The handheld gaming PC niche has certainly been around for the better part of the decade, mainly thanks to the efforts of companies like GPD Win. It wasn’t untilValve put out its Steam Deck, though, that this particular device category truly took off into the mainstream. Now, withhandheld devices proliferating– for better or for worse – the idea that every PC game could and should be played on the go has come into focus. Really, though: it is self-evident that not every home console and PC release will translate well to the Deck’s small screen and its low power envelope.
Role-playing games, in particular, are a point of contention in this respect. Modern RPGs are immense powerhouses, large and long and deep. FromStarfieldall the way toBaldur’s Gate 3, you can certainlytryto play these AAA blockbusters on the humble Deck, but should you? Is that really the best option for what is, in effect, a low-spec gaming PC?
What are the best RPGs for the Steam Deck?
Valve’s continued efforts in optimizing the Deckare great news for those who won’t budge on playing the latest and greatest AAA RPGs on the device. It’s hard to argue against the idea thatBaldur’s Gate 3, for example, is best played on a larger screen with more powerful hardware to run it. To that end, this list of the best Steam Deck RPGs doesn’t gun for the latest the genre has got to offer.
Instead, we decided to look at AAs, indie productions, and older AAAs for our Steam Deck RPG choices. This ensures that the featured games run and look great while giving you plenty of playtime, without plugging the Deck into an outlet.
Top 10 must-play Steam Deck RPGs
#10: Coromon
Pokémon-alikes are an obviously great choice for gaming on the go, thanks to their low power draw and turn-based gameplay. There’s no need to emulatePokémonproper, either, as games such asCormondo the job perfectly well or, heck, even better than the original franchise in some ways. We went withCoromonover something likeCassette BeastsorExomonbecause it’s about as close toPokémonas a third-party IP could possibly get, with loads of charm all of its own.
#9: The Legend of Heroes: Trails from Zero
An admittedly strange offering in a sea of critically acclaimed, widely renowned franchises,Trails from Zerois a high-quality JRPGthat runs perfectly on the Deck. The thing about this game, in particular, is that while it doesn’t outright innovate in any particular area, it does punch above its weight where it matters. Moreover, as it was first developed with the legendary PSP in mind,Trails from Zerolends itself phenomenally well to gaming on the go.
#8: Yakuza: Like a Dragon
To be perfectly clear, anyYakuzagame will work wonders on the Deck, butLike a Dragonfeels like the best choicedue to its turn-based combat. Anyone who’s ever had any experience with these games will know how easy it is to fall in love with them, and this whole schtick makes an effortless transition into a portable format.
#7: Mass Effect: Legendary Edition
Indeed,all three coreMass Effectgameswork great on the Deck, especially in their updatedLegendary Editionversion. There is a big caveat to keep in mind here: since this is an EA game, your Deck will need to deal with the publisher’s own launcher application, which can cause some friction. If that’s something you can live with, theMass Effecttrilogy works wonders on the Deck, and the games are generally a delight.
#6: Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch – Remastered
Even though it’d be silly to pick up a game for the Steam Deck based on its visuals, as that’s hardly the device’s strong suit,Wrath of the White Witchlooks like pure eye candyin most situations. Inspired primarily by the revered works of Studio Ghibli, this game is a rich and storied RPG that only becomes better once you can take it along for the ride with you. It’s an immersive and interesting story that keeps getting new gameplay mechanics as you go, and it’s unlikely to leave you indifferent to the protagonist’s plights!
#5: Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin
Much like many other games on this list,Monster Hunter Stories 2is a deliberately streamlined title. The reason it’s made its way onto this list alongside another franchise entry is because it’s a wholly different experience, more in line with aPokemongame than a regularMonster Hunter, specifically. It’s a strong and focused experience that feels right at home on the Deck, making it a lovely choice for franchise fans, as well as those hoping for something a tad more novel.
#4: Chained Echoes
Chain Echoescan be boiled down to, essentially, being alove letter toChrono Trigger. What’s so notable about it, though, is just how well it executed this core objective. In most ways that matter,Chained Echoesis one of the best JRPGs of the era, and this means it’s a delightful pick for one of the best RPGs to play on the Steam Deck. Don’t forget: the game runs great on the handheld PCandsips power simultaneously, ensuring long playing sessions, should you want them.
#3: The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim – Anniversary/Special Edition
Nothing quite beats a Bethesda Softworks classic, and it just so happens thatthe latest (final?) version ofSkyrimperforms remarkably well on the Deck. Even modding the game is reasonably easy, especially for those who are content with sticking with simpler Creation Club mods, downloading them from inside the game in a matter of seconds.Skyrimis the go-to sandbox RPG on the Deck with great graphics for a small-scale display and a solid battery life.
#2: Monster Hunter Rise
Deciding betweenMH: WorldandMH: Risewas no mean feat for this particular list, but we ended up settling on Rise in the end. The reasoning is simple: it’s a less hardware-intensive and more streamlined game. Moreover, it first came out on the Switch, meaning it’s a great choice for a comparatively stronger rig, such as the Deck. As it currently stands,Riseis the ultimateMonster Huntergameplay experience on the go, whereasWorldremains just a tiny bit too fiddly to be an easy recommendation.
#1: Elden Ring
Finally, the pinnacle of this list: a huge, sprawling AAA ARPG of yesteryear. You wouldn’t think this to be a good choice, of course, but the fact of the matter is that the Deck can do a locked 30 or, perhaps, even 40 FPS inElden Ringquite easily. What’s really notable here, though, is thatElden Ringhas no microstutter on the Deck. This is due to Valve jumping in with a pre-compiled set of shaders, of course, but this is still not available on any other platform. In other words: you can only truly and fully avoid shader-based stuttering inElden Ringby playing it on the Deck, and that’s quite remarkable in and of itself!
