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  • GameStop Struggling, Looking to Trade in Franchise

    GameStop Struggling, Looking to Trade in Franchise

    The world has changed. GameStop has confirmed that they’re in talks to sell to Sycamore Partners to break even on their struggling business. Ten years ago, the company was worth nearly ten billion dollars. Last year, they closed over 150 stores. What happened to the once-dominant retailer? 

    Rise of Digital Sales 

    The biggest blow to the retailer has certainly been the rise of high-speed broadband internet making online sales much easier. Rather than run down the street and talking to a pushy employee, gamers can just buy a game straight from the online store. While GameStop was once the destination for many looking to buy games, their fortunes changed when customer had the option to skip them altogether. It seems the convenience of having a game immediately overtook the hassle of talking to condescending GameStop employees.  

    Shifting Attitudes, Local Shopping 

    Mom and Pop video game stores certainly haven’t helped matter for the retailer. Gamers who prefer physical games also like supporting their local businesses. Many cities have small shops full of people the community knows and care about. GameStop, by contrast, is known for being kind of scummy and offering low trade-in values for new games. This lack of goodwill towards a faceless corporation has certainly twisted the knife for the company.  

    Just Deserts for GameStop? 

    While GameStop scrambles to find a buyer to save them from bankruptcy, many gamers can’t help but feel a bit vindicated. The company has made a name for itself offering comically low trade-in values for used games and often selling games at an insulting mark-up. Their reward for their anti-consumer attitude, it seems, is having no consumers at all. Here’s hoping all of GameStop’s employees make out alright in the aftermath. That said, we can’t help but wonder if GameStop won’t get less trade-in than they think is fair for their company. And, if they don’t, we certainly won’t lose any sleep over it.

  • Feature Round-Up: Acer Chromebook Tab 10

    Feature Round-Up: Acer Chromebook Tab 10

    While Android tablets are all but dead now, Google is still interested in using tablets for educators and students. To that end, the first tablet running Chrome OS, the Chromebook Tab 10, is slated to be the best classroom slate yet. We’ve got a quick roundup of some of the most notable features of the Acer Chromebook Tab 10. How will it make the class experience better for teachers and students? Let’s check it out! 

    The Specs 

    First off, it’s a huge tablet. It’s got a 9.7-inch screen and weighs a solid 1.2 lbs. This is great for the classroom, as it means it’s got enough mass to not get lost or misplaced! On the tech side, it’s got 4 GB of RAM, an OP1 CPU and a Mali T860 GPU. This all adds up to the tablet being more than powerful enough to handle any classroom duties. This will likely be many kids’ first experience with tablets, so it’s good that this one has all the power needed to handle basic tasks.  

    Interestingly, it also sports a USB-C port. That port’s versatility is a great boon for classroom settings! Charging, of course, is the primary use, but sending video and transferring data are also uses the port allows for. 

    Design 

    This big tablet has a rubberized back and big bezels. It’ll likely prove quite durable and kid-friendly. It’s set to come in a number of bright colors, making it great for kids. That big size does bring up a problem, though: it’s hard to type on. While Chrome OS allows for Bluetooth keyboard connection, the Acer Chromebook Tab 10 doesn’t have one included. As such, typing on the big on-screen keyboard is a little awkward. For kids with small hands, it’ll likely be even harder. The fix, laying it on a table and pecking the keyboard with the index finger, works, but itsn’t ideal.  

    Stylus 

    It also sports a Wacom stylus, which can be whipped out to easily pen notes in the middle of class. It’s a little short and wouldn’t be great for a professional or artist, but for a kid taking notes or drawing it’s perfect. It doesn’t recognize tilt, and it sports a bit of latency, but these are deal-breakers for what the tablet’s meant to do.  

    Acer Chromebook Tab 10: A Little Awkward, but Great for Students 

    The tablet is a bit funky, and the Chrome OS has some kinks when used for a tablet. However, Acer’s tablet is a great proof-of-concept. The student-friendly Chrome OS is absolutely well-positioned for tablet use, it just needs a bit of fine-tuning. The tablet costs $329, making it relatively affordable for classroom use. Thusly equipped, kids will be learning in no time. If we keep using technology like this, maybe the future will be pretty bright after all. 

