What are the best Steam Deckgames in the metroidvania genre?
Enjoyed our previous blog on the best Steam Deck Games in the metroidvania genre? Check out even more of these virtual havens that give you the opportunity to immerse yourself in mystery, lore, and all the exploration you could ask for! In this follow-up, we’ll delve into four more outstanding Metroidvania titles that are all Steam Deck verified, evaluating them based on key elements that define the genre. These best games for Steam Deck showcase why Metroidvanias are perfect for on-the-go gaming, offering deep, engaging experiences that you can enjoy anywhere. Whether you’re a seasoned fan or new to the genre, these best Metroidvania games are sure to enhance your Steam Deck games library.
| ✓ Story | ✓ Exploration | ✓ Combat | ✓ Ability Gating |
| ✓ Replayability |
Dead Cells /rating:4.7
Ratings (Out of 5)
Available On:
Game Features
Dead Cells stands out as a shining example of how to blend Metroidvania elements with roguelite mechanics, creating an addictive and endlessly replayable experience on the Steam Deck.
Story
While storytelling isn’t Dead Cells’ primary focus, it weaves an intriguing narrative through environmental details and sparse NPC interactions. The game’s mysterious world and the player character’s cyclical existence create an atmosphere of intrigue that encourages exploration. The story’s minimalist approach works well with the Steam Deck’s pick-up-and-play nature, allowing players to engage with the narrative at their own pace without feeling overwhelmed by exposition.
Exploration
Dead Cells excels in its approach to exploration, offering procedurally generated levels that ensure each run feels fresh and exciting. The game’s biomes are visually distinct and filled with secrets, encouraging thorough exploration. The Steam Deck’s portable nature complements this aspect perfectly, allowing players to embark on quick runs during short breaks or settle in for longer sessions of world discovery. The satisfaction of uncovering new paths and shortcuts never diminishes, even after multiple playthroughs.
Combat
The combat system in Dead Cells is a tour de force, offering lightning-fast action that’s both challenging and immensely satisfying. The vast array of weapons and abilities, each with unique playstyles, provides endless opportunities for experimentation. Boss battles are intense, requiring quick reflexes and strategic thinking. The Steam Deck’s responsive controls handle the frenetic combat beautifully, making each encounter feel precise and rewarding. The game’s difficulty curve is well-balanced, offering a stern challenge that never feels unfair.
Ability Gating
Dead Cells takes an innovative approach to ability gating, tying permanent upgrades to the acquisition of Runes. These Runes unlock new movement abilities and access to previously blocked areas, encouraging players to explore thoroughly and tackle challenging areas to progress. This system works well with the game’s roguelite structure, as each run offers the potential for both immediate progress and long-term advancement. The Steam Deck’s portability enhances this aspect, allowing players to make meaningful progress in short bursts.
Replayability
In terms of replayability, Dead Cells is nearly unmatched in the Metroidvania genre. The combination of procedurally generated levels, a vast array of weapons and abilities to unlock, and multiple difficulty modes ensures that no two runs are ever the same. The game’s “just one more run” appeal is perfectly suited to the Steam Deck, allowing players to squeeze in quick sessions whenever they have a spare moment. Regular content updates and DLC expansions further extend the game’s longevity, providing players with new challenges and goals long after their initial playthrough.
Dead Cells represents the pinnacle of action-platforming Metroidvanias on the Steam Deck. Its fast-paced combat, endless variety, and roguelite elements create an experience that’s both deeply engaging and perfectly suited for portable play.
ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights /rating:4.5
Ratings (Out of 5)
Available on:
Game Features
ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights offers a hauntingly beautiful Metroidvania experience that shines on the Steam Deck’s vibrant display.
Story
ENDER LILIES weaves a melancholic tale of a world corrupted by a mysterious Rain of Death. The narrative unfolds through a combination of environmental storytelling, character interactions, and boss encounters. The story’s themes of hope amidst despair resonate strongly, creating an emotional journey that keeps players invested. The game’s approach to storytelling works well on the Steam Deck, allowing players to absorb the narrative at their own pace while exploring the haunting world.
Exploration
The world of Land’s End is a masterpiece of atmospheric design, with each area feeling distinct and memorable. The game encourages thorough exploration, rewarding players with ability upgrades, lore fragments, and stunning vistas. The map system is intuitive and well-suited to the Steam Deck’s screen, making navigation through the interconnected world a joy. The sense of discovery as players uncover new areas and secrets is palpable, making each play session feel like a new adventure.
Combat
ENDER LILIES features a unique combat system that revolves around summoning spirit companions to fight alongside the protagonist, Lily. This approach offers a wide variety of playstyles and strategies, allowing players to customize their loadout to suit different situations. Boss battles are particularly noteworthy, offering challenging encounters that test both skill and strategy.
Ability Gating
The game excels in its approach to ability gating, gradually introducing new spirit companions that grant access to previously unreachable areas. Each new ability feels significant, often changing the way players approach both exploration and combat. The satisfaction of returning to earlier areas with new powers is a key part of the Metroidvania experience, and ENDER LILIES delivers this feeling in spades.
Replayability
While ENDER LILIES doesn’t feature procedurally generated elements, it offers substantial replay value through its multiple endings, challenging boss rush mode, and the ability to experiment with different spirit companion combinations. The game’s New Game+ mode adds further depth, allowing players to carry over their abilities and tackle the world with a different approach. These features make ENDER LILIES a game players can return to multiple times, always finding new ways to experience its haunting world.
ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights stands out as a gem in the Metroidvania genre on the Steam Deck, with an atmospheric world, unique combat system, and emotional storytelling.
