Steam Autumn Sale is here, and with it comes a heap of cheap games to grab. From your favourite AAA titles to hidden indie gems, I’ve prepared a small list for you. In it, you’ll find FPS, strategy, puzzle, and even open-world adventure games.
Before I start, keep in mind that this is not an extensive list covering each game – for that I’d need days. Instead, it’s a handful of picks that are discounted and well-received by the community.
Don’t sweat it if you can’t grab games in this Steam sale, though. After all, bank accounts are beginning to tremble as Christmas looms. Fortunately, you’re not missing out on much, as the Steam Winter Sale kicks off on December 21. I can’t guarantee the same games will appear for the same price, but it’ll at least save you from pulling your hair out this time around. Plus, it gives you something to spend your holiday money on.
If you fancy something new to keep you busy during the cold months, though, there’s plenty to choose from. Let’s hop into it.
At a glance
- BattleBit Remastered: 20% off
- Dave the Diver: 20% off
- Company of Heroes 2: 75% off
- Far Cry 6: 75% off
- The Talos Principle: 90% off
- Need for Speed Heat: 90% off
- Hogwarts Legacy: 40% off
- Horizon Zero Dawn: 75% off
BattleBit Remastered
20% off at $11.99 in the US and £10.23 in the UK.
To put it simply BattleBit Remastered is what a modern Battlefield should look like. Don’t let its Roblox-like graphics deceive you, this one focuses first on gameplay and mechanics instead of DLCs and monetisation. Supporting up to 254 players per server, battles are bound to be out of control.
Even though Battlefield 2042 is currently at $9.59 / £7.99, BattleBit Remastered is much worth your money and has a thriving community to boot.
Dave the Diver
20% off at $15.99 in the US and £13.59 in the UK.
Dave the Diver is another excellent game made by a small team of developers. In this one you play as a diver – what a surprise – who also owns a sushi shop. There’s plenty to do both above and below the depths, from exploring to shop management, and even retro mini-games.
A 20% discount doesn’t seem like that much, but the game is less than five months old. It came out of the blue, quite literally in this case, and received so much praise. I feel Dave the Diver is worth much more than its regular price tag, let alone its discount.
Company of Heroes 2
75% off at $4.99 in the US and £3.74 in the UK.
The first game set a high bar, but Company of Heroes 2 expands on pretty much everything. From detailed terrain deformation to tactical unit control, this deal is perfect if you’re a fan of strategy games. There are many WW2 RTS titles out there, but this series has a special place in my heart.
Better yet, if you enjoy the base game, there are a handful of DLCs that grant you more factions. Expansions are also included in the Steam sale, and you can grab them all for the price of a cup of coffee. I’d recommend holding off until you’ve tried the original, as you might waste money otherwise, but it’s a steal whatever you choose to do.
Far Cry 6
75% off at $14.99 in the US and £12.49 in the UK.
Far Cry 6 is the latest in Ubisoft’s well-known series, but that hasn’t saved it from the discount chopping block. Many see this one as the best Far Cry out of the recent releases, only outshone by everyone’s favourite: Far Cry 3.
This time around, you find yourself on an island controlled by a dictator. As usual, you’ll have to liberate outposts using stealth or massive amounts of bullets. Far Cry 6 walks the typical line the series is known for, just with a different backdrop. It’s pretty to look at, but you’ll want to check out the system requirements before diving headfirst into this one. Even 8GB graphics cards stumble a bit a higher resolutions.
The Talos Principle
90% off at $2.99 in the US and £2.49 in the UK.
If you like mind-bending puzzles, then The Talos Principle is exactly what the doctor ordered. The game packs more than 120 puzzles to solve, and you can do it in any order you like. As you progress, you’ll uncover an ambiguous story about humanity, technology and civilization, but writers Tom Jubert and Jonas Kyratzes leave it open to interpretation.
This is a good opportunity to give the first game a try before jumping into its recently released sequel. Even The Talos Principle 2 is caught in the Steam sale whirlwind, available in a bundle with the first game at 51% cheaper.
Need for Speed Heat
90% off at $6.99 in the US and £5.99 in the UK.
Need For Speed Heat is a great arcade racing game filled with iconic cars. Each vehicle is fairly customisable, be it performance, design, or paint job. The ability to switch between day and night is very nice, each offering different rewards and dangers. With how the cops are aggressive during high heat levels, the thrill of banking all your points is exceptional.
Though the story is a bit lukewarm if you ask me, it’s a step up from NFS Payback. This one is mainly for car tuning and fun solo/online racing. For me, this one takes the third podium spot after NFS Most Wanted and NFS Underground 2.
Hogwarts Legacy
40% off at $35.99 in the US and £29.99 in the UK.
The most expensive pick on our list, Hogwarts Legacy takes you to Harry Potter’s world during a different time. Here, you play as one of the many wizarding students who learn the secret of magical spells, meet mythical creatures, and discover hidden mysteries. You can even customise your personal space in the room of requirements.
Hogwarts Legacy was snubbed at The Game Awards 2023, but only because it was such a highly contested year. It still offers plenty to do and brings with it a lot of magic at a fraction of the price.
Horizon Zero Dawn
75% off at $12.49 in the US and £9.99 in the UK.
Horizon Zero Dawn is an action RPG that takes place in a post-apocalyptic world filled with animal-looking mechanical creatures. While the gameplay reminds me a bit of Far Cry, the level design in this one is beautiful and varied, with lush pastures and deserted biomes to explore.
It’s one of PlayStation’s best and brightest games, with plenty of hours under its belt. I’m still waiting for its sequel, Forbidden West, to make it to PC, but this gives you a nice chance to catch up for when it does.
Honourable mentions
Horizon isn’t the only PlayStation original on offer. Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales at $29.99 / £23.99 (-40%) and The Last of Us Part I at $40.19 / £33.49 (-33%) are also great games to grab if you have the funds.
If you’re short on cash, you can always try some of the demos available on games like Hitman, or better yet, try Diablo IV for free until November 28. The latter is currently at $41.99 / £35.99 (-40%) if you want to keep it.
Games like State of Decay 2, Forza Horizon 5, and Cities: Skylines are also down in price. Since they’re also available on PC and Xbox Game Pass, it’d likely be much cheaper to get a trial month to see what you think of them first. We’re here to save money after all.
On my side, I finally finished my Far Cry collection with the purchase of Far Cry 6, starring no other than Giancarlo Esposito. I also snagged a copy of BattleBit Remastered and The Callisto Protocol.
Lastly, while you are at it, don’t forget to vote for your favourite titles on the Steam Awards. Have fun!
