persona 3 Reload

Steam User Rating: 97%

Persona 3 Reload

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JRPG

RPG

Life Simulation

Strategy

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Released

February 2, 2024

Developer(s)

P-Studio

Genre(s)

JRPG, RPG, Life Simulation, Strategy

How Long To Beat

65 hours

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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.

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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.

3 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.

4 Elden Ring

Steam User Rating: 92%

Elden Ring

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RPG

Action

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Released

February 25, 2022

Developer(s)

From Software

Genre(s)

RPG, Action

How Long To Beat

58 Hours

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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.

5 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.

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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, The Witcher 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.

6 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.

7 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.

8 The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim Special Edition

Steam User Rating: 93%

If someone is a fan of RPGs, they have probably played Skyrim at some point in the last decade. While the 2011 version's age shines through in a lot of areas, the game has largely stood the test of time. Bethesda's sandbox is a blast to explore, and the numerous cities are still visually impressive, even if they do not compare to a few more modern releases. Although never great, the combat gets the job done, and it is elevated by a fairly robust customization system that encourages players to experiment with their play styles.

Skyrim has been available on the Nintendo Switch since 2017, so playing the game on the go is not a novel experience offered solely via the Steam Deck. Nevertheless, Valve's platform runs the RPG well and provides another means to jump into this seminal masterpiece.

9 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.

10 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.