10 High Fidelity Games That Run Great On Steam Deck

by

If you’ve been playing newer games on the Steam Deck, particularly those that are newly released, you might find that a good number of them don’t run smoothly. However, it’s important to selectively pick which performance issues to address.

Instead of focusing on games that meticulously model each pore, you’d typically aim for high-quality, big-budget titles that run smoothly on hardware from the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One era, rather than the latest generation.

I’ve noticed that games from this particular period often deliver the finest Steam Deck performances, as they offer top-notch graphics with minimal performance lag, and there’s no need for complicated setup processes.

These games offer unforgettable experiences comparable to modern releases, boasting graphics nearly identical while maintaining a smooth, top-quality performance. They also have the advantage of being battery-friendly when played on the Deck.

10.
Portal 2

Holding It Together

It’s quite remarkable that a game from 2011, specifically Portal 2, has earned its place on this list. To this very day, it still appears fresh and seems tailor-made for the Steam Deck.

The sight of it remains astounding, blending elements of realism with sprinklings of science fiction ideas, making it seem utterly unbelievable. As a child, I was left speechless by its beauty, and after 14 years, my wonderment has not diminished one bit.

On Deck, the game functions flawlessly, as one would anticipate from its creators. The frame rate remains a steady 60fps throughout, and surprisingly, it continues to run smoothly even when played on a more high-definition screen.

Among my all-time favorite games, Portal 2 stands out as exceptional, and revisiting it on my Steam Deck with gyroscopic controls has reminded me of the delight I originally experienced playing it.

9.
Slime Rancher 2

Slippery Situation

I truly appreciate both versions of Slime Rancher, but Slime Rancher 2 stands out as one of the most visually stunning indie games I’ve encountered. Plus, running smoothly on the Steam Deck is an added perk.

In simpler terms, the game runs smoothly at about 60 frames per second on medium settings, or around 30 frames per second on high settings. Since this is a relaxed game that allows for leisurely play, the frame rate isn’t critically important.

The cages in my slime farm are overflowing with boisterous little creatures, and the game continues to run smoothly despite that. Given the poor performance of the Switch version of Slime Rancher, this appears to be the best choice for now.

It’s great to play this game on-the-go as well, offering the chance to gather some fresh slime food, or alternatively, you can simply remain at home, collect plorts, and earn far more wealth than necessary.

8.
Hades

Cartoonishly Good

Among all the games listed here, Hades stands out as the one not offering a fully 3D experience; instead, it adopts an overhead, isometric perspective. To make its presence felt amidst these 3D powerhouses, Hades needs to be visually stunning, and indeed, it surpasses all anticipations with flying colors.

The visual design is simply breathtaking, boasting an extraordinarily vivid appearance. Each setting is meticulously crafted with remarkable detail, and it operates flawlessly even when set to the maximum graphics settings, without ever skipping a frame during my usage.

The game glides along effortlessly, much like butter, and the controls on the Steam Deck are a joy to use alongside it. You can switch between controlling with a controller or using the trackpad for mouse aiming, and the added advantage of customizable back buttons that make adjustments a breeze.

This game on Deck is nearly perfect, and although it may not boast jaw-dropping graphic quality, its unique design elements and crisp visuals certainly compensate for that.

7.
Persona 5 Royal

RPG Perfection

To be straightforward, there are numerous current ATLUS games that could fit this spot, with Metamorphosis: Fantasista or Persona 3 Redux among them. However, I believe Persona 5 Royal offers the most appealing aesthetics and exceptional gameplay experience in terms of balance.

At its initial release, Persona 5 Royal struggled with high graphics settings. However, the problem that was causing this performance dip seems to have been resolved. Now, you can smoothly play the game on high settings without any significant frame rate drops.

To put it simply, I can’t tell any distinction between the visual settings because the remarkable design elements conceal the absence of particle effects and such. In truth, I enjoy playing this game at 30 frames per second either way.

As a gamer, I’ve found that I can definitely run the game at a steady 60 frames per second on Medium settings, but the game’s striking anime aesthetic seems more authentic at a lower framerate, particularly during action sequences and cutscenes, as they align beautifully with the animated segments.

6.
No Man’s Sky

Moving Space

Following a challenging start, the quality of No Man’s Sky has significantly improved over time. Today, it’s an impressive and optimized game, running smoothly even on devices like the Steam Deck.

The frame rate will occasionally fluctuate, particularly during the creation of new landscapes, but with ease, you can maintain a consistent 60 frames per second for the majority of the time, all while preserving its stunning visual appeal.

As a space enthusiast, traversing the cosmos and encountering alien worlds that starkly contrast the monotonous flatlands I once knew, is an exhilarating experience. The thrill of delving into this boundless universe, fitting perfectly within the grasp of my own hands, leaves me awestruck!

