Well, the Steam Winter Sale has rolled around and I’ll pretend it’s the last sale I’ll blow my cash on… again. But, it’s definitely the time of year we all like to lie to ourselves anyway. I never really go into a Steam Sale with any strict plan, which is usually how I end up with a fairly interesting haul each time. I did have a vague plan with this one which stemmed from really enjoying Firewatch last year and I’ve kinda found myself chasing that same quiet and cosy style of game. The ones that lean more into atmosphere, storytelling and just wandering around soaking it all in with no real urgency.
I started with a few that fit that slow-burn, narrative-driven space. The First Tree and Gone Home both seem to sit firmly in that ‘walking simulator’ style, which I’m absolutely fine with. A few others that have been entrenched on my wishlist and recommended by friends for years finally made the cut too: Outer Wilds, What Remains of Edith Finch and with a bit more of an adventure flare Myst: Masterpiece Edition. I don’t always need explosions or complex skill systems, sometimes I just want a good story, simple mechanics and a game that respects my time. All of these feel like they’ll be perfect for both short and long sessions on the Steam Deck.
This probably goes without saying, but I fucking love Fallout. I’m not fussy either, I like any and all Fallout content. I’m currently enjoying the TV Show as it comes out each week. I’ve heard plenty of mixed opinions about Fallout 76, especially here in Australia with high latency. I finally pulled the trigger as it came in under six bucks. I’m happy to give it a go even if it sucks, if nothing else just to see how this weird Fallout MMO experiment has evolved since launch. Worst case I’m out the price of a coffee. Best case? I sink way too many hours into more Bethesda jank. In a somewhat similar how have I not played this yet vein, I finally graduated The Witcher 3 to my Steam Library. It’s been recommended by a lot of friends and I just haven’t committed to it, much like the original games which I also own and haven’t played. I think 2026 might be the year I finally get stuck in.
Boomer Shooter December was an absolute blast and I already can’t wait to do it again. There’s no way I’m dropping the genre anytime soon and to keep that momentum going I picked up Project Warlock and Sprawl. Both seem like they’ll fit the Steam Deck perfectly with that fast, punchy style that don’t require committing to a massive, deep world. Expect much more boomer shooter nonsense throughout the year, I’m not done yet. Sticking with first person but doing something a bit different, Icarus was available for about five bucks so I nabbed it as well. I’ve sunk a lot of time into survival and crafting games like 7 Days to Die before, so even though this is a bit of a curveball for me, it’s still familiar. I’ve heard there’s a bit of work to get it running, but I’m more than happy to give it a crack. It could be one I just bounce straight off, or it could be one I get weirdly obsessed with, much like 7 Days to Die.
Look, it’s a Steam Sale. If you’ve read any of my previous sale wrap ups, you know how this ends. Yes, I bought more adventure games. Unavowed is yet another point-and-click from Wadjet Eye Games and I’ve heard it is very, very good. Stasis is also an adventure game, but it’s presented in a more original Fallout or Baldur’s Gate isometric view, which I think will be pretty interesting. For me, adventure games are always a safe bet. Typically there’s strong writing, interesting puzzles and a generally slower pace which still fits pretty nicely with what I was originally chasing after Firewatch.
I think it’s a pretty solid haul, but I probably say that every sale. It’s a nice mix of quiet, story-driven games, a few retro-inspired shooters and some that’ll require a longer-term commitment. Obviously there’s a couple ‘uh, lets just see how this goes’ purchases in there and the backlog continues to grow just like every other sale, because of course it does. But at least it’s growing in a direction I’m genuinely excited about.
Dad with a Deck 
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