Steam Deck
Hardware, storefront and ecosystem news for Steam Deck.
Latest coverage
Blades of Fire version 2.0 update is out now with New Game Plus, Titanium Difficulty & more
MercurySteam has released a major 2.0 update for their action RPG Blades of Fire, introducing New Game Plus, Titanium Difficulty, and other enhancements. The update coincides with the game's launch on Steam, expanding its availability beyond the Epic Games Store on PC. The update is available to all players across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
SUBNAUTICA 2 LAUNCHES IN EARLY ACCESS
Unknown Worlds has announced the Early Access launch of Subnautica 2, the sequel to the popular survival series. The game surpassed one million copies sold before its launch and is available on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and the Epic Games Store. Subnautica 2 features optional co-op for up to four players and is built with Unreal Engine 5.
HIGHLY ANTICIPATED PUZZLE ADVENTURE “ORDER OF THE SINKING STAR” ANNOUNCES NINTENDO SWITCH 2™ LAUNCH THIS YEAR
Arc Games and Thekla, Inc. announced that Jonathan Blow's highly anticipated puzzle adventure, Order of the Sinking Star, will launch on Nintendo Switch 2 and Steam later this year. The game features over a thousand hand-crafted puzzles across four distinct worlds and will also support Steam Deck. Jonathan Blow expressed excitement about bringing the massive game to the portable capabilities of the Nintendo Switch 2.
Brain-scrambling twin-stick shooter Sektori blazes onto Switch 2 eShop today
The twin-stick shooter Sektori, developed by Kimmo Lahtinen, has launched on the Nintendo Switch 2 eShop for $14.99. Previously acclaimed on PC and PlayStation 5, the game features hyperkinetic gameplay, transforming battlefields, and multiple game modes. Lahtinen, formerly of Housemarque, aimed to create a modern arcade experience with Sektori.
Order of the Sinking Star Coming to Nintendo Switch 2 and Steam This Year
Order of the Sinking Star, a puzzle adventure game from Jonathan Blow, creator of Braid and The Witness, is set to launch on Nintendo Switch 2 and PC via Steam later this year. The game features over 1,000 handcrafted puzzles across four distinct worlds, with multiple playable characters and interconnected mechanics. Steam Deck support will also be included.
6 Story Games for Players Who Don't Want to Talk | TAG
This article highlights six story-driven games that do not require dialogue choices or role-playing, catering to players seeking a narrative experience without conversational effort. Titles like Journey, Cocoon, Inside, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, Return of the Obra Dinn, and Outer Wilds are discussed for their unique methods of storytelling through environment, music, and observation, with many also being compatible with handheld devices like the Steam Deck.
Forza Horizon 6 review
Forza Horizon 6 offers a familiar yet enjoyable racing festival experience set in Japan, with a vast open world and numerous cars. While not a radical departure from previous entries, its rendition of Japan provides a compelling backdrop for races and exploration. The game features a dual progression system for the main festival and side activities, with new touge events offering a focused challenge.
Get some quality classics in the Humble 15th Anniversary Indie Icons Showcase Bundle
The Humble 15th Anniversary Indie Icons Showcase Bundle is now available, featuring a collection of highly-rated indie games. The bundle includes titles such as Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, Celeste, and Slime Rancher, many of which are Steam Deck verified or playable. This bundle is highlighted as one of Humble Bundle's best offerings in recent times.
The AI-Powered Tech Behind PSSR 2 Is Coming To Older AMD GPUs, Including The Steam Machine
AMD announced that its AI-powered upscaling technology, FSR 4.1, will be available on older GPU generations, including RDNA 3 cards starting in July and RDNA 2 GPUs in early 2027. This expansion brings the technology, also used in PSSR 2 on PlayStation 5 Pro, to hardware like the Steam Deck and potentially consoles such as the Xbox Series X, depending on developer implementation.
The RTX 5090 is already out of reach for us mere PC gaming mortals, but board prices could make it a mythical beast
The upcoming Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 graphics card is expected to be prohibitively expensive for PC gamers due to rising component costs, particularly for GDDR7 memory. Board prices are projected to increase significantly, potentially making the card a 'mythical beast' for consumers. This trend, exacerbated by AI data center demand, is driving up prices across the PC hardware market, leading to recommendations for more budget-friendly options like the GeForce RTX 5070.
