New to Steam Deck and PC gaming, I'm looking for game recommendations...

Portal 1 and 2. The spin off Aperture Desk Job is also an introductory game for the Steam Deck, explaining all the controls.

Apart from that there should be a top games played on Steam Deck somewhere around here.

When you start playing shooters on the Deck try to get comfortable with gyro aiming and maybe flick stick. Many games don't have aim assist on the PC, so aiming with a stick is harder than on consoles.

I already downloaded DeskJob! Thanks!

Two great games that are perfect for Steam Deck - Hades and Hollow Knight.

I did a full playthrough of Hollow Knight when I got my OLED deck (except some of the extra Godhome challenge stuff). It was gorgeous and got 8-9 hours of play from a full charge. Highly recommended.
Both of those games are at the top of their genres. They are fantastic games, and they do play great on the Deck.

Fallout New Vegas is awesome, an FPS with RPG elements, that has brilliant humor and huge replayability

Dishonored is a great game where you deal with stealth and magic super powers in a steampunk setting.

The Outer Worlds is a short FPS with RPG elements, it is made by the people who made Fallout New Vegas and is set in a Sci-Fi future in space.

Forza Horizon 4 is a lovely open world racing game set in a fictional UK.

Forza Horizon 5 is the follow up to 4 and is set in Mexico, I find it more boring than 4

Myst (2021), a remake of the classic adventure game from the early 90s, made by the original creator of Myst, Cyan.

OpenRA, play the original Command & Conquer games Tiberian Dawn and Red Alert on modern computers with working online multiplayer for free.

What's open RA?
- https://openra.net
  
  Open RA, or Open Red Alert is a version of the old classic stratergy game from the 90s that is free and open source.
  
  OpenRA has two main games built in, Tiberium Dawn and Red Alert, both are alternate history but in slightly different universes.
  
  In the Tiberium universe a meteor containing a new minneral called Tiberium crashed into the earth, thw Tiberium minneral started growing and chaging the earth, there are two factions, the mysterious Brotherhood of Nod, and the UN lead GDI who fights for control over the minneral.
  
  In the Red Alert universe Albert Einstein travelled back in time to kill Hitler, this changed the outcome of WWII and the Soviet Union is now attacking the West.
  
  In both games you take on the task of a commander for either side to ensure victory on the battleflied.

Hades

Dead Cells

Halls of Torment

Bloodstained

Vampire Survivor

Backpack Hero

Megaman/megamanx collections(just picked these up from.a humblebundle if they are still available)

Brutal Legends

EmuStation(bit of a setup on this but worth it if you want to emulate things)

Edit: why the ever loving hell cant i do single line? Double enter is dumb

Hades Dead Cells Halls of Torment Bloodstained Vampire Survivor Backpack Hero Megaman

Is one long motherfucker of a title! They should've thought of something more concise

Also, press return twice to leave a space between lines, btw
- Thanks, I would prefer it look like this screen shot. So dumb
Your punctuation and the lack thereof gave me an aneurysm
- Oh god sorry, it was supposed to be on a new line. God why does the format change from how its typed out. lemme go fix it
- Unfortunately, one enter in the editor doesn't actually create a new line
  
  I'm sure their intention was a list
Single new line is two spaces followed by Enter.
Like this.

Been playing a lot of Doom eternal and Red Dead Redemption 2 on mine

I wouldn't recommend RDR2 here because you need a net connection to launch the game.
- good point. completely forgot about that

Risk of Rain 2. It's actually not First person, but Third person shooter. There's endless content due to the random nature. It's very difficult in the beginning imo but gets better as you learn the game and how to curate your items a bit

Deep Rock Galactic

It's an FPS, it plays great on the Deck, it supports simultaneous mouse and gamepad (so you can have faster/precise aiming but still use game controls), and it's tons of fun.

Get Heroic Launcher to add games from GoG, Epic, and Amazon Gaming (make sure to turn off Steam Runtime, Esync, and the anti-cheats in your settings; turn on per each game if you need them).

