The Valve Steam Deck is a good place to play RPGs, nevertheless it may be arduous for gamers each new and previous to Valve’s ecosystem to determine precisely the place to start out. While the PC handheld gives official assist for all kinds of RPGs, there are a variety of video games that gamers have confirmed are playable, even earlier than Valve has gotten round to verifying it themselves – a few of them playable out-of-the-box, and a few solely requiring some minor tweaks to get working. If you’ve got simply picked up your personal Steam Deck, or try to determine which video games you will need to play on yours as soon as it arrives, we have put collectively an inventory of advisable RPGs, based mostly on their availability on different platforms, official compatibility, and extra.

Valve Verified/Playable RPGs solely obtainable on PC

These Steam Deck Verified & Playable RPGs may solely be obtainable on PC, or just unavailable on any trendy platforms exterior of it. 

Utawarerumono Trilogy

Utawarerumono: Prelude to the Fallen, Utawarerumono: Mask of Deception and Utawarerumono: Mask of Truth are all Steam Deck verified, with the latter two releases presently solely being obtainable on PC as of Atlus delisting the video games off of PSN. While we had our personal points with the PC ports for the sequence, the excellent news is that these points do not impression the sport on Steam Deck; whenever you’d be enjoying at 720p/30FPS on the hand-held anyway, it would not matter that the ports themselves are incapable of operating at something larger. More than maybe some other recreation on this checklist, Steam Deck is the easiest way to play your complete sequence. Perfect efficiency, 4 to five hours of battery life, and a very good set of SRPGs.

The Legend of Heroes: Trails within the Sky (Trilogy)

With current updates to Proton, Valve has re-evaluated Trails within the Sky, and it’s now formally verified to run – or, a minimum of Trails within the Sky: the third is. Even if FC and SC nonetheless aren’t formally given the badge, nonetheless, the remainder of the sequence *does* work, so it effectively and really is simply a matter of time. Without any trendy console ports of Trails within the Sky, PC is the one place to play the primary arc of the sequence – and Steam Deck is arguably the easiest way to play them. Perfect efficiency, wonderful battery life (within the vary of 6+ hours), and even native 16:10 assist. What else is there to hope for in a Steam Deck RPG?

The Witcher: Enhanced Edition

While CD Projekt’s unique foray within the Witcher sequence won’t be as beloved as its sequels – there’s nonetheless lots to like about it. With the sport caught on PC, Steam Deck is a superb manner for followers to expertise the place the sequence started – with out having to attend for a console port that may by no means come.

Legend of Grimrock 1/2

Ok, we’re dishonest. Technically Legend of Grimrock is not Steam Deck Verified; nonetheless, it does have a local Linux model, and booted up and performed completely alongside a superb group structure that maps the keyboard and mouse controls to the Steam Deck’s structure in a manner that makes quite a lot of sense. Legend of Grimrock 2 is definitely Verified, and each video games are wonderful DRPGs/Dungeon Crawlers which are unique to PC.

Disgaea 2 PC

While Disgaea 1, 4 and 5 have all seen wider releases on a number of platforms – together with the Switch – Disgaea 2 and three have seen significantly much less love. Thankfully, Disgaea 2 acquired a PC port in 2017, and shockingly sufficient the sport is playable natively on Linux. Some of the opposite Disgaea titles are a bit hit and miss on the platform, however per Valve’s personal standards Disgaea 2 ought to run effectively on Steam Deck.

Persona 4: Golden

What’s there to say? While Persona 5 has but to obtain a PC port, although one is forthcoming, Persona 4: Golden is a flawless expertise on Steam Deck. While the sport is playable on Vita as effectively, you are prone to get significantly better battery life along with considerably higher efficiency on Steam Deck. An simple suggestion for Persona followers, each new and previous.

Fuga: Melodies of Steel

While Fuga has a Switch port that’s competent, it additionally runs flawlessly on Deck at double the framerate out-of-the-box. Without Steam Cloud Saves assist there’s not an excessive amount of cause to go for it on Steam Deck over Switch, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a good way to play the sport.

Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters

While not one of the Pixel Remasters have been ported to consoles but, all of them are listed as playable on Steam Deck. It’s value noting that the identical tweaks we found that enable for gamers to swap out and repair the font within the Pixel Remasters may also work on Steam Deck, when you’re pleased with some tinkering.

Ys: The Oath in Felghana

While the opposite Napishtim-engine Ys titles have but to be verified, The Oath in Felghana – arguably the perfect of the bunch – sports activities a Steam Deck Playable tag, with the one main stipulation being that gamers must use the trackpads or the contact display screen to work together with its configuration instrument. The PC model of The Oath in Felghana is by and away the easiest way to play the sport, particularly after XSEED ported over the voice-acting from their unique PSP launch.

