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The Steam Summer Sale 2024 is live (runs June 27 - July 11)
Quick links:
Share noteworthy deals!
Ask for recommendations!
Discuss what you bought!
Quick links:
Share noteworthy deals!
Ask for recommendations!
Discuss what you bought!
Disco Elysium for $4 is the best game you can buy. Even at $40 full price it's precious. At this price it's a no brainer.
I checked out the reviews and all the negative ones mention some terrible shenanigans regarding the game. Anyone know what that’s about? Seems like a very well-received game but I don’t want to support “soulless ❤️❤️❤️❤️” (from one of the reviews).
Short version: The creators of the game were forced out of the company by the business-people. If you know how to acquire it without paying the current IP holders, that may be the moral choice.
The long version seems a good bit more complicated. Many of their former coworkers agree they were fired with good cause: https://www.eurogamer.net/report-details-allegations-of-toxic-behaviour-ip-theft-at-disco-elysium-developer
Honestly I'm normally 100% on board for any "piracy with cause" scenario but Steam's services, mainly the Linux support via Proton, and cloud save syncing, really have me relying heavily on their service. I LOVE GOG.com, but I'm not playing GOG.com games on my Deck or even my dang desktop all that often (despite Minigalaxy).
Gog version works great with lutris (not sure about the deck since I don't have one but it works on my lappy)
GOG also works great through Heroic launcher (as does Epic Store)
Heroic Launcher bundles in Proton/Wine support for Windows games and can be browsed by controller IIRC, so you can launch it and navigate to your game.
For what it's worth, I agree with @MimicSquid. Get it for as little as possible. The publishers did the creators nasty and forced them out and took control of the IP.
I can't do the story justice but if you are interested, YouTube has your back.
Though, $4 is about as small an amount you can give them without pirating it.
Now aside from the publisher nonsense, the game can easily be valued at $40 for the quality you get in return. A 95% discount is too good to pass up.
There's a reason the negative reviews are by and large about the drama around the game and not about the game itself.
Some noteworthy deals I've come across so far:
Celeste is 90% off -- an absolute steal at that price. A lot of people are intimidated by the game's difficulty, but the main game is actually fairly friendly. It's the post-game and extra content that gets super challenging.
Braid, Anniversary Edition just came out and it's already 75% off.
TUNIC wasn't for me, but I can absolutely understand why so many people revere it. It's 50% off, which is a new historical low.
The Terry Cavanagh Collection is at its lowest price in a few years. Features VVVVVV, Super Hexagon, and Dicey Dungeons, all of which are excellent. Some of my favorite games of all time. Dicey Dungeons in particular is AMAZING.
Immortals Fenxy Rising is 90% off, including the Gold Edition with all of the DLC (usually Ubisoft discounts the base game and then keeps the DLC expensive). It's a great Breath of the Wild-inspired open-world game. I had a lot of fun with it, and it played great on the Deck.
Delta Force and Delta Force 2 are for any retro mil-sim shooter fans we have here (if any?). They're likely getting delisted from Steam soon -- they were already taken off GOG. This sale's 75% discount gives everybody a good chance to snag them before they go.
I didn't get too much of a chance to look at other comments yet, but Celeste is one of my favorite games of all time, +1 for that recommendation.
It's very accessible if you use the features for it as well, but I highly suggest trying to play through the game at it's base form if possible. It goes really well with the story of climbing a mountain and overcoming adversity. Even I, as a cis, (mostly) hetero guy with no real world knowledge of knowing trans struggles (besides being a staunch ally wherever I can) could see and relate to Maddy Thorson's writing of her own struggles with gender identity in the game.
Seconding this. Am not a big platformer fan at all but Celeste was beautiful. Only played it once through the story and enjoyed every minute of it.
I'm a gameplay player, not a story player, so these are play-focused picks I track for hidden gem type threads. Always makes me sad going over the list to see which devs feel so forlorn they don't even bother going on sale (Devader and Galak-Z this time, poor things).
Under 1,000 reviews:
Over 1,000 reviews:
And please, twin-stick fans, play the demos for Combat Complex and Reality Break! Don't let these upcoming gems get hidden.
