Steam Deck Weekly: NBA 2K25, ARCO, ODDADA, DATE a LIVE Ren Dystopia, Star Trucker, Skull and Bones, & More Reviews With New Verified Games

This week's Steam Deck Weekly highlights several game reviews and impressions, along with newly verified titles and current sales. Missed last week's Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 review? Catch it here!

Steam Deck Game Reviews & Impressions

NBA 2K25: A Stellar Portable Basketball Experience

NBA 2K25 marks a significant milestone: the PC version finally matches the next-gen console experience. Officially optimized for Steam Deck (though not yet officially rated by Valve), it delivers a surprisingly polished performance. While some typical 2K issues remain, the inclusion of ProPLAY technology and the WNBA debut are major pluses for PC players.

The game boasts impressive graphics options, including 16:10 and 800p support, AMD FSR 2, DLSS, and XeSS (though I found disabling upscaling improved clarity). A built-in Steam Deck visual preset exists, but manual tweaking yields superior results. I recommend capping the framerate at 60fps for optimal stability. Offline play is limited; some modes require an internet connection. Load times are noticeably slower than on consoles, but the overall handheld experience is enjoyable. The persistent microtransaction issue remains a drawback, especially considering the game's higher price point.

Steam Deck Review Score: 4/5

Gimmick! 2: A Smooth, Out-of-the-Box Experience

(See Shaun's Switch review here). Gimmick! 2 runs flawlessly on the Steam Deck, even without official Valve testing. A recent patch included Steam Deck and Linux fixes. The game is capped at 60fps (forcing your Steam Deck to 60hz on OLED is recommended), and while it lacks graphics options, 16:10 support (menus only) is a welcome addition.

Arco: A Dynamic Tactical RPG Masterpiece

Arco, a dynamic turn-based RPG, shines with its pixel art visuals, compelling story, and innovative combat system. The Steam version (currently more up-to-date than the Switch version) boasts a major update addressing previous issues. Steam Deck compatibility is excellent, with a 60fps cap and 16:9 support. An assist mode (beta) offers options for skipping combat or activating cheats.

Steam Deck Review Score: 5/5

**Skull and Bones: A Promising Naval Combat