Steam Deck Weekly: New Game Reviews Unveiled!

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 optimized for Steam Deck (though lacking a Valve rating), it delivers a mostly satisfying portable basketball experience. While exhibiting typical 2K quirks, the inclusion of ProPLAY technology and the WNBA debut elevates this iteration. PC and Steam Deck players benefit from 16:10 and 800p support, AMD FSR 2, DLSS, and XeSS (though I disabled upscaling for clarity). Extensive graphical settings allow for customization, with a recommended 60fps cap at 60hz for optimal stability. The default Steam Deck preset, while functional, appeared overly blurry. Offline play is limited; MyCAREER and MyTEAM require online access, though Quick Play and Eras modes function offline. Load times, while improved, lag behind console versions. Cross-play with consoles is absent. Microtransactions remain a persistent issue, impacting certain game modes.

Despite technical differences favoring consoles, the portability factor makes the Steam Deck version my preferred choice.

NBA 2K25 Steam Deck review score: 4/5

Gimmick! 2 Steam Deck Impressions

(See Shaun's Switch review here). Unverified but smoothly playable, Gimmick! 2 boasts a recent patch with Steam Deck and Linux improvements. Capped at 60fps (forcing 60hz on OLED screens is recommended), it supports 16:10 in menus but maintains 16:9 gameplay. No graphical options are present. A strong contender for future Steam Deck Verified status.

Arco Steam Deck Mini Review

Arco, a dynamic turn-based RPG, shines with its engaging combat, compelling narrative, and impressive audio-visual presentation. Steam Deck Verified, it runs at a smooth 60fps with 16:9 support. An assist mode (beta) offers combat skipping and other helpful features. The ability to skip the first act on replays is a welcome addition.

Arco Steam Deck review score: 5/5

Skull and Bones Steam Deck Mini Review

Recently added to Steam, Skull and Bones boasts a "Playable" Valve rating. Ubisoft Connect login is initially cumbersome. A 30fps cap at 16:10 and 800p, with FSR 2 quality upscaling (performance mode offers better stability), provides a playable experience. Low settings (except high textures) are recommended. Early impressions are positive, with potential for further improvement through ongoing updates. Online-only.

Skull and Bones Steam Deck review score: TBA

ODDADA Steam Deck Review

ODDADA, a music-creation tool disguised as a game, boasts stunning visuals and intuitive touch controls (controller support is absent, but the team is working on it). It runs flawlessly at 90fps with adjustable settings (resolution, v-sync, anti-aliasing). Menu text is somewhat small.

ODDADA Steam Deck review score: 4.5/5

Star Trucker Steam Deck Mini Review

Star Trucker uniquely blends automobile simulation and space exploration. While not deeply entrenched in either genre, it offers a compelling gameplay loop. Visuals, writing, and radio banter are highlights. Extensive graphical settings allow for performance optimization (I achieved ~40fps with a custom preset). Controls require some adjustment.

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, offers a lighthearted continuation of the series. It runs flawlessly on Steam Deck at 720p with 16:9 support. Check system settings to ensure proper button configuration and aspect ratio.

DATE A LIVE: Ren Dystopia Steam Deck Review Score: 4/5

Total War: PHARAOH DYNASTIES Steam Deck Review Impressions

Total War: PHARAOH DYNASTIES, a significantly enhanced version of the original, offers a greatly improved experience. While lacking controller support on Steam Deck, it remains playable via trackpad and touch controls.

Pinball FX Steam Deck Impressions

Pinball FX provides a robust pinball experience with extensive PC features, including HDR support on Steam Deck. Gameplay is highly enjoyable, with many tables available as DLC. The free-to-play version allows sampling before purchase.

New Steam Deck Verified & Playable games for the week

Notable additions include Hookah Haze and OneShot: World Machine Edition (Verified), with several others receiving Playable ratings. 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.

That concludes this week's Steam Deck Weekly. Feedback is welcome!