Steam Winter Sale 2023 Hidden Gems for Steam Deck

The Steam Winter Sale is pretty amazing and has so many great games discounted, but with big sales like this, we generally only get to see the larger AAA games that are highlighted. This is a bit of a shame, considering there are some really amazing titles that are on sale, but don't get the same recognition that these larger ones do! So, we chose 16 different games that we have either played or know of that aren't highlighted nearly as much as the big productions we generally see.

For all our suggestions for the Winter Sale, you can check out Part 1 and Part 2 of our general recommendations, as well as our Under $15 recommendations. We also have a Best of 2023 list that you can check out too!

Anode Heart - $14.39 (20% Off) (Monster-Collecting RPG)

If you are a fan of games like Pokemon, this is going to be right up your alley. Taking place in a semi-open world, you will run around in a futuristic setting taming over 140 creatures with over 300 different moves to learn. The game has over 20 unique areas, a fast-paced battling system, breeding for better stats, and even recruitable characters. It feels like an homage to the early monster tamer games in the late 1990s and early 2000s, which I dig!

It is rated Steam Deck Playable due to needing to sometimes enter text manually, but otherwise, you will find little to no issues with playing this on the go. With how Anode Heart is structured, I don't think I could really play this any other way than on a portable device.

Bzzzt - $9.59 (20% Off) (2D Platformer)

Do you miss the good ol' 2D platformers of the past with vibrant colors and gorgeous pixel art mixed with simple to learn, but hard to master gameplay mechanics? Bzzzt is just the game for you! With an engaging story and upgradable abilities, you will have to get through multiple levels where the game mechanics change as you go along. There is even an optional permadeath mode to challenge yourself even more, if you want to.

The game is rated Steam Deck Verified and has full controller and cloud save support. Based on how they game looks, and ProtonDB reports, this should have no trouble at all running on the Steam Deck. It also has a native Linux version, which is always a nice pleasure.

Cavern of Dreams - $9.74 (25% Off) (N64-inspired 3D Platformer)

There are some games that can withstand the test of time, even with dated visuals and mechanics. Banjo Kazooie is one of those games for me, so seeing Cavern of Dreams exist spoke directly to me. This 3D platformer is heavily inspired by the N64 era, so visuals and gameplay mechanics will match. You will go through worlds, solve puzzles, gain new abilities, and uncover secrets in a charming and vibrant world.

On Steam, it is rated Playable due to sometimes showing incorrect controller icons, but it should work well otherwise. It works exceptionally well on the Steam Deck and has full controller and cloud save support, so I am quite happy on that end. Overall, this is a great addition to your Steam Deck library that really brings back the feels.

City Game Studio - $10.71 (33% Off) (Management Simulator)

Now, this is an interesting one. I discovered this game while checking and covering game updates that relate to the Steam Deck, and as a fan of Game Dev Tycoon and Game Dev Story (Kairosoft games are the best), I had to try this one for myself. Like other management games, you will oversee a game company, creating games and game engines, but unlike others, you will have the ability to buy out companies, spy on competitors, manage schedules, develop a digital storefront, and so much more.

On Steam, the game is rated Verified, even though it doesn't have controller support. Regardless, it plays extremely well and has cloud saves, but best of all, it has a native Linux build that runs wonderfully. I am a sucker for games like this, especially on the Steam Deck, and I can't recommend it enough.

Death Roads: Tournament - $10.49 (30% Off) (Deckbuilder Roguelike)

Death Roads: Tournament is a really interesting one. It has a nice deckbuilding roguelike feel, similar to Slay the Spire, but puts an interesting spin on it. You will choose a car and driver and upgrade it with different weapons, engines and wheels. All of this will influence the cards you have and how you will play to progress on a nonlinear world map. It also has a nice aesthetic that makes it very intriguing to watch how the fights and everything play out in the end.

This is another game that doesn't have controller support, but it does have cloud saves! It is rated Playable on the Steam Deck due to small in-game text and showing incorrect icons, but it is reported to be working perfectly fine regardless. This is an intriguing game and if you're a fan of other roguelikes like Slay the Spire, this will be a grand addition.