We actually have a separate Hidden Gems topic for the Summer Sale as well. I should have linked it at the top but forgot. (EDIT: It’s now in there)
Thanks, I didn't expect two Steam sale threads, so I stopped at the first one I saw ;)
Nova Drift is crack. I bought it years ago, have mastered the missile boat build, and still go back to blast the hell out of space aliens occasionally. Terrific game. Fast. Clever. Beautiful like fireworks.
I think this link should work, but if it doesn't let me know. This is the first major Steam sale we've had with IsThereAnyDeal's new site.
This is an ITAD list of what I call "The 4H Crew" (not to be confused with this 4-H crew). The games listed are:
Yes, "hugely popular" is a bit of a stretch at only 3,000 reviews, but it's essential for the alliteration! I find that 3,000 is a good cutoff that gives a bit more variety than just the same few titles each time (e.g. Portal 2, Terraria), but you can always adjust the number upwards if it's returning too many hits for you.
Also, for those wanting to sift through deals, ITAD's filtering options are pretty powerful. You can choose a lot of different parameters. For example, this is a list of native Linux titles released within the past year that have 50+ reviews, 90+ score, and are at least 25% off.
Anyway, if you're the kind of person who likes panning around for gold in a river of gamedeals, then ITAD's tool is exactly what you need. You can have it sift things out however you like.
Great suggestions, thanks!
For anyone who doesn't use ITAD, their waitlist is also a pretty nifty tool for being a patient gamer. Like I'll see a game come out that I think is cool, and let's say full price is like 40 bucks. Since I'm not desperate to play it immediately, I'll just add it to my waitlist at like <10 bucks and then forget about it.
Then one day many months later I'll get an email saying "hey remember that game you thought was cool like two years ago, well it's on sale right now for $6.95 if you're still interested in checking it out". It's a great way to get decent games that you have heard positive things about but haven't felt the need to buy yet, or maybe games that pique your interest but not enough to spend full price on. And if it turns out you aren't interested in the game any more, well then it saved you from some needless spending.
Also works great for games that you already own on other platforms but want a second copy on PC or Steam. Feels bad paying twice for the same game, but it stings less if the second time only cost a couple bucks.
Don't forget ITAD's browser extension "Augmented Steam", which they took over from the devs of the old Enhanced Steam extension. Augmented Steam is a huge Steam store upgrade for anyone who uses Steam, with price info, links, and personal note space right on the store page.
Welp. Finally picked up Baldur's Gate 3. 20% isn't a huge discount, but I've heard so many good things, and I've only avoided spoilers by extreme luck, so I figure it's time. See you all in a month!
It's pretty good! I'd definitely recommend the co-op mode.
As mentioned over in the Save Points topic by our Gamedeal Guru @phoenixrises, Forza Horizon 4 is getting delisted come December.
As such, the current 80% off sale can probably be considered a last best offer. The game will remain playable after the delisting — it just won’t be available to purchase anymore.
The individual DLCs have already been delisted, so the only way to get them is through the Ultimate Edition.
If you’re wanting the game in your library, now is the time to get it before it’s gone.
Outer Wilds is on sale for $15 USD or $24 USD if you bundle the expansion.
This is hands down the single greatest game I’ve ever played in my life. It offers an immersive hand crafted solar system begging to be explored and intriguing mysteries to unravel. You’ve probably heard this before, but I can’t stress enough you should play this game without looking anything up.
The expansion should be saved for later if you haven’t finished the base game. If you have finished the base game but haven’t tried the expansion, I recommend it. It’s not as vast as the base game but it captures the same sense of exploration and mystery.
Spoiler-free tips for new players:
I second your suggestion of finishing the base game before doing the expansion. I do want to strongly suggest anyone who liked the base game to play the expansion. I honestly think I enjoyed the expansion more than I did the base game.
Just pointing out to browse the Deep Discount page for highlighted games that are less than 10 dollars it seems!
