As prices for, well, everything continue to climb, I’m looking for any excuse to cut costs. With tech tariffs and a $70 “new normal” for AAA releases, gamers are feeling the heat, too. With a bit of vigilance and due diligence, however, players can keep video games from ending up on the back burner.
These new-to-Steam titles are all under $10, and despite the lower price point, they’re not compromising on the fun. From cozy business sims to maddening Metroidvanias, these 10 budget-friendly Steam picks are perfect for the frugal player’s library.
Öoo
PRICE: $9.99
GENRE: Metroidvania; 2D Platformer
STEAM REVIEWS: “Overwhelmingly Positive”
“A Bomb Caterpillar’s Big Adventure! ‘Öoo’ is a charming yet mysterious exploration puzzle platformer where you discover creative ways to use bombs!”
Fischer’s Fishing Journey
PRICE: $7.99
GENRE: Casual; Idler
STEAM REVIEWS: “Very Positive”
“Put Fischer on your desktop as your ultimate study and work buddy. He’ll fish quietly in the corner, taking care of it all—you just drop in occasionally to collect your rewards, unlock new fish, upgrade your rod, while enjoying that calming, healing atmosphere.”
MakeRoom
PRICE: $9.99
GENRE: Design; Sandbox
STEAM REVIEWS: “Very Positive”
“MakeRoom is an adorable sandbox building game. Learn the ropes with guided design requests, then use more than 1,000 objects to flex your interior design skills. Unlock your imagination with the custom furniture creation tool. What will you make? Whether it’s a cozy room for cats, a moody hideaway for a vampire, or a compact camper van, the choice is yours!”
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Whimside
PRICE: $5.85
GENRE: Casual; Idler
STEAM REVIEWS: “Very Positive”
“WHIMSIDE is a cozy and relaxing collection game that sits at the bottom of your screen, keeping you company whether you’re working, studying, or just kicking back and watching videos. Capture and create new species of Whimlings, then unleash your creativity by decorating your very whimsical space.”
PAGER
PRICE: $9.99
GENRE: Psychological Horror; Exploration
STEAM REVIEWS: “Very Positive”
“PAGER is a 1-bit 3D Kafkaesque Psychological Horror game set in a 90s office building. A surreal mix of humor and horror. This is your first day at work. Obey the pager to survive and climb the corporate ladder.”
Is This Seat Taken?
PRICE: $9.99
GENRE: Casual; Puzzle
STEAM REVIEWS: “Overwhelmingly Positive”
“Is This Seat Taken? is a logic puzzle game where you play matchmaker for groups of hilariously particular people. Each character has pet peeves that make seating them a delightful challenge. Find the perfect spot for each person to unlock new levels in this cozy, silly, and relatable experience.”
Tall Trails
PRICE: $9.99
GENRE: Cute; Adventure
STEAM REVIEWS: “Very Positive”
“Tall Trails is a chill exploration game where EVERYTHING goes in the boot! You’re Alp, a lil’ golem on a quest to find his purpose. Run, climb, and use items as fuel in your Rocket Boot to blast yourself into the air!”
Catto’s Post Office
PRICE: $4.99
GENRE: Cozy; Casual
STEAM REVIEWS: “Overwhelmingly Positive”
This bite-sized adventure sends friendly, four-legged mail carrier Catto on an adventure about town. Rub elbows with community members, complete neighborly favors, and explore a whimsical 3D village. Your journey with Catto is a short one; the estimated comletion time for this game is one hour.
Cheese Rolling
PRICE: FREE
GENRE: Physics; Funny
STEAM REVIEWS: “Very Positive”
You’ve likely heard about the age-old tradition behind this goofy physics-based game, but for most of us, this is as close as we’ll ever come to the real thing. Cheese Rolling has proximity voice chat, too, so it’s bound to be a riot when a buddy zips by. The best part? FREE.
PEAK
PRICE: $7.99
GENRE: Physics; Co-Op
STEAM REVIEWS: “Very Positive”
“PEAK is a co-op climbing game where the slightest mistake can spell your doom. Either solo or as a group of lost nature scouts, your only hope of rescue from a mysterious island is to scale the mountain at its center. Do you have what it takes to reach the PEAK?”
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