Here are the turn-based RPGs Steam Deck owners actually played over the last 30 days. I pulled Valve’s Deck Top Played for Sep 20–Oct 19 and highlighted Verified/Playable status, plus why each works well on handheld.
Who’d have thought, even ten years ago, that we’d have a device like the Steam Deck? Being able to play your favorite PC games on a handheld, even beasts that require serious specs, is still miraculous when you think about it. With so much power in your hands, the question quickly becomes, “Which game should I play?”
I looked at the stats for the last month to see how users the world over have answered that very question. If you’re looking for something to play on your Deck, the numbers don’t lie; players love on-the-go gaming with these top ten titles.
Baldur’s Gate 3
- Developer: Larian Studios
- Release Date: 3 August 2023
- Platforms: Windows, Mac, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
- Steam Page
It’s probably not surprising that one of the biggest games of the decade thus far remains one of the most played. Baldur’s Gate 3 is famous for its depth and intricacy, with a memorable story full of action, danger, and romance. Its cast of characters has become some of modern gaming’s most recognizable faces.
If you’ve somehow made it to the end of 2025 without playing this masterpiece RPG, why not try it a bit at a time on the go with your Steam Deck? On the other hand, if you have played it, there’s surely more to discover – maybe it’s finally time for that Dark Urge playthrough?
Digimon Story: Time Stranger
- Developer: Media Vision
- Release Date: 2 October 2025
- Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
- Steam Page
It’s a great time to be a Digimon fan, as Bandai Namco has given the series new life with the Digimon Story series of games. The latest, Time Stranger, released earlier this month, and if player counts are anything to go by, it’s been well-received.
Not only does Digimon Story: Time Stranger feature 450 classic creatures from across the franchise’s history, it’s also stunning to look at. Even if you haven’t visited the Digital World previously, this tale of time travel and saving the future is a great place to start.
Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles
- Developer: Square Enix
- Release Date: 30 September 2025
- Platforms: Windows
- Steam Page
Final Fantasy Tactics is hailed as one of the greatest and most influential tactical RPGs of all time. That said, it was originally released in 1997, and games from the PS1 era can really show their age nowadays. Enter The Ivalice Chronicles, a fully-voiced remake with enhanced graphics and updated gameplay to bring the War of the Lions to a whole new audience.
Of course, if you’re a stickler for the original experience, the remake allows you to play in Classic Mode, which preserves the look, feel, and challenge of the 1997 version. However you choose to play, this is the definitive version of Final Fantasy Tactics.
Slay The Spire
- Developer: Mega Crit
- Release Date: 14 November 2017
- Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, Android, iOS
- Steam Page
One of the biggest draws of the Steam Deck is that you can play your longtime favorites wherever you happen to be. For a lot of players, that “forever game” is Slay The Spire, the title that popularized roguelite deckbuilders. Even with the sequel looming on the horizon – or perhaps because of it – the original is still going strong.
The genre may have come a long way since 2017, but Slay The Spire still reigns supreme with its unending combos and limitless possibilities. With so much to do and so many reasons to try just one more run, it’s no wonder that Steam Deck players are still playing this beloved modern classic.
Persona 5 Royal
- Developer: ATLUS
- Release Date: 31 October 2019
- Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch
- Steam Page
JRPGs and handhelds have always gone hand-in-hand, and thanks to the power of the Steam Deck a big, flashy title like Persona 5 Royal can go with you wherever you are. Hailed as the best version of one of the best games in a fan-favorite series, you really can’t go wrong with this slick, stylish adventure.
You don’t need to have played the earlier games in the Persona series to get the full experience out of P5R. In fact, it’s probably one of the better jumping-on points for new players!
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Developer: Sandfall Interactive
- Release Date: 24 April 2025
- Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
- Steam Page
Sandfall’s stellar, stunning debut title Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 won players’ hearts across the world when it launched this spring, and there are still plenty of Expeditioners out there on Steam Deck and other platforms half a year later. Hailed as an early Game Of The Year frontrunner, this one-of-a-kind RPG is an adventure you won’t want to miss.
The titular Expedition 33 sets out, doomed to die in one year’s time, to defeat the Paintress, a mysterious godlike figure at the edge of a shattered world. Their story is one of perseverance, heart, and sacrifice, and it’s one you’ll remember for a long, long time.
Disco Elysium
- Developer: ZA/UM
- Release Date: 15 October 2019
- Platforms: Windows, Mac, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, Android
- Steam Page
Disco Elysium is like the anti-Baldur’s Gate. It’s got just as much depth and intricacy, with endless new paths to discover based on your choices and skill checks, but its cop-drama setting and living world make it a completely different experience.
Disco Elysium really does let you do just about anything you can set your mind to, and is more than happy to dole out consequences – both expected and otherwise – as appropriate. It’s a strange and wonderful RPG that continues to win players’ hearts.
Persona 3 Reload
- Developer: ATLUS
- Release Date: 2 February 2024
- Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2
- Steam Page
As it turns out, Steam Deck players really like Persona! Persona 3 Reload is a from-the-ground-up remake of Persona 3, which originally released for the PS2 in 2006. It’s had a serious glow-up, with gorgeous animated gameplay and cutscenes that bring it into line with its modern brethren.
If you missed out on the original game almost twenty years ago, Reload is a perfect way to try this mid-2000s classic. If you’re a longtime fan, then you deserve to see how much love ATLUS has put into this beautiful remake. Either way, check it out!
Monster Train 2
- Developer: Shiny Shoe
- Release Date: 21 May 2025
- Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch
- Steam Page
If you’ve already got hundreds of hours logged in Slay The Spire and want a new deckbuilder to try, Monster Train 2 stands head and shoulders above the crowd of competitors. Like the original, it challenges you to battle on three floors at once, adding another level to the already strategic gameplay of your favorite roguelike genre.
Monster Train 2 is still relatively new, but as you can see it’s still going strong on Steam Deck. Just like Slay The Spire, it’s perfect to play while traveling or on breaks, making it a natural fit for the handheld.
Aethermancer
- Developer: moi rai games
- Release Date: 23 September 2025
- Platforms: Windows, Linux
- Steam Page
If you’re picking up Monster Train 2, you might want to consider getting it bundled with Aethermancer to double your roguelike fun and save a bit of money while you’re at it. This pixelated adventure only released into early access recently, but it’s had a promising start that bodes well for the full release.
Aethermancer is a monster-catcher with a twist; your critters will die, but you can bind their souls to transfer their abilities to new beasts. It flips the usual script of the genre; if your starter can’t stay with you to the end, the strategy becomes about shepherding its descendants to carry its skills and legacy.
