£50 video game challenge

[RedTwoster]

So we’re in sale season again on digital gaming stores, and with that in mind, rather than share the usual recommendations (which I probably still will), I thought it might be fun to do things a bit differently.

The challenge? You have £50 to get as much bang for your buck across any digital storefronts that you choose.

Here’s my attempt…

Sam & Max Hit the Road (£1.74, Steam)

I love classic point-and-click games, and this one is often overlooked. Typical Lucasarts brilliance - but be warned, it doesn’t work on a Steam Deck without serious tinkering.

The Witcher 3: Complete edition (£6.99, various)

There’s not much I need to say about this - you know the game. But it’s £6.99 across multiple game stores (including Steam and PSN) complete with its DLC. If we’re talking bang-for-your-buck, it’s right here.

Wrestlequest (£6.24, Steam)

I’d ignored this one for a while, given that the reviews were pretty mixed upon release. As it turns out, it’s a lot of fun - particularly if you like wrestling, which is probably a safe bet in this place. It’s a JRPG-style game involving legendary wrestlers such as Randy Savage. It’s not perfect, but for £6.24, it’s definitely worth your time.

Mass Effect: Legendary Edition (£4.79, various)

3 great games with all DLC. It’s cheap on multiple platforms and for £4.79, if you’ve not tried it before, you absolutely must at this bargain price. The legendary edition also has a few quality of life upgrades.

Fear & Hunger 2: Termina (£6.50, Steam)

A survival horror JRPG. You’re given 3 days to uncover the secrets of a grim and disturbing world. It’s definitely not for everyone - but I thought it was excellent. 

New Super Lucky’s Tale (£4.99, Steam)

A superb PS1/2/N64-style collectathon platformer that is often overlooked, likely because the original version - Super Lucky’s Tale - was a bug-ridden mess. This game is not though, and it’s actually one of the best 3D platformers released over the past decade. If you like this sort of game or are looking for something to play with your kids, this is a must-buy.

Greedfall (£5.99, various)

A cross between The Witcher, Assassin’s Creed and Dragon Age, that mostly succeeds in what it’s trying to do. The narrative is strong and the gameplay is fun. It’s rarely given the credit it deserves, but it’s well worth your time and cash. It also works well on the Steam Deck.

Mafia Trilogy (£12.49, PSN)

I really like the Mafia games and as with some of the other games on this list, they don’t get the credit they deserve. 3 great games with great stories, for a really good price.

The total cost for my haul is £49.73, and for that price you get - treating compilations as separate games - 12 games and loads of DLC. Anyone else fancy a try?

[gmoney]

This thread is just what I needed - I'm nearly down to about 400 games unplayed on my Steam account. 

Edited December 20, 2024 by gmoney

[Mr_Danger]

How many times can I buy GTA 5 with £50?

[DavidB6937]

Fucks sake. Knew I shouldn't have read this topic.

[Devon Malcolm]

37 minutes ago, gmoney said:

This thread is just what I needed - I'm nearly down to about 400 games unplayed on my Steam account. 

Logged in to Steam yesterday and saw the big 'WINTER SALE' banner and thought it was just as well I'd bought my kids their presents already.

[Dr. Alan Grant]

On 12/16/2024 at 2:17 PM, Merzbow said:

Just bought this travesty for 20p, never heard a good word about the game but thought I'd try it.

250 copies of this, distributed to all of you by Dr. Alan Claus. Merry Christmas.

[Ironic Indie Lad]

42 minutes ago, Dr. Alan Grant said:

250 copies of this, distributed to all of you by Dr. Alan Claus. Merry Christmas.

Starring Colin Farrell and Davina McCall by the looks of it?

The idea that you can get the complete version of The Witcher 3 for £7 is absolutely insane and incredible.

There is a lot to be said for always being 5-10 years behind in games. 

[JNLister]

Good luck beating the playtime-to-price ratio I got with a second-hand GTA San Andreas on PS2 for 99p.

[FLips]

Hotline Miami (Steam) £0.79

Hotline Miami 2 (Steam) £1.91

Somehow didn't have these in my library so picked them both up on Steam today. Very violent, very moreish pickup and play style games where the aim is to clear floors of enemies out before they bash your skull in. Really trippy 80s synth vibes to the whole thing. A pair of memorable modern classics.

Station to Station (Steam) £5.99

#

I haven't played this yet but I also picked it up today. It looks like a visually striking, incredibly chill railway builder with both puzzle modes and free build modes. I really liked the look of this one as a game I can slap on in the morning with my cup of coffee and just relax with, but maybe ask me that again after I give the puzzle mode a go.

