New Steam Deck Verified/Playable Highlights 8/21 - 8/27

While Valve did a LOT of Steam Deck compatibility testing this past week, there wasn't a lot of standout games. There were also way more games being upgraded to "Playable" over "Verified". Though within this pile of mediocre hay, we found the needle gems that poked itself out.

Note: Verified or Playable games do not automatically mean they work amazing right out-of-the-box. Some of these games still require work to optimize and play well.

Punch Club (Playable/Linux Native)

Looking for a boxing game with a tycoon-management style? Look no further! Your father was murdered before your very eyes, so now the only thing left to do is to become the greatest boxer to find out what sicko did this. Train hard, eat chicken, learn new skills, and fight crocodiles as you climb the ranks and hope you get the best out of the multiple different endings. The game is $10 on Steam and is rated "Playable" due to needing to use the virtual keyboard to enter text.

Deep Sky Derelicts (Playable/Linux Native)

Take turn-based strategy, RPG, roguelike, and card-battler elements and mash them together in a gritty dystopian setting and you get Deep Sky Derelicts. With procedural generation content and boundless customization options, this game has so much to do. Not to mention the incredible art style taking the form of a retro-futuristic comic book aesthetic! The game is $20 and is only rated "Playable" due to some small text.

LISA (Playable/Linux Native)

"The miserable journey of a broken man..." and "A life ruining gaming experience." are two of the sentences used to describe this game by the developer. And while that may make you think to not play this game, turn around and buy it. This side-scrolling RPG is cruel, yet rewarding and while it may have its quirks, it is an experience worth having. The game is $10 and rated "Playable" due to needing controller remapping, entering text via keyboard, and needing to set graphics options manually. Worth it.

Project Hospital (Playable/Linux Native)

Time for you to become the greatest doctor, architect, and manager all at once! Build your own hospital and configure every detail to your liking so you can save as many people as possible...and make some money. With a sandbox mode, campaign, and challenge levels, there will always be a hospital to run. The game is $25 or you could also get it for $15 in the Career Break bundle...which also includes 6 other games like Parkitect! It is rated Steam Deck "Playable" due to small in-game text and sometimes showing non Steam Deck controller icons.

Diplomacy is Not an Option (Playable)

You may be a feudal lord, but your entire kingdom is in peril. Face off against hordes of enemies as you protect your castle and war is the only option left. Use an assortment of weapons and manage your troops against scores of thousands of enemies. When you finally have a reprieve, make sure to support your economy with resources, upgrade your land, and put down any possible rebellions. The game is in early access and costs $25. It is rated Steam Deck "Playable" due to small text, incorrect controller icons, and needing some controller configuration changes.

Clone Drone in the Danger Zone (Playable)

This is a robot voxel slice-em-up where you can slice enemies however you want...and they can slice you. The more you survive, the more upgrades you earn, and hopefully, just hopefully, you will survive to be the last contestant. The game is $20 and is rated "Playable" due to needing to use the keyboard and some controller configuration.

Alan Wake (Verified)

When your wife disappears on vacation, you must uncover a dark mystery surrounding this small town of Bright Falls. As Alan Wake, a best-selling artist, you must discover what you had lost and push yourself to the brink of insanity to save your wife, and in the end, save yourself. The game is $15 on Steam and a sequel is coming soon. It is a damn good game.

Jupiter Hell (Playable/Native Linux)

This classic turn-based roguelike set in a 90s sci-fi universe is a fantastic fit for the Steam Deck. With meaningful RPG progression and procedurally-generated levels, you will constantly be challenged in new ways! Not to mention this game has frequent updates, with the last one being August 15th of this year! The game is $25 and rated "Playable" due to needing a virtual keyboard to enter text.

MADiSON (Verified)

MADiSON is a first person psychological horror game where you are being torture of a demon that is forcing you to commit horrible acts to continue a deadly ritual. The game sports a brutal storyline where every character has a story to tell and hope that you and your camera can get out of this alive. The game is $35 on Steam.

And these are the 9 games we found that definitely deserve a closer look! Hopefully, Valve will keep the train rolling and bring some more awesome games into the green checkmark!