And keep an eye on [email protected] and [email protected]

Rock and Stone!
Came here to recommend DEEP ROCK GALACTIC SURVIVOR. Built for the deck and amazing fun.
- I still haven't given that a try, but it's on my shortlist!
- This game is freaking amazing. I'm completely addicted!

Brotato is a perfect game for the Deck and it's my favorite from the "auto shooter" genre.

Seconding this, at first I thought it was obtuse and overly difficult. But once you get a feel for how the synergies work it's amazing. Despite the simple structure it's a much deeper and more mechanically complex game than Vampire Survivors, and you have a lot more control over your builds.

On the other hand it's a positively insidious timewaster. (But isn't that the point?) I certainly never expected to get 100 hours of fun out of it, but that's what happened.

As for FPS, visually simpler stuff is perhaps easier to enjoy on the small screen. I highly recommend Amid Evil if you enjoy classic Quake style shooters. I used it to teach myself how to effectively play shooters with the touchpads, which can be a tough hill to climb but definitely pays off. Don't be afraid to play with the control settings through Steam; personally I run 175% sensitivity, no accel or haptics, with high friction trackball to help quickly change directions. It took a few hours to figure out what worked but once you get a feel for what's comfortable for you personally it only takes a couple minutes per game to dial in the control settings.

On top of all the great suggestions here I'd like to point out that the deck is a great emulation machine. Everything up to the ps2 era runs flawlessly but it can also do pretty well with Wii u, ps3 and Switch emulation too but performance will vary from title to title.

It's also a great fallback in case the deck gets unhappy about not having a network connection (YMMV but some people have pretty bad issues with this) and steam games won't start. Non steam games work just fine regardless of whether or not you have an internet connection.

Cannot second this recommendation enough. 90% of what I use my Deck for is playing old Nintendo games.

You can use EmuDeck to add all of your ROMs to your library as if they were Steam games. It uses RetroArch, so you can also enable achievements for pretty much every game by logging into retroachievements.org
- EmuDeck is a godsend. It makes emulation on the deck so easy.

The Binding of Isaac for an amazing roguelike. I have 1300 hours in it and am still playing it religiously.

Yakuza 0 is a great entry point to the series and runs really well on the Steam Deck. I recently finished Dredge and really enjoyed it on the Deck. Lonely Mountain Downhill is a enjoyable skill-based mountain biking game that's a lot of fun to explore and has a ton of content. Snowrunner is a chill game that works well on the Deck too...it's kinda like Dark Souls for trucks, but meditative. Hollow Knight is great and looks really good on the OLED screen. Pretty much any of the Fallout games are a good choice; New Vegas is probably the best overall but you'll need to use Desktop Mode to get some community patches in there while Fallout 4 is not as good story-wise but has better moment-to-moment gameplay feel. Hades is a great run-based roguelike that looks and works great on the Deck. I played the entirety of Jedi Fallen Order on the Steam Deck and it was great. Dead Cells and Scourgebringer are great action roguelikes that feel great to play and run well on the Deck. And while Baldurs Gate 3 is Larian's latest triumph, it can run into performance issues in the latter half of the game on the Deck; Divinity: Original Sin 2 was their prior game and it runs very well on the Deck and is a great game in its own right.

There's probably a lot more, but that's off the top of my head!

Just FYI - Yakuza 4 and 5 are not verified on the Deck, which if you want to finish the series, is kind of a bummer.

I played 0-4 on PC, but then I got a deck, so I moved to Like a Dragon instead of Yakuza 5 :/

PORTAL

Get the whole orange box, HL2 is amazing too

Also portal 2.

For other communities, the various Linux gaming communities will all be decent.

https://lemmy.world/c/linux_gaming https://lemmy.ml/c/linux_gaming

Do you have Internet in the ship? The biggest potential issue is that many games need an Internet connection once every few days to recheck the license.

I don't play that many FPS games these days, but I would highly recommend DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal, they both run fantastic and are great games.

