TF2 is free and awesome L4D/2 and Half-Life are on consoles but a lot better on PC unless you hate the controls (and even then, gamepad) (L4D/2 especially due to custom maps) Binding of Isaac Super Meat Boy Terraria VVVVVV (was this in one of those Humble Bundles?) Plants vs. Zombies Recettear BIT.TRIP series
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Welcome to the better side of gaming! I can't say I recommend splurging too much on games immediately, because as you'll soon learn, Steam sales are the best thing in the gaming world. (Financially speaking!) Keep an eye on the daily, midweek, and weekend deals for stuff you might like. Today's daily is Recettear, most folks say it's pretty awesome! Your timing is pretty bad as far as HUGE sales go, since there's usually just Christmas and Summer. If you haven't really seen one of them before, you're in for quite a treat. You can seriously get upwards of 20 (quality) games during those for next to nothing.
You should get into Paradox grand strategy games. They're hyper-addictive and go on massive sales like every 3 months. Hearts of Iron 2 and Europa Universalis 3 are their best works. Some people dig Victoria II although it's not for me, and Crusader Kings 2 is apparently solid but it's new so you should just wait for the price to plunge. It's not uncommon to be able to get a year-old Paradox game for five bucks in a sale.
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SubDeity wants to vote for Calvin Coolidge. [Evil Republican] Play Der Langrisser.
These are a few I don't think I saw mentioned yet.
Amnesia: The Dark Descent Aquaria Atom Zombie Smasher Cave Story + (only if you've never played Cave Story) Darwinia Frozen Synapse Machinarium Magicka SpaceChem
It all depends on what you're into. I'd say definitely look into Amnesia and Frozen Synapse, the others look into and if they are what you're looking for go for it.
Oh yeah, I should probably also back up what other folks have already said. You'll find that a lot of games that are on both consoles and PC tend to be WAY THE HELL better on PC. The most shockingly obvious examples are all the games made by Valve, but a ton of others are superior in more subtle ways, be it better controls, more content, modding capabilities, custom maps, or what have you. This isn't to say that PC is always better. I'd never recommend anyone buy the Assassin's Creed games on PC, for example. It's just something to be aware of. >_>
basically if you see a $20 game you think you might like. wait and get it for $5. $10 game? $2.50.
and yeah, modding things for pc, or just having the accuracy of mouse and keyboard can be plenty liberating. console gaming does have some things that work better for it, but by and large pc seems to be the way to go for variety and financial reasons.
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There is no shame in not knowing; the shame lies in not finding out
Definitely second the STALKER series if you computer can run it. Get Shadow of Chernobyl (1st game) and Call of Pripyat (3rd game), the other one supposedly sucks, but these two are brilliant.
Trine is also very cool, but I think that was in humble bundle 2.
From: Xiahou Shake | #024 I'd never recommend anyone buy the Assassin's Creed games on PC, for example. It's just something to be aware of. >_>
I would. Being able to play the games in 1080p or higher (vs. 720p on consoles) and with AA to round off the edges and shadows makes the games look absolutely incredible. The ports are very well done, as well, even with the dumb U-play login thing. Insanely quick loading times and such. You can use any kind of gamepad and rebind all the controls, and the newer ones have built-in 360 controller support (AC2 doesn't). Of course, this is only if you have a PC strong enough for it.
Also, like everyone is mentioning, there are usually huge summer and winter sales, but that's not when you can get ALL the best deals every time.
There's usually some interesting games on sales during the week (Midweek Madness) or on the weekend, like this weekend there is Saint's Row 3 for $25. A couple of weeks ago, Skyrim was $40. Just random sales like these probably make up most of my Library at this point. The winter sale of 2009 was INSANE and I bought like 20 games, but the last 2 years' sales haven't been that great... too many repeats.
Breath of Death VII/Cthulhu Saves the World Lara Croft & The Guardian of Light Avadon: The Black Fortress Mount & Blade: Warband VVVVVV A Reckless Disregard for Gravity
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