Subnautica 2 Dives into Steam Deck Verified Waters
The biggest headline in this week’s Steam Deck verified games is Subnautica 2, an ambitious underwater survival adventure from Unknown Worlds. Set on a new alien ocean world, it lets you explore alone or in 4‑player co‑op as you build custom bases, craft life‑saving tools, and push ever deeper to uncover the planet’s secrets. With Valve’s Verified badge, Subnautica 2 is cleared for smooth portable play, including controller support and interface readability on the Deck’s small screen. The game is available for pre‑purchase at USD 29.99 (approx. RM140) ahead of its May 14 launch, making it one of the most anticipated new Steam Deck releases in the survival genre. Verified status means you can plan on taking your entire diving expedition on the go, whether you’re scanning fauna or racing to reach oxygen in time.
Mixtape and Wax Heads Bring Story-Driven Vibes to Handheld Play
If you prefer narrative-driven experiences, this week’s handheld gaming news has two standout Steam Deck verified games. Mixtape is a coming‑of‑age adventure about three friends spending one last unforgettable night together, playing through a series of memories set to a generation‑defining soundtrack. The game is on sale for USD 17.99 (approx. RM84) until May 21 and carries the Verified badge, so its cinematic sequences and interactive vignettes should feel right at home on the Deck. Wax Heads offers a different flavor of story: a cozy‑punk narrative sim about working at a struggling record store. You’ll chat with quirky customers, dig through a curated record collection, and navigate band drama or simply hang out with colleagues. Wax Heads is on sale for USD 12.74 (approx. RM59) until May 19 and is also Steam Deck Verified, making it ideal for relaxed, couch‑friendly sessions.
Everything Is Crab and High on Life 2 Turn Up the Action
For players who want more action in their new Steam Deck releases, two fresh verified games offer very different thrills. Everything is Crab is billed as an “animal evolution roguelite,” dropping you into a living ecosystem where you hunt, flee, scavenge, and evolve. With over 125 evolutions and specialisations, every run can produce a new creature build as you try to survive the march toward carcinisation. It is currently on sale for USD 8.99 (approx. RM42) until May 22. High on Life 2 goes in a louder, wilder direction: a first‑person shooter about an intergalactic conspiracy threatening humanity. You’ll team up with a cast of talking alien guns, shooting, stabbing, and even skating through bizarre locations. Priced at USD 59.99 (approx. RM280), it is fully Steam Deck Verified, promising a console‑like experience in handheld form.
Strategy, Retro Shooting, and Roguelite Carnage Round Out the Verified List
Beyond the headliners, this week’s Steam Deck verified games also cover strategy and classic‑flavored shooting. Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War brings the cult sci‑fi universe to a first‑person retro shooter format, featuring an original story and a focus on intense battles against swarms of bugs. At USD 24.99 (approx. RM116), it targets players who want a nostalgia‑tinged shooter that still runs well on the Deck. On the strategy side, R.U.S.E. returns as a Definitive Edition real‑time strategy game that revolves around bluffing opponents and outmaneuvering them at the strategic level. This version includes all DLCs and explicit Steam Deck support, making it a strong fit for portable tactical play. Hellbreak rounds out the verified highlights: a fast‑paced roguelite, survivor‑like FPS set in brutal hellish arenas. It is on sale for USD 8.99 (approx. RM42) until May 22, offering quick, replayable runs ideal for short handheld sessions.
Wardrum and Better Than Dead Are Playable with Minor Caveats
Two notable games landed in the Steam Deck Playable category this week, expanding options for those willing to tweak a few settings. Wardrum is a tactical turn‑based roguelite where you lead a tribal warband and time your attacks to the rhythm of a mystical drum. At USD 19.99 (approx. RM92), it is rated Playable due to incorrect controller icons and small in‑game text, but otherwise runs on the Deck. Better Than Dead, a brutal bodycam FPS set in Hong Kong streets and corridors, tasks you with killing your captors, rescuing others, and recording every second of revenge. Launching on May 12, it is also rated Playable. It currently needs a community controller configuration, some manual graphic tweaks, and suffers from small text and incorrect controller icons. Still, both titles demonstrate how the Playable badge can open more genres to handheld fans willing to fine‑tune their experience.
