This week's Steam Deck Weekly features reviews and impressions of several games, along with a look at new Verified and Playable titles and current sales. If you missed my Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 review, you can find it here.

Steam Deck Game Reviews & Impressions

NBA 2K25 Steam Deck Review

NBA 2K25 marks a significant step for the franchise on PC. It's the first time since the PS5 generation that the PC version mirrors the "Next Gen" experience, and it's officially optimized for Steam Deck (though not yet officially rated by Valve). While it shares some typical 2K issues, the ProPLAY technology, WNBA inclusion, and MyNBA mode make it a compelling package for PC players who may have skipped recent iterations.

The Steam Deck port boasts 16:10 and 800p support, AMD FSR 2, DLSS, and XeSS (though I disabled these for better clarity). Extensive graphics settings allow for customization, and I recommend caching shaders on initial boot. While the default Steam Deck preset is functional, I found tweaking settings (primarily lowering upscaling and capping FPS at 60) yielded a sharper, more stable experience. Offline play is limited; MyCAREER and MyTEAM require an online connection, but quick play and eras are accessible offline. Load times are noticeably slower than on consoles. Microtransactions remain a concern, especially for certain game modes.

Despite the technical advantages of console versions, the portability of the Steam Deck makes it my preferred platform for NBA 2K25.

NBA 2K25 Steam Deck review score: 4/5

Gimmick! 2 Steam Deck Impressions

(See Shaun's Switch review here). Gimmick! 2 runs smoothly on Steam Deck, even without official Valve testing, benefiting from recent Linux and Steam Deck-specific fixes. Capped at 60fps, it's recommended to force 60hz on OLED screens to avoid jitter. While lacking graphics options, it supports 16:10 for menus (gameplay remains 16:9). Its excellent performance makes Steam Deck verification likely.

Arco Steam Deck Mini Review

Arco, a dynamic turn-based RPG, shines on Steam Deck with its updated build. It's officially Verified, capped at 60fps, and supports 16:9. The assist mode (beta) offers options like skipping combat, but the ability to skip the first act on replays is a welcome addition. The game blends real-time and turn-based elements, boasting superb visuals, music, and a compelling narrative. A free demo is available on Steam.

Arco Steam Deck review score: 5/5

Skull and Bones Steam Deck Mini Review

Recently added to Steam, Skull and Bones is rated "Playable" on Steam Deck. While the Ubisoft Connect login process is slow, the game runs well with a 30fps cap, 16:10 and 800p resolution, and FSR 2 upscaling. Performance is more stable with the performance upscaling preset. I set textures to high and other settings to low. Early impressions are positive, but it's an online-only experience. A free trial is recommended before a full purchase.

Skull and Bones Steam Deck review score: TBA

ODDADA Steam Deck Review

ODDADA, a music-making experience, runs flawlessly at 90fps on Steam Deck, utilizing touch controls (controller support is absent but in development). Simple graphics options are available, though menu text is small. Despite the lack of controller support, the touch interface works well.

ODDADA Steam Deck review score: 4.5/5

Star Trucker Steam Deck Mini Review

Star Trucker blends automobile simulation and space exploration. While not officially rated, it runs well on Proton Experimental. Extensive graphics settings allow for optimization; I achieved around 40fps with a custom preset. Controls are a significant drawback, needing improvement. Despite this, the gameplay loop, visuals, writing, and voice acting are highlights.

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, runs perfectly on Steam Deck at 720p and 16:9, playing all cutscenes without issue. It's a recommended follow-up to DATE A LIVE: Rio Reincarnation. Check system settings to ensure proper button configuration.

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

Total War: PHARAOH DYNASTIES Steam Deck Review Impressions

Total War: PHARAOH DYNASTIES, an enhanced re-release, is playable on Steam Deck but lacks controller support, relying on trackpad and touch controls. Early impressions are positive, building upon the original with expanded content and improvements.

Pinball FX Steam Deck Impressions

Pinball FX offers a robust PC port with extensive graphics options, including HDR support on Steam Deck. The gameplay is enjoyable, and the free-to-play version allows for testing before purchasing DLC.

New Steam Deck Verified & Playable Games

Notable additions include Hookah Haze and OneShot: World Machine Edition (Verified), and several other Playable titles. 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 Talos Principle and other titles.

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