Best Steam Deck Open-World Games

Valve released the Steam Deck on February 25, 2022, introducing a high-powered computer to the handheld market. Designed to allow PC players to take their Steam libraries on the go, the Deck has enjoyed a mostly positive first year. The system has a few kinks that need to be worked out and features that should be added, which is standard for any ambitious new piece of hardware.

Since the system’s debut, Valve has been steadily going through the store’s massive catalog of games to see which ones are fully compatible with the Steam Deck. If a title is deemed “Deck Verified,” it should run well on the handheld computer. Open-world games provide arguably the greatest tests of the machine’s capabilities, and quite a few massive properties have already made the cut. What are the best open-world Steam Deck games?

Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered

Steam User Rating: 96%

Originally released exclusively on the PS4, Marvel’s Spider-Man surprisingly made its way to PC in the form of a remaster. Insomniac Games crafted perhaps the most complete Spider-Man game of all time, one with great combat, an entertaining central storyline, and the smoothest swinging mechanics of all time.

Open-world games have become synonymous with expansive maps that take hours to travel from one side to the other; however, miles and miles of real estate mean nothing if traversing the world is not enjoyable. Spider-Man nails this component, so much so that the fast travel system almost feels unnecessary.

Dredge

Steam User Rating: 95%

Dredge took the world by storm when it launched in March 2023, and it is not difficult to understand why. Blending a fishing sim with Lovecraftian horror, Black Salt’s title creates an oddly successful marriage between the mundane and extraordinary. The player spends the majority of their time exploring the archipelago’s expansive waters in search of fish they can catch and sell, and the campaign incorporates an enjoyable storyline filled with quirky and memorable NPCs. Dredge uses a clever risk/reward system that forces fishermen to be wary of the nighttime since it sparks the arrival of all sorts of monstrosities that would not seem out of place in classic horror literature.

Modern open-world projects tend to believe that “more is more,” a design philosophy that has repeatedly resulted in overly lengthy experiences burdened with too much filler content. While by no means short, Dredge does not overstay its welcome either, and its map is sizable without stretching itself too thin.

Elden Ring

Steam User Rating: 92%

Released on the same day as the Steam Deck, Elden Ring gave Valve’s computer a baptism by fire, and it passed with flying colors. FromSoftware successfully adapted its Dark Souls formula to an open-world setting, one that recommends and rewards exploration. While traversing the sandbox, players are mostly free to roam as they please, discovering enemies, catacombs, dragons, and loot along the way.

Furthermore, within the Lands Between’s regions are large dungeons reminiscent of the classic Metroidvania-style locations of the developer’s previous releases, allowing the game to also cater to fans who prefer the old ways. Elden Ring is a massive game that is absolutely stuffed with secret areas, hidden quest lines, and optional bosses, all of which can be experienced on the bus thanks to the Steam Deck.

The Long Dark

Steam User Rating: 91%

Over the last few years, survival games have become increasingly popular, and the genre is a particularly seamless fit for open-world design. In fact, an argument could be made they bring the best out of each other, and few projects showcase this marriage’s stability better than The Long Dark. Hinterland’s title offers a few different modes, but Survival is the one players will want to jump into if they are seeking an open-world experience.

Set in the frozen Canadian outdoors, The Long Dark simply challenges survivors to endure the weather and terrain for as long as possible. Naturally, they will need to find food, shelter, and craft tools to fight off wildlife such as bears. The game is about as challenging as one might expect from a fairly traditional survival package, although there is a Story mode for anyone who wants a curated campaign.

Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth

Steam User Rating: 91%

The Steam Deck is a fantastic device for Yakuza/Like a Dragon, with most of the games marked as verified. Complete newbies who are not sure where to start can try out Yakuza 0, which has aged like fine wine. Alternatively, Yakuza: Like a Dragon represents the start of a new era for the franchise, one that is somewhat beginner-friendly despite still connecting to the previous entries in a few ways. Like a Dragon: Ishin! is a standalone spin-off with a historical twist, making it a viable candidate for newcomers or people interested in Japan’s Bakumatsu era. Compared to those entry points, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is a bit harder to recommend to the uninitiated since it is very much a direct sequel to its predecessor; however, it is also one of the best Steam Deck open-world games, and arguably the IP’s most ambitious project yet.

