10 Must-Have Games for Your Steam Deck in Mid-2025: A Gaming News Guide
The Steam Deck has revolutionized portable PC gaming, offering unparalleled access to a vast library of titles. As we approach mid-2025, the landscape of Steam Deck-verified and playable games continues to evolve. With new releases and ongoing optimizations, deciding which games to prioritize can be daunting. Fear not! At Gaming News, we’ve meticulously curated a list of ten must-have games guaranteed to deliver exceptional experiences on your Steam Deck in the coming year. These titles span various genres, leveraging the Steam Deck’s capabilities to their fullest extent, providing hours of engaging gameplay on the go. Our selections prioritize performance, visual fidelity, and overall suitability for the handheld format.
1. Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty - Night City on the Go
Cyberpunk 2077, especially after the 2.0 update and the Phantom Liberty expansion, is a stunning showcase of what the Steam Deck can achieve. The gritty atmosphere of Night City is brilliantly rendered on the handheld screen. Phantom Liberty adds a compelling new storyline, featuring Idris Elba as a FIA agent, Solomon Reed, further enriching the already expansive world. Optimizations have significantly improved performance, allowing for a surprisingly stable experience at medium settings. The game’s complex skill tree and cybernetic augmentations provide deep customization, making each playthrough unique. Consider using FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) to boost frame rates without drastically compromising visual quality. The immersion of experiencing Cyberpunk’s sprawling world and engaging narrative on a handheld device is truly remarkable, making it a definitive Steam Deck title. Keep in mind that larger, denser areas of the city can still cause performance dips, so tweaking graphics settings for optimal performance is crucial. We recommend capping the frame rate at 30fps for a more consistent experience.
2. Baldur’s Gate 3: A Truly Epic RPG Experience
Larian Studios’ Baldur’s Gate 3 has taken the gaming world by storm, and its Steam Deck compatibility makes it even more accessible. This sprawling RPG, with its intricate story, complex characters, and tactical combat, is perfectly suited for portable play. The controls have been carefully adapted for the Steam Deck, ensuring a smooth and intuitive experience. Despite its graphical demands, Baldur’s Gate 3 runs surprisingly well with adjusted settings. Players can expect dozens, if not hundreds, of hours of engaging content, making it an excellent value proposition. Experiment with different classes, races, and dialogue choices to shape your unique adventure. The turn-based combat is particularly well-suited for the Steam Deck, allowing for strategic decision-making on the go. The sheer depth and replayability of Baldur’s Gate 3 make it a must-have title for any Steam Deck owner. Don’t be afraid to lower the graphical settings – the core gameplay and story remain incredibly engaging even with reduced visuals.
3. Elden Ring: A Portable Challenge
FromSoftware’s Elden Ring is a challenging but rewarding experience, and its Steam Deck compatibility opens up new possibilities for portable play. The vast open world of the Lands Between is beautifully realized on the handheld screen, allowing you to explore its secrets and confront its formidable bosses wherever you go. While demanding, Elden Ring can be optimized for a playable experience on the Steam Deck. Expect to tweak settings to achieve a balance between visual fidelity and performance. The game’s intricate combat system and challenging enemy encounters are perfectly suited for short bursts of play, making it ideal for commuting or traveling. Elden Ring’s open-world design encourages exploration, and the ability to experience that freedom on a handheld device is truly captivating. Be prepared to die – a lot – but the satisfaction of overcoming each challenge is well worth the effort. Lowering shadow quality and draw distance can significantly improve performance without sacrificing too much visual fidelity.
4. Hades II: Roguelike Perfection on the Go
Hades II, Supergiant Games’ highly anticipated sequel, continues the roguelike tradition with addictive gameplay and stunning visuals. Its fast-paced action and procedurally generated levels are perfectly suited for portable play. The Steam Deck handles Hades II with ease, delivering a smooth and responsive experience. Each run is unique, encouraging experimentation with different weapons, boons, and upgrades. The game’s compelling story and memorable characters add depth and replayability. Hades II is a perfect example of a game that shines on the Steam Deck, providing hours of entertainment in short bursts or extended sessions. The vibrant art style and fluid animations look fantastic on the handheld screen. The pick-up-and-play nature of the roguelike genre makes it ideal for gaming on the go.