Theme Hospital (GOG) £1.19

It's only my favourite ever sim game. Nothing has came close to the simplicity, the humour, the panic inducing difficulty of later stages when emergencies are flooding in as earthquakes are rattling your inflator rooms. Two Point Hospital came very close, but this is always my go-to.

I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream (GOG) £1.69

A visually and narratively uncomfortable post-apocalyptic sci-fi point and click about the last remaining humans left on earth after World War 3 is caused by a sentient super computer. There's some really grim tones in this, and to be frank you have to be prepared to save frequently due to a number of bugs. That being said, it's a unique and memorable game based on a short story by Harlan Ellison. If you want the experience without the gameplay then the short story is available free online.

Stardew Valley (Steam) £6.59

Endlessly fun farming/slice of life sim that just got a huge new update recently so now there's even more content. Packed to the brim with things to do but never overwhelming, this is very much a game that will make you wonder where the day went.
If you don't want to farm then you can fish, explore the mines, care for livestock, forage, or just knock about with all the townspeople at your own pace.
Another one you don't want to miss.

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition (Steam) £9.09

The best RTS game ever made, there's a reason why this one gets remastered, remade and brand new DLC in the year 2024 while the sequels and spinoffs flounder. It never got better than this, and the definitive edition adds tons of quality of life improvements, enhanced graphics and extra bells and whistles. Just as brilliant today as it was back in 2001 when I'd sit up all night playing it at my mate's house with pizza and WCW tapes.

Halo: The Master Chief Collection (Steam) £8.49

What more can you ask for? All the Halos for under a tenner. I don't need to explain this one to you.

Thank Goodness You're Here (Steam) £11.19

Mine, and judging by the thread on here, a few of the posters on here's GOTY is 30% off at the minute. Very hard to describe, it's a platformer kinda, it's a puzzle game kinda, but the writing is something else. Belly laughed my way through it start to finish. Like the protagonist, it's short but full of character.

Left 4 Dead 2 (Steam) £1.70

Not only does this classic co-op shooter include all the DLC, but also all of Left 4 Dead 1 content. The servers are still running, the modding scene is massive and full of new skins, maps, weapons, and sounds. We've had a couple of games over the years like World War Z and Back 4 Blood try to emulate the success of this but none have ever came close. A Valve classic that still has a lot of gas in the generators.

Peggle Deluxe (Steam) £0.99

Addictive puzzle game where you fire a ball into a load of pegs and if you do good enough it plays Ode to Joy. You'll keep going back for more and more because you failed the level by a couple of pegs. Brilliantly simple game.

£.0.38 change.

Get yourself a curly wurly.

[Mr_Danger]

4 minutes ago, FLips said:

 

Peggle Deluxe (Steam) £0.99

Addictive puzzle game where you fire a ball into a load of pegs and if you do good enough it plays Ode to Joy. You'll keep going back for more and more because you failed the level by a couple of pegs. Brilliantly simple game.

£.0.38 change.

Get yourself a curly wurly.

[RedTwoster]

Because I’m bored and - I’m not going to pretend otherwise - I enjoy writing about games, here’s another £50…

Bloodborne (PSN) - £7.99

If it wasn’t for this forum, I’d absolutely not have gotten into Soulsborne games - but there are a lot of posters who wrote about them with such enthusiasm m. I have Elden Ring a proper chance, loved it; then Sekiro, which I also loved and then the original Souls games. The one game I’d not fallen in love with was Bloodborne, but at £7.99, I’m giving it another chance. Here’s hoping it wins me over!

The Secret of Monkey Island:  Special Edition (Steam) - £2.97

A game I play annually without fail. It’s hard to believe the original version is more than 30-years-old now, it could release today and it wouldn’t feel dated. A brilliant story, soundtrack and great voice acting too. The first two games in the series are among my favourite games of all time. For £2.97, if you don’t own this, it’s worth fixing that. 

The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog (Steam) - free

I suppose I’m cheating a little by including this, but it’s available on Steam and it’s free - and, more importantly, it’s really good. It was released a few years ago as an April Fool by Sega - but the joke is on anyone who hasn’t played it, it’s one of the best Sonic games in recent years. Instead of being a platformer as you might expect, it’s a visual novel/detective game; made by members of the Sonic fan game community (but released by Sega) centred around (you guessed it) the murder of Sonic the Hedgehog. It works on Steam Deck, and given that it’s free, you’re as well to try it.