  • Top Ten Cyberpunk Movies of All Time

    Top Ten Cyberpunk Movies of All Time

    All things dark and brooding meet with awesome bleeding-edge sci-fi in the Cyberpunk genre. Popularized by authors like William Gibson, Bruce Sterling and Walter John Williams, the genre is seeing a surge of popularity today. Notably, a new video game based on the popular tabletop RPG, Cyberpunk 2077, showed a trailer at E3 that captured the imaginations of gamers. If you’re looking to immerse yourself in the seedy, gritty drama, check out these ten flicks. We’ve got our ten favorite Cyberpunk movies ever rounded up right here! 

    Our Top Ten Favorite Cyberpunk Movies

    Cyber City Oedo 808 

    Photo Credit: YouTube 

    Our first entry is an anime original video animation, or OVO, from 1990. Oedo is a fictional city in the year 2808, and it is under the constant threat of cyber-crime. The police have resorted to contracting convicted felons to help bring in criminals at large. The catch? The criminals tapped by the police can have their sentences shortened for helping bring in the bad guys. Just one more thing: our heroes are strapped with bomb collars to guarantee their cooperation. If you’ve seen Suicide Squad, you know the premise.  

    This one makes the list for its slick animation and beautifully realized cyberpunk cityscape. While the technological innovations may seem a bit quaint today, this remains a good, fun sci-fi romp.  

    Strange Days 

    Photo Credit: TVOvermind 

    Strange Days is set in a near-future world where playback of other people’s memories is a reality. By attaching brainwave emitters called “squids” to your head, you can experience recorded memories. This has become something of a drug-like experience for many. The film concerns a police officer, Leno Nero, who is investigating the murder of a prostitute. The murder in question was recorded by the killer, and Lenny has the recording. It’s creepy, haunting, and a pointed criticism of people who would spend all their time being someone else. 

    With virtual reality becoming more popular, Strange Days remains a fine criticism of its potential dangers. As good cyberpunk movies go, this is how you critique society and tell a noir story at the same time. 

    The Matrix 

    Photo Credit: IMDb 

    You’ve probably never heard of this obscure sci-fi flick from 1999. Jokes aside, the Matrix redefined modern sci-fi and is a fantastic cyberpunk tale. If you’ve never seen it (how?) it follows mild-mannered programmer Thomas Anderson, who begins to question the nature of his reality. Upon discovering that reality is merely a simulation, Anderson discovers he has a destiny to become a Messiah-like figure. Under the new name, Neo, he connects with a resistance to help defeat the machines who keep humanity trapped in the simulation. 

    Blade Runner 2049 

    Photo Credit: Variety 

    While the original Blade Runner introduced audiences to a rain-slick, neon-lit Los Angeles of 2019, the sequel slides the timeline forward thirty years. The world is the same, just older. The neo-noir sleuth work underscores the film’s deep themes and slow-burn action. Ryan Gosling stars as replicant android K, a police robot tasked with “decommissioning” rogue robots. The film expertly teases audience emotions and sensibilities, asking important questions about humanity.  

    What makes us human? What makes a sufficiently advanced machine any worse than us? And, most importantly, do android dream of electric sheep? 

    Terminator 

    Photo Credit: LADbible 

    The future is ruled by robots with Austrian accents. In this landmark 80’s action flick, humanity engineers its own predators in the form of Skynet. Skynet, a dangerous artificial intelligence, sends a Terminator assassin back in time to kill Sarah Connor. Why? Because her son, John, will one day be the leader of the Resistance seeking to oppose Skynet. Thankfully, John travels back to help his mother defeat the metal menace.  

    While Terminator takes place in 1980’s, the alternate-reality future certainly embodies the cyberpunk dystopia other films on this list inhabit. Terminator makes the cut by being so important in the progress of American sci-fi films and 80’s action. 

    Akira 

    Photo Credit: Roxie Theater 

    Anime has yielded a ton of fantastic cyberpunk films, and Akira is one of them. Set in a near-future Neo-Tokyo, the film concerns a young biker gang. One of their number, a punk named Tetsuo, begins to develop psychic powers after a bike accident. The film shows a dangerous city, besieged by both crime and an oppressive government. The film is also notoriously gruesome and accidentally brutal in ways that are certainly disturbing to audiences unprepared for it. Truly, this one earns its spot as a cyberpunk classic.