Fight Knight - $3.99 (80% Off) (Action Dungeon-Crawler)

Take grid-based dungeon crawling like Etrian Odyssey and mix in real-time brawling and Fight Knight is what you get. The game is designed to look more retro, which fits it very well, and the combat is additing. You will have different styles, consumables, and gauntlets to utilize as you fight challenging enemies and meet a diverse cast of characters on your journey.

The game is rated Steam Deck Verified and does have controller support. As for performance, it should run perfectly well on the Steam Deck with little to no issue. Someone even reported being able to use the lowest settings and get a 3W TDP with 600 GPU Clock Speed Frequency, getting an exceptional amount of battery life. This means you will have a great time, no matter how you choose to play.

GUNHEAD - $13.39 (30% Off) (Roguelike FPS)

GUNHEAD is a game I have been playing for a bit, and we just recently reviewed, but I believe it deserves a little more credit. Imagine if Armored Core 6 was in first person and a roguelike game, it would feel similarly to this. You will go through maps and use four different weapons at a time to demolish your enemies and complete your missions.

On top of the good performance, it is rated Verified on the Steam Deck and has full controller support. It also has cloud saves, which is great. I honestly really enjoy playing this game on the Deck and find it quite engaging. It isn't perfect, but I feel the it does a lot right that makes up for the flaws.

Grapple Dog - $5.09 (66% Off) (2D Platformer)

2D platformers have always been a great genre to play on the Steam Deck, and I love this one. Take the great level design of games like Mega Man, but add in a grappling hook and an adorable dog as the protagonist. In the end, you get an engrossing experience with a fantastic aesthetic that you won't want to miss.

The game is rated Steam Deck Verified on Steam and runs near perfectly on the device. There may be an occasional audio issue that comes up here and there, but it will end up resolving itself. With full controller support, but no cloud saves, this will be a good one!

Mortal Sin - $13.99 (30% Off) (Action Roguelike)

When I was looking at new games to get, this is one of the few where the screenshots completely captivated me. Mortal Sin is an action-horror roguelike with procedurally generated levels, loot, and quests. These are coupled with 15+ special classes, each with unique playstyles, over 30 weapons, and much more. The game is in early access too, so there is still more content to come on top of all of this!

While there is no cloud save support, it does support controllers and is rated Steam Deck Verified. With a report on ProtonDB saying it is working just fine, I can't help but want to try this one myself. I haven't seen many games like this, especially in aesthetics, so I find it quite appealing to pick this one up.

Mr. Sun's Hatbox - $10.49 (30% Off) (Action Adventure)

If Metal Gear Solid 5 had a baby with a roguelike platformer, Mr. Sun's Hatbox would be it. This shooter will see you take on missions in a 2D environment to make money and upgrade your HQ and tools. As you go through levels, you will secure new weapons, hats (which gives you powers), and even enemies to brainwash and start working for you. Each person has special traits too, so you will have to choose the best man for each mission.

I honestly LOVE this game. It is definitely one of my favorites from last year and earned its place among my Best Games of 2023 list. It is rated Verified, runs exceptionally well, and has controller and cloud save support. I honestly can't recommend this one enough, it is perfect for the Steam Deck, please buy it.

Pizza Possum - $5.59 (20% Off) (Adventure)

This is another game that I tested, but I feel never got the recognition it deserves. Pizza Possum isn't a large game, and doesn't cost much either, but the gameplay loop is extremely addicting. You are a hungry possum who runs around a world trying to eat as much as possible and sneak around doggy cops. As you play, you will accumulate a score, which disappears when you get caught, but you will unlock items you can use to trick or get around the dogs. It's part roguelike, part stealth game, and it is all fun.

As for Steam Deck support, it is rated Verified and its phenomenal. It plays very well, has controller and cloud save support, and I can't recommend it enough. It is published by Raw Fury, but I don't feel it got the attention it really should have.