My current obsession Hitman World of Assassination is on sale, Season 1 is 3$! I'd pick it up if you're interested but don't know what it's like, apparently there's a way to upgrade to the full game if you are, but I don't see it. but otherwise it's already incredible at 28$
Any recommendation for a linear game with a good story. Like the Metro games or the Last of Us? I'm terrible at finishing open world games, I get distracted and wonder off front the story story, I either forget what I need to do or put it down and forget what I need to be doing.
Here's my list of completed story games that are not open world. I think most will have more story than gameplay when compared to Metro or TLoU
Not what you asked for, but have you played Skyrim? It's the kind of game where getting lost and ignoring the story lines is often the best part.
I don't know if you like horror, but SOMA is a pretty nice linear story-focused game.
To add to some of the other great recommendations:
Gameplay or story focused? There are plenty of popular "walking simulators" that range from linear sequential levels to basically kinetic novels.
Recommendations Request:
Think something like Final Fantasy VII, but just the first disc. I want turn-based battles with my menu of options for each character, but I’d also like the game to not last 40+ hours. Ideally under 15 if that’s even possible? Maybe 20 as a stretch?
I’ve played both Legend of Grimrocks as well as Vaporum. I’m currently considering Etrian Odyssey HD, but I’d like to hear people’s opinions and recommendations before I decide.
Child of Light is a very JRPG-inspired game that takes notes from Grandia's battle system and can be finished in 10 hours or so. It was practically a side project of Ubisoft Montreal in between cranking out AC and Far Cry games.
It trims all the fluff and padding I don't miss in these games, and is a nice streamlined microcosm of the usual JRPG mechanics in a short game with elemental damage, status effects, initiative/turn manipulation, a heap of abilities to cast and switching characters (each with their own unique skill trees and abilities) in the middle of battle.
My first inclination is to recommend Chained Echoes, /r/JRPG's Indie golden child from the past few years. But it's longer than I remembered -- more than 40 hours! So let's skip that one (but I'll keep the recommendation anyway for those with more time to spare).
So instead, let me suggest Hylics 2. It's an extremely funky game -- the art direction is quite literally other worldly, and the characters speak in this obtuse, overly-verbose, yet amusing manner -- but it's also very short (~10 hours), so it doesn't overextend its welcome. Combat is turn-based (like all good classic JRPGs) with no random encounters. In fact, when you slaughter beasts in this game, they don't come back.
Sea of Stars! It is a JRPG inspired by classics like Chrono Trigger. It's also at its historical low of $25. Playtime about 25-30hrs. I'd say the good classic JRPGs do really hold up if you haven't played the likes of FF6 or Chrono Trigger though, and the older games tend to have shorter playtimes too.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1244090/Sea_of_Stars/
If you can stomach retro graphics, I've heard great things about Islands of the Caliph. Includes the option to pray to Allah regularly for stat/story bonuses iirc.
Going almost completely against your question and suggesting a game that both isn't on sale and I know nothing about, but have wishlisted is Felvidek. It's a mere $11 and just looks very weird, but has that PS1 art style and is JRPG-inspired (if you're thinking Wizardry).
I’d strongly recommend Cosmic Star Heroine and This Way Madness Lies! Cosmic Star Heroine I think I got 10 to 15 hours out of, and This Way Madness Lies is between 5 to 10 hours I believe? They’re both very charming, and have GREAT gameplay with a really cool battle system! Both are comedic, though CSH tries to have more of a serious story alongside the comedy, while TWML is all-in on the humor..
I don’t know how important to you “traditional” turn-based gameplay is, but I can say as someone who thoroughly enjoys the exact kinda games you’re describing, I thoroughly enjoyed them both, and found their combat super engaging and interesting. The length of each game made sure they didn’t overstay their welcome either.
And hey, they’re - TOTAL - just 6 dollars!! Totally worth it!!
The game isn't out yet, so I don't know if it will match your request by the time it gets out. That said, expedition 33 is the first JRPG game that I have seen that has interested me enough to consider buying. I don't know anything about JRPGs, so I apologize if I missed the mark here.
Recommendations for short games I can complete in 5 hours or less? I'm open to anything except traditional FPS games.