FTL: Faster Than Light (Steam) - £1.74

It’s absolutely astounding that this hasn’t been ported to console, as it’s one of the best indie games ever. It’s a roguelike, but in the ‘just-one-more-go’ sense, rather than the ‘desperately overdone’ sense. You’re adventuring your way across the galaxy, trying to save it and last for as long as you can. It’s a strategy game, and all sorts of things happen along the way in your adventure - I can’t think of many games like it, and I’d recommend you give it a go. It’s my favourite ever space game, and it’s £1.74. Well worth it.

Puyo Puyo Tetris (Steam) - £3.74

A mash-up of two of the best puzzle games of all time had a great chance of succeeding, and it absolutely does, whether you play it solo pr multiplayer- it’s a perfect Steam Deck game, great to dive into when you’re watching something or just want a quick game of something to kill time - but that ‘quick game’ can easily become a long one, as it has a tendency to suck up your time and hook you. 

Firewatch (Steam) - £1.67

A walking simulator that never feels like one - you’re a fire lookout in a national park, with the only person keeping you company being a woman’s voice at the other end of a walkie talkie. The story is tense and gripping - it’s best experienced not knowing what’s to come - and it’s cleverly done. It’s not a long game, so perfect for those of you with little time for gaming.

A Short Hike (Steam) - £3.18

I’ve recommended this one before, but at this price it’s worth recommending again. You know how I said FTL was ‘one of the best’ indie games ever? I think A Short Hike might be THE best indie game ever. It’s a short but beautiful game in which you’re an anthropomorphic bird going for a short hike, helping people along the way to gain the ability to progress further up the mountain. It’s lots of fun little side missions, progressing a short story and I absolutely loved every second of this game. I can’t recommend it enough, which is why I’m recommending it for a second time.

South Park: The Stick of Truth and The Fractured But Hole (bundle, Steam) - £6.74

@Ironic Indie Lad said it paid to game a few years behind, and he’s absolutely right - getting these games for under £10 is an absolute steal. I’m not sure how much you’d appreciate them if you’ve not watched South Park - there are a lot of callbacks - but the mechanics in both games are fantastic, and it’s a joy to explore South Park and get to know the characters. I really hope there’s a third game in this style, after the disappointment that was Snow Day.

Wasteland 3 (Steam) - £6.59

The latest in the series that was the spiritual successor to the original Fallout games (which in turn was inspired by the original Wasteland) - this has a great story and if you enjoy this style of RPG, you’ll almost certainly love this. Even if you don’t, it’s an accessible entry point to this kind of game, at a bargain price.

Nidhogg (Steam) £2.79

Nidhogg and Nidhogg 2 are two of my favourite multiplayer experiences ever. The aim is to run to the opposite side of the screen, and you’re armed with swords, which you can also throw. It’s hilarious and perfect for couch co-op. If you’ve never heard of it, check out some YouTube videos and you’ll get an idea as to what you can expect. 

Slay the Princess - the pristine cut (£11.24)

An updated version of a visual novel style game packed with wit and warmth, in spite of its grim premise. You wake up in the middle of nowhere outside a hut and are told that there’s a princess chained up inside, who you must slay to save the world. It’s a really intriguing story, and as with Firewatch, it’s best experienced blind. 

Peggle Nights (Steam) - 99p

I had an awkward amount of money left to spend, and it just so happens that I had enough to buy myself some Peggle. So, like @FLips, I’m rounding off my picks with that, albeit a different version.

Total spend: £49.64, 13 games

[Merzbow]

Bloodborne could be my favourite game ever depending on the day, nothing has such a beautiful aesthetic and it mastered the Lovecraftian cosmic world building better than anyone.

I'd honestly say stick with the first sawblade weapon for as long as you can, it's not overpowered but the move set along with serrated damage type means it can get you through the entire game pretty damn well.

[FLips]

Might have to double dip a list myself later. A few games I almost included myself there including the South Park RPGs which are both truly phenomenal, A Short Hike and Monkey Island. I also concur that free Sonic game is worth a shot on a rainy day. 

[Dr. Alan Grant]

Far too many tempting games listed here. I’ve only just recovered from the Steam sale at the start of the month. But along comes Rooster to pick me up by my ankles and shake the loose change out of my pockets. A modern day Dick Turpin.

That updated Monkey Island screenshot makes me sad. The pixel look is perfect for the game.