    RoboCop 

    Photo Credit: IFC Center 

    Another huge 80’s action movie, RoboCop is a much more straightforward cyberpunk film. The film follows Alex Murphy, a Detroit beat cop killed in action and resurrected by technology. The RoboCop he’s brought back as has glimmers of Murphy’s humanity, but guns down bad guys with no remorse. Exploring themes of corporate greed and mortality, the film is a surprisingly thoughtful cyberpunk film. This high-minded ethos is contrasted by the film’s incredibly bloody shootouts and brutal vision of near-future Detroit. 

    Ghost in the Shell 

    Photo Credit: Forbes 

    One of the most visually arresting anime films of all time, Ghost in the Shell is also an exemplary cyberpunk film. In fact, Ghost in the Shell is credited with directly inspired the Matrix and revitalizing interest in the genre. The film follows Major Motoko Kusanagi, a cyborg tasked with bringing in a criminal called the Puppet Master. Exploding with action sequences that serve as counterpoints to high-minded philosophy, Ghost in the Shell is a rare film.

    A great example of how anime and sci-fi are like chocolate and peanut butter, this one looks as great now as it did in the 90’s. Exhilarating from start to finish, cyberpunk fans should see this movie. This is easily the greatest of the anime cyberpunk movies. 

    Dredd 

    Photo Credit: The Verge 

    Based on the long-running comic strip, Dredd stars Karl Urban as the grim title character. Set in an oppressive, sprawling city called Mega-City One, the film focuses on a day in the life of Judge Dredd. Judges are law enforcement and justice system in one, executing criminals on the spot. This chilling premise runs alongside dangerous, deranged criminals and drug dealers. One of the drugs pushed by these criminals, Slo-Mo, provides trippy effects and slow-motion action in the otherwise gritty film. As solid and unyielding as concrete, this film hits all the beats that make it a great adaptation of the source material.  

    Blade Runner 

    Photo Credit: Warner Bros. 

    You’ve already been introduced to Ridley Scott’s dystopian Los Angeles earlier in this list, but here’s the one that started it all. Based on Philip K. Dick’s novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, Blade Runner stars Harrison Ford as Rick Deckard. Deckard is a police officer tasked with “decommissioning” replicants, a job that should sound familiar if you read the article from the start. Deckard begins to grapple with the morality of his job, and things get ugly.  

    Depicting a retro-style future and stunning visuals, Blade Runner is a treat. If you love sci-fi or Cyberpunk, you owe it to yourself to check this one out. It’s got unconventional pacing, but it’s a quite exceptional work of art. In fact, Blade Runner is largely responsible for bringing cyberpunk movies into the mainstream. This one is easily our favorite film in the genre. 

    Feature Image Credit: Omega Level 

  • Changes We Want to See in the Next iPhone

    Changes We Want to See in the Next iPhone

    Apple’s iPhone X made waves when it was released last year, but maybe not as many as the American tech giant would have liked. While the launch wasn’t a flop by any means, it could have been bigger. What could Apple have done to make the phone more desirable? What changes would we like to see on the next iPhone? Today we’ve got a roundup of the changes we most want to see from Apple. 

    USB-C Port 

    The proprietary port that debuted with the iPhone eventually gave way to the Lightning port. However, as the industry moves to USB-C, a universally praised standard, Apple lags behind. The tactic of using a proprietary port to charge more for replacement charging cables is unsightly. Apple could score serious goodwill for bucking their tradition of brand-specific ports. The Macbook line already uses USB-C exclusively, so this one doesn’t seem outside the realm of possibility.  

    Fast Charging 

    While on the subject of charging ports, we’d love to see Apple catch up to the industry on fast charging. While the Lightning cable allows for reasonable charge times, true fast charging hasn’t hit the iPhone yet. Given that nearly every Android phone has fast charging in the box when you buy it, it’s pretty glaring that the $1,000 iPhone X doesn’t. What gives, Apple? While you can get a Turbo Charger and a USB-C to Lightning converter, you shouldn’t have to use weird workarounds to use industry standard tech on a cutting-edge phone. 