To be honest, while it’s possible for the Deck to encounter difficulties handling a vast amount of complex activities, most users won’t encounter such issues, ensuring a generally seamless experience.

5.
Subnautica

Deeper in The Depths

During the 2010s decade, if you spent any time online, chances are you came across Subnautica. This lesser-known game became a global sensation, and rightfully so, delivering one of the scariest open-world adventures ever.

Additionally, it not only performs smoothly but also boasts an appealing appearance. During my gameplay sessions on Deck, I’ve rarely encountered even the tiniest stutter beyond loading times, which is truly remarkable.

Almost all sandbox games I’ve tried across various devices typically face issues because they consume a large amount of memory (RAM) and processing power (CPU), but surprisingly, this game manages to avoid such struggles.

In simple terms, Subnautica is exceptionally efficient in its performance, and it truly commands a great deal of admiration for that. Moreover, due to its smooth operation, any first-person game becomes even more enjoyable with the use of trackpads. This makes Subnautica an ideal choice for playing on the move.

4.
Sonic X Shadow Generations

Double The Detail

Over time, Sonic Generations has consistently earned my admiration due to its remarkable ability to stay relevant even after 14 years. Much like Portal 2, this game has undergone exceptional optimization without compromising its distinctive visual appeal, making it seem almost brand new.

To put it another way, the inclusion of Shadow Generations in the collection represents a significant leap forward in artistic quality for the Sonic series, boasting an impressive visual appeal.

In simpler terms, both these games manage to maintain a smooth 60 frames per second even at medium graphics settings. To me, there seems no noticeable improvement when I switch to the high settings, which means the visual quality is exceptional and consistent across both levels, all while ensuring top-notch performance.

In Sonic Generations, you may occasionally encounter slightly blurry textures, but overall, the game’s visual appeal is impressive. Witnessing the game manage to maintain smooth performance even as you dash at supersonic speeds (Mach 10) across expansive levels without a single frame drop is truly awe-inspiring.

3.
Forza Horizon 4

Great If You’ve Got It

You may find yourself questioning my suggestion of the older Forza game, instead of the more recent one. The reason behind this is that Forza Horizon 4 performs flawlessly on the Deck, whereas Forza 5 has trouble maintaining a steady 50 frames per second.

It’s puzzling to me why this difference exists. To the naked eye, these two games appear extremely similar, but Forza Horizon 4 takes up about 80GB less space. Just a heads-up, you’ll be using around 94GB in total, which is still quite substantial.

The game runs smoothly at around 60 frames per second (fps) on Medium settings, and you can even bump it up to Ultra settings without dipping below 30 fps, but keep in mind that doing so may require sacrificing the demanding anti-aliasing feature which could negatively impact the overall frame rate.

Forza games have a polished, exaggerated realism that still looks impressive, even though Forza Horizon 4 is seven years old and no longer available for purchase. These games, at one point, resembled car advertisements before they were marred by poor AI performance.

2.
Devil May Cry 5

Smokin’ Sexy Style

In my opinion, Devil May Cry 5 stands out as one of the most remarkably optimized video games we’ve seen. Its visuals are stunning, consistently straddling the boundary between grotesque and awe-inspiring, all while maintaining a smooth, uninterrupted gameplay experience.

Generally speaking, when playing games on Steam Deck, it’s often necessary to disregard the initial hour or so, as the shaders are in the process of caching. This caching can lead to stutters that affect performance slightly. However, these issues tend to resolve themselves over time.

In DMC5, there’s no need for improvement. It performs flawlessly even at high settings straight from the start. Frankly, I was amazed by its smoothness without any additional tweaks or optimization required.

In a character-action game like this one, it’s crucial to maintain an exceptionally fluid frame rate. This is to prevent annoying input delays or lost inputs, and luckily, I can confirm that Devil May Cry 5 offers one of the best gaming experiences in terms of smoothness.

1.
DOOM (2016)

Still Slays

Following suit with its earlier version, DOOM (2016) is renowned for its exceptional optimization, capable of functioning smoothly on a wide array of systems. Consequently, it’s no surprise that it performs flawlessly on the Steam Deck even at low settings, and can handle up to high settings as well.

The design of this game is truly captivating, with a raw and authentic feel, yet it doesn’t shy away from employing vivid hues to depict the infernal flames encompassing you. Given that it’s a First-Person Shooter, the Steam Deck proves to be an excellent platform for enjoying

The combination of gyro controls and trackpad significantly enhances targeting by up to ten times, creating an ideal match. Expect an extraordinary experience with pristine visuals, flawless performance, and smooth operation, as though enchanted sorcery were involved in its design.

The game’s size, at around 70 GB, might be a slight hindrance in its appeal, given that it’s nearly a quarter of the 256 GB storage provided with the device. However, if you have ample storage available, this could be an excellent choice for gaming.

Read More

2025-05-05 17:10