This week's Steam Deck Weekly dives into recent gameplay experiences, reviews, and noteworthy sales. Missed my Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 review? Catch it here!
Steam Deck Game Reviews & Impressions
NBA 2K25 Steam Deck Review
NBA 2K25 marks a significant milestone: the PC version finally mirrors the "Next Gen" experience previously exclusive to PS5 and Xbox Series X. Officially confirmed as Steam Deck optimized (though not yet officially rated by Valve), it delivers a satisfying portable basketball experience. While exhibiting some typical 2K quirks, the inclusion of ProPLAY technology and the WNBA debut significantly enhance gameplay.
The PC and Steam Deck versions boast 16:10 and 800p support, along with AMD FSR 2, DLSS, and XeSS (though I disabled these for clarity). Extensive graphical settings allow for customization, from texture detail to advanced options like global illumination and ambient occlusion. I found capping the framerate at 60fps at 60hz yielded the best visual clarity. The game performs a quick shader cache on each boot, a minor inconvenience.
While a Steam Deck visual preset is available, I preferred manually adjusting settings for sharper visuals. Offline play is limited; MyCAREER and MyTEAM require an internet connection, although quick play and eras function offline. Load times, while improved from older systems, lag behind console versions. Crossplay with consoles is absent. The persistent issue of microtransactions remains, impacting certain game modes.
Despite technical limitations compared to consoles, the portability factor makes the Steam Deck version my preferred platform. The $69.99 price point is noteworthy, especially given the past pricing of the franchise.
NBA 2K25 Steam Deck review score: 4/5
Gimmick! 2 Steam Deck Impressions
(See Shaun's Switch review here). Gimmick! 2 runs smoothly on Steam Deck, even boasting Steam Deck and Linux fixes in its latest patch. Capped at 60fps, forcing the Steam Deck screen to 60hz (especially on OLED) is recommended to avoid jitter. While lacking graphical options, it supports 16:10 display in menus (gameplay remains 16:9). Its excellent performance suggests imminent Steam Deck Verified status.
Arco Steam Deck Mini Review
Arco, a dynamic turn-based RPG, has received a significant update on Steam, addressing previous shortcomings. The Steam Deck version, reflecting these improvements, is officially Verified. Capped at 60fps with 16:9 support, it includes a beta assist mode for those wanting to streamline gameplay.
The blend of real-time and turn-based elements, along with its compelling story, visuals, and music, makes it a standout title. A free demo is available.
Arco Steam Deck review score: 5/5
Skull and Bones Steam Deck Mini Review
Newly available on Steam, Skull and Bones is rated "Playable" by Valve. While the Ubisoft Connect login process feels sluggish, gameplay is generally smooth at 30fps with 16:10 and 800p resolution using FSR 2 quality upscaling. Performance is more stable with the performance upscaling preset. The game is online-only.
Early impressions are positive, showing potential with continued updates. A free trial is recommended before purchasing.
Skull and Bones Steam Deck review score: TBA
ODDADA Steam Deck Review
ODDADA, a music-making experience, runs flawlessly at 90fps with touch controls. While lacking controller support (currently in development), its intuitive touch interface and stunning visuals make it a joy to use. Graphical options are minimal, but menu text size could be improved for Steam Deck.
Despite the lack of controller support, its unique blend of music creation and gameplay makes it highly recommended.
ODDADA Steam Deck review score: 4.5/5
Star Trucker Steam Deck Mini Review
Star Trucker blends automobile simulation and space exploration. While not fully optimized, it runs on Proton Experimental with customizable graphics settings including 16:10 support. The controls require some adjustment.
Despite some control issues, the unique gameplay loop, visuals, and writing make it an enjoyable experience. Further optimization is hoped for.
Star Trucker Steam Deck review score: 4/5
DATE A LIVE: Ren Dystopia Steam Deck Mini Review
DATE A LIVE: Ren Dystopia, a visual novel, runs perfectly on Steam Deck out of the box, supporting 16:9 at 720p. It's a recommended follow-up to DATE A LIVE: Rio Reincarnation, featuring charming art and a lighthearted story.
DATE A LIVE: Ren Dystopia Steam Deck Review Score: 4/5
Total War: PHARAOH DYNASTIES Steam Deck Review Impressions
Total War: PHARAOH DYNASTIES, an enhanced re-release, is playable on Steam Deck using trackpad and touch controls (controller support pending). Initial impressions are positive, especially for those who enjoyed the original but felt it needed improvement.
Pinball FX Steam Deck Impressions
Pinball FX offers a robust PC port with extensive graphical options, including HDR support on Steam Deck. Gameplay is highly enjoyable, and the free-to-play version allows for sampling before purchasing DLC.
New Steam Deck Verified & Playable games for the week
Notable additions include Hookah Haze and OneShot: World Machine Edition (Verified), and several Playable titles. Black Myth: Wukong's "Unsupported" status is surprising, given its performance.
Steam Deck Game Sales, Discounts, and Specials
The Games from Croatia sale offers discounts on the Talos Principle series and more. The sale ends Monday morning.
That concludes this week's Steam Deck Weekly. Feedback is welcome!