Yakuza is known for utilizing small but dense maps overflowing with side quests, mini-games, and shops. Size is not everything, and Sega’s franchise proves that claim better than most other series. While big when compared to its predecessors, Infinite Wealth‘s world is still compact and accessible, with there not being a single wasted space in any of the included cities. More importantly, the game tells a brilliant story that balances drama, action, and absurdist humor. The mini-games are also fantastic, and they can easily keep someone busy for hours on end.

Days Gone

Steam User Rating: 92%

Originally released exclusively on the PS4, Days Gone eventually made its way to PC. The zombie-themed open-world title centers around gang culture, so much so that a motorbike serves as the game’s main source of transportation. Players are Deacon St. John, a biker who heads out on the road after receiving a tip suggesting his wife might still be alive.

Days Gone has a slow start, both in terms of its story and gameplay. However, Bend Studio’s project improves significantly as it goes along, particularly once the protagonist starts to upgrade his ride. Zombies are so overdone that they have lost most of their fear factor, but Days Gone uses sheer numbers to elevate this issue. The game throws enormous hordes of undead walkers at Deacon, and these encounters are especially intense at night.

Goat Simulator 3

Steam User Rating: 97%

Looking to mess around in a sandbox? Then, Goat Simulator 3 should be the perfect fit. Although slightly more curated than its charming predecessor, the 2022 sequel still prides itself on delivering over-the-top silliness that rewards players who are willing to break everything.

Packed to the brim with parodies, Goat Simulator 3 is a joke game that knows its strengths and generally plays to them. San Angora serves as the main city, and it is reasonably impressive considering this is a fairly small title when compared to many other open-world romps.

Sea Of Thieves

Steam User Rating: 90%

Underwhelming launch aside, Sea of Thieves has blossomed into a fairly awesome multiplayer game, arguably cementing itself as one of Rare’s best projects of the 2000s. Now, as a single-player option, the title struggles to measure up to the best open-world Steam Deck games since it can be quite repetitive and directionless; however, Sea of Thieves is obviously intended to be played as part of a crew.

Sea of Thieves is one of those releases that is only as fun as its players make it, although Rare has now added more than enough content to give users all the necessary tools to craft a memorable adventure. Although quite vast and ambitious, the game is not especially difficult to run, and it works well on the Deck.

Outer Wilds

Steam User Rating: 95%

Open-world games typically move at a leisurely pace dictated by a player’s whims. Outer Wilds is a somewhat different beast as the campaign revolves around a 22-minute time loop, one that resets when, well, everything ends. As an astronaut, Outer Wilds players must travel to a variety of planets in search of information regarding the solar system’s impending doom and its link to an alien race.

Outer Wilds revolves around exploration and not combat, with players spending most of their time trying to piece together the lore through brief interactions with NPCs and environmental storytelling. It makes for a captivating open-world experience.

Grounded

Steam User Rating: 89%

Obsidian’s Grounded is a survival game set in the most dangerous place known to man: a backyard. Admittedly, that does not sound particularly intense on paper; however, this familiar setting transforms into a place of awe and peril when viewed from the size of an ant. Yes, Grounded tells a Honey, I Shrunk the Kids-type story, just with a lot more near-death situations. Supporting co-op but also fun solo, the game unleashes players on a surprisingly big map and challenges them to make the most of the situation, which is easier said than done when this world is split into insect-based societies that might not be all that welcoming.

Like most of Obsidian’s projects, Grounded is charming, well-written, and addictive. While not particularly groundbreaking for the survival genre, the gameplay loop works well and complements the setting. The game also has a story, although players can largely ignore it and just focus on the minute-to-minute routine as they scour for resources and build and maintain their base.

Terraria

Steam User Rating: 97%

A decade after its debut and Terraria is still amazing. The 2D sandbox game drops players in a procedurally generated world and lets them dig away. Exploration is the name of the game here, and every journey comes filled with action, survival, and creativity.

Terraria is ambitious and can be overwhelming during its opening hours, especially since the game does not handhold players all that much; however, once it sinks its teeth into someone, Re-Logic’s title does not let go. Compared to some other Deck Verified projects, Terraria might not be the most exciting open-world Steam Deck game, but it is undoubtedly among the best.

