Epilogue’s Guide to the Steam Summer Sale

Let’s cut right to the chase. What games should you pick on on the Steam Summer Sale? Which games should you avoid? Ben’s list will help you navigate the impossible task of deciding how to spend your money on an ever-growing list of games. 

 

Must Haves

Resident Evil 2 Remake ($39.59 / 34% off): This is a potential game of the year for 2019 and it’s already sitting at less than $40. There is no better time to strike, even if it’s just to see where it fits in to this years growing list of hits.

Hollow Knight ($8.99 / 40% off): A year ago, this might have made its way into the “Games You Haven’t Heard Of” section, but Hollow Knight has since skyrocketed past mere cult status. For less than 10 bucks, you may not find a better use of your time and money in the midst of this entire sale.

Sonic Mania ($6.79 / 66% off): “Mania” is the definitive version of what Sonic can be: fun, colorful, and fast. There is a ton of content to explore and for a price this low there is no better time to jump in and see what the franchise is made of.

Sid Meier’s Civilization VI Gold Edition ($29.54 / 77% off): This pack will get you close to up to date with Civilization VI and is vastly more worth it than just buying the vanilla game. Even though you’ll still need to purchase the very good Gathering Storm expansion, this will get you everything else the game has released.

Valve Complete Pack ($4.29 / 96% off): Alright, so maybe you have everything Valve has to offer. Somehow, this STILL seems like an unbeatable deal. Packaged with games like Day of Defeat, Team Fortress 2, Portal, and Left 4 Dead, the “Complete Pack” feels like a mandatory purchase for anyone just getting into PC gaming.

 

Games You Haven’t Heard Of

A Hat in Time ($14.99 / 50% off): If you haven’t heard of it yet, it’s time to do your research. A Hat in Time very well may be the best “collect-a-thon” in years, particularly if you ignore Super Mario Odyssey. Experiencing everything the game has to offer will lead to dozens of hours of fun.

Sleeping Dogs ($1.99 / 90% off): One of best sandbox games only got better with a definitive edition. Especially if you enjoy a vibrant environment with lots to do, there is almost no reason not to give Sleeping Dogs a shot for a couple of bucks.

Battalion 1994 ($14.99 / 25% off): If you enjoy classic Call of Duty, “Battalion” is a return to that form. Simple matchmaking with a handful of interesting modes makes this one of the best competitive shooters on sale.

Firewatch ($4.99 / 75% off): Campo Santo’s first entry is an instant classic. Firewatch is very much dictated by walking and talking, but it’s an extremely ten hours or so. Be aware, it’s the kind of game that you probably won’t want to experience more than once.

Sunset Overdrive ($14.99 / 25% off): It’s less that you haven’t heard of “Sunset” and more that you probably forgot it existed on Steam. Windows and Xbox have recently grown fond of placing some of their newer IPs on Steam, and Sunset Overdrive is the perfect example for why this could be an amazing partnership. Insomniac, most recently having put out the near-perfect Spider-Man, experiments a heck of a lot in “Sunset” and mostly succeeds.

FAR: Lone Sails ($8.99 / 40% off): Easily one of, if not the most, underrated game of 2018. “FAR” is a short and sweet experience from start to finish. As we mentioned in our review last year, is a game about “triumph in the face of loneliness.” Pick it up if you have a handful of hours to yourself available.

Skullgirls ($2.99 / 70% off): Skullgirls is the perfect fighting game to scratch that Marvel vs Capcom style itch many players have been reaching for. With a fantastic art style and banging soundtrack, the entertainment hits on all fronts. Definitely a must buy for any and all fighting game fans looking for an easy pick up.

 

There If You’re Still Interested

Bioshock: The Collection ($14.99 / 75% off): On the off chance you haven’t experienced the Bioshock franchise yet, now is as good of a time as ever. Featuring arguably three top 100 games of the last generation, two of which were given the remaster treatment on Steam, Bioshock: The Collection feels like a must have. If you already own the original versions, no need to double dip. The upgrades are hardly noticeable.

Rocket League ($9.99 / 50% off): This is likely your last chance to get Rocket League on a steam sale after Psyonix’s sale to Epic. There is no indication that buying the Steam version now will lose you any future opportunities.

Planet Coaster ($11.24 / 75% off): With Frontier Developments in the midst of production on Planet Zoo, it’s safe to say that most of the bigger content updates to “Coaster” have come and gone. For any fans of the classic Tycoon games, this is a great and cheap way to get that same experience in a modern setting.

Batman: Arkham Collection ($14.99 / 75%): Perhaps the best superhero video game series of all time, there is almost no reason to skip out on this deal if you haven’t experienced the games yet.

Mad Max ($4.99 / 75% off): In true Avalanche fashion, Mad Max released to average reviews only to age like fine wine. By all accounts this is the kind of game that Rage 2 should have been. Pick this one up instead.

 

Easy Passes

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition ($19.99 / 50% off): Has there ever been a less appealing offer than to play the barely better version of Skyrim, which you almost certainly already own elsewhere? The only bonus here is that the Special Edition is finally getting the same kind of mod treatment as the original. Still, this is the easiest pass you’ll have all week.

DayZ ($30.14 / 33% off): With a bleeding player base and all of its best ideas stolen and made better by other games, there may not be a game so overpriced on Steam. Make this a pass and try out some cheaper and better multiplayer games (like The Forest  for $12).

Mortal Kombat 11 ($49.79 / 17% off): With mixed reviews on Steam that call the game’s performance into question, there’s no reason to pick up Mortal Kombat 11 when so many other good fighting games are available on sale.

 

Don’t Be Fooled

Rage 2 ($40.19 / 33% off): This one is tough, because even as a big fan of the original Rage, the sequel’s $40 price tag seems far from worth it despite plenty of content to offer. What is there just isn’t that fun, and it seems like a game that can easily wait until it drops closer to the $10-20 price range.

Sid Meier’s Civilization VI ($14.99 / 75% off): Even though this seems worth it on the surface, especially considering just how good Civilization VI is, you would be much better off picking up the “Gold Edition” which comes with the wonderful and almost necessary Rise and Fall expansion pack. This version would leave you several civilizations short and out of the Gathering Storm ($25) and Rise and Fall ($20) expansions.

Call of Duty: Black Ops III ($29.99 / 50% off): This is an easy pass for a few reasons. First and foremost, why is this game listed at a full $60? It almost seems intentionally confusing, given that this isn’t the most recent Call of Duty title, nor the most recent “Black Ops” title. There is lots of fun zombie action to be had if that’s your thing, but good luck finding people to play with.

Thank you for reading. Your Patreon support keeps our community entirely Ad free.