6 Great PC Games Under $20

The best games on Steam for under 20 dollars

by
Michael Klappenbach
Writer
Former Lifewire writer Michael Klappenbach is an IT professional and an expert on games and gaming equipment.
our editorial process
Michael Klappenbach
Updated on September 15, 2020

You can often find excellent deals on games that were once top-tier AAA titles from retailers like Amazon, Gamestop, and Steam. Take a look at the best games under 20 dollars on Steam and other digital distribution platforms.

01
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Best Classic FPS: BioShock Remastered

BioShock Remastered Cover

Blind Squirrel Games
What We Like

  • Extra features such as challenge rooms and behind-the-scenes videos.

  • Better graphics than the original.

  • An intriguing story.

What We Don't Like

  • It's prone to crashes.

  • No recent updates.

BioShock is over a decade old, yet this sci-fi first-person shooter's impact on gaming is still evident. However, going back to the original to relive the glory days will make you realize how long ten years really is in the gaming world. The remastered version of BioShock features a graphical facelift plus new bonus content.

02
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Best Visual Storytelling: What Remains of Edith Finch

What Remains of Edith Finch game cover

Giant Sparrow
What We Like

  • Detailed and interesting storylines.

  • Well-developed characters.

  • It's easy to play.

What We Don't Like

  • No competition or traditional gameplay.

  • Requires two to three hours to complete.

  • Limited interactivity in some sections.

If you enjoy mystery stories with strong characters, What Remains of Edith Finch may be right up your alley. This rich, moody, and surreal journey puts you in the shoes of Edith Finch, the last surviving member of a Pacific Northwest family. You'll explore the strange history, lives, and deaths of the Finches. Settle in and get swept away by an experience quite different from the FPS and action genres.

03
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Best War Game: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare cover

Infinity Ward
What We Like

  • Accurate representations of modern weapons.

  • Familiar gameplay mechanics for fans of the original Call of Duty.

  • Realistic characters augmented by artificial intelligence.

What We Don't Like

  • Some slow-motion dramatic scenes drag on a bit.

  • Good guys can be difficult to discern from bad guys.

Moving on from the World War II setting of the other Call of Duty games, Modern Warfare drops you into present hotspots with updated high-power weaponry for multiplayer first-person shooter action. This is a perennially popular title despite being a decade old.

04
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Best Series Compilation: Mass Effect Trilogy

Mass Effect Trilogy PC game cover

Origin
What We Like

  • Interesting storyline and atmosphere.

  • Superb voice acting.

  • 75 hours of content.

  • It won over 300 awards.

What We Don't Like

  • The controls can be clunky.

  • The characters tend to be flat.

Mass Effect is another title that holds a special place in gamers' hearts. The series featured great storytelling and action, which garnered innumerable accolades from critics and fans. The trilogy collection brings the first three titles together so that you can binge all 75 hours of the epic story.

05
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Best Farming Sim: Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley game cover

Eric Barone
What We Like

  • A simple, fun premise with lots of charm.

  • Well-developed, engaging characters.

  • Endless possibilities.

What We Don't Like

  • Offers little explanation for what players must do.

  • Dated graphics, music, and sound effects.

Stardew Valley is a heartfelt and engrossing farming sim game that provides endless hours of enjoyable gameplay. You take over your grandfather's old farm, starting with a few coins and hand-me-down tools, and learn how to live off the land. You'll need to craft tools, raise animals, and sell what you grow with your own hands.

06
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For Fans of Fantasy: Dragon Age: Inquisition

Dragon Age Inquisition PC Game Cover

BioWare
What We Like

  • Over 90 hours of gameplay.

  • Fast-paced and highly interactive.

  • The smallest actions have big consequences.

What We Don't Like

  • Occasional lag and bugs.

  • Somewhat emotionless story, despite engaging characters.

Dragon Age: Inquisition is an epic fantasy adventure game that presents you with tough choices. Your actions impact the progress of the game as you explore the land, assemble a group of heroes, and battle all manner of enemies. The characters you can interact with are well rounded, and their relationships with each other are dynamic and evolving. The world that they inhabit is visually astounding and immersive.

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