Most people keep an eye on the daily highlighted deals but some real steals can be found if you poke around, even in the under $5 bracket – there are some real gems floating around the $5 mark, especially this year.
In an effort to make things a little easier for the thrifty Steam user during the sale’s server-bending traffic, I’ve compiled a list of some pretty awesome games that are either just at the $5 mark or below on Steam from now until the end of the sale on July 4th.
These are by no means all of the good games in this price range throughout the Summer Picnic Sale, after all our tastes are probably different and I am but one cheap gamer compiling a list on the fly. But hopefully this makes you budgeting Steam users have an easier time picking out what you’re going to buy this sale.
PAYDAY: The Heist ($5.00)Co-op goal-oriented FPSHas online multiplayerTerraria ($4.99)2D sandboxHas online multiplayerMount & Blade: Warband ($4.99)Combat sandboxHas online multiplayerDark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition ($4.99)Action RPGHas online multiplayerHotline Miami ($4.99)Topview actionSingleplayer only
Hotline Miami 2 ($3.74)Topview actionSingleplayer only
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear Sky ($3.99, but all three S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games are $9.99 in a bundle)FPS with RPG elementsHas online multiplayerPapers, Please ($4.99)Paperwork simulatorSingleplayer only The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Enhanced Edition ($2.99)Action RPGSingleplayer onlyFTL: Faster Than Light ($2.99)Spaceship rogueliteSingleplayer onlySpeedRunners ($3.74)Competitive runnerHas online multiplayer
Deus Ex: Human Revolution - Director’s Cut ($4.99)Action RPGSingleplayer onlyHuniePop ($3.09)Match 3 dating simSingleplayer onlyRise of Nations: Extended Edition ($3.99)Historical RTSHas online multiplayerCrypt of the NecroDancer ($3.74)Rhythm roguelikeSingleplayer onlyKilling Floor ($4.99)Co-op survival FPSHas online multiplayerSaints Row IV ($3.74)Open world action comedyHas online multiplayerDust: An Elysian Tale ($2.99)2D action platformerSingleplayer only
Super Meat Boy ($1.49)2D technical platformerSingleplayer onlyMetro 2033 Redux ($4.99)Post-apocalyptic FPSSingleplayer onlyMetro: Last Light Redux ($4.99)Post-apocalyptic FPSSingleplayer onlyNapoleon: Total War ($4.99)Historical grand strategyHas online multiplayerWarhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II ($4.99, without DLC/expacs)Real time strategyHas online multiplayerLethal League ($4.75)Gimmick fighterHas online multiplayerTransistor ($4.99)Isometric thematic RPGSingleplayer only
Gauntlet Slayer Edition ($4.99)Isometric co-op dungeon crawlerHas online multiplayerInjustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition ($4.99)Superhero fighterHas online co-opValkyria Chronicles ($4.99)Turn-based strategy RPGSingleplayer onlySaints Row: Gat out of Hell ($3.74)Open world action comedyHas online multiplayerRed Orchestra 2: Heroes of Stalingrad with Rising Storm ($4.99)Historical FPSHas online multiplayerMax Payne 3 ($4.99)Third person action shooterHas online multiplayer
Higurashi When They Cry - Chapter 1 Onikakushi ($3.89)Horror mystery kinetic novelSingleplayer onlyMark of the Ninja ($3.74)Stealth action platformerSingleplayer onlyParty Hard ($3.22)Stealth action strategySingleplayer onlyTrine 2: Complete Story ($2.99)Co-op platformerHas online co-opAmnesia: Memories ($2.99)Otome visual novelSingleplayer onlyRollerCoaster Tycoon 2: Triple Thrill Pack ($3.99)Amusement park simulatorSingleplayer only
RollerCoaster Tycoon: Deluxe ($2.39)Amusement park simulatorSingleplayer onlyLegend of Grimrock ($2.99)3D dungeon crawlerSingleplayer onlyBloons TD 5 ($4.99)Tower defenseHas online multiplayerValdis Story: Abyssal City ($3.74)Action -vania platformerSingleplayer onlyBurnout Paradise: The Ultimate Box ($4.99)Open world racingHas online multiplayerRecettear: An Item Shop’s Tale ($4.99)Shop sim + action dungeon crawlerSingleplayer onlyEvil Genius ($2.49)Building RTSSingleplayer only
Antichamber ($4.99)First person puzzle adventureSingleplayer onlyCook, Serve, Delicious! ($2.49)Cooking simulatorSingleplayer and local co-op onlyWindward ($3.99)Pirate sailing exploration sandboxHas online multiplayerAudiosurf 2 ($4.94)Rhythm gameSingleplayer onlyDungeons of Dredmor ($2.49)Turn-based roguelikeSingleplayer onlyfault - milestone one ($3.74)Kinetic novelSingleplayer only
Risk of Rain ($2.49)2D platformer rogueliteHas online multiplayerDefense Grid: The Awakening ($2.49)Tower defenseSingleplayer onlyTropico 4: Steam Special Edition ($3.49)City builderSingleplayer onlyYs: The Oath in Felghana ($4.49)Action RPGSingleplayer onlyEVE Online - Core Starter Pack ($4.99, requires a subscription past first month)Space MMORPGOnline onlyVVVVVV ($1.24)2D technical platformerSingleplayer only