Deals on many of the older games are only going to get better, but for some of 2021’s best new and ongoing games, there are some pretty great deals. 2021’s best titles, AAA and indie, are on sale for as much as 50% off. Plenty of various nominees from The Game Awards are also on sale, meaning there’s no shortage of recent genre-defining titles. For those looking to get some of this year’s best games on discount, these are the best deals from the Winter 2021 Steam sale.
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2021 Steam Winter Sale: Best AAA Deals
Starting with the major AAA releases, there are a ton of Game Awards nominees (and winners) on discount with this year’s Winter Sale. Game of the Year contender Deathloop perhaps has the best deal so far, coming in at $29.99. That’s already 50% since the game’s release this September, meaning players have even less excuses to hop into Arkane’s latest time-hopping adventure.
Fans of zombie survival games, both of the singleplayer and co-op variety, will find a lot to love in Steam’s Winter Sale. For singleplayer fans, Days Gone came to PC this year after spending a few years as a PS4-exclusive title. Players will be able to take on the roaming hordes of zombies roaming the Pacific Northwest wilderness for 40% off, at $29.99. As for multiplayer fans, the long-awaited Back 4 Blood co-op survival shooter brings Left 4 Dead vibes at a discount of 40% off as well, at $35.99. Frankly, fans of zombie survival games can’t go wrong with either; Days Gone offers a compelling survival narrative, while Back 4 Blood offers a campy but genuine challenge.
Those looking to get some more Marvel superhero action in that isn’t Marvel’s Avengers should definitely consider snagging Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy while it’s 35% off, at $38.99. To many fans and critics, Guardians of the Galaxy came as a big surprise; toting an exciting adventure worthy of the Marvel namesake, this game was far more than just a generic MCU rip-off of Star-Lord’s misfits. That’s largely the reason why Guardians of the Galaxy was such a surprise winner of Best Narrative at The Game Awards this year.
That being said, for those looking for some similarly excellent narrative adventures that aren’t Marvel-centric, two excellent remasters released this year in the form of Nier Replicant and Mass Effect Legendary Edition.
Nier Replicant, on sale for 35% off at $38.99, is an excellent action RPG and stellar remake of the original 2010 Nier game. Those looking for a very unusual but unique world, paired with a compelling existential story, should give Nier Replicant a try. On the flip side, those looking for a more intergalactic tale can snag Mass Effect Legendary Edition, on sale for 50% off at $29.99. The original Mass Effect trilogy is renowned for its political intrigue mixed in with action set-pieces, all fully remastered and bundle together into one release.
Deathloop: 50% off, $29. 99 Days Gone: 40% off, $29. 99 Back 4 Blood: 40% off, $35. 99 Guardians of the Galaxy: 35% off, $38. 99 Nier Replicant: 35% off, $38. 99 Mass Effect Legendary Edition: 50% off, $29. 99
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2021 Steam Winter Sale: Best Indie Deals
As for indie games, in part due to many AAA releases being delayed and bumped into next year, many flocked to independent games to get their gaming fill. The Game Awards reflected that notion as well, with numerous nominations and It Takes Two winning Game of the Year. From Hazelight, the same studio spearheading the rebirth of couch co-op with A Way Out, It Takes Two is a fantastic and emotional dream journey that’s worth jumping into for 50% off, priced at $19.99.
Another excellent but comparatively underrated indie game is Inscryption, a title that’s gained a huge following through word of mouth, with many heralding it as their game of the year. Inscryption, which players can snag for 20% off at $15.99, is an unusual deck-builder roguelike game that ebbs and flows between aspects of puzzle games, survival horror, and various other influences. It’s deeply unusual but incredibly unique, and even if players are not fans of card games, it’s still worth the try.
Similarly, those looking for a bit of a mindbending time could certainly check out Psychonauts 2, the long-awaited sequel to the original (which is also on sale for $4.99). Players looking to get their 3D platforming fix in, especially those who want to finally continue Raz’s journey after 16 years, should check out the sequel. Right now, Psychonauts 2 is 35% off, at $38.99.
Those looking to get a little more into the consequences of a time loop, compared to Deathloop, should try The Forgotten City. Similar to The Outer Wilds, players have to explore and discover the mystery behind the time loop affecting the underground city under Ancient Rome. The former Skyrim mod is available now for 25% off at $18.74.
Anyone looking for some multiplayer co-op action should check out GTFO, an indie tactical shooter with a twist of the supernatural. Players have to work together to takedown or sneak by a horde of zombie-like creatures that will do everything in their power to kill players. Good strategy and coordination between teammates is the only way to escape the labyrinthine Complex. As part of the launch out of early access, GTFO is 25% off at $29.99, a solid deal on any groups of friends looking for a challenge.
On the flip side, those looking for a much more laidback singleplayer experience should definitely check out Chicory: A Colorful Tale, another underrated indie release from this year. Taking on a coloring book aesthetic, players use their ability to paint the world with vibrant colors, all in service to rescuing Chicory and bringing color back to the world. Despite being visually based on a children’s coloring book, the game’s story is emotional and compelling. Chicory is 20% off, at $15.99.
Lastly, for anyone looking to get more out of a classic Zelda kick should definitely check out Death’s Door, if they haven’t already. It’s an excellently challenging top-down adventure game made by the same developer behind Titan Souls, full of all kinds of tenuous boss fights and diligent usage of the dodge button. Death’s Door is on sale for 25% off, at $14.99.
It Takes Two: 50% off, $19. 99 Inscryption: 20% off, $15. 99 Psychonauts 2: 35% off, $38. 99 The Forgotten City: 25% off, $18. 74 GTFO: 25% off, $29. 99 Chicory: A Colorful Tale: 20% off, $15. 99 Death’s Door: 25% off, $14. 99
The Steam Winter Sale runs from December 22, 2021, to January 5, 2021, at 10 a.m. PT.
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