Skybreakers - $8.09 (10% Off)

There are a ton of survivor-esque games that take on Vampire Survivors. Some do this really well, but others try to take the formula and put a more interactive spin on it. Skybreakers is one of those games, but it layers the interactive elements with a gorgeous ink-style aesthetic that shines on the OLED screen. With different weapons to choose from and abilities to get through the game, you will have to strategize on each run as your weapon attacks can change completely based on what you select.

This is another game I personally love and is one of the few Vampire Survivor-like games I fell in love with. The game runs quite well most of the time, with the battery largely staying under 15W drain, and it has both controller and cloud save support. And now, it has an endless mode, so it's the perfect time to get into this one!

Spark the Electric Jester 3 - $12.49 (50%) (3D Platformer)

I was introduced to this game last year and fell in love with it at first sight. If you ever played Sonic Adventure 1 or 2, this will feel awfully familiar in all the right ways. You will run through 3D levels trying to go as fast as possible while destroying enemies and getting to the end. The combat does have a Devil May Cry-lite feel to it, but overall, you want to go fast and get to the end of each stage, which have different ways to be beat.

For the most part, the game runs exquisitely on the Steam Deck. It is rated Steam Deck Playable since you have to manually select the correct resolution, but this is a lame reason. It runs like a Verified game, even with some slight framedrops on a couple of levels, but it is all worth it.

Super Crazy Rhythm Castle - $29.99 (25% Off) (Rhythm Puzzle)

I haven't seen many games try to combine puzzle aspects along with rhythm gameplay similar to Guitar Hero, but I am all for it. Super Crazy Rhythm Castle is a co-op experience where you will have to conquer a castle, complete puzzles, and take part in chaotic rhythm battles. The game features over 30 tracks to jam out to, so get your ears ready for some delightful beats!

The oddest thing about this game is the fact that it can be played, and is recommended, on a controller. I don't expect this from most rhythm games like this, but hey, it is perfect for the Deck! It is rated Verified on Steam, and while no reports have been made yet, I would be surprised if this game didn't run well.

Talented - $1.49 (25% Off) (Action Roguelike)

While looking through games for the sale, this is one that I recently encountered and fell in love with the idea of. Talented is an action roguelike where you will need to survive on a conveyor belt for 20 nights. Each run will give you randomly generated skill trees where you will have to choose your upgrades and abilities strategically. There are 25 mastery levels to play through and you will be able to customize each of the four classes with specific traits through a loadout.

The game is rated Steam Deck Playable due to not showing correct controller icons and there may be some small in-game text, but otherwise, it runs well! I am not surprised, but it's still great to see. There isn't any controller support either, but there's no mention of it affecting the game negatively! It is in early access, so more content is coming, including an Endless Mode, but for that price, it's hard not to invest.

Wantless: Solace at World's End - $12.05 (33% Off) (Tactical RPG)

I recently reviewed Wantless and I was blown away by the creativity put into the game. This is a tactical RPG, so you will go on grid-based levels in a top-down view, use abilities to destroy the enemies, and level up as you complete your job. But this game has two different features that help it stand apart: Skills and the AP system. You can create your own skills and modify how they work, while the AP system dictates what actions your enemies can take during their turns. I go more into detail in my review, but it is fantastic so far.

Wantless runs exceptionally well on the Steam Deck with under 10W battery drain 99% of the time. It doesn't have controller support, which sucks, but it does have cloud saves and I found the great gameplay elements make it worthwhile to still invest time into. It is in early access, with a lot more content planned, so I would say this is definitely one worth getting into now!

And that's all for these hidden gems! Honestly, there are so many amazing games to check out in these sales and finding ones that I felt most people didn't know much about. I highly recommend looking through indie games and supporting these amazing developers with their passion projects, especially since most are completely unknown!

And again, if you want to see all our suggestions for the Winter Sale, you can check out Part 1 and Part 2 of our general recommendations, as well as our Under $15 recommendations and our Best of 2023 list!

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