Deus Ex (Series)

Every recreation within the Deus Ex sequence obtainable on Steam is Verified/Playable, with the only exception of Human Revolution – which works out-of-the-box, however should be closed by SteamOS’s interface, because the in-game possibility will grasp. While Human Revolution and Mankind Divided can be found on trendy platforms exterior of PC, PC – and by extension, Steam Deck – is the one platform the place you possibly can play each recreation within the sequence.

Independently Verified RPGs solely obtainable on PC

While Valve is tough at work testing video games to see how they run on the Steam Deck, they nonetheless let gamers attempt to run video games that they have not vouched for – and even beforehand listed as “Unsupported” – on their very own. As a end result, gamers cataloging their experiences on boards reminiscent of r/SteamDeck and even itemizing a proper compatibility report on ProtonDB may need found video games that already work out of the field, regardless of missing Valve’s seal of approval. These video games will doubtless obtain certification within the close to future, however work all the identical even at the moment.

Ys I + II Chronicles

Ys I + II Chronicles are video games that Valve has but to formally check however work flawlessly out-of-the-box with the system default Proton compatibility layer. The video games run high quality, cutscenes play with out subject, and so on. Much like with Trails within the Sky and Ys: The Oath in Felghana, you will must set your decision from the configuration instrument first.

Ys: Ark of Napishtim

Yet one other case of a Falcom PC-only launch working out-of-the-box on Steam Deck, even when it hasn’t already been examined. Everything said in regards to the different Falcom releases on the checklist stands true right here, too; simply bear in mind to set the Steam Deck’s decision within the configuration instrument, however in any other case you are good to go.

Xanadu Next

Much like the opposite Falcom video games on this checklist, Xanadu Next works out of the field with no points – nonetheless, the sport has some barely odd bindings for the face buttons, and the config instrument would not totally work correctly with regards to altering your inputs. Thankfully they’re simple sufficient to get used to – and if not, you possibly can change them your self utilizing a customized structure by SteamOS itself. Cutscenes and gameplay work, no tinkering required, with solely requiring gamers to set the decision within the configuration instrument (which works high quality, not like altering your inputs)

Non-Exclusive Verified/Playable titles fitted to Steam Deck

Although these video games aren’t unique, we really feel they’re value some particular point out for the way they run on Steam Deck – whether or not that is as a result of there isn’t any Switch model, or how they carry out considerably higher than any that exist.

Monster Hunter World & Monster Hunter Rise

Technically that is half dishonest, as solely Monster Hunter World sports activities a Playable Steam Deck ranking from Valve; nonetheless, it is solely a matter of time earlier than Monster Hunter Rise will get the identical remedy, if not a straight-up Verified tag. We’ve already sunk dozens of hours into the sport on our personal, up by the top of High Rank, and the sport runs flawlessly with a largely locked 60FPS at a mixture of Average/High settings. Either manner, each are effectively at house on the system.

Horizon: Zero Dawn

One of the best showcases for precisely how highly effective the Steam Deck is, Horizon: Zero Dawn comes filled with a Steam Deck Verified tag. The open-world construction of the sport lends itself effectively to the Steam Deck’s pick-up-and-play nature, and must be a very good match for anybody seeking to both play the sport for the primary time or discover a repeat playthrough.

Elden Ring

Elden Ring is Steam Deck Verified, and due to Shader Pre-Caching on SteamOS – runs with fewer stutters than on Windows. Needless to say, it is a superb solution to play the sport; to not point out the one surefire solution to play it portably. What else is there to say?

Dark Souls Trilogy

Dark Souls: Remastered, Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin and Dark Souls III all are Verified/Playable by Valve. While Dark Souls: Remastered is out there on Switch, it goes with out saying that Steam Deck gives a significantly better expertise whereas enjoying the sport, to not point out the one moveable variations of Dark Souls II and III. 

Yakuza: Like a Dragon

Technically, the one Yakuza titles on PC that are not Verified or Playable are Yakuza 4, 5, and 6. The relaxation are all formally supported as per Valve. While you may need to cap your FPS to 30 for Kiwami 2/Like a Dragon, the remainder of the supported video games run at a near-flawless 60FPS with first rate battery life; Like a Dragon is simply the one which’s best-suited for handheld play, being a turn-based RPG.

Judgment/Lost Judgment

The not too long ago launched PC variations of Judgment and Lost Judgment had been Steam Deck verified from the soar, and are a superb solution to play the video games. While technically not as a lot of an RPG as Yakuza: Like a Dragon, it is nonetheless good to know that the sub-series itself is completely playable on the go.

Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana & Ys IX: Monstrum Nox

While each of those video games can be found on Switch, neither are incredible ports – particularly Ys IX. Both video games are Steam Deck Verified, and can run considerably higher than their Switch counterparts. 

Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age

Not solely will Dragon Quest XI S look and run higher than the Switch model, gamers that personal the unique Dragon Quest XI may be happy to know that it is also Verified. While the Definitive Edition is well the higher model of the sport, this does make Steam Deck the one solution to expertise the unique Dragon Quest XI – unique constancy and all! – on a handheld. Assuming you got it earlier than it was delisted, after all.

Disco Elysium: The Final Cut

While Disco Elysium has a Switch port, the unique PC launch runs significantly better on Steam Deck, with a smoother framerate and far quicker loading occasions. You cannot go mistaken regardless of the place you select to play Disco Elysium, however Steam Deck is unquestionably up there as among the best choices to discover Revachol.

The Elder Scrolls: Morrowind/Oblivion/Skyrim

All 3 of those Elder Scrolls titles are formally Verified or Playable for Steam Deck. Although Skyrim itself is playable on Switch – and is definitely a moderately strong port – it goes with out saying that Steam Deck will vastly outperform the Switch launch. Not to say, you will not be getting mods on Switch. A set of simple suggestions for anybody choosing up a Steam Deck.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Same as with Skyrim; whilst you can play The Witcher 3 on Switch, Steam Deck will see the sport look and play considerably higher, and you’ll mod the sport to your liking besides. Not to say you will not need to rebuy the sport, only for the choice of enjoying it on the go.

Nier Replicant / Nier Automata

Both video games run nice; each video games are formally listed as Steam Deck Playable. Neither video games have a Switch port, so Steam Deck is the one solution to play them portably.

Independently Verified Non-Exclusive RPGs

For the sake of redundancy, we have additionally examined a lot of non-exclusive RPGs that have not but acquired a Verified/Playable tag. Here’s some video games we have discovered that work, and are effectively value recommending.

Fallout: New Vegas

Exploring the NCR portably, like we solely may’ve dreamed of. While there are some instability points, it is no completely different from how the sport performs on Windows; lots of the similar mods and loaders will work simply high quality beneath Proton, and the inventory expertise matches that of a inventory Windows playthrough.

Final Fantasy XIV

Despite some points previously, a current replace to Proton has mounted the difficulty that prevented the sport’s latest launcher from engaged on Steam Deck; so it ought to solely be a matter of time till that is formally supported. If for no matter cause you might have any points getting the sport working in your finish, XIVLauncher from Desktop mode’s Discovery package deal supervisor additionally gives a technique for getting the sport engaged on the platform.

Final Fantasy XI

Ok, okay, that is positively a little bit of a attain; and it isn’t precisely simple to get working, nevertheless it’s value giving it a shout since it isn’t just like the 2002 MMORPG is straightforward to get engaged on PC’s at the perfect of occasions. Windower has an official information for getting the sport + the customized launcher engaged on the platform, which is how you would be enjoying the sport anyway. It appears to be like and runs nice as soon as every part is about up!

Upcoming Steam Deck RPGs

With the Steam Deck discovering itself to be successful, we have gotten to the purpose the place we’re beginning to see video games affirm compatibility earlier than they’ve even launched. During this 12 months’s Tokyo Game Show, we received a lot of RPGs which have pre-emptively have confirmed Steam Deck assist.

Persona 5 Royal

We already knew that Persona 5 Royal would in all probability work on Steam Deck at launch, however throughout Tokyo Game Show 2022 Atlus themselves had the PC port playable on Steam Deck at their very sales space. Needless to say, you do not get rather more confirmed than this.

Forspoken

Forspoken was one among a lot of video games Valve showcased throughout TGS at their Steam Deck sales space, they usually even introduced the Creative Director on stage to speak in regards to the upcoming RPG. Naturally, this suggests that the sport must be playable on Steam Deck come its launch early subsequent 12 months.

Everything Else

Not each recreation will run on Steam Deck, however some may merely require some tweaks. For the needs of this checklist we’re particularly in search of video games that will not require you besides into Desktop Mode to get a recreation working, however loads of titles with points enjoying movies will work with putting in customized variations of Proton with codecs pre-installed, like Proton-GE. Others may require some guide tinkering, however are finally fixable. If a recreation you are seeking to play is not listed as Verified/Playable by Valve, you should definitely try ProtonDB for a touch.