    Ditch the Switch 

    That side switch for controlling vibration and alerts has got to go. The functionality it controls could easily be worked into the control center of the phone. It isn’t convenient to have this arbitrary function bound to a physical button. A button that can be easily flipped accidentally while in a pocket. Thus, causing your phone to ring at full volume during a meeting. Yeah, I’m not bitter or anything. But they should absolutely leave this dumb side switch off for the next iPhone. 

    Most Important Change for Next iPhone: Lose the Notch 

    This is the big one. While many users have grown accustomed to the screen-notch, it’s an eye sore for many potential users. Apple had to find space for the Face ID technology somewhere, that makes sense. But perhaps holding off on edge-to-edge displays until the technology allows the elimination of the notch is better than this compromise. The notch is distracting at worst and bearable at best, which is hardly something you want people saying about your $1,000 phone. If Apple can find a way to make the screen truly edge-to-edge, we’ll all be quite pleased! 

     

  • Best Medicare Supplemental Insurance

    Best Medicare Supplemental Insurance

    If you rely on Medicare for your health care, you might have found that Medicare doesn’t cover everything. For those on a fixed income, it can be extremely difficult to afford medication or any additional health care costs not covered by Medicare.

    If you are in a difficult situation where the health care bills are piling up, consider Medicare Supplemental Insurance. Medicare Supplemental Insurance is insurance that can help cover what Medicare doesn’t. We analyzed several plans with our experts and today we are breaking down the Best Medicare Supplemental Insurance!

    Best Medicare Supplemental Insurance

    Information About Supplemental Insurance

    An important note: in order to get supplemental insurance, you must have both Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. Part A covers inpatient, and Part B covers outpatient care. Anoter factor to consider is Supplemental insurance only covers one person. Additionally, as long as you’re paying your premiums, Medicare supplemental  insurance can’t drop you, no matter what medical issues you may begin to suffer from.

    Supplemental insurance won’t always cover everything Medicare doesn’t.  Supplemental insurance is not going to cover all expenses. Things like vision, dental, prescriptions, long term care and private nursing are also not typically covered. Finally,  supplemental insurance must be acquired within the first sixth months of you turning 65 and you must already be on Medicare to qualify.

    United Healthcare Insurance Company

    The United Healthcare Insurance Company is endorsed by the AARP, and for good reason. This company offers a great deal of benefits for those on Medicare. They have a 94 percent user satisfaction, which is stellar. They also offer coverage that can be combined with a Medicare Part D plan. Those with this policy can visit any doctor that accepts Medicare! United Healthcare allows you to choose from a wide variety of plans, coverage, deductibles and benefits so you have coverage to fit your health needs and your financial situation.

    State Farm

    State Farm is another option for supplemental insurance. State Farm Medicare Supplement Insurance is designed to cover the gaps in Medicare, helping to pay deductibles, coinsurance and copayment amounts not covered by Medicare. State Farm also provides you the flexibility to choose between different plans to meet your individual needs and budget. They are a well-respected agency and are renowned for their high customer satisfaction ratings “Like a Good Neighbor, State Farm is There” tagline is very true. State Farm insurance might be able to cover hospital or medical services your Medicare won’t pay for as well.

    Humana

    Humana offers Medicare supplemental insurance that covers Medicare Part A and B. Humana’s policy covers coinsurance for medical expenses, co pays, hospice care and hospitalization, skilled nursing facility care, and blood work. Additionally, the Humana plan also covers copayments for outpatient services. Remember, this is in addition to your Medicare coverage, so getting this extra coverage could save you a lot of money when you have expensive outpatient services. Particularly if you have frequent doctor’s visits, you may find yourself saving a ton with this supplementary policy.


  • Switch Flip Grip for Portrait Orientation Play Coming Soon!

    Switch Flip Grip for Portrait Orientation Play Coming Soon!

    Fangamer has reached their Kickstarter goals to release a new Flip Grip for the Nintendo Switch! The Flip Grip promises to make playing games in portrait orientation on Switch a breeze. You might be asking, which games use portrait orientation? Well, a lot of arcade games released through the online store, actually.  

    A Classic Picture Mode 

    A ton of arcade classics have seen re-releases on the hybrid console. Games like Galaga, Punch-Out!!, and Strikers 1945-II were meant to be played in an extra-tall aspect ratio in their original arcade cabinet. While it’s possible to prop the Switch up on something in tabletop mode to play these games in portrait, it’s a pain. Not to mention, the Switch’s Joy Con rails only allow for landscape picture in handheld mode. The solution to these problems is the Flip Grip! 