Project Zomboid

Steam User Rating: 94%

Project Zomboid has been in early access for nearly a decade, but the project continues to be one of Steam’s most consistent performers. The horror game has a simple premise: survive. Players are dropped into a sandbox in the middle of a zombie outbreak and simply told to survive for as long as possible. Utilizing an isometric perspective, Project Zomboid has an old-school aesthetic that complements the sort of game it is trying to be.

Offering decent character customization options along with improvable skills, Project Zomboid is one of the most replayable open-world games on the Steam Deck. As it is a relatively hardcore survival game that focuses on managing meters, interested players would need to be fans of those types of experiences.

Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

Steam User Rating: 91%

Lego dipped its toes into open-world games long before The Skywalker Saga was in the works, however, Traveller’s Tales certainly pushed things further in the 2022 game. Covering the main Star Wars trilogies, the campaign consists of levels that cover the franchise’s major story beats, and the game does a good job of adapting these legendary or polarizing films.

Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga‘s open-world comes in the form of planets that serve as hubs, and there is quite a large selection of locations. In these areas, random encounters can take place, adding an element of spontaneity to the package.

Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen

Steam User Rating: 89%

Firmly established as a cult classic, Dragon’s Dogma even has a sequel on the way. The action RPG knocks its gameplay out of the park, which is hardly surprising considering Capcom’s pedigree. Melee combat is somewhat similar to Dark Souls, and Dragon’s Dogma shakes things up through a vast array of character customization options that encourage players to experiment with builds.

Another distinguishing feature is the Pawn system, which permits adventurers to create supporting A.I. characters to complement their main build. It is even possible to recruit other people’s Pawns to craft unique parties. Dragon’s Dogma is set in Gransys, a dark fantasy world dripping in medieval architecture. The map is deceptively big since fast travel is limited and danger is around every corner. Dark Arisen adds a new endgame area that significantly ramps up the difficulty.

Pathologic 2

Steam User Rating: 92%

A surreal survival horror RPG, Pathologic 2 envisions a creepy town that feels almost removed from time and space. Artemy Burakh returns to his hometown in search of his father’s killer, but he soon finds himself tasked with curing an illness that has the village speedrunning its own demise. Solving this mystery involves exploring every nook and cranny of this unsettling world, all the while mingling with locals who always seem to be holding something back.

Pathologic 2 is unusual, disconcerting, and subtly terrifying. It is an open-world game unlike anything else on the Steam Deck, and this uniqueness will put off some players. However, survival fans looking to take a trip through a nightmare should check out this bizarre RPG.

Hogwarts Legacy

Steam User Rating: 91%

Harry Potter has been a household name for over two decades, and while the franchise has spawned a couple of memorable games, Avalanche’s Hogwarts Legacy is the first to truly take advantage of the universe’s overall potential. Freed from the shackles of retelling Harry’s story, Hogwarts Legacy crafts its own place in the franchise’s history by taking place a century prior to the novels. Players get to attend Hogwarts and write their own legends (even though they have to stick to a main questline).

Putting aside the quality of the side quests or storytelling, Hogwarts Legacy‘s greatest achievement is its immersive presentation. The game drops players in an immaculately recreated version of the eponymous school, while also allowing them to travel to, for example, Hogsmeade. Now, in terms of actual open-world content, Hogwarts Legacy plays things a bit too safe at times; however, it lays down a good foundation for sequels to build upon.

Don’t Starve Together

Steam User Rating: 95%

The multiplayer companion to Don’t Starve takes everything great about the solo package and adds co-op. As the base game is brilliant, Don’t Starve Together also reaches that standard, and arguably surpasses its predecessor. After picking one of the playable characters, players spawn on a somewhat randomly generated map where they are asked to survive.

This process involves many of the standard mechanics associated with the genre, like finding food, but Don’t Starve Together also emphasizes exploration. The game does not overwhelm players with harsh meters, rather opting to encourage them to head out into the world to discover the awaiting terrors. While not particularly big, the map holds up on repeat playthroughs thanks to its randomly generated mechanic, even if some things stay consistent.

Valheim

Steam User Rating: 95%

In early access, Valheim has had a fantastic opening year. The Viking-themed game drops players in a procedurally generated sandbox and challenges them to survive. Each world consists of a handful of biomes, each one coming with an assortment of area-specific enemies and resources.

