Best Tactical Steam Deck Games

Steam currently has 5,419 Tactical 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. Tactical game rankings were last updated on 11/28/2024.

Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:

1. Left 4 Dead 2

Set in the zombie apocalypse, Left 4 Dead 2 (L4D2) is the highly anticipated sequel to the award-winning Left 4 Dead, the #1 co-op game of 2008. This co-operative action horror FPS takes you and your friends through the cities, swamps and cemeteries of the Deep South, from Savannah to New Orleans across five expansive campaigns.

Left 4 Dead 2 banner

Left 4 Dead 2 holds the #1 spot for "best Tactical Steam Deck game" with a Player Score of 97. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 913,805 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 891,200 positive reviews and 22,605 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $1.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.

Steam Price $1.99
Release Date 11/16/2009
Developer Valve
Publisher Valve
Steam App Id 550

2. The WereCleaner

Kyle is a Janitor. He's also a Werewolf. And now he's got the night shift. Try not to kill anyone while working to get your paycheck - in a stealth-comedy game with surprises around every corner.

The WereCleaner banner

The WereCleaner has achieved a Player Score of 96, placing it in the #2 spot for the best Tactical Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 7,522 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 7,486 positive reviews and 36 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 5/7/2024
Developer Howlin' Hugs
Publisher USC Games
Steam App Id 2795000

3. 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 banner

Phasmophobia has achieved a Player Score of 95, placing it in the #3 spot for the best Tactical 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

4. Age of Empires II (Retired)

Age of Empires II has been re-imagined in high definition. With the release of Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, this product will not be updated further.

Age of Empires II (Retired) banner

Age of Empires II (Retired) has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #4 spot for the best Tactical Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 100,459 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 96,212 positive reviews and 4,247 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $19.99 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 $19.99
Release Date 4/9/2013
Franchise Age of Empires Franchise
Developers
Publisher Xbox Game Studios
Steam App Id 221380

5. Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun

Shadow Tactics is a hardcore tactical stealth game set in Japan around the Edo period. A new Shogun seizes power over Japan and enforces nationwide peace. In his battle against conspiracy and rebellion, he recruits five specialists with extraordinary skills for assassination, sabotage and espionage.

Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun banner

Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #5 spot for the best Tactical Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 36,446 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 35,022 positive reviews and 1,424 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $3.99 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 $3.99
Release Date 12/6/2016
Franchise Mimimi
Developer Mimimi Games
Publisher Daedalic Entertainment
Steam App Id 418240

6. Teardown

Prepare the perfect heist in this simulated and fully destructible voxel world. Tear down walls with vehicles or explosives to create shortcuts. Stack objects to reach higher. Use the environment to your advantage in the most creative way you can think of.

Teardown banner

Teardown has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #6 spot for the best Tactical Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 99,985 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 95,525 positive reviews and 4,460 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 4/21/2022
Franchise Saber Interactive
Developer Tuxedo Labs
Publishers
Steam App Id 1167630

7. I Am Your Beast

Hunt the military-industrial complex across stylish comic book micro-sandboxes in this fast-paced covert revenge thriller FPS from the developers of El Paso, Elsewhere.

I Am Your Beast banner

I Am Your Beast has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #7 spot for the best Tactical Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,685 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,673 positive reviews and 12 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 9/10/2024
Franchise Strange Scaffold
Developer Strange Scaffold
Publishers
Steam App Id 1876590

8. Against the Storm

A dark fantasy city builder where you must rebuild civilization in the face of apocalyptic rains. As the Queen’s Viceroy, lead humans, beavers, lizards, foxes, and harpies to reclaim the wilderness and secure a future for civilization's last survivors.

Against the Storm banner

Against the Storm has achieved a Player Score of 93, placing it in the #8 spot for the best Tactical Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 28,316 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 26,929 positive reviews and 1,387 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 12/8/2023
Franchise Hooded Horse
Developer Eremite Games
Publisher Hooded Horse
Steam App Id 1336490

9. Plague Inc: Evolved

Plague Inc: Evolved is a unique mix of high strategy and terrifyingly realistic simulation. Your pathogen has just infected 'Patient Zero' - now you must bring about the end of human history by evolving a deadly, global Plague whilst adapting against everything humanity can do to defend itself.

Plague Inc: Evolved banner

Plague Inc: Evolved has achieved a Player Score of 93, placing it in the #9 spot for the best Tactical Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 52,959 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 50,038 positive reviews and 2,921 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $4.49 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 $4.49
Release Date 2/18/2016
Franchise Ndemic Creations
Developer Ndemic Creations
Publisher Ndemic Creations
Steam App Id 246620

10. Cobalt Core

A sci-fi roguelike deckbuilder with a deep new single-axis spin on tactics games! Dodge missiles, line up your cannons, and blast 'em out of the sky... Then get to the bottom of these time loops, before it's too late!

Cobalt Core banner

Cobalt Core has achieved a Player Score of 92, placing it in the #10 spot for the best Tactical Steam Deck games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 3,055 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,953 positive reviews and 102 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $13.99 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 $13.99
Release Date 11/8/2023
Franchise Brace Yourself Games
Developer Rocket Rat Games
Publisher Brace Yourself Games
Steam App Id 2179850

More Tactical Steam Deck Verified Games

Explore even more rankings for the 10 best Tactical games available on Steam.

ImageName
Actions
Left 4 Dead 2 steam charts
46,328
11/16/2009
97
$1.99
Steam Charts
The WereCleaner steam charts
42
5/7/2024
96
Free
Steam Charts
Phasmophobia steam charts
31,332
9/18/2020
95
$15.99
Steam Charts
Age of Empires II (Retired) steam charts
2,863
4/9/2013
94
$19.99
Steam Charts
Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun steam charts
138
12/6/2016
94
$3.99
Steam Charts
Teardown steam charts
2,326
4/21/2022
94
$14.99
Steam Charts
I Am Your Beast steam charts
75
9/10/2024
94
$15.99
Steam Charts
Against the Storm steam charts
2,650
12/8/2023
93
$14.99
Steam Charts
Plague Inc: Evolved steam charts
689
2/18/2016
93
$4.49
Steam Charts
Cobalt Core steam charts
127
11/8/2023
92
$13.99
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 28). Steam Store. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 28). Left 4 Dead 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 28). The WereCleaner on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 28). Phasmophobia on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, August 29). Age of Empires II (Retired) on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 27). Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 30). Teardown on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 29). I Am Your Beast on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 29). Against the Storm on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 28). Plague Inc: Evolved on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 28). Cobalt Core 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.