Steam's Summer Sale is in full swing — here’s 13 gaming deals I’d buy right now

Best Steam games: deals from $1.99 @ Steam  
The latest Steam Summer Sale is going on now until July 11. So you still have plenty of time to grab some great games for your Steam Deck before then. Many "Steam Deck Verified" titles on the Steam Store are currently discounted at historically low prices, so you can snag a variety of indie, triple-A, and classic games without breaking the bank.  

Celeste: was $19 now $1.99 @ Steam
Retro-style platformer Celeste already felt like a steal for $20, but with the Steam Summer Sale it's dropped to just $1.99. This indie darling is an easy recommendation, featuring some of the most punishing platforming levels, gorgeous art, and poignant storytelling we've seen in years. You step into the hiking boots of Madeline, a young woman on the run from her inner demons (and we mean that both literally and figuratively), to summit Mount Celeste. 

Civilization VI: was $59 now $2 @ Steam
“Just one more turn” is the rallying cry of Civilization VI players everywhere. In this historical turn-based strategy game, you choose one of 18 world civilizations (the Americans, the Chinese, the Egyptians, the Kongo, the Romans and so forth), then lead them all the way from the Stone Age into the Space Age. You can choose to conquer your foes through military might, or lead the world in scientific achievement, or become a utopia for artists and philosophers. With a ton of customization options, Civilization VI can be as chill or demanding as you like, making it great for both newbies and veterans.

Disco Elysium The Final Cut: was $39 now $3 @ Steam
Studio ZA/UM's award-winning role-playing game sees you step into the shoes of an amnesiac detective tasked with unraveling a murder case. As you hunt down the culprit, you're treated to a running commentary from your inner demons, from one communicating your "lizard brain" impulses to others determining logic, empathy, rhetoric, and a lot more. And they all have a lot to say about the (often piss-poor) decisions you make. 

The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt: was $39 now $3 @ Steam
Not to be confused with the flawed Netflix show, The Witcher 3 is simply one of the greatest video games ever made. Thanks to its relatively ripe age, it also runs exceptionally well on Steam Deck. Playing as mythic monster hunter Geralt of Rivia, every mission you accept delivers fine acting and nailed on plot pots.  

Borderlands 2: was $19 now $3 @ Steam
Borderlands 2 is the epitome of the term "looter shooter." This four-player co-op game is a classic feel-good romp with bombastic weapons and an over-the-top story and characters.

Jurassic World Evolution 2: was $59 now $5 @ Steam
This park management strategy sequel has some dinosaurs. Heck, it might just have all the dinosaurs. Every major leathery leviathan that appeared in the six movies can be bred in this compelling sim. The actual building mechanics are intuitive, while the mode that lets you relive some of the original movie’s most iconic moments is well executed.   

Hades: was $24 now $9 @ Steam
A gorgeous roguelite with a satisfying story and even better combat. If you can step up to Hades’ challenging boss fights, you’ll find a game that proves to be incredibly satisfying to master. When you're first starting out and are petting a three-headed dog and getting owned by lowly ghouls, Hades will test your patience, yet it’s absolutely worth sticking with.  

Fallout 76: was $39 now $9 @ Steam
Fallout 76 is an online-focused take on the popular post-apocalyptic RPG series and the latest entry in the series. Venture out into the Appalachia wasteland on your own or with a friend by your side to find loot, quests and mutated monsters.

Horizon Zero Dawn: was $49 now $12 @ Steam
Horizon Zero Dawn is an impressive open-world game with an intriguing sci-fi story and a combat system that's more about precision than brute strength. You play as an archer named Aloy in the post-post-apocalyptic American West, where she must hunt down both human and robotic foes as she learns the truth about her own origins. The sequel Horizon Forbidden West is similarly excellent — and also on sale for 20% off right now. 

Grand Theft Auto V: was $39 now $14 @ Steam
There’s a reason GTA V has sold enough copies to reach the Moon and back. Quite simply, Rockstar’s masterful open-world is one of the greatest video games of all time. Its campaign sees you taking control and switching between a trio of cons and is obsessed with 1995’s “Heat”, in the process delivering amazing set pieces centred around increasingly dangerous heists.   

Red Dead Redemption 2: was $59 now $19 @ Steam
Rockstar’s classic cowboy open-world is peerlessly good at focusing in on the finer details. Its sweeping map is great at both drawing the eye for miles and showing off incredibly detailed flora. Red Red Redemption 2 runs incredibly on one of the best gaming PCs, yet it also provides a solid 30 fps experience with the right tweaks on Steam Deck.   

Cyberpunk 2077: was $59 now $29 @ Steam
Sure, Cyberpunk 2077 was a train wreck at launch. But developer CD Projekt Red has spent the last four years getting the open-world RPG into shape, and it's now a hugely compelling experience almost on par with the dev's beloved Witcher franchise. In Cyberpunk, you play a mercenary in Night City looking to make your mark on the world and become a legend — or die trying.  

Elden Ring: was $59 now $41 @ Steam
A stunning open-world action RPG brought to you by FromSoftware and “House of the Dragon” author, G.R.R. Martin. This all-time great recently dropped its Shadow of the Erdree DLC that plays out like Elden Ring on hard mode. Considering the legendary original game still presents a seriously stern challenge, only the most battle-hardened of Tarshined will be ready for the expansion’s brilliant but brutal boss fights.