Valve has published its Best of 2025 charts on Steam, spotlighting the games that shaped the year across purchases and playtime. Alongside the overall roundup, Valve also released a dedicated Steam Deck list that reveals a clear trend: in 2025, portable PC gaming was powered largely by indie hits.
While blockbuster releases still appear across Steam’s year-end rankings, the Steam Deck’s “most played” lineup shows how well smaller-budget games can thrive on a handheld. Many of these titles are designed around quick sessions, instant restarts, and highly replayable loops—exactly the kind of gameplay that fits the Steam Deck lifestyle.
According to Valve’s Steam Deck data, these were the 12 most played games on Steam Deck in 2025 (presented in no particular order), along with their Steam Deck compatibility status and what players love about them:
Hollow Knight (2017) – Steam Deck Verified
A hand-drawn metroidvania known for tight combat, exploration-heavy level design, and a massive world. It holds a 97% positive rating with over 166,000 reviews.
Vampire Survivors (2021) – Steam Deck Verified
A minimalist action roguelite with pixel art and an addictive “one more run” structure built around chaotic on-screen builds. Rated 98% positive with over 124,000 reviews.
Cyberpunk 2077 (2020) – Steam Deck Verified
A futuristic open-world action RPG that has remained a popular long-session game on the Deck. It sits at 88% positive with more than 360,000 reviews.
Hollow Knight: Silksong (2025) – Steam Deck Verified
One of the year’s biggest indie draws, bringing metroidvania platforming and striking visuals to the handheld audience. Rated 93% positive with over 129,000 reviews.
Elden Ring (2022) – Steam Deck Verified
A vast fantasy action RPG that continues to dominate playtime thanks to exploration, build variety, and challenging bosses. It holds a 94% positive rating with over 418,000 reviews.
Hades II (2025) – Steam Deck Verified
A fast, combat-driven roguelike dungeon crawler that’s easy to pick up for short bursts but deep enough for marathon sessions. Rated 96% positive with over 58,000 reviews.
Red Dead Redemption 2 (2019) – Steam Deck Playable
A story-rich open-world adventure that remains a go-to for players who want immersion on the go. It carries a 91% positive rating with over 275,000 reviews.
Hades (2020) – Steam Deck Verified
A modern roguelike favorite blending sharp combat, progression systems, and strong narrative pacing. It’s rated 98% positive with more than 136,000 reviews.
Balatro (2024) – Steam Deck Verified
A poker-inspired roguelike with deckbuilding strategy that’s become a standout “quick run” game on handheld. It has a 96% positive rating with over 93,000 reviews.
Stardew Valley (2016) – Steam Deck Verified
A relaxing farming and life sim with RPG elements that continues to be a portable staple years after launch. It stands at 98% positive with over 371,000 reviews.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2015) – Steam Deck Verified
A lore-rich fantasy RPG known for quests, characters, and atmosphere—still widely played on Steam Deck. Rated 96% positive with over 230,000 reviews.
Baldur’s Gate 3 (2023) – Steam Deck Verified
A party-based RPG set in the Dungeons & Dragons universe, offering huge replay value through choices, builds, and co-op. It holds a 96% positive rating with over 429,000 reviews.
What stands out most is the mix: a handful of massive open-world RPGs sit side-by-side with smaller indie games that excel at replayability. That balance helps explain why indie titles continue to dominate Steam Deck playtime—many are lightweight, run smoothly, and fit perfectly into handheld gaming routines, while a few giant “forever games” absorb hundreds of hours for players who want a full-scale adventure on a portable PC.
If 2025’s Steam Deck charts are any indication, the best Steam Deck games aren’t defined by budget—they’re defined by how well they play in your hands, whether that’s a 20-minute roguelike run or a deep RPG session that lasts all night.
