Best Lore-Rich Steam Deck Games

Steam currently has 2,325 Lore-Rich 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. Lore-Rich game rankings were last updated on 12/2/2024.

Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:

1. 东北之夏

DongBeiZhiXia (a summer in the northeast of China)is a free visual novel, which tells the story that the protagonist followed parents' wishes to make one's living in Shenyang, met two online anchors Huniu and Daojiang by chance, and experience affairs one after another with Shamate.

东北之夏 banner

东北之夏 holds the #1 spot for "best Lore-Rich Steam Deck game" with a Player Score of 95. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 12,041 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 11,765 positive reviews and 276 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is completely free 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.

Release Date 1/9/2023
Developer 庄不纯工作室
Publisher 庄不纯工作室
Steam App Id 2121360

2. Slay the Princess — The Pristine Cut

You're here to slay the princess. Don't believe her lies.

Slay the Princess — The Pristine Cut banner

Slay the Princess — The Pristine Cut has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #2 spot for the best Lore-Rich Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 22,365 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 21,723 positive reviews and 642 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $13.49 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 $13.49
Release Date 10/23/2023
Franchise Black Tabby Games
Developer Black Tabby Games
Publishers
Steam App Id 1989270

3. In Stars And Time

Live with the ever-present burden of being trapped in a time loop only you can know about in this turn-based RPG. Create a better future for you and your friends. Find hope where there is none left. Pray to the stars and free yourself from time.

In Stars And Time banner

In Stars And Time has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #3 spot for the best Lore-Rich Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 5,536 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 5,405 positive reviews and 131 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $14.99 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 $14.99
Release Date 11/20/2023
Franchise Armor Games
Developer insertdisc5
Publisher Armor Games Studios
Steam App Id 1677310

4. Scarlet Hollow

You've finally made it to the dead-end mining town of Scarlet Hollow, North Carolina, where your aunt is dead, your cousin hates you, and something otherworldly stalks you from the shadows. You won't be able to save everyone. You might not even be able to save yourself. Welcome home.

Scarlet Hollow banner

Scarlet Hollow has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #4 spot for the best Lore-Rich Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,805 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,761 positive reviews and 44 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $18.74 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 $18.74
Release Date 6/11/2021
Franchise Black Tabby Games
Developer Black Tabby Games
Publisher Black Tabby Games
Steam App Id 1609230

5. Tinykin

Catch hundreds of tinykin and use their unique powers to bring Milo back to his home planet and back to normal size!

Tinykin banner

Tinykin has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #5 spot for the best Lore-Rich Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 3,089 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,027 positive reviews and 62 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $4.99 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 $4.99
Release Date 8/30/2022
Developer Splashteam
Publisher tinyBuild
Steam App Id 1599020

6. DARK SOULS™ III

Dark Souls continues to push the boundaries with the latest, ambitious chapter in the critically-acclaimed and genre-defining series. Prepare yourself and Embrace The Darkness!

DARK SOULS™ III banner

DARK SOULS™ III has achieved a Player Score of 93, placing it in the #6 spot for the best Lore-Rich Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 407,278 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 384,112 positive reviews and 23,166 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $59.99 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 $59.99
Release Date 4/11/2016
Developer FromSoftware Inc.
Publishers
Steam App Id 374320

7. The Rewinder

The Rewinder is an adventure puzzle game based on Chinese mythology. You play as Yun, the last known Rewinder, who can communicate with spirits and explore other people's memories to alter the past.

The Rewinder banner

The Rewinder has achieved a Player Score of 93, placing it in the #7 spot for the best Lore-Rich Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 6,748 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 6,501 positive reviews and 247 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $7.49 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 $7.49
Release Date 9/9/2021
Developer MistyMountainStudio
Publisher Gamera Games
Steam App Id 1161170

8. Arctic Eggs

Eggs: perfection in two parts. The simple whites. The sublime yolk. Each the lesser without its partner. Chorus and verse. A symphony of flavor. The catchy tune reminding us of warm baths and late-night movies. The elevator music to whatever lies beyond.

Arctic Eggs banner

Arctic Eggs has achieved a Player Score of 93, placing it in the #8 spot for the best Lore-Rich Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 3,309 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 3,211 positive reviews and 98 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $6.99 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 $6.99
Release Date 5/16/2024
Franchise CRITICAL REFLEX
Developers
Publishers
Steam App Id 2763670

9. The Talos Principle 2

The Talos Principle 2 is a thought-provoking first-person puzzle experience that greatly expands on the first game's philosophical themes and stunning environments with increasingly mind-bending challenges.

The Talos Principle 2 banner

The Talos Principle 2 has achieved a Player Score of 93, placing it in the #9 spot for the best Lore-Rich Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 11,557 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 11,054 positive reviews and 503 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $14.99 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 $14.99
Release Date 11/2/2023
Franchise Croteam Official
Developer Croteam
Publisher Devolver Digital
Steam App Id 835960

10. Caves of Qud

Caves of Qud is a science fantasy roguelike epic steeped in retrofuturism, deep simulation, and swathes of sentient plants. Come inhabit an exotic world and chisel through layers of thousand-year-old civilizations.

Caves of Qud banner

Caves of Qud has achieved a Player Score of 92, placing it in the #10 spot for the best Lore-Rich Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 10,070 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 9,593 positive reviews and 477 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $25.49 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 $25.49
Release Date 12/5/2024
Franchise Kitfox Games
Developer Freehold Games
Publishers
Steam App Id 333640

More Lore-Rich Steam Deck Verified Games

Explore even more rankings for the 10 best Lore-Rich games available on Steam.

ImageName
Actions
东北之夏 steam charts
12
1/9/2023
95
Free
Steam Charts
Slay the Princess — The Pristine Cut steam charts
140
10/23/2023
95
$13.49
Steam Charts
In Stars And Time steam charts
58
11/20/2023
94
$14.99
Steam Charts
Scarlet Hollow steam charts
77
6/11/2021
94
$18.74
Steam Charts
Tinykin steam charts
20
8/30/2022
94
$4.99
Steam Charts
DARK SOULS™ III steam charts
3,432
4/11/2016
93
$59.99
Steam Charts
The Rewinder steam charts
15
9/9/2021
93
$7.49
Steam Charts
Arctic Eggs steam charts
14
5/16/2024
93
$6.99
Steam Charts
The Talos Principle 2 steam charts
164
11/2/2023
93
$14.99
Steam Charts
Caves of Qud steam charts
311
12/5/2024
92
$25.49
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, December 2). Steam Store. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, December 2). 东北之夏 on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, March 15). Slay the Princess — The Pristine Cut on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, March 14). In Stars And Time on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, March 18). Scarlet Hollow on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, March 19). Tinykin on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, March 16). DARK SOULS™ III on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, March 17). The Rewinder on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, March 13). Arctic Eggs on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, March 13). The Talos Principle 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2025, March 15). Caves of Qud on Steam. Steam Store.

Explore

Discover the best of Steam. Find your next game, free weekend, or even track the next Steam Sale all in one spot.