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 until Valve put out its Steam Deck, though, that this particular device category truly took off into the mainstream. Now, with handheld 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. From Starfield all the way to Baldur’s Gate 3, you can certainly try to 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 Deck are 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 that Baldur’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 emulate Pokémon proper, either, as games such as Cormon do the job perfectly well or, heck, even better than the original franchise in some ways. We went with Coromon over something like Cassette Beasts or Exomon because it’s about as close to Pokémon as 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 Zero is a high-quality JRPG that 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 Zero lends itself phenomenally well to gaming on the go.
#8: Yakuza: Like a Dragon
To be perfectly clear, any Yakuza game will work wonders on the Deck, but Like a Dragon feels like the best choice due 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 core Mass Effect games work great on the Deck, especially in their updated Legendary Edition version. 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, the Mass Effect trilogy 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 Witch looks like pure eye candy in 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 2 is 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 a Pokemon game than a regular Monster 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 Echoes can be boiled down to, essentially, being a love letter to Chrono Trigger. What’s so notable about it, though, is just how well it executed this core objective. In most ways that matter, Chained Echoes is 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 PC and sips 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 that the latest (final?) version of Skyrim performs 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. Skyrim is 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 between MH: World and MH: Rise was 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, Rise is the ultimate Monster Hunter gameplay experience on the go, whereas World remains 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 in Elden Ring quite easily. What’s really notable here, though, is that Elden Ring has 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 in Elden Ring by playing it on the Deck, and that’s quite remarkable in and of itself!