Cyberpunk is pretty good these days as well. Titanfall 2 is a great game and goes on sale for super cheap, but when EA switched it from using the origin launcher to the EA app it apparently caused some issues with the game crashing or refusing to run sometimes. I haven't tried it myself since the changeover, so I don't know how bad the problem actually is.

I can probably provide more recommendations for adventure games, but I'd need some examples of what kind of games you like.

Hi there! Looks like you linked to a Lemmy community using a URL instead of its name, which doesn't work well for people on different instances. Try fixing it like this: [email protected], [email protected]
- Thanks kind bot stranger.
- On Thunder both the URL and the name work fine. Pretty nice
- The links fails with voyager because of the underscore.
I will occasionally get internet when in port or I'll Hotspot my phone. At the most, maybe 4-5 days with no service.
- 4-5 days is more time without Internet than I'm used to, so other people may have better advice.
  
  For using the Steam Deck offline, you can either use it in online mode (without Internet), or switch it to offline mode. For most people, it's best to just stay in online mode and never touch offline mode even if they'll be offline for hours.
  
  However since you're going multiple days without Internet, I'm guessing you'll probably actually need to use offline mode. I would recommend launching any newly installed games in online mode once, then switching to offline mode (both in steam settings and wifi turned off) and making sure everything still works. It's hard to determine what DRM different games have, and what will work or won't work without Internet. Anything that you find doesn't work can be refunded if you have less than 2 hours of recorded gameplay, and you may have to rely on that mechanic to deal with games that have DRM that keeps you from playing on the ship.
  
  Also worth noting, offline mode specifically means the deck is not connected to Steam's servers, but wifi and non-steam internet services can still work. Putting the deck in offline mode is supposed to keep you from having issues with the steam license check, but other DRM programs can do license checks as well and may fail if you don't have WiFi (regardless of if you're in steam offline mode or not).
- One more thing I'd recommend is to set up some emulators or other non-steam games. That way you'll always have something to play, even if you do run into some Internet related issues.
  
  Emulators are great for this, emudeck and other emulator programs make it very easy to set up, and many emulated titles are both battery friendly and don't take much room compared to modern games.

Cyberpunk GTA V Witcher 3 Baldurs Gate 3 Dead Space The evil within 2 Hogwarts Legacy Hollow Knight The mortuary assistant Uncharted

This is in no particular order. I was just trying to remember the games I enjoyed the most on the steam deck.

Fixed your formatting:

Cyberpunk

GTA V

Witcher 3

Baldurs Gate 3

Dead Space

The evil within 2

Hogwarts Legacy

Hollow Knight

The mortuary assistant

Uncharted
- Hey thanks man.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R franchise, if you're familiar with modding you can make the games look even better. Try to play the first 3 games in chronological order before jumping into GAMMA or Anomaly. HBD btw!

Thanks!

I'm not at all familiar with modding,perhaps down the road.
Played them all but got the itch to play Anomaly or other mods after seeing some of the cool stuff they doing. Will give this a try 👍
How does modding Stalker work on Linux?
- Technically just drag and drop files on the game folder lol. That and installing dependencies with protontricks once in a while.
The text isn't too small for Deck? Inventory management is okay too? I love the series but it's far from the first thing that comes to mind for me on handheld.
- When I played them it wasn't that small. For the inventory cells I didn't find them too small but if you do you can make them bigger with a mod.

Just a tip: when asking for game recommendations, it usually helps narrow things down if you give some examples of games you've already played and enjoyed.

Saints Row III plays wonderfully, and has a great mix of quick and longer play objectives, which really makes it fit the times and places I play on my SteamDeck.

First of all, make a habit of checking IsThereAnyDeal before getting any PC game. There are lots of PC game stores, many selling Steam keys for less than Steam. Or you could get a bundle with some games you like, some you would never think of, for less than the price of 1. Right now I think Fanatical is about the best of the bundlers, Humble sometimes has good stuff too.

