Summer is here, and with it comes a new wave of deep gaming discounts courtesy of Steam’s Summer Sale. But stocking up on games for the summer doesn’t need to be expensive. I’ve pulled together this list of truly exceptional games that you’re able to snag for $5 or less.
1Portal 2: $0.99
Valve’s incredible follow-up to the first-person, portal-based puzzle game takes everything that worked so well from the original game and makes it even better.Portal 2gives you more lore to uncover, more dry humor from lovable bots, and more puzzles to wrap your head around. And it makesa brilliant couch co-op game!
The originalPortalis also available for just $0.99 in the sale, or if you haven’t played either game, you get them both ina bundlefor $1.49.
2Celeste: $1.99
Stunning pixel art, lovable characters, and challenging platforming come together perfectly inCeleste. You play as Madeline, climbing to the peak of Celeste Mountain, and overcoming her own inner demons in the process. Oh, and when I said “challenging platforming,” I meant it. This game ishard, but it’s tight controls and fast respawn make it a thrill to keep playing.
3UNDERTALE: $2.49
Truly a game for gamers,UNDERTALEis an RPG that revels in toying with your gaming preconceptions. You’ve probably already heard that you don’t actually need to kill anyone in this dungeon-based RPG, but that isn’t the only surprise in store for war-weary players. You’ll have to play it yourself to discover the rest, though.
4XCOM: Enemy Unknown: $2.99
Earth is under alien attack, and inXCOMit’s your job to command an international coalition of forces to defend against it. In this turn-based tactical game, you’ll build a secret underground base, plan which global emergencies to respond to, research recovered alien tech, and develop highly-trained soldiers to follow your direction in operations. It’s an addictive gameplay loop thanks to the delicate balance of random encounters and strategic planning.
Can also get the follow-up,XCOM 2, for $2.99.
5Sid Meier’s Civilization VI: $2.99
Speaking of turn-based strategy games, Sid Meier’sCivilizationgames are the best around, andCivilization VIis the latest addition to the series (though we’re expectingCivilization VIInext year). This is one of our recommendedgames if you’re playing on a touchpad, as it doesn’t depend on fast reactions or precision clicks. Instead, you’re able to carefully consider each decision as you lead your chosen civilization from the ancient era on to (hopefully) win the race to Mars.
6Borderlands 2: $3.00
If you’re just looking for a good time, Borderlands is it. Oozing with humor and personality, this loot-and-shoot adventure on the junkyard planet of Pandora is heaps of fun, especially if you tag a friend forsome multiplayer gaming. There’s even a star-studdedBorderlandsmovie coming out this summer. There are several games in the Borderlands series, and they just get better and better, butBorderlands 2is the only one available for under $5 in this sale and you don’t need to have played the first game to enjoy it.
7Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor: $3.99
Shadow of Mordorsees you take control of a supernaturally powered-up ranger, exploring Middle-Earth and battling through hordes of enemy orcs. Its fluid battles are brilliantly gruesome, but the coolest aspect of the game is its “nemesis” system. This sees enemy orcs gain abilities, scars, and memories based on how you fought them, which they’ll bring up and react to the next time you meet.
This game was followed up with a bigger, broader sequel,Middle-Earth: Shadow of War, which is reduced to $2.49 at the moment. But the original is the best one to start with.
8The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt: $3.99
One of the greatest games of all time,The Witcher 3puts you in the shoes of Geralt or Rivia, a monster-hunter for hire in a land ravaged by war. Of course, it feels pretty exciting taking down the various fantastical beasts you encounter across the Continent, but more engaging than that are the endless well-told quests that work to make this world feel so fully realized.
This is best enjoyed if you’ve played the previousWitchergames, but doing so definitely isn’t essential if you just want to get stuck into the best one right away.
9Disco Elysium - The Final Cut: $3.99
There’s been a murder, and it’s your job to investigate it. The problem is, you’re so hungover you barely remember your own name. That’s howDisco Elysiumbegins, and it’s a great representation of the dark, sharply-written, and often surprisingly funny gameplay. The Final Cut edition that’s on sale includes fully-voiced performances for the huge cast of characters found in the game—including various parts of your own mind—making the experience of playing even more captivating.
10Batman: Arkham City: $3.99
Talking about this game has become a cliché in and of itself because it really,reallydoes make you feel like Batman. Explore Gotham City, skulking alongside gargoyles, grappling through the skies, and beating up thugs in fast-flowing combat. There are several Arkham games—this being the second in the series—but in my opinionArkham Cityis the best of the lot, having expanded the map fromArkham Asylumwith a much stronger story thanArkham Knight(both of which are also available for under $5).
