[Part 2] Three Awesome Budget Games for $10 or Less
Awesome games don't have to be expensive! This is the second part of my $10 budget games article!
Hey, Gamers!
Sometimes, there are brilliant games that only cost a few bucks. Today, I am sharing my thoughts on two more brilliant budget games.
I usually discuss games that are available on most platforms. This time, however, only the third title is available on all current systems:
Bleak Sword DX (previous newsletter)
Lethal Company (this newsletter)
Balatro (this newsletter)
So, let’s dive into #2 and #3 in this article. Please keep in mind that I do not write typical reviews, as you can already find tons of these all over the internet.
Instead, I am sharing insights, thoughts, and experiences with games that I think are outstanding:
2. Lethal Company
📅 First Released: October 23, 2023
🎮 Platforms: PC/Steam (Steam Deck)
🏷️ Price: $9.99
🔗 Steam: Overwhelmingly Positive
📱 Steam Deck: Playable
Lethal Company became an overnight success right after its release on Steam in late 2023. Sadly, it’s only available on Steam and not on other platforms.
Lethal Company is an online co-op horror game where you and your teammates scavenge valuables in spooky facilities while dodging deadly creatures. It relies on proximity chat for survival, so communication and teamwork are absolutely crucial.
When released, it looked like just another small indie title by a solo developer with unattractive graphics. However, its hilarious co-op chaos and immersive proximity chat drew me and other curious players in.
I remember it exploded in popularity through word-of-mouth and viral social media posts.
One of Lethal Company’s best features is its proximity chat, where you can hear your teammates’ screams and jokes up close for extra chaos.
It lets you clearly hear your teammates up close but makes their voices fade the farther away they are. This often results in a mix of hilarious miscommunication and tense moments… when a creature is lurking nearby, for example.
There are always between 16k and 20k players online in this game. That’s why it’s super easy to find a group you can join. Here is how it works:
Form or Join a Lobby: You and up to three friends (or strangers) link up in an online co-op session.
Depart: Launch your ship and fly to a moon.
Gear Up & Scout: Grab scanners, flashlights, or weapons from the ship’s stash, then head into the facility.
Collect Valuables & Avoid Monsters: Work as a team to snatch loot while evading the eerie creatures roaming the area.
Return & Cash In: Survive back to the ship with your haul and earn credits to upgrade gear for the next run.
To give you an idea of why this game is so awesome, it’s best to read a short ‘player transcript’:
I am looking for scraps with my buddy co-worker
We see a landmine on the edge of a dark hallway
My co-worker walks past it and tells me to not step on it, as he learned that the hard way
A few seconds later I hear him screaming, "***** a spider!!!… ahhhh"
His scream gets cut off by an explosion from the very landmine he warned me about
His body flies through the hallway, followed by a giant spider that quickly retreats into the darkness
I quickly hide behind a corner in silence, thinking about whether I should laugh or cry
I promise that you will experience similar hilarious moments when trying this game. Here is a really cool collection I found on YouTube:
And here is an excellent guide if you are considering buying this exceptional game: Lethal Company Beginner Tips
Bottom line: It never gets old to please the company!
3. Balatro
📅 First Released: February 20, 2024 (iOS/Android: September 26, 2024)
🎮 Platforms: PC/Steam, Nintendo Switch, PS4/PS5, Xbox Series X/S, iOS, Android
🏷️ Price: $14.99 ($10 on mobile)
🗨️ Metacritic Score: 90
🔗 Steam: Overwhelmingly Positive (Overall)
📖 Publisher: Playstack
📱 Steam Deck: Verified ✅
You have probably heard of this top-selling indie game or maybe even own it. In this article, I would like to share my thoughts about this phenomenon because usually, this is not my type of game.
The poker roguelike Balatro is a hypnotically satisfying deckbuilder where you play illegal poker hands, discover game-changing jokers, and trigger adrenaline-pumping, outrageous combos.
I know that only the mobile version is $10, but I still recommend it over the others. This game is just perfect for quick, satisfying sessions anywhere, and the mobile version’s touch controls make it especially seamless on the go.
That said, no matter which platform you choose, the game’s addictive deck-building and its satisfying scoring animations make it really addictive.
I asked AI to write a summary of who might like Balatro:
♠️ Deck-building enthusiasts – If you love roguelike deck-builders like Slay the Spire or Monster Train, you’ll enjoy crafting powerful poker hands with unique Joker cards.
♦️ Poker and card game fans – While Balatro isn’t traditional poker, it rewards those who recognize hand strengths and enjoy optimizing card combos.
♣️ Strategy and roguelike lovers – The game’s randomized elements, unlockable Jokers, and strategic upgrades make each run feel fresh and challenging.
♥️ Fans of high-score chasing – If you love breaking games with powerful synergies and watching numbers skyrocket, Balatro delivers that satisfying feeling.
Honestly, none of those points apply to me, and I don’t usually play any card games, but still, I immediately fell in love with this title.
Before Balatro, my poker knowledge basically consisted of just knowing what a Full House was. I only installed it by chance on my iPhone because it was included in my Apple Arcade trial. … and now? Not only can I actually play poker now, but I’m also completely hooked.
Even as someone who never cared for deck-builders, Balatro is pure addiction: the sound, the animations, the way the numbers multiply when you trigger a combo. It’s unbelievably satisfying and keeps you hooked.
If you haven’t already, please give this game a try. It’s one of the most addicting mobile games I’ve ever played.
Thanks for reading, and keep playing,
Michael