3 great and affordable indie games for your Steam Deck.
Jason Evangeliho
Whether you have unpacked a shiny new one Steam deck OLED this holiday season, or if you’ve been rocking the original since launch, you’re probably looking for addictive games at an affordable price. Bonus points if the games play like they were intentionally designed for Valve’s handheld. The good news is that I have a few recommendations that meet these criteria perfectly.
These games evoke a deep sense of nostalgia for the retro titles that inspired them, they all suck power, resulting in marathon battery life, and they’re surprisingly cheap. As of this writing, you can buy all three for less than $40 total.
The bad news? You can kiss your productivity goodbye because these are hard to put down!
The Sega Saturn celebrated its 30th anniversary this year. And at first glance, you might wonder if Parking Garage Rally Circuit has somehow been lost among the console’s short but much-hyped run of iconic arcade racers like the immortal Sega Rally or Daytona USA. No. It was only released a few months ago, but is clearly a loving tribute to the distinct look, feel and sound of Saturn-era racing games.
But Parking Garage Rally Circuit is not on this list because it is a clone of a classic. It’s on this list because it’s a shining example of a game that honors its roots, but brings an impeccably executed twist to the table: instead of traditional race tracks or street circuits, you race and drift your way through a variety of creative designed parking lots. garages littered with obstacles.
The core of the game is time trials where you race against ghosts, representing both podium finish times and your current best time. The ultimate goal is to simply get through these chaotic courses as quickly as possible. What makes it so compelling are the tight controls, exaggerated (and therefore perfect) physics, stunning camera movements, cheerful and reverb-drenched announcer and that absurdly catchy and energetic ska-inspired soundtrack. Seriously, the music – courtesy of the Holophonics – is inspired. Go listen to it on Bandcamp!
The small team of developers also has a number of bonuses in store for players looking to create the perfect retro aesthetic. Choose between graphics profiles such as Original Hardware, Modern Emulator and PC Port (I recommend the Modern Handheld option for Deck players). Play with a 4:3 aspect ratio. Even adjust CRT scan lines and CRT warp effects.
I am absolutely in love with this game. I have to laugh when I hear that catchy menu music. It’s the kind of game where gameplay is the only reward you need, where trying to shave off those precious seconds is a joyful experience rather than a chore. One that feels like it was meant to be experienced on a portable device like the Steam Deck. Go get it!
After recently finishing Sea of Stars, I was still longing for more of that classic JRPG charm and turn-based combat reminiscent of the 16-bit era. Luckily, it was delivered in abundance when I came across Chained Echoes.
Do you like challenging and rewarding turn-based combat? Do you like mechs, dragons and airships? Do you like the visual aesthetic of games like Chrono Trigger and Trials of Mana? Then there’s a good chance you’ll love this.
Developed by one man Over the course of seven years, Chained Echoes takes all the JRPG styles you grew up with and inexplicably improves on them. Smart battle hooks like the Overdrive system help balance tactics and keep you on your toes. An interesting ‘tag team’ mechanic means you can have a total of 8 characters pop in and out of battle to avoid death and perform a variety of combo attacks. And there are some unconventional but refreshing twists, like the upgrade system, or the fact that party members regain all their HP and MP after each battle.
It can be a little rough around the edges at points, but Chained Echoes is packed with personality, memorable characters, and unexpected moments (don’t skip the turtle race). If you’re unsure, there’s a free demo available on Steam.
Have you ever thought to yourself, “I wonder what would happen if you crossed a classic top-down adventure game like The Legend of Zelda with a bullet hell shooter?” No, me neither! Lucky for us, developer Soulgame Studio did ask that question, and the delightful answer is Minishoot’ Adventures, a twin-stick shooter + adventure game + RPG-Lite hybrid that is an absolute gem.
In many ways it is a clear tribute to The Legend of Zelda. There’s a colorful overworld to explore, challenging underworld dungeons to battle through, secrets to discover, and hidden heart containers that boost your overall health.
But there’s also a flawlessly executed twin-stick shooter here, and that’s how battles unfold. Leveling up your character means improving various systems on your cute little ship, such as bullet distance, damage, and movement speed. You’ll also unlock new abilities that let you traverse a larger part of the map; you know, the Zelda chapter of going back to that intriguing area you just noticed but couldn’t quite get to.
Boss battles are pure, chaotic bliss that maintains just the right level of challenge, and the dungeons leading up to them are a blast to navigate. It’s a game that doesn’t try to push either genre in a new direction; simply a game that understands the genres it represents and executes them flawlessly.
A recent update made the UI more readable on Steam Deck, and smoothed out some FPS drops that occurred during boss battles. If you’re not sure if this unique genre combination is for you, there’s a demo on Steam.