The best games for Steam Deck

From the makers of FTL, Into the Breach is a dangerously addictive tactical roguelite. Even when the game first came out for PC, people immediately asked when it would be available on mobile devices, and while it eventually did come to Switch, the new Steam Deck version will be the definitive way to play it. The game is focused around a time loop, as many roguelites are, where you play as a team of soldiers piloting various mechs that need to protect humanity from an invasion of alien bug creatures called Vek. If, or rather when, you lose, your main pilot travels back in time to try again. Similar again to Persona 4 Golden, Into the Breach’s structure is absolutely perfect for the Steam Deck. Combat is completely turn-based, but more than that, you also get to see what the enemy will do next turn. This information makes it possible, if you’re clever enough, to move, attack, and reposition the enemy during your turn so that the enemy’s turn doesn’t deal any damage to you or the civilian buildings you need to protect. Between missions, you will need to select what missions you want to do from the map, upgrade your mechs with the limited resources you get, try and make it through each of the game’s islands, and defeat the Vek once and for all. Unlocking new mech teams with new powers changes up your strategy on a fundamental level, so there’s a lot to ponder when diving Into the Breach.

We mentioned Gwent when talking about The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, but for a full-on card-based experience that has already proven to be perfect for handheld gaming, Slay the Spire might just be the best ever made. Card games are a natural fit for shorter playtimes or times when you might get distracted periodically, thanks to their turn-based nature. That’s all true for Slay the Spire, but the additional rougelite elements keep every run unique and genuinely addicting. The controls and UI are simple, especially once you get a feel for them, so it will only be a matter of time before you can fly through commands, play cards, use items, and slay enemies on the Steam Deck controls. Like Into the Breach, Slay the Spire shows you exactly what each enemy you’re facing intends to do before they do it. Which cards you get is random, though you can build and cut your deck as you go to improve it, so there is a major element of adaptability. You will also need to plan your route through each act, deciding how many enemies you want to risk fighting, campfires you want to rest at, and shops to visit. There are unlockables galore, including characters that all play so differently they might as well be bespoke card games at that point. If you haven’t already lost dozens of hours to Slay the Spire, you certainly will once you can bring it anywhere with the Steam Deck.