    The Flip Grip holds the system in portrait mode and can hook the Joy Cons into the sides. This lets you play arcade games as they were meant to be, on the go! 

    Flip Grip Kickstarter Success 

    The peripheral experienced a huge Kickstarter success, meeting its goal after being up for a few days. More than 3000 backers have already pledged more than $50,000 for the unique peripheral. As of right now, a pledge of $12 gets you one of the Grips when they go live. Twice that gets you two grips and a discount on shipping!  

    While this might seem niche, it goes to show just how innovative and flexible the Switch is. The fan community that has grown up around the Switch is very engaged and excited about all releases on the system. As such, it makes sense that Fangamer would experience such success with a neat, off-the-wall concept like this! There’s huge interest in retro-style gaming right now, as evidenced by the success of Nintendo’s Retro Classic series. Those mini consoles have been selling out with each shipment!  

    Fangamer plans to ship their unique new Grip in November of this year. Until then, game on, retro fans! 

  • What’s Cooking? Greatest Grill Gadget for this Summer!

    What’s Cooking? Greatest Grill Gadget for this Summer!

    You’ve got your friends, your beers and your tunes. It’s time to cook up a storm! Everyone in the neighborhood needs to know you’re the grill master, right? Make sure you grill in style with these awesome grill gadgets! If you’re looking to up your backyard game, look no further! Whether you’re looking for automatic grill-cleaners or grills that can travel with you to the campsite, we’ve got you covered! 

    Refuel 

    There’s nothing worse than getting everyone over to the house just to find out you’re out of propane. A smart gauge for your propane tank, Refuel gives you a live view of how much propane you have. It even alerts you when It’s time to, you guessed it, refuel! Keep in mind, though, this one isn’t in production anymore, so scoop yours up fast before they’re gone! You can get yours for $43 at Amazon.  

    Looftlighter 

    Resembling a lightsaber, the Looftlighter is a great lighter fluid-free fire starter. If you’re looking to light your grill up in style, look no further! The Looftlighter costs $80 and will save you hassle and help the environment! Not to mention, it’s super cool and your guests will be wowed by it! 

    Front Runner Outfitters Spare Tire Mount: Stainless steel BBQ grate  

    For $137 you can have a spare tire holder that doubles as a grill. If you’re out in the wilderness but wanna get your grill on, drop the grate over a fire. It’s designed at the right height to sit comfortably above a fire and let you grill on its steel surface. How cool is that? Perfect for campers who want to go off the beaten path for a picnic! 

    Our Favorite Grill Gadget: Grillbot 

    A robot that cleans your grill for you? Well, that’s exactly what you thought of when you read “grill gadgets,” so, you’re welcome. Yeah, the Grillbot cleans your grill for you. Just plop him down on the gross, blackened grill after you’re done cleaning. Like a badass backyard Roomba, it’ll clean up your grill and let you spend more time enjoying your company and food. Nothing screams “it’s the future” like robotic servants making life easier, huh? You can grab your Grillbot for $90 from Amazon. 

  • Acer Nitro 5: Gaming Muscle, Laptop Price

    Acer Nitro 5: Gaming Muscle, Laptop Price

    Gaming laptops are usually pretty expensive. If you want graphical fidelity and snappy processors, you have to spend a pretty penny. At least, that’s conventional wisdom.

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    Acer wants to change that with the Acer Nitro 5, though. Acer can talk a big game, but does it deliver on its promise of gaming-goodness at a low price?

    First Consideration: Price

    It doesn’t really matter how strong it is if the price isn’t right, though. Thankfully, the Nitro 5 is in the right place with its MSRP. Coming in at a reasonable $670, and available at less than $600 from wholesalers, the Nitro 5 doesn’t break the bank. Where once you’d have to spend more than $900 for a decent gaming laptop, recent innovations in graphics and processors seem to have brought prices down. While the Nitro 5 isn’t the strongest laptop around, it’s certainly the best bang for your buck.

    What’s Inside, Though?

