The Steam sales have begun, and we all know what that means: it means spending money on games you’ll most likely never play purely because they’re so cheap. It means that Junior won’t be getting that trust fund. It means Two Minute Noodles for lunch.
But regardless, we’re here to help fuel your descent towards bankruptcy. A group of us in the office took a look at today’s Steam Sales, and here are our recommendations…
Hotline Miami
Mark Serrels, Kotaku
It’s $1.50. Seriously. $1.50. I literally couldn’t find a can of Pepsi in Circular Quay for that price.
Now ask yourself what’s better: a shitty aluminium can filled with dead calories and sugar or one of the best games of 2012/2013? A game with one of the best soundtracks in any video game ever.
Seriously. If you don’t already own Hotline Miami, you have to get on that. Particularly with a sequel on the way.
Or go and get that can of Pepsi. Your call.
Mirror’s Edge
Danny Allen, Publisher
My pick: Mirror’s Edge. I’ve played it to death on PS3, but having it on my laptop for $5.30 will be a welcomed distraction on delayed train trips home. I’m also looking for inspiration after starting some basic parkour lessons (for fitness — I lack the dexterity to ever be a street ninja.) Faith is also till one of the better female protagonists around. Look forward to getting back in her free running shoes.
Far Cry 3
Campbell Simpson, Gizmodo
It might get a little repetitive towards the end of the game, and the plot is a little bro-y, but as open-world first person shooters go I really like Far Cry 3. It’s one of the few games I bothered to finish last year. The range of weapons is extensive, the gunplay is polished, and if you can get over the initial upset of hunting and chopping up a menagerie of animals, the crafting and skills system actually works pretty well. It’s only $8, absolute bargain if you ask me.
Fallout 3
Luke Hopewell, Gizmodo
Fallout 3 was a game that I bought for Xbox 360 way back in 2008. I’d never played Fallout before and wanted to see what it was all about. What followed was the game disc taking up residence in my console’s CD tray for eight whole months. I’ve always found something new and stupid to do in the Capitol Wasteland. It’s a world of myths and monsters; phat loot and rad crafting. The characters are rich and the landscape is vast. The game itself is $US5 on Steam right now, and the GOTY edition with three addition DLC packs (which I haven’t yet played) is $US12. Can I go home and play it yet?
The Witcher 2
Chris Jager, Lifehacker
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings is easily one of the best RPGs ever made. With its gritty, adult narrative, fascinating NPCs and enjoyably fluid combat, it made Skyrim look like an oversized sandbox of crap cosplayers. (Send your letters of outrage to Mark, please.) At full price, this game was already excellent value for money — but for $3.99? That’s flipping bonkers, that is.
In terms of bang-for-your-buck, this works out at around seven cents per hour of gameplay. And that’s discounting the high replay value thanks to the branching story arcs and multiple ways to complete each quest. If you’re even remotely partial to RPGs and haven’t got around to playing The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings, this is the deal to get.
What have you picked up in the sales so far? Let us know in the comments below.
Originally published on Kotaku Australia