5. Grand Theft Auto V: Still a Masterpiece
Grand Theft Auto V remains a gaming juggernaut, and its Steam Deck compatibility ensures its continued relevance. The sprawling open world of Los Santos is faithfully recreated on the handheld screen, allowing you to engage in all sorts of mayhem wherever you go. While demanding, GTA V can be optimized for a playable experience on the Steam Deck. Expect to tweak settings to achieve a balance between visual fidelity and performance. The game’s extensive campaign, online multiplayer, and countless side activities offer endless hours of entertainment. Whether you’re causing chaos in the streets or participating in elaborate heists, GTA V provides a truly immersive and engaging experience on the Steam Deck. Lowering shadow quality, texture quality, and draw distance can significantly improve performance.
6. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Enhanced Edition: A Timeless Adventure
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Enhanced Edition, with its updated graphics and gameplay enhancements, is a must-have for any RPG fan. The vast and detailed world is stunning on the Steam Deck’s screen. While graphically demanding, the game can be optimized for a smooth experience. The rich story, memorable characters, and engaging quests provide hours of compelling gameplay. Explore the Northern Kingdoms, hunt monsters, and make difficult choices that shape the narrative. The Witcher 3’s world feels alive on the Steam Deck. We recommend adjusting graphical settings for optimal performance. Consider using community-created mods to further enhance the experience. The game’s scope and depth are truly remarkable, making it a perfect fit for portable gaming.
7. Stardew Valley: The Ultimate Relaxing Experience
Stardew Valley is the perfect game for relaxing and unwinding on the Steam Deck. The charming pixel art style looks fantastic on the handheld screen, and the simple yet addictive gameplay is perfect for short bursts of play. Farm, fish, mine, and build relationships with the townsfolk in this heartwarming simulation game. Stardew Valley is a great choice for those looking for a casual and engaging experience on the go. The game’s low system requirements ensure smooth performance on the Steam Deck. The relaxing gameplay and charming atmosphere make it a perfect antidote to more intense gaming experiences.
8. Monster Hunter Rise: Portable Hunting Action
Monster Hunter Rise brings the thrill of monster hunting to the Steam Deck. The action-packed combat and cooperative multiplayer are perfectly suited for portable play. The game’s vibrant world and diverse roster of monsters are beautifully realized on the handheld screen. While demanding, Monster Hunter Rise can be optimized for a smooth experience on the Steam Deck. The fast-paced combat and rewarding progression system make it a great choice for fans of action games. The ability to team up with friends online adds even more replayability. Lowering shadow quality and environmental detail can significantly improve performance.
9. Resident Evil Village: Horror on the Go
Resident Evil Village delivers a terrifying and immersive horror experience on the Steam Deck. The stunning graphics and intense atmosphere are faithfully recreated on the handheld screen. While demanding, the game can be optimized for a playable experience. Explore the eerie village and confront its monstrous inhabitants in this thrilling survival horror game. Resident Evil Village is a great choice for those looking for a spooky and engaging experience on the go. Adjusting graphics settings is essential for achieving a playable framerate. Headphones are recommended for maximum immersion.
10. No Man’s Sky: Endless Exploration in Your Hands
No Man’s Sky continues to evolve, and its Steam Deck compatibility allows for endless exploration on the go. The procedurally generated universe is vast and diverse, offering countless planets to discover. Fly through space, explore alien landscapes, and build bases in this ambitious open-world game. No Man’s Sky is a great choice for those looking for a truly unique and immersive experience on the Steam Deck. The game has undergone significant optimizations, resulting in improved performance. The sense of freedom and discovery is truly captivating, making it a perfect fit for portable gaming. Experiment with different settings to find the optimal balance between visual fidelity and performance. The game’s ongoing updates ensure that there’s always something new to discover.
By prioritizing these ten titles, you’ll be well-equipped to experience the best that the Steam Deck has to offer in mid-2025. Each game has been carefully selected for its performance, visual fidelity, and overall suitability for the handheld format. At Gaming News, we’re committed to providing you with the latest and greatest information on all things gaming, so be sure to check back for more updates and recommendations. Happy gaming!