$20 - What's the best game on Steam

[intheweeds]

I figure everyone at the Escapist would be the best people to ask:

I just recently started gaming on my PC. I've been a console and handheld gamer all my life though. I have a bunch of free time coming up and $20 to spend on Steam. What would you suggest for someone who is new(ish) to PC gaming but not in gaming in general to play as an introduction? I tend to enjoy RPG and FPS type games, but I'll play anything great.

I could go a little over $20 if i absolutely must. I don't want to blow the bank, but i do want a great experience!

 

[Solo-Wing]

The Orange Box.
it is $20.
It is a must have.

 

[BlackIvory]

Get Magicka.Period.
The original is about 9$ i think, and the new dlc is around 5$, but you could totaly go without it i guess, just 1 new stage and a new arena(although a totaly cool stage).

 

[Bobic]

The Orange Box.
it is $20.
It is a must have.

And the first post takes it, may as well close the thread now.

I agree with this choice is what I am saying.

 

[Limecake]

I'm going to go with Psychonauts, I haven't checked the price in quite a long time. But I highly doubt it's going for more than $15.

fun game with colorful characters and settings, but if you don't have the orange box then I would say pick that up over Psychonauts but only because my TF2 hat collection is what keeps me coming back to the box.

 

[bombadilillo]

Yeah orange box is a rediculous amount of content.

 

[Rewdalf]

Alien Swarm.
It's free...
And worth it.

 

[The Unworthy Gentleman]

Mount and Blade. Either With Fire and Sword or Warband. I've invested almost 60 hours into it in about 3-4 weeks. It's absolutely brilliant if you like RPGs where you need to manage relations, villages, business, army, character and try and become a king. At least have a look at it, there's a demo available for Warband I think.

 

[Wintermoot]

Half-Life(source)
Half-Life Blue Shift
Half-Life Opossing Force
The Orange Box (not sure if it,s 20$ but it,s WAAAAY cheaper then buying the games apart)
Portal 2 (don,t bother with Portal 1 it,s not worth your money unless you want to complete a Valve/Source engine collection.)
the orange box contains the following
Portal 1
Half-Life 2/ep1-2
Team Fortress 2
Peggle Extreme (fun game for about 20 min,s)
The Orange box is a great way to start your collection.

 

[TheYellowCellPhone]

The Orange Box.
it is $20.
It is a must have.

It's $20 now?

Fuck yes. Get it. At the very least, get TF2 (which is part of The Orange Box)

 

[intheweeds]

Awesome! Thanks for all the suggestions. I loved Mass Effect on the 360, but i'm hesitant to get 2 for PC just because of my character and everything.

 

[Cowabungaa]

Awesome! Thanks for all the suggestions. I loved Mass Effect on the 360, but i'm hesitant to get 2 for PC just because of my character and everything.

Yeah, good point, get that on the 360. Using your ME1 save really makes it feel like it's one big game, it's really awesome.

Anyway, I second the Orange Box idea. If you already have most of those games, go for Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines, which is 20 bucks. One of the best RPG's I ever played (have yet to finish it though) but only if you patch it. Do so, and you'll have one helluva time.

 

[Savber]

The Orange Box
The Orange Box
The Orange Box
The Orange Box

Seriously... best deal ever.

Portal, the entire Half Life 2 series, and Team Fortress 2.

Magicka is great but the Orange Box is more bang for your buck.

 

[BanthaFodder]

^^seconded with Solo-Wing.
I never really got into Half-Life, but Portal and TF2 are utter GOLD.
here's some other games on Steam I would recommend, each one is $30 or less:
Alien Swarm (FREE)
Back To The Future: The Video Game ($25)
Killing Floor ($20)
Left 4 Dead 2 ($20)
The Orange Box ($20)
Team Fortress 2 + Gmod bundle ($15)
AudioSurf ($10)

 

[Fayathon]

Barring the Orange Box, you can't go wrong buying yourself a copy of Killing Floor, and it's often on sale for $10, so there's that too.

 

[psicat]

My favorite $20 games are: Vampire The Masquerade - Bloodlines, Metro 2033, Drakensang The River of Time. There are also some great $10 games if you want to pick up 2 games: Magicka, Psychonauts, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear Sky, and Portal.