Following my feature on the best games to play on your new Steam Deck OLED, I wanted to do one focused on indie games. A lot of indie games have the most creative visuals, and often are the best showcases for great art. In the case of the Steam Deck OLED, the massive display upgrade provides not only an OLED screen, but also 90hz support. I’ve noted when the games below benefit from higher frame rates and HDR as well. The games featured here are in no particular order, and are ones I’d recommend at full price.
Best Indie Games To Play on the Steam Deck OLED
Bomb Rush Cyberfunk
When I first played Bomb Rush Cyberfunk on Xbox Series X, I liked it a lot, but felt like I’d enjoy it more on a portable. I ended up getting it on Switch and enjoyed it a lot more. The performance isn’t perfect on Switch though. Having now played it on Steam Deck, Bomb Rush Cyberfunk perfectly fits the system with rock solid performance and crisp visuals. It is a joy to play, and will be a great showcase for the Steam Deck OLED. Bomb Rush Cyberfunk will also benefit from the higher refresh rate on the new Steam Deck OLED display.
Bomb Rush Cyberfunk is Steam Deck Verified.
Chained Echoes
Chained Echoes released late last year, and is the best 16-bit style turn-based indie RPG you can play today. I have no hesitation in calling it an essential on all platforms, but I adore it the most on Switch and Steam Deck. It has gorgeous visuals, great music, and will surprise and delight you with how little it wastes your time in its lengthy run time. I don’t think I’ll stop telling people to play Chained Echoes, and this feature was a nice excuse to do it again. It is essential.
Chained Echoes is Steam Deck Verified.
Signalis
Signalis is an indie take on PS1-style horror games with a striking aesthetic. I’ve played Signalis on Steam Deck and Switch, but the OLED screen on my Switch definitely elevated the experience. With the new Steam Deck OLED, you can have the best screen with rock solid visuals, performance, and fast load times in Signalis. If you enjoy horror games, Signalis is one of the best we’ve seen in years, and one I consider on the same quality level as the Resident Evil remakes. Yes, it is that good.
Signalis is Steam Deck Verified.
Tetris Effect: Connected
Tetris Effect: Connected remains a game I have installed on all platforms, and it was the first game I truly enjoyed revisiting on the Nintendo Switch OLED model. Fast forward to today, Tetris Effect: Connected on the Steam Deck OLED is another fantastic combination, and this game will take full advantage with its support for higher refresh rates and HDR. If you enjoy Tetris or just want one of the most brilliant gaming experiences, Tetris Effect: Connected is for you.
Tetris Effect: Connected is Steam Deck Verified.
Darkest Dungeon II
When Darkest Dungeon II launched on Steam, it was a bit rough on Steam Deck. The sequel to an indie classic has since been improved a lot, and it now plays really well on Steam Deck. The original game’s aesthetic feels supercharged in Darkest Dungeon II, and it has a striking look that will no doubt shine on the OLED screen of the new Steam Deck. It is challenging, but the developers have managed to deliver a true successor to a great game here.
Darkest Dungeon II is Steam Deck Verified.
Hades
Just like Street Fighter 6, I feel like I write about Hades too much, but the game is that damn good. I also think I might have willed the iOS version into existence thanks to writing about it so much. Supergiant Games’ action roguelite experience has gotten a ton of awards and recognition since hitting PC and consoles, but I feel like it deserves so much more. Hades is a timeless game, and its gorgeous visual style is worth experiencing on the best display you own. I regularly play it on my Steam Deck docked on my 1440p 144hz monitor, but this is one of the best games for the Steam Deck OLED thanks to its high refresh rate support and aesthetic. I wish Hades had HDR, but it doesn’t right now.
Hades is Steam Deck Verified.
Dead Cells
Dead Cells has always been one of my favorite games to play on Steam Deck, and with the new Steam Deck OLED that has a high refresh rate screen supporting up to 90hz, Dead Cells will continue to have its best portable version on Steam Deck. I adore Dead Cells on mobile, but the PC version is always the first one to get updates and new content. Dead Cells with the recent Return to Castlevania DLC is definitely one of the best games you can play on Steam Deck, and the higher frame rate on the OLED display will make it even better. I regularly play it at above 100fps on Steam Deck when connected to my external monitor.
Dead Cells is Steam Deck Verified.
Streets of Rage 4
Streets of Rage 4 has always been a game I recommended on Nintendo Switch if someone had the OLED model over Steam Deck since the game runs and looks excellent on all platforms. With the new Steam Deck OLED, there’s no reason to get this on Switch over Steam Deck. Streets of Rage 4 with its DLC remains an essential beat ’em up, and it has a new best portable version on Steam Deck OLED now. If you’re new to the world of beat ’em ups or were a fan of the SEGA classics, Streets of Rage 4 is for you.
Streets of Rage 4 is Steam Deck Verified.
Cuphead
Cuphead is a game that looks and runs perfectly on all platforms, but I’ve always enjoyed it most on Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck as a pick up and play portable experience. If you’ve not played it yet, it is challenging but rewarding, and its gorgeous 1930s cartoon aesthetic will benefit from the improved display. Cuphead will also benefit from the lower input latency on the new Steam Deck screen. If you do end up wanting to get it, I’d recommend getting Cuphead with its DLC. Cuphead is a run and gun classic, and it continues to remain stunning all these years later.
Cuphead is Steam Deck Verified.
Viewfinder
Viewfinder is a game I hadn’t played until recently, and I’m glad I finally got around to it. Viewfinder will make you rethink reality, perception, and more. It is definitely one of the most interesting puzzle games out there, and it looks amazing. Viewfinder has native HDR support and also supports frame rates higher than 60fps. Combined with its colorful visuals and game quality, it adds up to be a great showcase for the Steam Deck OLED screen. Reshape the world with your camera and Steam Deck.
Viewfinder is Steam Deck Verified.
Umurangi Generation
Wait, why are there more than 10 games in this feature? I never said this was a top 10 list did I? Umurangi Generation was a fascinating game to play back when it hit Switch and Steam. It felt like a blend of a photography game and a modern Hitman sandbox game set in the future. On Steam Deck, Umurangi Generation’s gorgeous art style has always been amazing with high frame rate support, and it will reach its true portable potential on the Steam Deck OLED’s 90hz display. I even recommend using Steam Input to enable gyro support because Umurangi Generation plays better with it on.
Umurangi Generation is not Steam Deck Verified, but marked Playable because some text might be too small to read. I’ve had no issues playing it multiple times.
Hopefully this feature introduced you to something you don’t own or hadn’t heard of yet, and also helps you get the most out of your new Steam Deck OLED with that superlative display. Keep up with all our Steam Deck coverage on our hub for all things Deck here. If you’ve been enjoying something else on Steam Deck and think more people should try it, let us know in the comments below. Thanks for reading.
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