8 More Games to Grow Your Steam Backlog

Another month means another set of games worth recommending. If you’re looking for something new to play on your PC, x86 Handheld, TV or maybe even your Android handheld that can emulate your PC, there’s going to be something for you. Whether it’s racing, puzzles, multiplayer or more. There’s something for everyone this time around. At least I hope so. 

Piece by Piece – $12.99

Gamenative Capable, No Portmaster Port, No Android Port

Kicking off things I want to talk about a game called Piece by Piece. This game is what the team lovingly describes as “a literal puzzle platformer”, and that’s because you’re using puzzle pieces to solve each level and make it to the end in one piece. With mechanics ranging from copy pasting, to fully flipping, rotating, and moving your puzzle pieces around there’s a lot to figure out with this game. Coming in at just $12.99 for the game, getting 100 different levels feels like a good value for the game you’re getting here.

As for the categories I’ve been asked to include. There’s no PortMaster or Android port to this game, but I was able to get it running on GameNative on my Odin 3 with minimal issue. That being said, despite the controller support, I would prefer playing this at my desk with a mouse and keyboard. But do as you will in a game like this.

Gecko Gods – $16.99

Gamenative Capable, No Portmaster Port, No Android Port

Continuing on the theme of puzzles and platforms, Gecko Gods is the next game I really want to talk about. Gecko Gods is exactly that, a puzzle based game where your goal is to explore your calming world as a tiny gecko, climbing walls,ceilings and waters to find new puzzles and really discover the land around you. While it is a puzzle based game, I will say that some of the puzzles can be a bit easy at times, but the game still remains enjoyable in my eyes thanks to the wonderful visuals, and the adorable premise.

There may not be a port through Portmaster or Android, but Gecko Gods is playable on Gamenative. Just like the developers for this game, I also preferred playing this with a controller, which in turn makes your handheld a pretty solid place to work through this fairly short game. At $16.99 it’s the third most expensive game on the list. But if you like lizards, you’ll probably like this too.

Gambonanza – $14.99

Gamenative Capable, No Portmaster Port, Android Port ($5.99)

Following up a game that makes you think, is a game that unfortunately makes me think even harder in Gambonanza. Rather than lizards, puzzles, or cars, this is a tactical roguelike that lands you right on the chess board. Hopefully you know some chess, because off the bat you’re gonna be learning a lot of chess gambits to make yourself even stronger and more powerful over time. If you’re a fan of Balatro, you’re probably gonna find yourself losing a good number of hours to this game as well.

The big thing about Gambonanza to me is that it’s not just available on Steam, and it’s not just playable via Gamenative, but it also features a native Android port as well for just $5.99. Personally, I haven’t gotten a chance to pick it up on the Play Store (because Google sucks), but if you want to save some money off the $14.99 Steam asking price, that’s going to be a viable way to play this game too.

Crashout Crew – $7.99

Not GameNative Capable, No PortMaster Port, No Android Port

This is a game I’m not recommending because you can play it on mobile. I’m probably not even going to recommend you play it on a handheld (though it’s really good on a controller), because this is a multiplayer, chaotic game that on first glance made me think of something like Overcooked; and that’s Crashout Crew.

Coming from one half of the Peak developers, Aggro Crab has basically put out a chaotic, forklift powered multiplayer game that has you fighting both time, space constraints, and your own sanity in attempting to grab your best score at, and I quote them on this, “De Nile Shipping.”

This game exudes passion, and has a lot of fun aspects to it, from customization to forklift drifting, and staring at cat videos on your phone to reduce your stress levels. If you can get together with friends, you should give this one a go. 

Forza Horizon 6 – $69.99

Not Gamenative Capable, No Portmaster Port, No Android Port

I’m gonna keep this short and simple. I couldn’t help myself in recommending Forza Horizon 6. It’s the highest end game on this list, it’s the most expensive game on this list, but in the last month. I’ve spent more time in this one game, than the rest of the list combined.

I enjoy Forza Horizon 6 to the point where, depending on the time of writing, there’s probably an entire article out there with my thoughts on the game (which is overwhelmingly positive). If you can afford the game in both cost and performance. Give it a go. 

Rubato – $19.99

GameNative Capable, No PortMaster Port, No Android Port

Coming back down to earth mostly is Rubato. A side scrolling; mostly, 2D; mostly, platformer; mostly, where you mostly play as a frog in an attempt to capture planet bits to help save the world, the universe and everything in it. If you only watched the trailer for this game, I’d forgive you for thinking you’re on an acid trip.

Flinging yourself around with your tongue? Fair. Fighting a muscular onion with legs? A little bit weird. Driving what looks like a 90’s Honda Civic through your 2D levels? Well. I’ve got nothing there. It’s a stellar collect-a-thon game that’s more than worth the $20 it costs. Grab your Gamenative device, download this game, and catch some cows in your UFO. It’s really a trip. 

Dungeon Clawler – $14.99

GameNative Capable, No PortMaster Port, Android Port ($6.99)

Coming back to the roguelikes, we’re looking at something that could really be played on anything, and that’s Dungeon Clawler. I know for a fact Rob has found some addiction in this one, but in this game you’re building your deck purely off of the claw machines as you’re finding weapons, tools and items to help you fight your enemies and make your way to the bosses. Nowadays, there’s a bunch of different characters to choose from, a gameplay loop that doesn’t have to end and a pachinko machine if you haven’t done enough gambling.

Outside of Gamenative and Steam, if you want to save some money you can grab the Android port directly from the Google Play Store for just $6.99 rather than the $14.99 price tag on PC. Regardless though it’s worth the price. 

Piece by Piece – $11.99

GameNative Capable, No PortMaster Port, No Android Port

Rounding out the selections this time around it’s a game you might not have heard of before, but it’s called Piece by Piece. Yes I am adding both because they’re named the same, but also, on steam they do have a Piece by Piece double bundle where you can get both Piece by Piece and Piece by Piece together rather than having to piece them together piece by piece.

Anyways; Piece by Piece is an adorable little game where you essentially inherit a repair shop, collect supplies, and fix up the little neighborhood with your decorations, furniture, and whatever it is you want to bake. 

Piece by Piece is GameNative capable, however I did occasionally have some issues getting the game to boot. This was on an older version of the app, but with the recent 1.0 update, that may have changed. And could be worth another go around.

Final Thoughts

As always, some of these games may not be your jam, but at the same time some of them might be right up your alley. In general it’s nice to pull some games from a variety of sources to see what hits the wall and sticks.

Thanks to the never ending slew of games from both Steam itself and my cursed Steam Family Library, I’ve got plenty of games I can continue to check out, and hopefully recommend you to as well. But if you’ve got any suggestions, I’m happy to hear them out both in the comments of this article and over in the Retro Handhelds Discord. And if you want more games to check out, there’s always my first selection of recommendations.