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 several game reviews and impressions, alongside new Verified and Playable titles, and current sales. Missed the Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 review? Catch it here!

Steam Deck Game Reviews & Impressions

NBA 2K25: A Stellar Portable Basketball Experience

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), it delivers impressive performance. While some typical 2K issues persist, the inclusion of ProPLAY technology and WNBA debut are major wins. The game boasts 16:10 and 800p support, AMD FSR 2, DLSS, and XeSS (though I found disabling upscaling improved clarity). Extensive graphics settings allow for customization, with a recommended 60fps cap at 60hz for optimal stability. Load times are slower than on consoles, and offline mode restricts access to some features. Microtransactions remain a concern, impacting certain game modes.

Despite technical limitations compared to consoles, the portable convenience elevates the Steam Deck experience. The visual preset offers a functional, albeit slightly blurry, starting point. The game runs well offline for Quick Play and Eras modes. No cross-play with consoles is noted.

Steam Deck Review Score: 4/5

Gimmick! 2: A Smooth, Polished Port

Gimmick! 2, currently unverified but running flawlessly, boasts a recent patch with Steam Deck and Linux fixes. Capped at 60fps (forcing 60hz on OLED screens is recommended), it supports 16:10 in menus, though gameplay remains 16:9. The lack of graphics options doesn't detract from the smooth, out-of-the-box performance.

A strong contender for Verified status.

Arco: A Verified Tactical RPG Gem

Arco, a dynamic turn-based RPG, shines with its blend of real-time elements and engaging combat. The story, audio, and unique character gameplay styles are highlights. Verified on Steam Deck, it runs smoothly at 60fps with 16:9 support. An assist mode (beta) offers options for skipping combat or enabling infinite dynamite.

A must-have tactical RPG with a compelling narrative.

Steam Deck Review Score: 5/5

Skull and Bones: A Playable Naval Adventure (with caveats)

Officially rated "Playable" on Steam Deck, Skull and Bones requires a Ubisoft Connect login (a slightly sluggish process). Achieving stable performance requires a 30fps frame rate limit at 16:10 and 800p, utilizing FSR 2 quality upscaling. While early impressions are positive, the game's full potential remains to be seen. It's online-only.

A free trial is recommended before purchasing.

Steam Deck Review Score: TBA

ODDADA: A Creative Music Maker

ODDADA, a music creation tool, boasts a beautiful aesthetic and intuitive interface. Running perfectly at 90fps, it currently lacks controller support but works well with touch controls. Menu text is slightly small on Steam Deck.

A recommended creative outlet for music lovers.

Steam Deck Review Score: 4.5/5

Star Trucker: A Unique Blend of Genres

Star Trucker combines automobile simulation and space exploration. While the gameplay loop is engaging, the controls require adjustment. Extensive graphics options allow for performance tuning.

A surprising and enjoyable experience, though optimization could be improved.

Steam Deck Review Score: 4/5

DATE A LIVE: Ren Dystopia: A Delightful Visual Novel

DATE A LIVE: Ren Dystopia, a visual novel, runs flawlessly on Steam Deck with 16:9 support at 720p. Recommended for fans of the series.

Steam Deck Review Score: 4/5

**Total War: PHARAOH DYNASTIES: A Much-Improved Strategy