I love a good deal. From chain restaurants’ in-app savings to old-fashioned newspaper coupons (yes, even in 2026), there are few hoops I wouldn’t jump through to save a couple bucks. As a lifelong gamer, though, you can rest assured that my love for markdowns doesn’t stop at lunch specials and shoe-store BOGOs; I’ve always got my eye on affordable new indie game releases that fit within frugal players’ budgets.
If fuel and food prices have turned you into a gaming supersaver, then you’re in good company. When juxtaposed with triple-A brands’ $80 first-person shooters, indie games’ comparatively low costs are hard to ignore — especially when many of these games also feature impressive and stylized visuals, addictive gameplay loops, and award-winning storytelling and voice acting, among other impressive elements.
Open that Steam wishlist now, because these new indie games released this past month, available on the platform for next to nothing, are calling your name. Dive into these unskippable indie hits you should know about:
Slime Soup
GENRE: Match 3; Roguelite
PRICE: $3.49
In Slime Soup, join a gang of grimy goblins in a kitchen (that is definitely not ServSafe-compliant) where you’ll help them cook up some of the most repugnant recipes imaginable. Combine yucky ingredients to form powerful combos, develop your utensil collection, and send that score to the sky. This brand-new roguelite just hit Steam yesterday (Thursday, Aug. 20); show the creatures and their funky soup some love by adding the title to your wishlist, trying out the free demo, or buying Slime Soup for $3.49.
Slayblade
GENRE: Roguelite; Battle tops
PRICE: $4.24
Spin your fearsome battle-top as best you can to become the reigning King of the Streets in Slayblade, a chill but competitive top-battler roguelite from developer/publisher Henry’s House. Develop your top with slick upgrades, battle friends to earn cash, and tap your foot to the tune of Slayblade‘s OST. Don’t be afraid to step on some toes on your journey to the top. Slayblade is out now on Steam for $4.24, a sale price that lasts ’til launch celebrations wind down on September 3. But even after the discount expires, Slayblade retails for just $4.99. SLAY!
Mind Inc
GENRE: Casual; Sokoban
PRICE: $3.99
Mind Inc is a hand-drawn, isometric “sokoban” puzzler inspired by the 1981 game of the same name. As new employees of Mind Inc, players must work to restore humans’ memories by exploring their bizarre minds, finding lost memory shards, and utilizing the genre’s box-pushing mechanics to get from A to B (think Chip’s Challenge or Super Bomberman). Return fragmented memories to their rightful place to restore sentimental moments in full. Check out Mind Inc on Steam, available now for just $3.99.
How to Fish
GENRE: Online co-op; Fishing
PRICE: $4.95
Watching the trailer for How to Fish just once will have you hooked, line, and sinker. In this physics-based seaside frenzy, you and up to three other fishmongers must find your way back home after a night of too many boat brewskis leaves your crew washed ashore on a remote island. Getting home is a big enough ask, but how will your crew eat?! Easy — learn how to fish. Tackle quests, collect gear, earn money, discover new fish species, and more in How to Fish, available now for
Pegs x Stickers
GENRE: Roguelike deckbuilder
PRICE: $4.97
Swallow your “roguelike deckbuikder” fatigue and give the niche’s newest arrivals a good shake. Pegs x Stickers marries the satisfying, score-climbing elements of roguelike deckbuilders with classic pachinko. Strategically assemble your pachinko board, pop pegs across increasingly challenging rounds, form cool combos using sticker and peg pairings, and more. Buy Pegs x Stickers on Steam now for $4.97 before the deal expires next Friday, August 28.
Friends Before Enemies
GENRE: 2D Fighter
PRICE: $4.99
Charming, hand-drawn visuals, nostalgic arcade fighter-inspired UI, entertaining battles — sick, right? You can thank solo dev and jack-of-all-trades Devin Anderson, whose debut project, Friends Before Enemies, officially launched on Steam yesterday, August 20. Power through 90-second matches and empty your opponent’s health bar to become champ. Buy Friends Before Enemies on Steam now!