    Okay, so you’re sold on the price. But what’s in it? Well, that’s where things get interesting. The most cost-efficient layout has a 2.3 GHz Intel i5 running the show, 8GB of RAM and a 4GB Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050Ti. While there are slightly cheaper versions of the laptop, we recommend this setup for maximum gaming potential for your buck. So, what does all of that mean? It means this is a surprisingly powerful machine for its price. You won’t be disappointed when the Nitro 5 takes on modern games: graphics will be high-fidelity, and frames will be smooth.

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    Design

    This one looks the part of gaming laptop, to be sure. The keyboard is huge and glows with red back-lights and the vents are stylized and mean. It has a touchpad, which is responsive and gets the job done. It has no dedicated buttons for left or right click, though; you have to click the pad itself. This is awkward for some, but others don’t mind it. All that being said, we recommend gaming with an actual mouse, so the trackpad isn’t a big concern.

    The display is the most important part of the exterior design, though, as it’s what you’ll be viewing the games through. It’s got a solid 1,920×1,080-pixel resolution, but doesn’t have the best colors. Images look slightly washed-out and blah. That said, the images are crisp, just a little bland.

    Acer Nitro 5: Worth the Price?

    With the right configuration, the Nitro 5 is a great gaming laptop for mid-sized games. For a laptop to game on lunch breaks or on the bus, you could do much worse. If you’re looking to play through a back-catalogue of older games, or simpler games like Fortnite, this is a great pick. Newer AAA games might not look too smooth, though. If you’re looking for a full-scale gaming PC replacement, it doesn’t quite have the power for that.  That said, the price is right for a portable gaming platform with reasonable power.

  • Hit the Trail! Which is the Best Car for Camping?

    Hit the Trail! Which is the Best Car for Camping?

    Summer time is time to hit the trail! If you’re looking for a car to pair with your outdoors-centric lifestyle, we’ve got a list for you! We’ve picked some of our favorites, and we’ll tell you which the best car for camping is! Believe it or not, there are some great cars out there made with the trail in mind! 

    Scion XB 

    Box-shaped cars are awesome for camping. Okay, that’s our list, go home! Jokes aside, the Scion XB is a great pick. You can fit tons of big, awkward things like tents in this super-tall car. You won’t be riding in style, but you’ll be able to carry all your stuff! It’s also great on gas, making it a good pick in general. Just don’t be surprised when people poke fun at your boxy car. 

    Land Rover Discovery Sport 

    Land Rover has a great reputation for being made for the great outdoors. The Discovery Sport lives up to that legacy! While many Land Rover owners don’t know it, Terrain Response makes their vehicles some of the best off-roaders in the world!  

    Sporting that same Terrain Response and a spacious interior, the Discovery Sport great pick for campers. You can take yourself and six friends nearly anywhere in the world, thanks to the suspension and Terrain Response technology. If you’re looking to lead some seriously rugged expeditions, this is the car you want. It’s also not going to break the bank, coming in at  

    Pontiac Aztec 

    Don’t laugh. Okay, laugh. Yes, this is the ugliest car in the world. Yes, you shouldn’t tell your Tinder dates you drive an Aztec. And yes, the Aztec is awesome on the trail. Hear us out for a second! This one comes with a camping loadout that includes an attachable tent and an air mattress! The center console can be a cooler! The back-hatch swings open! It’s awesome! 

    Okay, maybe this thing is too damn ugly to be anyone’s main car. But as a camping car, it’s the bomb. If you can afford to have two cars and car about camping, consider an Aztec. Come on, stop laughing! 

    Our Favorite Car for Camping: Honda Element 

    You’re reading a list of the best cars for hitting the trail, so you knew this one was going to show up. The Honda Element is well-known among camping enthusiasts for being dependable, rugged and awesome. And square.  

    The box-on-wheels design gives the element a tall ceiling, so you can carry tons of stuff. The back seats can fold all the way down or even be removed, allowing for even more space. The floors are even made of easy-cleaning urethane! We recommend springing for all-wheel drive if you plan on taking this one to the trail. You can also opt for the built-in factory hatch tent! 

  • Top Ten Deals for your Buck During Steam Summer Sale

    Top Ten Deals for your Buck During Steam Summer Sale

    The Steam sale is on, and you know what that means: time to save some money on great games! If you’re looking to find sweet deals, the Steam Summer Sale is the time to do it. Starting with the games that cost the least, we’re showing off some of the hottest sales this summer! Event ends July 5th, so don’t miss these deals! 