While there is a primary objective that is gradually developing with new updates, Valheim‘s main appeal lies in its freeing nature as players attempt to carve out a living in an unforgiving world that still permits inhabitants to prosper.

Batman: Arkham Knight

Steam User Rating: 90%

Out of all the Arkham games, Arkham Knight is the only one that is Steam Deck verified. Arkham City is playable, while Asylum and Origins are both unsupported. Ironically, the title that launched in a near-broken state on PC is by far the most optimized option on the Deck, and the 2015 open-world release still looks fantastic all these years later. While slightly more polarizing than Rocksteady’s previous entries in the franchise, Arkham Knight is nevertheless an all-around great game that brings to life a stunning and dense iteration of Gotham, all the while telling a predictable but engaging narrative fueled by one of the Caped Crusader’s greatest failures.

Even if copycats lessened its novelty, Rocksteady’s Arkham combat will always be a fun time, and Arkham Knight perfected this system by giving Batman more tools than ever before to play with. Players also get to drive the batmobile, a divisive mechanic that does threaten to overstay its welcome; however, the car controls well in isolation, it just might not be as fun as gliding through Gotham’s skyline or fisticuffs.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

Steam User Rating: 96%

A day will come when The Witcher 3 is no longer used as the benchmark to measure the quality of modern open-world RPGs – today is not that day. CD Projekt Red’s attention to detail shines through the game’s immersive environments, unforgettable side-quests, and commitment to authentically bringing to life the characters that exist within this universe.

The Witcher‘s world is harsh and, in many ways, ugly. A quick trip out of town could result in that person’s gruesome death, and the gameplay echoes this constant sense of danger.

Mad Max

Steam User Rating: 91%

Avalanche has a decent track record for open-world games, but the Steam Deck cannot handle all the studio’s output. For instance, Just Cause 2 and Rage 2 are both marked as “Unsupported” on Steam, meaning that currently there are sections of the games that do not function on the Deck. Just Cause 3 and 4 are tagged as “Playable,” although the main thing keeping them from a “Deck Verified” label is that the handheld system’s on-screen keyboard might need to be manually invoked on occasion.

Thankfully, Mad Max has made the grade, and it is arguably Avalanche’s best open-world game. Set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, Mad Max revolves around vehicular combat, and it is incredibly entertaining. The campaign is designed around Max upgrading his car in pursuit of the ultimate mobile killing machine, so the vehicular combat gradually improves as the story progresses.

Firewatch

Steam User Rating: 88%

At some point, “walking simulator” began to be treated as a negative descriptor to signal games with almost no content. While the genre’s reputation was definitely hurt by low-level releases that offered little in the way of depth or nuance, the best projects to fall within this category are also among the greatest adventure titles of all time. Firewatch is one such release, and the 2016 game has aged beautifully. Players are cast as Henry, a new employee tasked with watching over the Shoshone National Forest. Before long, he is informed about two teenagers playing with fireworks, which proves to be just the first step in a strange and unforgettable journey.

Firewatch is stylish, atmospheric, and thought-provoking. Although seemingly simple at first, the story evolves nicely as it goes along and features some excellent writing. Quite short in contrast with most open-world releases, Firewatch is a quick and powerful sit.

Postal 2

Steam User Rating: 96%

Postal has a storied and controversial history, and the franchise has its share of cult classics and disappointments. While the other entries are polarizing even among fans of the series, Postal 2 is generally regarded as Running with Scissors’ magnum opus, and the game is still as fun nowadays as it was back in 2003.

Living out a few days in the Postal Dude’s shoes, players get to explore a small, active, and rude town while completing a few ordinary tasks. Depending on someone’s preference, they can opt to not go postal; alternatively, they can (and really should) destroy everything. Eventually, things go off the rails in a big way. Postal 2 is silly, ugly by even 2003 standards, and fairly janky. In a vacuum, the game does not qualify as “good,” let alone “great.” Yet, its legacy has not only endured for decades but arguably grows more positive with each passing year.