You might want to get more of your games on GoG than Steam. It's a little more work to set up Heroic to handle GoG, but after that it is pretty close to automatic. Once you have a GoG game working, it is never going to say "I know there is an update out there and I refuse to play until you download all 50 ziggabytes of it on your tethering".

I'm not particularly fond of FPSes, so I can't help you there. If you haven't already played Batman Arkham or the new Tomb Raider games on a console, catch up on those? The Humble Mind-Bending Masterpieces bundle is fantastic, being stuck on a couple of puzzles and having them roll around in your mind during dull ship duties could work together. Fanatical's 3 for $5 BYO Relentless bundle has Red Faction Guerilla, Void Scrappers, Graveyard Keeper or Neverinth?

Oh and for games that will just kill your down time (if that's what you are looking for).

With mouse and Keyboard

Civilization 5 or 6
Cities Skylines
Jurassic World Evolution
Kerbal Space Program

With just a gamepad

Elder Scrolls 4/5
Fallout 3/4/New Vegas (in order)
GTA San Andreas (though if you can PCSX2 with the widescreen patch)
Batman Arkham Asylum/City/Knight
Saints Row 2/3/4
Watch_Dogs (can't say how nice UPlay will be with no login)

With multiple controllers (and friends)

TMNT Shredders Revenge
Castle Crashers
LEGO [INSERT FRANCHISE HERE]
Most ROM bundles like Disney Afternoon, Capcom Arcade Stadium, Sega Genesis Collection etc.

I really like how Rimworld plays. It's a colony sim with the ability to control pawns. And there are many great mods to help improve and change base gameplay

Xcom 2 is pretty much the only game I've been able to play in handheld but that's skill issue on my part. It's turn based tactical combat, it's been a lot of fun for me, maybe try it out

Halo mcc

Burnout Paradise (not remastered), Dicey Dungeons, backpack hero, peglin, cat quest, pokemon infinite fusion (not on steam), broforce, Cassette Beasts, distance, enter the gungeon, Streets of rogue

If you like JRPG's, then can't go wrong with the persona series

Persona 5 Royal
Persona 4 Golden
Persona 3 Reload

If you like platformers, I highly recommend Pizza Tower.

The platforming is as if Wario Land and Sonic had a baby. And it's more refined than both of those games. The art is amazing, and it's reminiscent of old cartoons like Ren & Stimpy and Courage the Cowardly Dog. And don't even get me started about the music, there's some absolute bangers in there and the tracks add a lot to every level.

My 10-year-old son was hopelessly addicted to this for months.

I like FPS games

HDoom and Gal*Gun series

Just tried Severed Steel this week after trying the demo for the studios next game on next fest last week. It's an incredible movement shooter with a great soundtrack and really satisfying gameplay. Highly recommend. Regularly goes on sale for five dollars and it's a steel at that price. :)

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1227690/Severed_Steel/

'Metal gear 5, the phantom pain' and 'Death Standing' both look amazing on the deck and are worth checking out if you don't mind Kojima studio's whole deal!

Recently installed MGSV on Deck and having a blast. It runs really well and I forgot how awesome the game is.
I didn't even think of MGS5 on the Deck! I'd bet it runs great and it's easily one of the best stealth action games ever made. The story was a bit of a let down, but that gameplay made up for it.
- It looks amazing, too! If Konami would hire a crew to go fix up the level scripting and maybe flush out some content, it'd compete with current releases

I don't know how much the Navy still resembles my time, but back then if you didn't want your PSP stolen by some shitbag, you painted it pink. Nobody ever stole pink electronics.

While that would probably still work, I'm not in the Navy.
- Well have fun at sea, whatever you're doing! Don't forget to go on deck at night. Hopefully they shut the lights off so you can see bioluminescence and the stars.