Firewatch, mysterious and atmospheric game! Really enjoyed this one.
A Short Hike is often recommended but I have not played it myself.
I'll second that Firewatch recommendation. That game is all about the main character's introspection and character interaction, which makes it feel distinct from typical video game tropes. I also want to suggest GRIS for a similar feel. It felt more like an artistic experience than a typical video game. It was the perfect "sit down and have one lengthy (2-3 hours, I think?) gaming session, and then move on with your life" game.
A Short Hike is probably one of my favorite games, and even though it is pretty short to beat (3-4 hours, if you try to do most things, maybe?) I still come back to it just because I like the little world and atmosphere. Highly recommend.
I loved it! That's exactly the kind of game I'm looking for.
If you liked A Short Hike, then look into Haven Park and Lil Gator Game. Both of are similar enough that I refer to them as "hikelikes."
I too would recommend Lil Gator Game if that's your vibe, as well as Smushi Come Home, both had that short, cozy, exploratory feel to me.
To the Moon (4 hours) - Pretty great story. Mostly a linear VN, but it's universally acclaimed.
The Case of the Golden Idol (6 hours) - A logic-based madlibs that tells a story. This game is a gem.
The Duck Detective (2 hours) - Same type of gameplay as golden idol, but shorter and more light-hearted.
Stacklands (5 hours) - A neat little resource management game in the vein of cultist simulator.
80 days (3 hours) - A choose-your-own-adventure type game. Very narrative-heavy. It has pretty good replayability, so the time to see all of the various paths and storylines is much longer than 3 hours (probably around 30 is my guess).
OneShot (5 hours) - You only get one shot. Don't spoil yourself.
Citizen Sleeper (6 hours) - A narrative-heavy resource management game. Like 80 days, you might play through multiple times to see all of the available content.
The Forgotten City (6 hours) - It's a story game, but it's amazing.
Doki Doki Literature Club (5 hours) - A VN that is very much worth playing. It's free, too!
My pick would be The Last Campfire (if you haven't already played it). Great little side game by the makers of No Man's Sky. It bears zero resemblance to NMS btw. My only complaint was that it felt short, but at 90% off I'd have no qualms recommending it.
Another delisting notice: many games published by Adult Swim Games are either going to be delisted or are in danger of being delisted on July 15th. That link has the full list, but the four that are definitely getting delisted are:
All are 80% off. This is likely your last chance to get them before they leave Steam.
Wow. I quite liked Super House of Dead Ninjas in theory when I first played it about 5 years ago, but it didn't have great controller support. It looks like that's been fixed since, so I might give it another go.
Looks like Headlander is also on the chopping block. It's not discounted at all but it's worth getting, a nice little (10 hours) sci-fi-comedic metroidvania by Double Fine. Then again, maybe Microsoft will buy the rights back?
I picked up Lumines Remastered for $4.50, along with Disco Elysium for $4. It's been a good week.
I have very little interest in multiplayer gaming. So, naturally, I'm going to recommend 3 multiplayer games I've enjoyed:
(This is the original game, not the popular sequel that came out a few months back.)
I'm happy that Arrowhead has seen such runaway success with Helldivers 2, as fans of the original were hoping and dreaming of a sequel for years, and it's mostly turned out to be everything we wanted. However, the chaos of sharing one screen was a big part of the magic and humor of the original, and I personally think HD2 can't quite recapture that after moving to 3D. The formula is necessarily a bit different, and evidently quite good; I don't know if I've seen a more intense 1st- or 3rd-person shooter. But I'll stick to HD1. I've got north of 500 hours on it, and will drop back in every few months and play a few rounds with randoms.
The official trailer is corny. This vid makes a believer out of anyone who sees it.
That might sound like a lot for Tetris, but as a Tetris outsider for all my life, I think it's worth it. I have long envied the Tetris jedi among us, and this is the first version of the game I've come across that felt like it was designed to help me get to their levels and put me in a flow state. It has a few different multiplayer options that are almost all fun (apart from when you log on at the wrong time and can only get matched up against those damn jedi), and it has a great soundtrack as well.