TheSteam Deckis a capable handled console with a brimming library spanning a range of genres. Gamers looking to pick upshooter gamesare spoiled for choice, as there’s no lack of verified FPS games on the Steam Deck. Additionally, those looking to dip their toes into athird-person shooterwill also find plenty of engaging titles on the Steam Deck.
That said, TPS games, especially those that run well, can be more difficult to find. Here are some of the most popular entries in thethird-person shooter subgenrethat offer a consistent quality gaming experience on the Steam Deck.
Gamers looking to explore a third-person shooter set in a massive open world will findDays Gonequite appealing. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic version of Oregon, wherein the majority of folks have turned into vicious zombies. The game follows the story of a former member of a biker gang named Deacon St. John. Deacon believes his wife is dead, but later discovers she may still be alive. Needless to say, he sets out on a journey to reunite with her.
The game can be extremely challenging, especially during the initial stages when Deacon is starved for loot and proper equipment. The overarching story also takes a good while to complete, so gamers will get a lot of value out of their purchase. In addition, the game has a unique horde mechanic that tasks players with taking onmassive, frenzied zombie hordesin appalling numbers.
The horde mechanic also requires players to plan their escapades properly, factoring in their bike’s fuel, ammo, and more. If an area is infested with a horde, chances are players will have to circumvent it, instead of going guns blazing, which could cost them their lives.
Fans of the MCU will revel inGuardians of the Galaxy, an enjoyable third-person shooter set in a standalone timeline. The game follows Peter Quill, a.k.a Star Lord, and his band of misfits as they scavenge the galaxy for loot. During one of their adventures, the team agrees to capture a monster for Lady Hellbender. Things, of course, don’t go as planned and the outlaws are captured by the Nova Corps and slapped with a hefty fine. This, in turn, sets off a chain of events that will have gamers glued to their Steam Deck screens.
The game offers fast-paced combat that is equal parts fun and challenging. Additionally, the game is chockablock with witty dialogue and interesting puzzles. Players must use Drax’s strength, Gamora’s verticality, or Rocket’s hacking wizardry to get through various stages. The campaign, albeit not as long as some other entries on this list, offers ample substance that’ll keep players engaged thoroughly.
GTA 6is on the horizon, and the game is expected to launch sometime in 2025. In the meantime, players looking for a similar experience can consider trying outSleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition. Though it is primarily action-adventure, the game offers an intricate combat system that relies heavily on melee fighting and is set in a wide-open modern Hong Kong.
Players can also participate in intense gun battles, although this is more common in later stages of the game. To top it all off, the game has an engrossing story wherein players will be tasked with playing as Wei Shen, an undercover cop charged with bringing down the triads in the region. Although the game is unverified on the Steam Deck, it runs flawlessly at 60FPS. That’s quite a feat, considering thegame’s open-worldnature.
Crab Championstakes the cake for the most unorthodox third-person shooter on this list. It is an action Roguelike involving - wait for it - crabs. Players must outfit their character (who is a crab) to fend off other aquatic animals (crabs and other critters) on scenic islands. The game offers lots of customization, and players can outfit their crabs with a truckload of firepower to fight waves (no pun intended) of enemies.
Each run lasts up to 40 minutes, during which players are presented with significant choices that can alter the outcome of their loot as well as the enemies they face. The game features smooth movement mechanics and gunplay. Despite still being in Early Access,Crab Championshas received ‘Overwhelmingly Positive’ reviews on Steam.
Risk of Rain 2is achallenging action Roguelikethat runs spectacularly on the Steam Deck. The game hits the ground running and immediately throws players onto a battlefield comprising alien monsters that scale in difficulty and numbers with every passing second. Players must scavenge the alien planet for loot and be on their toes constantly to ensure success in the game.
Notably, the game can be played solo or in co-op mode with up to three friends. The combat mechanics are enjoyable and easy to grasp, and the overarching plot offers enough intrigue to keep players guessing about what comes next.
Controlis a third-person shooter action game that delivers where it matters most — combat. The game features an interesting mix of melee and ranged weapons and abilities. For instance, players can use the ‘Launch’ ability to fling objects at distant enemies. All the while, players can blast those closer enemies with their trusty handgun called the Service Weapon.
The story revolves around Jesse Faden, who is visiting the Oldest House, a massive windowless structure in New York City. The Oldest House is home to the Federal Bureau of Control, or FBC, which is tasked with studying and researching AWEs or Altered World Events. The Oldest House is a strange building with an ever-growing interior, and is deemed to be a Place of Power in the game. Jesse is investigating the whereabouts of her brother when she stumbles upon something sinister brewing in the Oldest House. Rest assured,Controlis equal parts challenging and intriguing.
Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apartis a top-notch port for PC gamers. Additionally, the game carries Steam Deck’s Verified rating, implying it’ll work perfectly on the hardware. Players familiar with the franchise will know what they’re getting into here. For those unaware,Rift Aparttakes inspiration from other entries in the franchise and offers a tasteful choice of weapons that can be upgraded to wreak havoc on enemies.
From the humble Burst Pistol to the devastating Drill Hound, which launches homing drills at opponents, and the Headhunter, which can slow down time when the user aims down its sights, there are choices aplenty. Additionally, the game features a brand-new portal-esque mechanic that allows players to reach different areas on each map quickly. The feature uses the Rift Tether to open dimensional rifts, thereby allowing players tomove through an areainstantly and clear out enemies quickly.
Max Payne 3is a highly-coveted third-person shooter that has amassed many positive reviews on Steam. The game is best known for its intense gun-slinging and slow-motion action sequences reminiscent of theMatrixmovies. It is set a couple of years after the events of the second installment of the series.
Max is now working as an independent contractor in South America. His killer instincts kick in when his employer’s wife is kidnapped by a ruthless gang. This sets off a chain of events involving players using an array of weapons and shooting enemies while diving, sliding, jumping, and ducking for cover. The game has some of the most memorable gun fights in the genre, and it plays quite well on Steam Deck.
Resident Evil 4pays homage to its namesake, launched way back in 2005. The 2023 remake features updated graphics, all the while preserving the essence of what made the original a massive hit. Notably, the game is dubbed a survival horror shooter. That said, it has fewer ‘horror’ elements than most other entries in the franchise, which can also be attributed to its success. In the game, players assume the role of Leon S. Kennedy, who is tasked with rescuing the daughter of the President of the United States.
The game rewards players who havegood inventory managementskills. Players will also be able to use a slew of weapons, engage in intuitive melee combat, and leverage a newly added knife parry mechanic to defeatlas plagas. The game has a convincing story, and it is a Steam Deck Verified title, making it superbly optimized for the handheld.
Red Dead Redemption 2has aged quite well, and is playable on the Steam Deck despite its massive open-world setting. The game’s rich story will put gamers through a roller coaster of emotions. The protagonist, Arthur Morgan, is an outlaw struggling to cope with the changing landscape of the Wild West. The game pits players against rival gangs and government entities, and has interesting missions involving robberies, shootouts, and more.
Players will revel in the scenic fictional setting comprising towns and cities, valleys and mountains, and deserts and forests. They can also use horses to traverse the region, of which there are many different types with varying attributes to add even more depth to itsRDR2’smechanics. Thanks to recent updates, the game runs consistently on the Steam Deck.
