Key Takeaway
1. The Steam Deck remains the best handheld for strategy games, especially RTS titles, due to its optimized controls, trackpads, and customizable buttons.
2. Valve has effectively addressed traditional control issues for RTS games, making complex titles manageable on a handheld device.
3. Single-player RTS games like Stronghold Crusader, Spellforce, and Stellaris are highly playable and enjoyable on the Steam Deck, offering a relaxed gaming experience outside of PC.
The Steam Deck has been around for over four years now, and during this time, newer gaming handhelds like the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X, which costs around $1,199, have come into the market with more impressive specs, better screens and bigger batteries. Nevertheless, there’s one type of game that the Steam Deck still dominates, which is strategy games.
Popular Games on the Steam Deck
The list of the hundred most played games on the Steam Deck mainly consists of indie titles that are controller-friendly, such as Slay the Spire 2, Stardew Valley, and Balatro. Though, it also includes major role-playing games like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Cyberpunk 2077. Surprisingly, real-time strategy (RTS) games are quite rare on the list, with only the turn-based game Civilization VI entering the top 100.
Why RTS Games Are Rare on Handhelds
This trend is not shockin’, considering that consoles, controllers, and handheld devices were, for ages, thought to be incompatible with RTS games. Using analog sticks to select small units or buildings is tedious and frustrating, and many handhelds lack the necessary function keys. Even navigating menus was once difficult without proper controller support. But after these four years, Valve’s Steam Deck has proved these obstacles are now tackled. The device’s trackpads, four customizable back buttons, and individually programmable controls for each game make managing even complex RTS titles much more achievable.
Playing RTS Games on the Steam Deck
Throughout 172 hours of trying, I managed to play Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition fully on the Steam Deck, completing all campaigns and experimenting with workshop content. The D-pad simplifies controlling game speed, which is vital because probably you’re a bit slower than usual when you play on portable. Shoulder buttons rotate the camera, triggers act as left and right mouse buttons, and the camera is maneuvered with an analog stick. The touchpad serves as a mouse, while the back buttons let you quickly select troop recruitment buildings.
Extended RTS Experience
From spending over 190 hours with Spellforce Platinum, 62 hours on Diplomacy is Not an Option, and 38 hours with Stellaris, I can confidently say that single-player RTS games run smooth on the Steam Deck. These experiences show it’s no longer just playable; it’s enjoyable and relaxing to play RTS games on the couch after a long workday instead of sitting in front of a PC.
Comparison to Other Handhelds
Other handheld consoles, like the Zotac Zone or Lenovo Legion Go, do feature trackpads as well, but those are neither as large nor as comfortable to use as those on the Steam Deck. Valve’s haptic feedback also enhances control, making in-game interactions more precise. Games like Frostpunk, which require less precision, or RTS titles with good controller support such as The Wandering Village, can also be controlled on other handhelds. But for someone passionate about strategy games, I truly recommend the Steam Deck for this genre.
