It is that time of the year again, late December, when the winter chill sets in. For us gamers, however, there is some heart-warming news to cut through the frost: the Steam Winter Sale, which kicked off on the 19th. Steam is notorious for its 'serial sale' habits, but the winter event is, alongside the summer one, the biggest extravaganza of the year—a prime opportunity to snag those titles you have been eyeing. In this edition of [Game Recs], I have hand-picked seven titles that have earned the coveted 'Very Positive' seal of approval from the Steam community.

First up is 'Pizza Tower', which hit Steam in January 2023. You play as Peppino, a pizza shop owner fighting back against the villainous Pizza Face to save his business. As a spiritual successor to the classic 'Wario Land 4', it is packed with visceral, satisfying action like smashing through walls and tossing enemies. You can grab it now for 10,500 KRW, a 50% discount.

The real hook here is the bizarre, 90s American cartoon-inspired art style and its wildly exaggerated animation. Watching a portly, middle-aged Italian man tear a tower apart is as cathartic as it sounds. Coupled with a frantic soundtrack and high-speed gameplay, it has earned a 'Very Positive' rating from Steam users (68,785 reviews, 98% positive).

Released in March 2023, 'Biohazard RE:4' follows agent Leon as he attempts to rescue the President's daughter. It is a masterclass in modern remakes, taking the 2005 original—a series peak—and polishing it with contemporary visuals and mechanics. It even flirted with Game of the Year nominations. You can pick it up for 19,920 KRW, thanks to a 60% discount.

It is more than just a fresh coat of paint. The combat feels deeper thanks to the new knife parry system, stealth options, and weapon shortcuts. It runs like a dream, keeping its 'Very Positive' status (205,651 reviews, 97% positive). It is essentially the textbook definition of a survival horror action game.

'Persona 5 Royal' is the definitive JRPG experience, following a high-schooler who moonlights as a phantom thief. This October 2022 Steam release includes all the extra characters, story content, and over 40 DLC items. It is usually quite pricey, but a 70% discount brings it down to a very reasonable 20,940 KRW.

With a runtime that easily clears 100 hours, it is a massive undertaking, but the stylish UI and slick soundtrack keep you hooked. Between the combat, you can decorate your hideout or play minigames with your teammates. It currently holds a 'Very Positive' rating (117,620 reviews, 96% positive) and remains a mandatory pilgrimage for JRPG fans.

Released in March 2022, 'Patrick's Parabox' is a Sokoban-style puzzle game where you push boxes into place. The catch? The boxes contain their own maps, which in turn contain more boxes—it is a recursive mind-bender.

You will spend your time navigating infinite spaces, pushing boxes inside other boxes to clear the path. It might sound daunting, but the level design is incredibly intuitive, leading you to that 'aha!' moment of satisfaction. With over 350 puzzles and no artificial difficulty spikes, it has earned a 'Very Positive' rating (4,245 reviews, 99% positive). At 10,750 KRW (50% off), it is a must for puzzle lovers.

'Bopl Battle' is a competitive party game where you play as squishy slimes trying to knock opponents off the map. It is perfect for local or online play with friends, and the controls are simple enough for anyone to pick up instantly. It is currently 5,500 KRW, a 50% discount.

The joy lies in the chaotic ability combinations. You can create black holes to swallow terrain or grow items and weapons to absurd sizes. With time-stopping and smoke-screen mechanics added to the mix, there is never a dull moment. Since its November 2023 release, it has held a 'Very Positive' rating (22,258 reviews, 97% positive).

Released last May, 'Path of Achra' is a roguelike RPG that focuses purely on building a powerful character. It might look a bit primitive with its retro graphics, but do not let that fool you—the gameplay is deep. It is currently 5,500 KRW, a 50% discount.

You combine races, classes, and religions to create a character, then use equipment and skills to create synergies that wipe out hordes of enemies. With over 1,000 possible combinations, every run feels fresh, and at roughly 15 minutes per session, it is easy to pick up and play. Despite the language barrier (it lacks Korean support), it is sitting at 'Very Positive' (2,919 reviews, 98% positive) for its addictive build-crafting.

'Mirage Feathers', released in September 2024, is a 3D bullet-hell shooter that has been turning heads. Unlike traditional top-down shooters, it uses a back-view perspective, offering a level of immersion that makes you feel like you are right in the thick of it. It is a bargain at 2,800 KRW during the sale (50% off).

You play as Notary, setting out to rescue a kidnapped friend. The lock-on missile system and the flashy 'Overdrive' cinematics provide a real sense of speed and impact. While some feel the story ending is a bit lacking, the pixel-art aesthetic and excellent OST have helped it secure a 'Very Positive' rating (2,219 reviews, 98% positive).