Beating My Backlog on the Steam Deck in the first quarter of 2024

I’ve always enjoyed exploring new games, but over time, my enthusiasm led to a significant problem: an ever-growing backlog. My library kept expanding, creating a huge pile of unplayed games. I needed a way to tackle this backlog while still enjoying each game.

My Steam library grew fast with new releases, sales, and impulse buys. This was exciting but also overwhelming. Each time I looked at my library, I felt both excited and worried. I needed a system to manage my games and make the most of my collection.

To solve this, I created DeckFilter. It’s a tool that helps me quickly pick games that fit my Steam Deck and match my playtime. This tool has been super helpful in rediscovering my library and choosing what to play next.

I also developed a specific approach to managing my gaming time. I tend to play short games in between larger ones. After spending a lot of time on a long game, I take a break and play a mid-length game. Then, I return to the long game. Sometimes, I also pick a short game I’ve already completed to achieve 100% achievements.

Using DeckFilter and my new approach, I picked several games to play in the first quarter of this year. Here are the ones i completed:

I spent 30 hours on this game, completing two playthroughs – one on my old PC and one on my Steam Deck. While it didn’t quite match up to Life is Strange, it was still a fantastic game with a touching story and memorable characters.

Although it took only 45 minutes to finish, it was a fun experience despite rough performance on the Steam Deck. For a free game, it was definitely worth it.

This cute little game took me 2 hours to complete. Its storytelling and gameplay were perfect for the Deck.

I spent 4 hours immersed in this super cute game. The puzzles and visuals were delightful, and it rekindled my love for LEGO.

I ended up pouring 145 hours into this game, playing through the main story and DLCs. It was awesome on the Deck, and I’m already planning another run to go for 100%.

This game provided 7.5 hours of engaging gameplay. Its unique world and solid mechanics made it a great indie title.

I spent 40 hours on two playthroughs – one on my old PC and one on the Deck. The game remains a masterpiece, and I even wrote an article about my experience.

I logged 26 hours into Bully. Unfortunately, I killed my savegame with modding, but it was a blast on the Deck. I’m looking forward to playing it again on PlayStation for the achievements.

I managed to complete several games, each offering unique experiences and satisfaction. Some turned out to be hidden gems that I might never have played if not for this focused approach. I also started a few games but did not finish them, so I excluded those from this list. Additionally, I have some all-time favorites that stay on my Deck, which I’ll feature in a separate article later.

While I’ve made great strides in tackling my backlog, the journey is far from over. I plan to continue using my strategy to manage my library and make the most out of my gaming time. My future strategy involves sticking to the habits I’ve developed and continuing to enjoy my games one at a time. I encourage you to take a look at your own backlog and share your experiences.