    Craziest Deal of the Steam Summer Sale: Left4Dead 2, $2

    Photo Credit: Steampowered 

    The famous co-op zombie shooter is available for two bucks right now. If you ever needed an excuse to experience this intense horror game, here it is! Grab a few copies for some friends while it’s so cheap and get ready to blast zombies, together!  

    Fallout: New Vegas, $3

    Photo Credit: Steampowered 

    Three dollars will buy you a full meal at Taco Bell, or a copy of Fallout New Vegas. Choose wisely. Fan-favorite New Vegas is renowned for its world, story and gameplay. New Vegas follows the adventures of the “courier” through a western-inspired post-nuke Nevada. The player is given a ton of agency in deciding how the story unfolds. Every action has consequences, and the game’s various factions feel very fleshed out and real. If you haven’t played this one before, now’s a great time to try it out. 

    Borderlands 2, $5

    Photo Credit: Humble Bundle 

    Five bucks doesn’t even get you a foot-long sub anymore. It does, however, get you a copy of the best looter-shooter ever made! Borderlands 2 is 100% adrenaline from start to finish. Witty, laugh-inducing writing meets tight gunplay and addictive RPG elements. Rewarding skill trees and fun enemy types keep you engaged through this massive opus. If you’ve ever loved first-person shooters or Diablo-style looters, check this out. It’s awesome, and this deal is nuts. 

    Dishonored: Definitive Edition $10

     

    Photo Credit: Humble Bundle 

    Step into the shoes of trained assassin Corvo for the low price of ten bucks. Corvo Attano is granted otherworldly powers by the Outsider and must solve a murder mystery to clear his name. The dark, foreboding city of Dunwall serves as the backdrop to the stealth-action. This game was great for full retail price, so it’s a steal for ten bucks. 

    Ori and the Blind Forest, $10

    Photo Credit: Steam 

    The flowing, slick platforming action of Ori is top-notch. A stellar indie game, ten dollars is quite a deal on this one. A sequel was teased at E3 2018, so if you’ve been interested in seeing what this platformer is all about, now’s the time! Ori features a beautiful world and a lovable, slick protagonist. Controls are tight, and the world is evocative of such games as Rayman Legends. 

    Dark Souls 2, $10

    Photo Credit: Steam 

    Dark Souls was a revelation when it first released, so a ton of pressure was on the sequel to follow up. It did a great job of filling in for its older brother, though it wasn’t perfect. However, $10 isn’t much to ask for such a stellar game. If you’ve been playing the Remastered version of Dark Souls 1 and want to see where the series went from there, here’s your chance! Prepare to die a lot, though. 

    Fallout 4, $15

     

    Photo Credit: Kinguin 

    The second Fallout title to grace this chart, Fallout 4 came out in November 2015 to great reviews. For only $15 you can experience the tale of the Sole Survivor as they look for their son. Whether you’ve played it before and want to relive the quest or haven’t played it and want to see what the hype is about, $15 is a pretty solid price to pay for it.  

    ARK: Survival Evolved, $20

    Photo Credit: BGR 

    Discounted from a full retail price of $60, this is a great deal. ARK is a game that involves dinosaurs and lasers, so $20 seems fair by any metrics. Okay, jokes aside, this is a fun survival game. You can hunt, or tame, dinosaurs and you try to survive however you can. While the survival genre is a bit past its heyday of 2017, this is still a great game for a great price. 

    Grand Theft Auto V, $20

    Photo Credit: YouTube 

    GTA V may have come out in 2013, but it still retails for around $60. That alone helps show how much staying power Rockstar’s games have. However, it’s on sale for $20 right now, which is a steal. If you haven’t had a chance to play this open-world masterpiece, now’s your chance to snag it for cheap! The online multiplayer for this one is a cherry on top, considering how great the single player is.  

    Final Fantasy XV, $25

    Photo Credit: Steam 

    While this game was released in November 2016, it only saw a Windows release March of this year. That makes the sale price of this version that much more impressive! $25 for a relatively new AAA game is kind of crazy. For PC gamers who may have skipped this one since it was on console, here’s your chance to try it out. Featuring beautiful graphics and a gripping, epic story, Final Fantasy XV is a return to form for the storied series. Here’s hoping they stop making MMOs for future entries, huh?