BenQ's 27-inch monitor is a solid QD-OLED contender, but I wouldn't spend $100 more for 4K over 500Hz
The BenQ Mobiuz EX271UZ is a solid 27-inch QD-OLED gaming monitor, but its 4K resolution comes at a $100 premium over a 1440p 500Hz version. While the 4K model offers a USB-C hub with 90W Power Delivery and a slightly newer panel, the 1440p 500Hz variant is recommended for its better value and performance for gaming, especially for FPS enthusiasts.
Steam Beta brings Big Picture Mode tweaks, Linux improvements and Steam Controller fixes
Valve has released a new Steam Client Beta update introducing styling changes to Big Picture Mode and various fixes for Linux and Steam Controller functionality. The update adjusts the layout and coloring of Big Picture Mode to better match the main Steam client, improves readability, and reorganizes settings. Specific improvements for Linux include making the 'Legacy Steam Runtime' optional and fixing a crash related to the Steam Controller on the platform.
Gravity’s Edge Is a Physics-Driven Sci-Fi Adventure with an Afro-Caribbean Theme, Out Now
Gravity's Edge, a 2D physics-driven sci-fi adventure game with an Afro-Caribbean theme, has been released for PC by developer Kamau Vassall and publisher Kassle Games. The game features planetary defense, space travel, puzzle-solving, and a branching narrative with seven different endings. A free demo is available on Steam, where the game is currently discounted.
BioShock creator: Nintendo Switch 2 and Steam Machine prove graphics have reached “diminishing returns”
BioShock creator Ken Levine believes that graphics have reached a point of diminishing returns, citing the Nintendo Switch 2, Steam Deck, and Steam Machine as evidence that current hardware is sufficient. He suggests that stylistic visuals age better than hyper-realism and that players increasingly prefer accessible hardware over raw graphical power.
BioShock creator says Nintendo Switch 2 proves gaming graphics are hitting “diminishing returns”
BioShock creator Ken Levine believes the gaming industry is experiencing diminishing returns in graphics, using the Nintendo Switch 2 as an example of hardware that prioritizes artistic style over photorealism. He argues that unique art direction and creative vision are more important for a game's longevity than cutting-edge technology.
Subnautica 2 is Steam Deck Verified, as is Forza Horizon 6, Mina the Hollower, and Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight
Valve has granted Steam Deck Verified status to several new and upcoming games, including Subnautica 2, Forza Horizon 6, Mina the Hollower, and Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. This certification indicates full compatibility and optimal performance on the handheld PC. Other titles like Outbound, Dead as Disco, and Coffee Talk Tokyo also received the verification, while Directive 8020 was marked as Playable.
Germany cuts Steam Deck desktop devs a $1.5 million cheque, they declare an end to 'insecure spyware-riddled software imposed by the likes of Microsoft'
Germany's Sovereign Tech Agency has awarded €1.3 million (approximately $1.5 million) to the KDE community to support its free and open-source software development, including the Plasma desktop environment used on the Steam Deck. KDE expressed that this funding signifies a global shift away from proprietary software from companies like Microsoft and Google towards more secure and user-controlled alternatives.
Ken Levine says Steam Machine shows we're hitting 'diminishing returns' with bleeding-edge graphics tech—just look at BioShock to see why art is more important
Ken Levine believes the industry is hitting diminishing returns with cutting-edge graphics technology, citing BioShock's enduring art style as more important than hyper-realism. He argues that strong art direction, rather than the latest tech, is key to creating visually striking games. Levine also mentioned that his current project, Judas, focuses on intensive narrative work rather than demanding CPU resources.
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is Steam Deck certified… but how?
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight has been confirmed as Steam Deck certified ahead of its May 22nd launch, despite recent PC minimum requirements causing confusion. The stated requirements, which necessitate upscaling and frame generation for 1080p/30fps, seem incongruous with the Steam Deck's less powerful hardware, raising questions about the game's actual performance targets.
Mixtape review - earnest, cringe, but totally misunderstood, this is the perfect teen video game
Mixtape, developed by Beethoven & Dinosaur, is a celebration of teenage life that uses music and diverse gameplay mechanics to explore themes of self-discovery and rebellion. Despite occasional earnestness and direct thematic statements, the game masterfully captures the universal experience of adolescence. The review highlights its unique structure, built around a curated soundtrack, and its vibrant, referential presentation.