Nine Sols /rating:4.3
Ratings (Out of 5)
Available On:
Game Features
Nine Sols brings a fresh perspective to the Metroidvania genre with its blend of ancient Asian mythology and sci-fi elements, creating a truly unique gaming experience.
Story
Nine Sols presents a rich narrative set in a world where ancient Asian mythology meets futuristic technology. The story unfolds through a combination of character interactions, environmental storytelling, and lore discoveries. The game’s unique “Taopunk” setting creates a fascinating backdrop for the narrative, offering players a world that feels both familiar and alien. The depth of the lore and the gradual unveiling of the plot work well with the Steam Deck’s portability, allowing players to dive into the story in short bursts or longer sessions.
Exploration
The world of Nine Sols is a visual feast, with hand-drawn environments that bring the Taopunk setting to life. Each area is distinct, offering a mix of ancient ruins and futuristic technology that begs to be explored. The game encourages thorough investigation, rewarding players with lore fragments, ability upgrades, and hidden challenges. The Steam Deck’s screen showcases the game’s beautiful art style, making exploration a joy whether playing in handheld mode or docked.
Combat
Nine Sols features a combat system that emphasizes timing and precision, with a focus on deflection mechanics similar to games like Sekiro. This approach creates intense, skill-based encounters that require practice and patience to master. Boss battles are particularly challenging, serving as tests of both skill and understanding of the game’s mechanics. The Steam Deck’s responsive controls are well-suited to the precise inputs required, though some players may find the difficulty curve steep.
Ability Gating
The game takes a thoughtful approach to ability gating, introducing new powers and techniques that open up both combat options and exploration possibilities. Each new ability feels significant, often requiring players to rethink their approach to both navigation and combat. This system works well with the Steam Deck’s pick-up-and-play nature, as players can easily jump back in to test out new abilities in previously visited areas.
Replayability
While Nine Sols offers a more linear experience compared to some Metroidvania titles, it provides replay value through its challenging combat system, multiple difficulty options, and the depth of its lore. Players are encouraged to revisit areas with new abilities to uncover all of the game’s secrets and piece together the full story. The game’s unique setting and atmosphere also make it an experience worth revisiting, even after the main story is complete.
Nine Sols stands out as a unique entry in the Metroidvania genre. Its blend of challenging combat, beautiful art style, and intriguing Taopunk setting create an experience that’s both fresh and engaging for fans of the genre.
Animal Well /rating:4.1
Ratings (Out of 5)
Available On:
Game Features
ANIMAL WELL offers a surreal and atmospheric take on the Metroidvania genre, providing a unique puzzle-platforming experience on the Steam Deck.
Story
ANIMAL WELL takes a minimalist approach to storytelling, relying on environmental cues and player interpretation to convey its narrative. The game’s surreal, dreamlike world creates an atmosphere of mystery and intrigue, encouraging players to piece together the story through exploration and discovery. This approach to narrative works well on the Steam Deck, allowing players to engage with the story at their own pace without breaking the immersive atmosphere.
Exploration
Exploration in ANIMAL WELL is a mesmerizing experience, with each area of the game’s interconnected world feeling like a living, breathing entity. The surreal environments are filled with hidden secrets and puzzles, rewarding observant players with new paths and revelations. The game’s unique visual style shines on the Steam Deck’s screen, creating a captivating atmosphere that draws players into its mysterious world. The joy of discovery is a core part of the experience, with each new area offering fresh challenges and surprises.
Combat
Unlike many Metroidvania games, ANIMAL WELL focuses more on puzzle-solving and environmental interaction than traditional combat. Players must use their wits and the items they discover to overcome obstacles and progress through the world. This approach creates a different kind of challenge, one that emphasizes problem-solving over reflexes.
Ability Gating
ANIMAL WELL takes a unique approach to ability gating, focusing on items and environmental interactions rather than traditional power-ups. Players must discover and learn to use various objects to access new areas and solve puzzles. This system creates a sense of gradual mastery over the game’s world, as players learn to see and interact with their surroundings in new ways. The Steam Deck’s portability complements this aspect of the game, allowing players to ponder puzzles and return with fresh perspectives.
Replayability
While ANIMAL WELL offers a more focused experience compared to some Metroidvania titles, it provides significant replay value through its multiple endings, hidden secrets, and the depth of its puzzle design. The game’s surreal nature and the subtle ways in which the world changes encourage multiple playthroughs to fully uncover all of its mysteries. The Steam Deck’s quick resume feature is particularly useful for ANIMAL WELL, allowing players to easily jump back in to experiment with new ideas or revisit puzzling areas.
ANIMAL WELL stands out as a unique and atmospheric entry in the Metroidvania genre. Its focus on puzzle-solving, surreal aesthetics, and minimalist storytelling create an experience that’s both challenging and deeply immersive.
In conclusion, these four games showcase the diversity and creativity within the Metroidvania genre on the Steam Deck. From the fast-paced, roguelite action of Dead Cells to the surreal puzzle-platforming of ANIMAL WELL, each title offers a unique experience that takes full advantage of the Steam Deck’s capabilities. Whether you’re looking for challenging combat, intricate exploration, or mind-bending puzzles, these games provide hours of engaging gameplay that’s perfect for both quick sessions and extended play. The Steam Deck’s portability enhances these Metroidvania experiences, allowing players to delve into these rich, interconnected worlds whenever and wherever they choose. These titles not only represent some of the best games to play on Steam Deck, but they also highlight why the Metroidvania genre continues to thrive on this versatile handheld platform. As you explore these best Steam Deck games, you’ll discover why Metroidvanias are an essential part of any Steam Deck owner’s collection.
