Our first Steam Deck feature of 2024 is a look ahead at the best upcoming games we want to play on Steam Deck this year. These games include new games, ports, multi-platform releases, early access games hitting 1.0, and more. As usual, this list is in no particular order. I’m also not sure how a few will run on Steam Deck given my luck with games like Wild Hearts last year, but I’m going to be optimistic. Either way, hopefully you find something interesting to wishlist on Steam from this feature.
The best upcoming PC games we want to play on Steam Deck in 2024
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is my most anticipated game of 2024 by far, and I can’t wait to see how RGG Studio managed to improve upon the base laid by Yakuza: Like a Dragon. I already sampled Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth on Steam Deck and PS5 through the free demo, and I can’t wait to see where the story goes in the full RPG when it launches at the end of January on Steam and all consoles.
Dragon’s Dogma 2
I actually wasn’t sure if I should include Dragon’s Dogma 2 on this list because I’m not sure how it will run on Steam Deck. It looks really demanding, but that hasn’t stopped me from trying anything on Deck. I loved Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen on every platform, and hope Dragon’s Dogma 2 not only delivers, but also includes a version of “Into Free" playing somewhere. I believe in Itsuno and Capcom.
Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition
Guerrilla’s Horizon Forbidden West was a technical showcase for the PS5 despite being a cross generation release, and I’m very curious to see how the base game and the awesome Burning Shores expansion end up looking and running on Steam Deck. Horizon Zero Dawn was a bit rough on PC until a few patches, but I hope Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition delivers from the start.
Persona 3 Reload
Persona 3 Reload is already Steam Deck Verified as of a few months ago, which I found quite surprising. I haven’t really seen many games get Verified months prior to launch, but here we are. This is a full remake of the original Persona 3, that has seen different ports and re-releases already through Persona 3 FES and Persona 3 Portable that was ported to current consoles and PC last year. Persona 3 Reload on Steam Deck will also be the only portable version of the game, and I can’t wait to experience the original Persona 3 story in an all new remake when it releases next month.
UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH II Sys:Celes
I actually delayed writing a new feature on the best fighting games to play on Steam Deck so that I could try out UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH II Sys:Celes when it launches on Steam and consoles. I loved UNICLR and played it on everything. I hope UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH II Sys:Celes delivers another fantastic fighter from French Bread and Arc System Works when it launches in a few weeks. The team is yet to let me down, and every new bit of info the official account posts on Twitter has me more excited for the fighter.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak
This inclusion is kind of cheating because I’ve already played 18 hours of The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak in Japanese (don’t ask) through NIS America and PH3’s superb PC version. I’ll be replaying it and starting from scratch once the English localization is added, but The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak is one game I’m super hyped for on all platforms in 2024. It will be the new modern entry point into this amazing series, and I’m going to go back and listen to the music right now.
Earth Defense Force 6
I can’t believe D3 Publisher keeps delaying English releases of its awesome Earth Defense Force series, but I’m glad we are finally getting Earth Defense Force 6 in the West on PS5 and Steam this year. I’ve enjoyed dipping into past games for mindless fun with friends and going through the campaign as Wing Diver when possible. I played all prior localized games, but I keep hearing how Earth Defense Force 6 is the best in the series. Hopefully it ends up being my obsession for a month when it releases.
Final Fantasy 16
Final Fantasy 16 is planned to launch on PC, but there isn’t really a release window. I adored it on PS5, and put in too much time soaking in the world and replaying specific parts of the game. I assume the PC version of Final Fantasy 16 will arrive with all DLC included, but I don’t know if it will be on Steam or Epic or what at this point. I just know I want to play Final Fantasy 16 again, but will not be doing a third playthrough until it comes to Steam. Hopefully it runs well on Steam Deck as well given that the PS5 version still has some issues.
Granblue Fantasy: Relink
Despite some rocky development, Granblue Fantasy: Relink is finally here, and it looks like a lovely blend of what I like about Granblue and Monster Hunter. I hope the co-op works well, and it looks like a game laser focused on my tastes right now. It is going to be interesting to see how it runs on Steam Deck as well, but given it is releasing on PS4, I’m not too worried.
WRATH: Aeon of Ruin
WRATH: Aeon of Ruin is a boomer shooter from KillPixel, 3D Realms, and Fulqrum Publishing that I’ve enjoyed in Steam Early Access so far. It hits 1.0 in February, and I can’t wait to play the full game. This will likely be in my next boomer shooter article as well. If you own a few other games in the genre on Steam, you can grab the WRATH Aeon of Ruin + Ion Fury + GRAVEN Complete Your Set bundle at a discount, or just grab the bundle to get three games worth playing.
I didn’t include Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy here because I’ve already been playing it on Steam Deck, and I wrote about it a bit already here. I hope the games featured here do end up releasing in 2024 in the West and that they run well on Steam Deck. I’ve already played some through early access or Japanese releases, but will still be playing them all when they release in 2024. As the Steam Deck gets into its third year, I hope Valve keeps improving it through software updates. Things will likely get even better, and I’m curious what you are looking forward to playing on Steam Deck this year?
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