PC gamers, rejoice, as the beloved digital store, Steam, celebrates its 20th anniversary. Of course, this means another wave of sales that are meant to keep you happy and entertained (see: drain your wallet). However, because of their lengthy reign as the premier digital store for games, it’s no surprise that picking from their wide collection might be difficult for some.
If you can’t decide on what game you should install on your computer, here are five we wholeheartedly recommend for you to spend countless hours on.
Portal 2
What is a Steam sale without a mention from one of Valve’s big three? These games are a must-try, but if you want a more casual game to start your experience, filled with puzzles but still having a compelling story, then this game is for you.
Portal 2 takes place in a rundown facility, where you must outsmart and outlive the facility’s sadistic robot AI. As the name suggests, you’ll be planning your escape route with portals, oftentimes on the fly, all for the sake of freedom. However, you don’t have to do it alone, as the game also lets you play side by side with a friend and traverse the dangerous puzzles together.
Stray
Robots, dystopian futures, and depression – you may think this is Cyberpunk 2077, but if we throw cats into the mix, it becomes an entirely different game. We are talking about Stray, a third-person cat adventure game set in a decaying cybercity. Here, you can witness the slow ruin of society through the eyes of a lone cat as they unravel an ancient mystery and find their way back home.
However, despite the grim setting, Stray is a touching game that can move people, which is surprising for a game where you play as a cat.
Total War: WARHAMMER II
For those who enjoy tactics and beautiful fantasy graphics, Total War: WARHAMMER II might be for you. Explore and conquer the Mortal Realms in the name of peace or chaos. Choose one of four distinct, diverse factions and go to war, launching a conquest campaign to preserve or obliterate a vast, vivid fantasy world.
Experience an enthralling strategy game as you control vast armies, terrible monsters, and fire-breathing dragons. Blend those together with the proper military strategies, ambushes, or brute force, and claim victory for your chosen faction.
Monster Hunter: Rise
This one is a two-for-one. In previous years, the Monster Hunter franchise has been stuck in handheld limbo, alienating a lot of its player base. But with the release of Monster Hunter: Rise on PC, old and new players alike can join in on the hunt. Explore amazing and unique settings as you battle your way to the top of the food chain.
Not only is the base game available, you can also get its massive expansion DLCs at an incredible price. You can also get the previous title, Monster Hunter: World, for even less. If you’ve been enjoying the recent Monster Hunter Now, then you might be interested in the authentic hunting experience.
Dredge
Each game caters to a specific demographic, but fishing games may arguably be at the very bottom of people’s to-do lists. But what if, instead of catching fish, you instead explore the sea to catch eldritch abominations from Lovecraft’s mind-bending works? That is the entire premise of Dredge, a single-player fishing mystery adventure game where you catch “fish”, complete quests, and uncover the setting’s troubled past.
As you progress, more sinister creatures begin appearing that would test the strength of your ship and your mental fortitude, and there you would learn that some things are best left forgotten.
Source: Steam