Death Stranding Director’s Cut

Steam User Rating: 93%

Hideo Kojima cannot be criticized for playing it safe. For better or worse, Death Stranding is unlike any other open-world Deck Verified game. Portraying essentially a postman, players must guide Sam Bridges as he delivers packages in a post-apocalyptic version of the United States. Along the way, Sam sets up a network to allow people to communicate across the country.

Death Stranding is slow-paced, deliberate, and requires full commitment from players, particularly during the campaign’s early hours when Sam does not have access to vehicles.

Steam User Rating: 91%

Introducing Metal Gear to the open-world genre, The Phantom Pain can be a divisive game, depending on what someone is looking for from an entry in the franchise. The 2015 release is surprisingly lacking in the story department, both in terms of cutscenes and depth. That said, the campaign still contains a couple of fascinating ideas and reveals.

In terms of gameplay, The Phantom Pain is almost unquestionably Metal Gear Solid at its best. The game gives players a wide range of tools so they can decide how to approach missions and clear camps, and they can opt for stealth or blast their way through an army of enemies. The map is massive but somewhat barren, although it fits the story being told.

Cyberpunk 2077

Steam User Rating: 81%

As CD Projekt Red achieved open-world perfection with The Witcher 3, the studio’s follow-up project was probably the most highly-anticipated game of 2020. Ultimately, Cyberpunk 2077 did not manage to meet expectations, partially thanks to launching in a terrible state on last-generation consoles. On PC, the sci-fi game has been largely playable from the start.

While struggling to meet all promises right out of the gate, CD Projekt Red worked hard to rehabilitate Cyberpunk 2077‘s reputation. This process was largely successful, and the title received a huge expansion and update in September 2023. For all its historical technical issues, Cyberpunk 2077 is nevertheless an ambitious open-world project with generally very good writing and characters. Night City, the main setting, is peppered with environmental detail that reflects its history and politics.

Subnautica

Steam User Rating: 96%

A survival game predominantly set beneath the ocean might not sound that exciting, especially since underwater levels have a history of cultivating frustration. Fortunately, Subnautica is comfortably an exception, as is its non-Deck Verified sequel, Below Zero. Set on an alien world that largely consists of water, Ryley Robinson must explore this strange habitat while also trying to figure out what happened to the crew of a spaceship that crashed on this planet.

Subnautica‘s world is amazing to witness and is capable of producing sights of beauty, wonder, and terror in equal measure. Exploration drives the campaign, and the game tries to avoid railroading players down a specific linear path. That said, Subnautica also tells an interesting story in its own right.

Slime Rancher 2

Steam User Rating: 94%

While still in early access, Slime Rancher 2 offers just enough content to warrant a recommendation, especially since its predecessor does not qualify since it is only marked as “playable.” Set in a colorful open-world, Monomi Park’s project revolves around building a farm consisting of different types of slime, all of which can be fed to produce this universe’s currency. Exploration is a central part of the experience, and Slime Rancher 2 delivers a relaxing and slice-of-life tone free of tension or anxiety.

Slime Rancher 2 appears to be fairly far away from completion, and it certainly feels like a work-in-progress rather than a project nearing its endpoint. However, the developer releases updates fairly regularly.

Dying Light

Steam User Rating: 95%

Dying Light and its sequel, Stay Human, are both Deck Verified. The latter is an enjoyable game by any metric, and the sequel does surpass its predecessor in some ways. That said, despite sharing many things in common, the titles have surprisingly different tones. Dying Light plays out like a survival horror game that just happens to be set in an open-world; conversely, Dying Light 2 comes across more like a traditional open-world game with elements of horror. They are both fun in their own right, but the 2015 release is a bit more unique.

If someone has never played either of Techland’s releases but is interested in taking the plunge, Dying Light: Definitive Edition is the way to go. The package periodically goes on sale, so it can be picked up for a reasonable price.

A Short Hike

Steam User Rating: 99%

Not every open-world game needs intense combat or to last 50 hours; sometimes, less is more. A Short Hike is an indie game about an anthropomorphic bird attempting to climb a mountain in pursuit of reception for her phone. This process involves unlocking a few moves, but otherwise, there isn’t all that much standing in the way of the protagonist.

A Short Hike crafts a cozy and wholesome world that encourages visitors to slow down and take in the sights. Live in the moment and embrace one of the best Steam Deck open-world games.

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