Some cheap ones-

Vampire survivors

Into the breach

Your only move is hustle

Portal 1 & 2; aperture science desk job

Spelunkey

Slay the spire

Enter the gungeon

Hollow Knight

Prey (2017) is an awesome FPS/immersive Sim. As in, it plays like a shooter but how you take each engagement is highly up to you. You can go in guns blazing, there's usually some way to use the environment, go out of your way to get robot helpers, mind control one of the enemy, sneak past entirely. It's one of my all time faves because it has depth but draws you in like an fps. I love stuff like obra din but don't always have the energy to get lost in them.

And the plot is awesome. Not a ton of replay ability (imo, but I'm difficult there) but definitely a meaty amount of time. highly recommend headphones.

Haven't run it on the deck but a quick search shows people are really happy with it's performance there.

Lemmy communities you should keep an eye out for is: [email protected] for freebees and discounts. The other social media site that shall not be named also has a similar community with the same name.

As for new games when in doubt, Humble Bundle. They currently have some fantastic game deals right now if you are a fan of Capcom or Indi games. Outside of the Destiny 2 bundle I've heard nothing but positives from them.

Now as you say you are new to PC gaming I'm going to recommend you some niche/personal fav games of mine that either aren't on consoles, or aren't know well on consoles.

Antichamber, a first person "shooter", that's more of a mind bending puzzle game. The most atmospheric game I've played and a wonderful time.
Most thing from Valve, Half Life 1 & 2, Left for Dead, etc. All good fund and often onsale for dirt cheap. Get it if you find it for the right price. The YouTube series "Freeman's Mind" is worth a watch if you want a see what the gameplay is like.
Portal 1 & 2, Valve FPS and puzzle games. Well known, and obviously recommended. Play in order is advised.
Slime Rancher if you are looking for a framing game in the first person
Star Wars Dark Forces, Star Wars in the Doom Engine. Not the biggest fan but it's the first in a series of fun adventure games.
Star Wars Jedi Knight Dark Forces II, This is an interesting genera of game. It is a FPS, but it's in the mission structure of the old doom games. With a narrative of Star Wars. There are light sabers, and you can cut off your enemies limbs. Fun time
Star Wars Jedi Knight II/Jedi Academe, aka Dark Forces III. Same as the first game but you get your saber quicker. Had a blast with academe.
Super Hot: Super. Hot. Super. Hot. Super. Hot.
Team Fortress 2. Team based hero FPS before Overwatch. I've heard the quality went down recently but I haven't checked.
Wolfenstein The New Order. Just a very angry dude killing nazi's what's there not to love.

What do you like about Slime Rancher? I tried to play it but I didn't really understand what I was doing. And then one of the slimes scared me (lol) so I haven't tried again
- Exploration and slime optimization.
  
  The exploration was more just looking around, and since the game is finished I can explore to my heart's content.
  
  As for slime optimization, the farm has only so many plots of land. So mixing your slimes into mixed slimes lets you feed the slimes easier to feed and maintain.
  
  The goal being a farm that doesn't create monsters from free roaming plorts while making the most money.
  
  I'm in it for the exploration and without guides its a good time sink

Monster Hunter World works surprisingly well.

I was going to get this, but then read that the new DRM made it unplayable on deck. Is that not true?
- That was for Monster Hunter Rise/Sunbreak. I think Capcom fixed the steam deck issue now.
  
  Monster Hunter World still works perfectly for me.
- I tried it (monster hunter rise) after the DRM update and it's working fine now.

Doom and Neon White are on sale right now. You also might want to check out games with the Boomer Shooter tag.

I recently played the demo for ultrakill (fast-paced, combo-based fps) and had a blast

If there's any retro games you like, consider emulating!

Also, just wanted to say that I enjoy docking my deck to the TV and playing with a controller. Been playing Ark Survival Evolved with my brother all week

I have been reconnecting with Left 4 Dead 2 and the master chief collection, as far as shooters go.

Receiver 2 is a twist on the FPS/shooter genre where you need to more meticulously operate your weapon. The game happens inside a weird dream-like world. I think it has a native Linux version.

Crypt of the Necrodancer is a great rogue-like music-based game. Best game of 2015 imho. Has a native Linux version.