Steam’s summer sale has finally hit, aptly dubbed the Summer Picnic Sale — and games are just as tasty as they are cheap!
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 FPS
Has online multiplayer
Terraria ($4.99)
2D sandbox
Has online multiplayer
Mount & Blade: Warband ($4.99)
Combat sandbox
Has online multiplayer
Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition ($4.99)
Action RPG
Has online multiplayer
Hotline Miami ($4.99)
Topview action
Singleplayer only
Hotline Miami 2 ($3.74)
Topview action
Singleplayer 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 elements
Has online multiplayer
Papers, Please ($4.99)
Paperwork simulator
Singleplayer only
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Enhanced Edition ($2.99)
Action RPG
Singleplayer only
FTL: Faster Than Light ($2.99)
Spaceship roguelite
Singleplayer only
SpeedRunners ($3.74)
Competitive runner
Has online multiplayer
Deus Ex: Human Revolution – Director’s Cut ($4.99)
Action RPG
Singleplayer only
HuniePop ($3.09)
Match 3 dating sim
Singleplayer only
Rise of Nations: Extended Edition ($3.99)
Historical RTS
Has online multiplayer
Crypt of the NecroDancer ($3.74)
Rhythm roguelike
Singleplayer only
Killing Floor ($4.99)
Co-op survival FPS
Has online multiplayer
Saints Row IV ($3.74)
Open world action comedy
Has online multiplayer
Dust: An Elysian Tale ($2.99)
2D action platformer
Singleplayer only
Super Meat Boy ($1.49)
2D technical platformer
Singleplayer only
Metro 2033 Redux ($4.99)
Post-apocalyptic FPS
Singleplayer only
Metro: Last Light Redux ($4.99)
Post-apocalyptic FPS
Singleplayer only
Napoleon: Total War ($4.99)
Historical grand strategy
Has online multiplayer
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II ($4.99, without DLC/expacs)
Real time strategy
Has online multiplayer
Lethal League ($4.75)
Gimmick fighter
Has online multiplayer
Transistor ($4.99)
Isometric thematic RPG
Singleplayer only
Gauntlet Slayer Edition ($4.99)
Isometric co-op dungeon crawler
Has online multiplayer
Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition ($4.99)
Superhero fighter
Has online co-op
Valkyria Chronicles ($4.99)
Turn-based strategy RPG
Singleplayer only
Saints Row: Gat out of Hell ($3.74)
Open world action comedy
Has online multiplayer
Red Orchestra 2: Heroes of Stalingrad with Rising Storm ($4.99)
Historical FPS
Has online multiplayer
Max Payne 3 ($4.99)
Third person action shooter
Has online multiplayer
Higurashi When They Cry – Chapter 1 Onikakushi ($3.89)
Horror mystery kinetic novel
Singleplayer only
Mark of the Ninja ($3.74)
Stealth action platformer
Singleplayer only
Party Hard ($3.22)
Stealth action strategy
Singleplayer only
Trine 2: Complete Story ($2.99)
Co-op platformer
Has online co-op
Amnesia: Memories ($2.99)
Otome visual novel
Singleplayer only
RollerCoaster Tycoon 2: Triple Thrill Pack ($3.99)
Amusement park simulator
Singleplayer only
RollerCoaster Tycoon: Deluxe ($2.39)
Amusement park simulator
Singleplayer only
Legend of Grimrock ($2.99)
3D dungeon crawler
Singleplayer only
Bloons TD 5 ($4.99)
Tower defense
Has online multiplayer
Valdis Story: Abyssal City ($3.74)
Action -vania platformer
Singleplayer only
Burnout Paradise: The Ultimate Box ($4.99)
Open world racing
Has online multiplayer
Recettear: An Item Shop’s Tale ($4.99)
Shop sim + action dungeon crawler
Singleplayer only
Evil Genius ($2.49)
Building RTS
Singleplayer only
Antichamber ($4.99)
First person puzzle adventure
Singleplayer only
Cook, Serve, Delicious! ($2.49)
Cooking simulator
Singleplayer and local co-op only
Windward ($3.99)
Pirate sailing exploration sandbox
Has online multiplayer
Audiosurf 2 ($4.94)
Rhythm game
Singleplayer only
Dungeons of Dredmor ($2.49)
Turn-based roguelike
Singleplayer only
fault – milestone one ($3.74)
Kinetic novel
Singleplayer only
Risk of Rain ($2.49)
2D platformer roguelite
Has online multiplayer
Defense Grid: The Awakening ($2.49)
Tower defense
Singleplayer only
Tropico 4: Steam Special Edition ($3.49)
City builder
Singleplayer only
Ys: The Oath in Felghana ($4.49)
Action RPG
Singleplayer only
EVE Online – Core Starter Pack ($4.99, requires a subscription past first month)
Space MMORPG
Online only
VVVVVV ($1.24)
2D technical platformer
Singleplayer only
