Best Early Access Steam Deck Games
Steam currently has 10,466 Early Access games, but not all of them can be played on the Steam Deck. Explore our list with the best picks ranked by Player Score. Our Player Score rankings are calculated directly from reviews left on the Steam store and will be updated in real-time as more players leave their feedback. Early Access game rankings were last updated on 11/30/2024.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best early access games on Steam
- Best early access Steam games for Mac
- Best early access Linux games on Steam
- Free early access games on Steam
- Free Steam games
- Most played Steam games
- Best rated Steam games
1. Vampire Survivors
Mow down thousands of night creatures and survive until dawn! Vampire Survivors is a gothic horror casual game with rogue-lite elements, where your choices can allow you to quickly snowball against the hundreds of monsters that get thrown at you.
Vampire Survivors holds the #1 spot for "best Early Access Steam Deck game" with a Player Score of 97. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 241,637 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 238,008 positive reviews and 3,629 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $3.74 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
2. ULTRAKILL
ULTRAKILL is a fast-paced ultraviolent retro FPS combining the skill-based style scoring from character action games with unadulterated carnage inspired by the best shooters of the '90s. Rip apart your foes with varied destructive weapons and shower in their blood to regain your health.
ULTRAKILL has achieved a Player Score of 97, placing it in the #2 spot for the best Early Access Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 135,698 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 132,802 positive reviews and 2,896 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $18.74 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $18.74 |
| Release Date | 9/3/2020 |
| Franchise | New Blood Interactive |
| Developer | Arsi "Hakita" Patala |
| Publisher | New Blood Interactive |
| Steam App Id | 1229490 |
3. Rhythm Doctor
Save patients with your rhythm mastery! Rhythm Doctor is a rhythm game where you heal patients by defibrillating in time to their heartbeats. Learn each patient's unique heartbeat and defeat boss viruses trying to sabotage your rhythm, all set to heart-pumping, soul-soothing music.
Rhythm Doctor has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #3 spot for the best Early Access Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 20,487 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 20,165 positive reviews and 322 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $14.39 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $14.39 |
| Release Date | 2/26/2021 |
| Franchise | 7th Beat Games |
| Developer | 7th Beat Games |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 774181 |
4. Subnautica
Descend into the depths of an alien underwater world filled with wonder and peril. Craft equipment, pilot submarines and out-smart wildlife to explore lush coral reefs, volcanoes, cave systems, and more - all while trying to survive.
Subnautica has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #4 spot for the best Early Access Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 291,390 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 282,492 positive reviews and 8,898 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $9.89 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $9.89 |
| Release Date | 1/23/2018 |
| Franchise | Unknown Worlds |
| Developer | Unknown Worlds Entertainment |
| Publisher | Unknown Worlds Entertainment |
| Steam App Id | 264710 |
5. DAVE THE DIVER
DAVE THE DIVER is a casual, singleplayer adventure RPG featuring deep-sea exploration and fishing during the day and sushi restaurant management at night. Join Dave and his quirky friends as they seek to uncover the secrets of the mysterious Blue Hole.
DAVE THE DIVER has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #5 spot for the best Early Access Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 116,622 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 113,346 positive reviews and 3,276 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $13.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $13.99 |
| Release Date | 6/28/2023 |
| Developer | MINTROCKET |
| Publisher | MINTROCKET |
| Steam App Id | 1868140 |
6. Phasmophobia
Phasmophobia is a 4 player online co-op psychological horror. Paranormal activity is on the rise and it’s up to you and your team to use all the ghost-hunting equipment at your disposal in order to gather as much evidence as you can.
Phasmophobia has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #6 spot for the best Early Access Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 728,098 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 698,061 positive reviews and 30,037 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $15.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $15.99 |
| Release Date | 9/18/2020 |
| Developer | Kinetic Games |
| Publisher | Kinetic Games |
| Steam App Id | 739630 |
7. Wobbly Life
Wobbly Life is a vibrant open-world physics sandbox. Play with your friends online or in local co-op, with exciting jobs, mini games and wacky story missions. Earn cash to spend in the world on clothes, vehicles and houses. There is a whole Wobbly World out there to explore!
Wobbly Life has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #7 spot for the best Early Access Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 23,698 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 22,984 positive reviews and 714 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $14.39 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $14.39 |
| Release Date | 7/8/2020 |
| Developer | RubberBandGames |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 1211020 |
8. The Coffin of Andy and Leyley
Walk-n-talk adventure with light puzzling. Brother and sister practice cannibalism after witnessing a botched satanic ritual.
The Coffin of Andy and Leyley has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #8 spot for the best Early Access Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 24,179 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 23,347 positive reviews and 832 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $9.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $9.99 |
| Release Date | 10/13/2023 |
| Developers | |
| Publishers | |
| Steam App Id | 2378900 |
9. Thronefall
A minimalist game about building and defending your little kingdom.
Thronefall has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #9 spot for the best Early Access Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 17,777 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 17,202 positive reviews and 575 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $12.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $12.99 |
| Release Date | 10/11/2024 |
| Developer | GrizzlyGames |
| Publisher | GrizzlyGames |
| Steam App Id | 2239150 |
10. The Planet Crafter
A space survival open world terraforming crafting game, designed for 1 to 10 players. Alter the ecosystem of an inhospitable planet to render it habitable for humanity. Survive, gather resources, and build your base. Then, generate oxygen, warmth, and pressure to create a brand new biosphere.
The Planet Crafter has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #10 spot for the best Early Access Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 46,468 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 44,630 positive reviews and 1,838 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.
It is priced at $14.39 to play and can be played and ran on Windows systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Steam Price | $14.39 |
| Release Date | 4/10/2024 |
| Developer | Miju Games |
| Publisher | Miju Games |
| Steam App Id | 1284190 |
More Early Access Steam Deck Verified Games
Explore even more rankings for the 10 best Early Access games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7,561 | 10/20/2022 | 97 | $3.74 | Steam Charts | |
| 2,424 | 9/3/2020 | 97 | $18.74 | Steam Charts | |
| 56 | 2/26/2021 | 96 | $14.39 | Steam Charts | |
| 10,005 | 1/23/2018 | 96 | $9.89 | Steam Charts | |
| 6,735 | 6/28/2023 | 96 | $13.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 30,718 | 9/18/2020 | 95 | $15.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 726 | 7/8/2020 | 95 | $14.39 | Steam Charts | |
| 156 | 10/13/2023 | 94 | $9.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 902 | 10/11/2024 | 94 | $12.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 3,636 | 4/10/2024 | 94 | $14.39 | Steam Charts |
Soures & References
Steambase has best-in-class data powered directly by Steam, our data partners, and in-house experts. Reviews and rankings are enriched, analyzed, and updated in real-time to ensure we surface the most up-to-date insights. Learn more about the Steambase approach to data collection and our review methodology.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 30). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 30). Vampire Survivors on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 27). ULTRAKILL on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, December 1). Rhythm Doctor on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 28). Subnautica on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 29). DAVE THE DIVER on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 28). Phasmophobia on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 30). Wobbly Life on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 26). The Coffin of Andy and Leyley on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 18). Thronefall on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2024, November 29). The Planet Crafter on Steam. Steam Store.