I know it works on Linux so it should work fine on Deck, and play it hot-seat.

You can take turns in the pass&play game mode. I have the game on steam deck and it does run BUT it does crash multiple times (on SD and PC) during a game (as also can be read in other discussions). You can just restart and return to your game usually with one of a few turns being reset. So, I would advice seeing if game of life 2 also crashes and if not, just getting that one (if it works on SD of course). Hope this helps!

Played it today on Steam Deck and it is no fun. Multiple crashes (often at the end of minigames) like HappyGirlsx said.
Last crash was at the end of game, when counting the points. Start the game again and all progress of the game was lost...