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Steam Winter Sale 2021: Top RPGs, Soulslikes, Metroidvanias, And Survival Games To Buy

In this Steam Winter Sale 2021: Top RPGs, Soulslikes, Metroidvanias, And Survival Games To Buy special, I’m going to cover the best deals for old and new outstanding games that continue to have a huge impact on the community at large, months or even years after their releases.

Steam Winter Sale 2021: Top RPGs, Soulslikes, Metroidvanias, And Survival Games To Buy

The Steam Winter Sale 2021 runs from December 22, 2021 to January 5, 2022 at 10AM PST. The majority of the discounts I’ll be talking about are either decent bargains, first-time sales, or historical lows so consider purchasing them this Holiday Season! If you’re looking for the top deals on the games you’ve been excited to play, then this article is for you!

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Game of the Year Edition

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Game of the Year Edition is always an excellent purchase if for some reason you don’t own it already. Considered as one of the greatest games of the decade, this master-craft of an adventure is still a gold standard for RPGs with its rich cast of characters, morally gray storylines, beautiful graphics, and exciting gameplay. Even some seemingly simple side quests and bounty board jobs lead to exciting tales filled with moments that will stick with you for a very long time.

The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt Game of the Year Edition Steam Winter Sale 2021

The Witcher 3 GOTY is an excellent value for a historically low discount of 80%, which is priced at only $9.99. You’ll be getting at least 140 hours worth of gameplay from the base game together with the Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine Expansions.

Now is also a better time than any to jump into the Witcher World since last December 17, the Netflix Show premiered Season 2 and it has been getting good reviews thus far. Additionally, there are plans for a next-gen update, which includes Ray Tracing as well as enhanced texture work, in the second quarter of 2022. This should be free for those who already have the game.

The Witcher 3 Wild Hunt Game of the Year Edition Tavern Brawl Steam Winter Sale 2021

If you’re the type of player who’s looking for deeply immersive storylines and memorable characters with commendable gameplay, then toss a coin to your Witcher and buy The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Game of the Year Edition now!

Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire – Standard Edition

Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire – Standard Edition is currently at a whopping 75% off, which costs $9.99. Pillars of Eternity II is at least a 50-hour fantasy, party-based CRPG that expertly captures the magic of classic isometric games we love like Baldur’s Gate and Neverwinter Nights. Not only does it have highly challenging yet riveting combat mechanics, but the game also features an intricate storyline where every choice matters. You’ll end up gaining a favorable or negative standing among multiple factions, which will then affect your ability to persuade them.

Pillars of Eternity II Deadfire Standard Edition Steam Winter Sale 2021

Pillars of Eternity II successfully improves upon Pillars of Eternity’s in-depth and rich lore. This time around, most of the characters are fully voiced. Additionally, it does a great job of summarizing the events that transpired in the past. So you need not play the first game to understand the sequel.

In terms of combat, Obsidian has done an amazing job of incorporating Pillars of Eternity II’s complex mechanics like multiclassing. More importantly, they’ve provided the players with immense flexibility and freedom by allowing them to choose between real-time with pause or turn-based style of play. This is certainly a daunting but admirable feat to follow for other CRPG developers.

Pillars of Eternity II Deadfire Standard Edition Combat Steam Winter Sale 2021

Lastly, you’ll be managing a ship with a fairly large crew who are bound to give you headaches as you set sail around the world. If you love the original CRPGs and you enjoy complex gameplay with engaging storylines and dialogue, then you should consider purchasing Pillars of Eternity II!

NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139

NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139 is an upgraded version of the prequel to the well-renowned NieR:Automata. It’s currently 35% off at $38.99. NieR Replicant is a 30 plus hour action-adventure RPG where your job is to find a cure for your sister’s affliction. But like in NieR:Automata, Yoko Taro manages to subvert the player’s expectation of where the story is headed. It also has unforgettable characters as well as a narrative that’ll pack an emotional punch by the time you finish the game. Furthermore, this version adds new storylines and an alternate ending as well.

NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139 Steam Winter Sale 2021

In terms of the 4k visuals, it’s not as outstanding as you’d expect since the upgrade isn’t substantial. On the other hand, the soundtrack, which has been re-recorded, remains as extraordinary and beautiful as it can be. Also, all characters are finally voiced.

NieR Replicant’s combat has been modified to resemble the highly rewarding and responsive encounters you experience in NieR:Automata. You have many weapons to choose from and to upgrade to differentiate your playstyles. Coupled with smooth and fluid animations of the spells you’re able to cast as well as the actions you can execute, combat is now much more fun to engage in.

NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139 Combat Steam Winter Sale 2021

If you want to relive the original game 11 years after its release, or if you’re searching for a uniquely moving RPG that’ll resonate with you, then NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139 is a must-buy this time around.

