Steam Deck Weekly: NBA 2K25, ARCO, ODDADA, DATE a LIVE Ren Dystopia, Star Trucker, Skull and Bones, & More Reviews With New Verified Games

This week's Steam Deck Weekly highlights reviews and impressions of several games, focusing on their Steam Deck performance. Let's dive in!

Steam Deck Game Reviews & Impressions

NBA 2K25 Steam Deck Review

NBA 2K25 marks a significant milestone: the PC version finally mirrors the next-gen console experience. Officially optimized for Steam Deck (though not yet officially rated by Valve), it delivers a satisfying, albeit not perfect, portable basketball experience. Longtime PC players will appreciate the inclusion of ProPLAY technology and the WNBA debut. The game boasts impressive graphics options including 16:10 and 800p support, AMD FSR 2, DLSS, and XeSS (though the reviewer disabled upscaling for clarity). While load times aren't as fast as on PS5 or Xbox Series X, the overall performance is solid at a capped 60fps. Offline play is limited, with some modes requiring an internet connection. The persistent microtransaction issue remains a drawback.

Despite technical limitations compared to consoles, the portability factor makes the Steam Deck version a winner for the reviewer. The extensive graphics settings allow for customization to achieve optimal visual quality and performance.

The Steam Deck preset is considered too blurry, highlighting the need for user adjustments. The game's offline limitations and microtransactions are noted as potential downsides.

NBA 2K25 Steam Deck review score: 4/5

Gimmick! 2 Steam Deck Impressions

Gimmick! 2, though not yet Valve-tested, runs flawlessly on the Steam Deck. The game is capped at 60fps (forcing 60hz on OLED screens is recommended), and supports 16:10 for menus (though gameplay remains 16:9). The lack of graphics options doesn't detract from the smooth, out-of-the-box experience. The reviewer anticipates a soon-to-come Steam Deck Verified status.

Arco Steam Deck Mini Review

Arco, a dynamic turn-based RPG, shines on Steam Deck with its updated build. The game is Steam Deck Verified, running smoothly at 60fps with 16:9 support. The inclusion of an assist mode (beta) allows for combat skipping and other helpful options. The reviewer praises the unique combat system, audio, story, and visuals.

Arco Steam Deck review score: 5/5

Skull and Bones Steam Deck Mini Review

Recently added to Steam, Skull and Bones is rated as "Playable" on Steam Deck. The reviewer notes a slightly sluggish Ubisoft Connect login process. For optimal performance, a 30fps frame rate limit, 16:10 and 800p resolution, and FSR 2 upscaling are recommended. While the reviewer is still early in the game, initial impressions are positive, particularly considering recent updates.

Skull and Bones Steam Deck review score: TBA

ODDADA Steam Deck Review

ODDADA, a music-making experience, runs perfectly at 90fps on Steam Deck, utilizing touch controls (controller support is absent but in development). The reviewer highlights the beautiful visuals and intuitive interface, although the menu text is noted as being small.

ODDADA Steam Deck review score: 4.5/5

Star Trucker Steam Deck Mini Review

Star Trucker blends automobile simulation and space exploration. The reviewer finds the gameplay loop engaging, praising the visuals, writing, and voice acting. The game offers extensive graphics settings, allowing for performance optimization. The reviewer notes control issues as a potential drawback.

Star Trucker Steam Deck review score: 4/5

DATE A LIVE: Ren Dystopia Steam Deck Mini Review

DATE A LIVE: Ren Dystopia runs flawlessly on Steam Deck, offering a smooth experience with cutscenes and 720p, 16:9 support. The reviewer recommends checking system settings to ensure proper button configuration.

DATE A LIVE: Ren Dystopia Steam Deck Review Score: 4/5

Total War: PHARAOH DYNASTIES Steam Deck Review Impressions

Total War: PHARAOH DYNASTIES, an enhanced re-release, is playable on Steam Deck using trackpad and touch controls (controller support is absent). The reviewer's initial impressions are positive, particularly given improvements over the original.

Pinball FX Steam Deck Impressions

Pinball FX offers a strong portable pinball experience on Steam Deck, with impressive PC port features including HDR support. The reviewer recommends trying the free-to-play version to assess performance and sample the gameplay.

New Steam Deck Verified & Playable Games

This week saw several games receive Verified or Playable status, including Hookah Haze, OneShot: World Machine Edition, and others. The reviewer notes the surprising "Unsupported" status of Black Myth: Wukong.

Steam Deck Game Sales

The Games from Croatia sale is highlighted, offering discounts on titles like the Talos Principle series.

The article concludes with a call for reader feedback.