Steam Winter Sale 2025: The Best Indie Games at Ridiculously Good Prices

The Steam Winter Sale is back, and as ever, it is one of the best times of the year to build out a PC library without destroying your wallet. While the headline discounts often focus on big-budget releases, this sale remains especially generous to indie games, with many modern classics dropping to their lowest prices yet.

I have curated a focused list of standout indie titles that combine quality, replayability, and genuine value. Whether you are looking for fast-paced action, thoughtful storytelling, or something a little different, these are indie games well worth your attention during the Steam Winter Sale.

The sale runs until early January, so there is plenty of time to browse, wishlist, and make a few carefully chosen purchases.

Editor’s Picks: Essential Indie Games on Sale

These are games with proven staying power. They are frequently discussed, regularly updated, or continue to influence indie development years after release. If you are new to indie games, this is a strong place to start.

Hades

Supergiant Games’ roguelike action hit blends fast combat with a narrative that unfolds across repeated runs. Rather than punishing failure, Hades uses it as a storytelling tool, rewarding persistence with new dialogue, upgrades, and character development. It remains a benchmark for how roguelikes can deliver both mechanical depth and emotional weight.

Slay the Spire

A defining entry in the deckbuilding roguelike space, Slay the Spire challenges players to think several moves ahead. Every card choice matters, and small decisions can shape an entire run. Its influence can still be seen across countless strategy-focused indie games released since.

Dead Cells

Dead Cells combines precise platforming with fast, aggressive combat. Each run pushes players to learn enemy patterns, weapon synergies, and movement timing. Regular updates and expansions have helped it remain relevant long after its original release.

Celeste

A precision platformer that balances challenging gameplay with a deeply personal narrative. Celeste is known for its tight controls and thoughtful approach to difficulty, offering accessibility options without compromising its core design. It is often cited as an example of how gameplay and storytelling can reinforce each other.

Hollow Knight

Set in a haunting, interconnected world, Hollow Knight is a modern metroidvania that rewards exploration and curiosity. Its hand-drawn art style and atmospheric soundtrack complement a game built around discovery, challenge, and environmental storytelling.

More Indie Highlights Worth Your Time

If you already own some of the essentials above, these games offer something slightly different while still delivering strong value during the sale.

Disco Elysium

A narrative-driven RPG that replaces traditional combat with dialogue, investigation, and internal character skills. Player choices shape both the story and the protagonist’s personality, making each playthrough feel distinct.

Risk of Rain 2

A third-person roguelike shooter where difficulty escalates the longer you stay alive. Item synergies stack in surprising ways, encouraging experimentation and fast decision-making. It also supports cooperative play, making it a popular multiplayer choice.

The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth

A content-rich roguelike with procedurally generated levels and a vast item pool. Each run can feel radically different depending on item combinations, and its long history of updates has turned it into one of the deepest games in the genre.

Outer Wilds

An exploration-focused adventure built around curiosity and discovery rather than combat. Progress comes from knowledge gained through exploration of a time-looped solar system, making it one of the most distinctive indie experiences available on PC.

Undertale

An unconventional RPG that allows players to resolve encounters through violence or non-violent interaction. Its focus on choice, consequence, and character relationships has helped it remain culturally relevant years after launch.

Tips for Buying During the Steam Winter Sale

• Discounts usually remain consistent throughout the sale, so there is no need to rush on day one
• Use the Steam refund system to try games risk-free if you are unsure
• Wishlist games to track discounts across future sales
• Check Steam Deck compatibility if you plan to play on handheld

The Steam Winter Sale is at its best when you treat it as an opportunity to discover games you might have missed rather than simply chasing the biggest percentage discounts. Indie games often offer the strongest long-term value, especially when they combine replayability with thoughtful design.

If you are looking to expand your library this winter, the games above represent some of the strongest indie experiences currently available on Steam, and many are unlikely to be cheaper for quite some time.