Tales of Arise

The latest entry into the “Tales of” series, Tales of Arise, is one of 2021’s best JRPGs due to its interesting characters, flashy and satisfying combat, and wonderful art style. Tales of Arise is at its lowest discounted price for $41.99, which is equivalent to 30% off. This is a decent deal for a relatively new game especially since you’ll be spending more than 50 hours playing it.

Tales of Arise Steam Winter Sale 2021

While the game is somewhat slow at the start, it eventually branches out into an epic RPG that has you running all across an entire continent. You are greeted with many different biomes, which feel distinct, from the craggy, molten region of Calaglia to the snowy perpetual darkness of Cyslodia.

Although it takes quite a while to get used to, combat becomes interesting once you acquire more characters. This lets you strategically chain your attacks together in order to perform massive hits known as “Boost Attacks” that involve two or more of your heroes hitting targets in unison.

Tales of Arise Combat Steam Winter Sale 2021

However, the best aspect of this RPG is how well your party interacts with one another. Every character brings a different personality to the table, which makes the group fascinating to listen to. If these are the things that hold your interest, then buying Tales of Arise should be a no-brainer!

The Ascent

One of 2021’s surprise hits is The Ascent, a debut ARPG by developer Neon Giant. The Ascent introduced us to more than 15 hours of content featuring the gigantic sprawling cyberpunk world of Veles, which was ruled by The Ascent Group. The game costs $20.09 at a historically low discount of 33%.

The Ascent Steam Winter Sale 2021

The Ascent is a top-down twin-stick shooter RPG hybrid. Unlike most games of this style, it seamlessly incorporates a cover system that allows players an opportunity to catch their breath. The Ascent perfectly melds high action and frantic combat with RPG mechanics. It also features a classless system, giving you the freedom to decide on your character’s skills and augmentations to change your build.

There is no shortage of loot either, as you can pick up a huge variety of items and cosmetics, ranging from simple clothing options to fully cybernetic enhancements. This lets you create a persona that you’re certain to be proud of. Furthermore, the majority of the guns are very satisfying to use, as you can effectively rip apart your foes.

The Ascent Weapons Steam Winter Sale 2021

Neon Giant has been hard at work improving The Ascent as the game had some bugs during the initial launch. Since its release in July 2021, they’ve added a transmog system, photo mode, and fully-voiced side quests using AI technology, making The Ascent a much more worthy ARPG to get!

Wildermyth

Wildermyth is a story-rich tactical RPG developed by Worldwalker Games LLC and released in June 2021. It currently has a 96% Overwhelmingly Positive rating on Steam. With a discount of 25%, the full game is at its lowest price of $18.74.

Wildermyth Storytelling Steam Winter Sale 2021

Wildermyth has a procedurally generated storyline, which is meant to provide at least 40 hours of gameplay and replayability. You create characters, give them personalities, histories, and backstories in this gorgeous “papercraft” world that closely resembles a well-drawn 2D diorama. They then continue to live their lives and evolve based on the choices you make for them. For instance, will you forge relationships and bond with others to eventually have a family of your own?

The game takes pride in its Legacy System where the characters you create will age over time or pass away in glorious combat. Your favorites could live on after retirement to possibly recruit them again in later playthroughs. Doing so may elevate their fame to eventually become legendary heroes as they take on Cthulu-like beings and clockwork contraptions.

Wildermyth Combat Winter Sale 2021

Wildermyth has a very active modding scene, which will definitely bring out even more hours of playtime. In the Steam Workshop, you’ll be able to find a large selection of additional weapons, armors, items, storylines, and character customization options. If you thrive in tactical combat and you wish to engage in a tabletop roleplaying experience of a lifetime, then Wildermyth should be an amazing addition to your Steam library!

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice – GOTY Edition

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice – GOTY Edition has a discount of 50% off, which is at an all-time low of $29.99. Sekiro is a fast-paced, action-adventure game that achieved new heights worthy of recognition like its counterparts, Bloodborne and Dark Souls. FromSoftware has not only expertly crafted a cohesive and refined gameplay experience, but they’ve also managed to deliver the true meaning behind becoming a Shinobi.

Sekiro Shadows Die Twice GOTY Edition Steam Winter Sale 2021

Story-wise, Sekiro follows a grounded path rather than leaving most of the details obscure to players. Compared to other FromSoftware titles, this game is much more accessible because the lore is explained throughout. However, there are still secrets left to uncover for those who enjoy discovering certain plotlines for themselves.

In terms of gameplay, you have to concentrate your efforts on optimizing your katana skills while mastering your prosthetic tools. Sekiro accentuates the importance of verticality as you zip from one rooftop to the next, making it easy to escape seemingly precarious situations. What makes this all the more exhilarating is the fact that you’re able to stealthily maneuver your way across different locations such as forests or cliffs.

