Steam Deck games like Varius
Below are 7 Steam Deck-friendly games similar to Varius (5 Verified, the rest Playable), ranked by player overlap. Every pick has Valve's compat stamp — Verified means full controller support and default settings just work; Playable means a small first-launch tweak (control remap or text size) gets you there. imho.run pulls compat status straight from Valve's own endpoint, refreshed daily.
Want the full alternatives list (paid + free + Steam Deck + cheaper picks)? See the parent games like Varius page.
Ranked picks
- 1
ABZU
Deck Verified alternative to Varius — runs on Steam Deck out of the box. Shares Indie and Casual with Varius.
From the art director of Journey®, ABZÛ is a beautiful underwater adventure that evokes the dream of diving. Immerse yourself in a vibrant hidden world bursting with color and life as you descend into the heart of the ocean. But beware as you swim deeper as dangers lurk in the depths.
- 2
Braid
Deck Verified alternative to Varius — runs on Steam Deck out of the box. Shares Indie and Casual with Varius.
This is the original version of Braid from 2009, which may not work well on newer systems. For an updated version of the game with nicer graphics, more levels and a large amount of developer commentary, see Braid, Anniversary Edition.
- 3
A Story About My Uncle
Deck Verified alternative to Varius — runs on Steam Deck out of the box. Shares Indie and Casual with Varius.
A Story About My Uncle is a first person platforming adventure game about a boy who searches for his lost uncle, and ends up in a world he couldn’t imagine existed. The movement is a crucial part of the games core gameplay – focusing on swinging through the world with a grappling hook that gives the player a wonderful sense of speed and...
- 4
The Darkside Detective
Deck Verified alternative to Varius — runs on Steam Deck out of the box. Shares Indie and Casual with Varius.
Grab your trench coat, tune your sixth sense and join the Darkside Division as they investigate the outright bizarre, the downright dangerous and the confusing cases of Twin Lakes. Flesh-hungry tentacles, mafian zombies, and the occasional missing sock are no match for The Darkside Detective.
- 5
Horizon Chase Turbo
Deck Verified alternative to Varius — runs on Steam Deck out of the box. Shares Indie and Casual with Varius.
Thrilling arcade racing game, inspired by the super-fun-straight-to-the-point classic racing games from the 90s.
- 6
Monaco: What's Yours Is Mine
Deck Playable alternative to Varius — runs on Steam Deck out of the box. Shares Indie with Varius.
Monaco: What's Yours Is Mine is a single player or co-op heist game. Assemble a crack team of thieves, case the joint, and pull off the perfect heist.
- 7
Tooth and Tail
Deck Playable alternative to Varius — runs on Steam Deck out of the box. Shares Indie and Casual with Varius.
Lead the revolution with an army of flamethrowing Boars, mustard gas-lobbing Skunks, and paratrooper-puking Owls. Tooth and Tail is a Real-Time-Strategy game featuring Single Player, Online Competitive Play, Split Screen, Replays, and more. Build a base, lead your army, eat your enemies!