Gaming can be an expensive hobby. Sure, one can make an argument that their pastime is worth every cent, but consoles, PCs, controllers, online subscriptions and even the games themselves start to add up. For some players, it’s too much and they have to decide which games are worth getting. Maybe that means some titles are purchased months or years after their release, or maybe it means purchases are for games they know they’ll get countless hours out of, or maybe it means players stick to free to play titles.
Regardless of which route you take, there are countless experiences that players can pick, and their quality isn’t hurt by the pricetag. So, if you’re a player strapped for cash, or just tired of paying a lot of money, this list is for you. Here are 10 Amazing Games For Players On A Budget.
10 League Of Legends
Developed by Riot Games, League of Legends is the king of the MOBA genre, and has one of the largest online communities in the industry. There’s a reason for that. Inspired by the mod from Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne, “Defense of the Ancients”, players choose a champion, join a team and take on other champions with the goal of destroying the enemy base.
With varying artistic inspirations and addictive gameplay with massive sessions filled with a passionate fanbase, and Leauge of Legends is completely free (sans optional microtransactions). Considering how much the players adore this game, it’s probably worth the nonexistent price of admission.
9 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
When Valve finally introduced Counter-Strike: Global Offensive to the world in 2012, players who’ve been playing Source since its beta in 2004 were ready to jump into something new. As a team-centric objective-based online first-person shooter, CS:GO takes everything that makes the series great and cranks it to 11. Controls are tighter, guns are more realistic, and the overall experience is more modernized, making the game both easier for players to jump into, while appeasing long-time fans in the process.
The best part? CS: GO is completely free to play. Sure, there is a “Prime Status: Upgrade” for $19.99, but that is completely optional. There was a little controversy involving some gambling mechanics, which does dampen the experience, however, even with that, the game is solid, and players will get hours of enjoyment out of this.
8 Warframe
Digital Extremes’ popular team-based online shooter has only gotten better since its 2013 release. Giving players the ability to choose their character and upgrade their load-outs for the perfect experience, players are given fast-paced parquer-influenced action set in a massive open battlefield.
There’s a big sci-fi world out there, and some pretty cool lore, so, it’s easy to get caught up in all the pomp and circumstance in this game’s setting. With no upfront cost, Warframe is an easy title to hop into and while the mechanics are a little more intricate than other titles of this nature, this deep experience is one of the best titles you can ask for.
7 Cuphead
For the low, low price of $19.99, players can get countless hours of entertainment in StudioMDHR’s unique platform-shooter. Taking inspiration from titles like Mega-Man, Cuphead is one of the most difficult games to come out in recent memory, yet because of that, it’s one of the most rewarding experiences around. Well, that and a pretty deep upgrade tree that allows players to soup up their character as the game progresses.
Mix the gameplay with an absolutely breathtaking art-style inspired by 1930’s era Disney art and you’ve got a winner. Aside from free-to-play games, it will be hard to find a game that will keep you this interested at this price.
6 Apex Legends
Apex Legends is the new kid on the block when it comes to trendy games, but it’s nonexistent entry point and competitive community make it one of the best values online. Taking cues from Fortnite, this game is an all-out battle royal title with hero shooter elements giving it a different feel from other titles in the genre.
If that’s not enough of a sell for you, consider this. Apex Legends takes place in the Titanfall universe meaning EA, along with Respawn Entertainment, are actively building the universe in one of the more underrated franchises of this generation.
5 Fortnite
The popularity of Fortnite cannot be understated. As the title that kicked off the battle-royal genre, it’s popularity has been hit a little by the likes of Apex Legends, but its impact on the way we play cannot be understated. With cross-play between almost every platform, this game is extremely accessible and brings players together like no other.
Not only that, but it’s been the testing ground for other cultural events like a Marshmello concert and a land dedicated to Weezer before the launch of their new album! There’s always a reason to hop back into Fortnite and its freemium nature makes it the perfect game for a budget player.
4 Minecraft
Minecraft will never die. Depending on the version you want to play, the game can range anywhere from free to around $20, but the number of game time players will get out of this title is staggering. Dropping players in the middle of a massive world, Minecraft offers countless hours of gameplay as players mine and craft (creative title, we know) everything around them.
Published by Mojang, this title is on every platform imaginable, meaning there’s no excuse for players to not jump in. That said, the free version of the game doesn’t feature any more updates, so if you’re keeping up with what’s new in the game, it probably isn’t the worst idea to pay a little extra.
3 Grand Theft Auto V
Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto V will probably go down as one of, if not the, best open-world games of all time. With a story following three separate characters with one interwoven story, there’s a lot to like from a single-player campaign, and the world is so big with random spot-missions, just driving with the radio on could be enough to kill a few hours with gaming. That’s without taking the robust online mode into account, which has added years of longevity onto the game.
Priced at around $30 on PC, this is one of the pricer games on this list, but the amount of content available to players should make this an instant option to anyone looking for a cheap investment.
2 Yakuza 0
Sega’s Yakuza franchise has been around since the PlayStation 2 era, but it took until this generation for it to really gain notoriety in the West. For players who missed out on the franchise, this entry is the perfect starting point as it is a prequel to everything. Set in 1980s Tokyo and Osaka, a murder sets off a series of events that are equal parts intriguing and thrilling.
With a combat system that focuses on brawling mechanics, players can use bicycles and other objects around to smash their enemies, or build up their fighting styles with cash to use their fists. Yet, this game isn’t just focused on fighting. There are tons of minigames and sidequests to take up your time as well.
1 Anything On Game Pass
If you’re a gamer on a budget there is nothing better than Game Pass. For the price of $14.99 a month, players get access to top-end titles, including first-party content from Microsoft. That means Gears of War 5, Halo, Crackdown, and more. Acting like a Netflix for games, there’s a staggering amount of content that’s not just limited to this current generation of video games. With titles spanning the original Xbox, the 360, and One, there’s something for every kind of gamer — even PC.
We guess the downside to this is the exclusivity on Xbox or PC, but odds are you have one of the two in your house. So until something better comes along, this is hands down the best option for a gamer on a budget.