Combat, therefore, consists of a mixture of katana skill mastery and clever use of stealth. Your ability to precisely time your attacks, blocks, and dodges despite narrow and random hitboxes is the key to your success.

Sekiro Shadows Die Twice GOTY Edition Combat Steam Winter Sale 2021

With more than 30+ hours of playtime, the discounted price is definitely worth it considering that the GOTY Edition also includes new boss modes and cosmetics. If you’re fond of challenging encounters that require precise, stealthy movements and immense skill, and you don’t mind the steep difficulty curve of yet another FromSoftware title, then you should buy Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice!

Mortal Shell

Another challenging game that’s a welcome addition to Steam this year is Mortal Shell. With a discount of 40% off, the game is at its lowest price of $17.99. Mortal Shell is an action RPG, which has a dark and grim setting as Dark Souls. Unlike its inspiration, the game will take you roughly about 15 hours to finish. But don’t let this deter you from playing it since Mortal Shell presents unique mechanics that’ll grab the attention of Soulslike fans.

Mortal Shell is brimming with grotesque creatures to slay. They’re not only intimidating, but they’re also mysterious and eerie at the same time. In conjunction with the haunting atmosphere, they both beautifully set the tone to evoke a sense of dread and horror. What sets the game apart is the need to occupy and take the form of the shells you’ll inhabit. This lets you try out different skills while testing multiple builds.

Mortal Shell Steam Winter Sale 2021

Furthermore, Mortal Shell also features a hardening mechanic, which is a defensive mechanism to make you invulnerable for a period of time. It also acts as a safety net since it forgives mistakes without heavily punishing the players. If you’re curious regarding how Mortal Shell compares to Dark Souls or if you want to try a lighter Soulslike, then you should consider buying this game!

Dead Cells: The Fatal Seed Bundle

Dead Cells: The Fatal Seed Bundle is at 44% off, which costs $19.52. Dead Cells is a Roguelite Metroidvania developed by Motion Twin. It features a 2D, randomly generated world that constantly changes to keep players on their toes. Some people consider it to be a sidescrolling Soulslike game because the difficulty ramps up pretty quickly. Oftentimes, it takes a lot of trial and error in addition to observing your foes in order to fight back.

Dead Cells Steam Winter Sale 2021

Combat is quick and punishing, but entirety fair. If you die, it’ll be due to the mistakes you’ve made, not the RNG involved. Even then, fighting enemies is extremely satisfying since you’ll be able to wield over 90 weapons and skills, making each run feel special and unique.

Dead Cells also features some light Metroidvania elements. You’ll encounter secret areas that you won’t have access to during your first few playthroughs. Explore the game enough, and you’ll be able to enter these areas and unlock even more options for your future runs.

Dead Cells Combat Steam Winter Sale 2021

Dead Cells: The Fatal Seed Bundle contains the base game, as well as all two DLCs so far, namely Fatal Falls and The Bad Seed, making it an excellent purchase thus far! It should take about 30+ of playtime to finish the entire game.

The Riftbreaker

Ever since its launch this year, The Riftbreaker hasn’t had a decent sale until now. Currently, you can buy the game for $23.99 at a 20% discount. For more than 25 hours of gameplay, this is a solid deal.

The Riftbreaker is a base-building, survival game with ARPG elements. It effectively mixes multiple mechanics together so much so that the excitement of playing the game is sustained for the duration of your playthrough. With an unquenchable thirst to harvest as many resources as possible, humanity has ventured into space to colonize multiple planets. You’re tasked to establish a base at Galatea 37, to safely open a rift back to Earth, and to defend both of these at the same time. It’s a pretty intimidating task but the ride is certainly worth the blood, sweat, and tears.

The Riftbreaker Steam Winter Sale 2021

Although Riftbreaker’s story is not a strong contender, the gameplay more than makes up for it. Base-building, resource management, and exhilarating top-down combat are what the game is known for. Riftbreaker pushes you to excel every step of the way by providing enough guidance on how you should proceed next. However, the objectives you have to complete are heart-pounding given the structures you need to construct while swarms of hostile monsters are intent on devouring you. Every time you progress, your enemies will also gain more strength, ramping up the difficulty.

The Riftbreaker Combat Steam Winter Sale 2021

If you enjoy complex action-packed games that test your multitasking and management capabilities, then you ought to consider buying The Riftbreaker.


If you enjoyed this list be sure to check out the Best MMORPGs To Play This December, Top 10 Soulslikes to Play While You Wait for Elden Ring, Top 10 ARPGs You Should Play In 2021, Top 10 Metroidvanias To Play In 2021, and Top 10 CRPGs You Should Play In 2021. Don’t miss out on our latest previews, read next Sands of Salzaar Gameplay Preview – Action Adventure Sandbox RPG and Mortal Online 2 – A Hardcore Sandbox MMORPG (January 2022).

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