Ever since I got into Souls games, I’ve been putting Bloodborne off because of the endless rumours that it might, may, possibly get a remake one day. Should I just jump into it regardless? I’ve played The Witcher a little bit too, but it was either the combat or inventory system that annoyed me so much I gave up. That, and I hate Gwent. But I always think about it going back to it and actually making some progress.

[FLips]

Thought for some more recommendations I'd do some bundles that included some big hitters. You get less games for the budget, but that doesn't necessarily have to be a bad thing.

Baldur Bundle - £48.35 (or £50.01)

Baldur's Gate Enhanced Edition (Steam) £4.18
Baldur's Gate II Enhanced Edition (Steam) £4.18
Baldur's Gate 3 (Steam) £39.99

Optional (slightly over budget) substitute: Baldur's Gate: The Classic Saga (Steam) £10.02

The first two Baldur's Gates, with their deep (for the time) gameplay, exceptional writing and -in my opinion- timeless pre-rendered graphic style are fantastic old school RPGs. Alongside Icewind Dale and Neverwinter Nights, many many hours can be sank into these games, which system limitations aside, hold up rather well. Definitive editions of both bring them closer to modern standards, and apparently they have a booming online community for custom campaigns.
If you want them both plus the Siege of Dragonspear DLC then opt for the Classic Saga to go a penny over budget.

Baldur's Gate 3 probably needs no description. I will say though I never finished it as I found it to be too deceptive with how open it was. 1 and 2 hide the D&D mechanics in text boxes or in the background, leaving you with less options in a scenario, but also limiting the gameplay because of it. Yes there are less ways to do things, but they often work as long as you know your build.
I found BG3 to be the opposite, it presents itself as a game where decisions are yours for the making and you think of an idea that seems reasonable on paper but for everyone to see you embarrassingly roll a 4 and fail, and now every enemy in the vicinity is aggro'd onto you and you may as well restart. I can see how this might be fun for some people, but I enjoy the more linear approach and failing great ideas on dice rolls will never not be annoying to me, I'm afraid. That being said I can't deny how impressive the whole game is and if you have the time for it, it's worth every penny. My wife finished it about 4 times.

All 3 games, plus a DLC for £50 would keep you busy for the whole year and beyond.

Resident Evil Bundle (Steam)

Resident Evil Remake Trilogy (2, 3, and 4 Remakes plus add-ons) £41.24

Optional fillers:
Resident Evil Biohazard £6.39 (Gold Edition £11.91 slightly over budget)
Resident Evil Village £13.19 (slightly over budget)
Resident Evil 4 HD Edition £3.74
Resident Evil 5 £3.99
Resident Evil 6 Complete £3.99
Resident Evil 1 Remake £3.99
Resident Evil 0 £3.99
Resident Evil Revelations £3.99
Resident Evil Revelations 2 £3.99


 

There's a lot to go through there, but the main event here is that fantastic triple header of remakes. All 3 of them are in the 8/10 to 10/10 quality range. If you don't have them you want to be picking that up, no doubt. The gold/deluxe editions give you a bunch of extra stuff to play around with too. Some of the best action horrors ever made.

To fill the extra tenner there's a lot of options. Grab one of the 1st Person grotty Biohazards with all the bells and whistles to go just over budget, or lay down less to get a couple of the classics.
If you already have the remakes, then you could grab every other game in the sale for under budget. Maybe you prefer the classics, or maybe you want to go for quantity (but still quality). Either way, if you're a Resident Evil Fan then you're absolutely spoilt for choice here. Bizarre savings.

Dead Rising Bundle (Steam)

Dead Rising Deluxe Remaster £31.99
Dead Rising 2 £3.74
Dead Rising 2 Off The Record £3.74
Dead Rising 3 Apocalypse Edition £4.99
Dead Rising 4 £3.99 (Frank's Big Package Edition £7.84 slightly over budget)

Sticking with the Capcom Zombies theme, you can get every Dead Rising plus the brand new Deluxe Remaster of 1 for under £50 (or just over if you get the big edition of 4).
If you want zombie games with just as much focus on survival but you want to swap the claustraphobia and horror elements for free roaming silliness, then these are for you. Skateboard around a shopping mall chugging orange juice and whacking golf balls at zombies, customize a bulldozer to plow through the city streets rescuing civilians, or duct tape knives to boxing gloves and run around a casino smacking the undead about. Between all 4 games the possibilities are almost endless. Great bloody fun, and again Capcom are playing silly buggers giving you the lot for under £50 when one of them came out only a few months ago.