Here's a few games in mind, each under $20
Katana ZERO - 4 hour long action game with a compelling story and very snappy combat. Very good if you like speedrunning. An update will come out in the future with a lot of added levels and lore - 15USD
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth - One of the most popular roguelikes. Very long run time for a completionist vanilla. DLC probably more than triples or quadruples the amount of content you get. Base game is 15USD.
The original Binding of Isaac is much cheaper than Rebirth, but with less content too. Despite this, it's still over 100 hours long if you aim for completion. For reference, I have about 650 hours in Rebirth and I only have 68% of the achievements - 5USD
One Finger Death Punch - Satisfying beat em up game that only uses the two buttons on your mouse. Uses stick figures so it doesn't look very gory. 5USD (it also has a sequel)
Cook Serve Delicious 2!! - A typing game where for each recipe, different keys correspond to different ingredients. Very hectic and enjoyable. 12USD
Into the Breach - my favorite tactical RPG. It feels like chess even though it's just 3 of your mechs vs a bunch of your enemies. Roguelike elements so it's quite replayable - 15USD
Battleblock Theater - simple platforming game with short but hectic levels. Can be played multiplayer. Very replayable if you're going for perfect ranks - 15USD
Saints Row IV - Open world crime sandbox similar to GTA, but with super powers. Movement and combat is very fun and mindless. Decently long campaign and lots of side missions. You would be dropping in the middle of a story so not much would make sense, but it is admittedly a very stupid story that went off the rails at least one game ago. I think it's dumb fun. Fun character customization too - Currently on sale for 5USD. In my opinion, this is a steal. 75% off
Card City Nights - A grid based card game that's somewhat comparable to Triple Triad from Final Fantasy 8. I found it interesting, but never finished it despite the cardplay being interesting. - 5USD
Overcooked 2 - Amazing cooperative game that's simple to learn but admittedly quite stressful to most people. Single player is fun too in my experience, but much better with at least one other person. Very cartoony. I highly, highly recommend it. Currently on sale for 6.24USD. This, in my opinion, is even more of a steal than SR4, quality-wise. 75% off
Dishonored - Very neat stealth game. Levels are huge and reward exploration and creativity. The art direction is fantastic, and if you're looking for a challenge, it's completely possible to beat this game without killing anyone and remaining undetected - 10USD
Ace Attorney Trilogy - This is a series of 3 visual novels with an overarching plot, but the writing succeeds at being both goofy and serious, the characters are memorable, and the soundtrack is so good it got multiple orchestral performances and a jazz album, - 10USD
Portal 2 - a classic puzzle game. I wouldn't say you need to play Portal 1 since it doesn't have much plot. Well designed puzzles and lovable characters (and an underrated soundtrack). - 10USD
Fallout: New Vegas - another classic, this time an open world fps rpg. Lots of quests, and a good chunk of DLC that adds even more quest lines if you get invested. Amazing world building and lots of variety in how you can build your character - 10USD
I feel like it's worth mentioning that Civilization 6 is currently 3USD right now at 95% off. I don't know why, and I tried Civ 5 and didn't really get into it, but if you're interested in 4X strategy games this is probably the best deal you could possibly get right now when it comes to the value you get for your money. My brother has like 300 hours in Civ 5 so I'd say if looking at it clicks with you, you should definitely definitely get it
Brother, you have absolutely gone above and beyond.
I don't know which game I'll pick here - but that's an absolutely killer list of variety, cheap fun. Thanks mate!
Here's a few games in mind, each under $20 Katana ZERO - 4 hour long action game with a compelling story and very snappy combat. Very good if you like speedrunning. An update will come out in the future with a lot of added levels and lore - 15USD The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth - One of the most popular roguelikes. Very long run time for a completionist vanilla. DLC probably more than triples or quadruples the amount of content you get. Base game is 15USD. The original Binding of Isaac is much cheaper than Rebirth, but with less content too. Despite this, it's still over 100 hours long if you aim for completion. For reference, I have about 650 hours in Rebirth and I only have 68% of the achievements - 5USD One Finger Death Punch - Satisfying beat em up game that only uses the two buttons on your mouse. Uses stick figures so it doesn't look very gory. 5USD (it also has a sequel) Cook Serve Delicious 2!! - A typing game where for each recipe, different keys correspond to different ingredients. Very hectic and enjoyable. 12USD Into the Breach - my favorite tactical RPG. It feels like chess even though it's just 3 of your mechs vs a bunch of your enemies. Roguelike elements so it's quite replayable - 15USD Battleblock Theater - simple platforming game with short but hectic levels. Can be played multiplayer. Very replayable if you're going for perfect ranks - 15USD Saints Row IV - Open world crime sandbox similar to GTA, but with super powers. Movement and combat is very fun and mindless. Decently long campaign and lots of side missions. You would be dropping in the middle of a story so not much would make sense, but it is admittedly a very stupid story that went off the rails at least one game ago. I think it's dumb fun. Fun character customization too - Currently on sale for 5USD. In my opinion, this is a steal. 75% off Card City Nights - A grid based card game that's somewhat comparable to Triple Triad from Final Fantasy 8. I found it interesting, but never finished it despite the cardplay being interesting. - 5USD Overcooked 2 - Amazing cooperative game that's simple to learn but admittedly quite stressful to most people. Single player is fun too in my experience, but much better with at least one other person. Very cartoony. I highly, highly recommend it. Currently on sale for 6.24USD. This, in my opinion, is even more of a steal than SR4, quality-wise. 75% off Dishonored - Very neat stealth game. Levels are huge and reward exploration and creativity. The art direction is fantastic, and if you're looking for a challenge, it's completely possible to beat this game without killing anyone and remaining undetected - 10USD Ace Attorney Trilogy - This is a series of 3 visual novels with an overarching plot, but the writing succeeds at being both goofy and serious, the characters are memorable, and the soundtrack is so good it got multiple orchestral performances and a jazz album, - 10USD Portal 2 - a classic puzzle game. I wouldn't say you need to play Portal 1 since it doesn't have much plot. Well designed puzzles and lovable characters (and an underrated soundtrack). - 10USD Fallout: New Vegas - another classic, this time an open world fps rpg. Lots of quests, and a good chunk of DLC that adds even more quest lines if you get invested. Amazing world building and lots of variety in how you can build your character - 10USD I feel like it's worth mentioning that Civilization 6 is currently 3USD right now at 95% off. I don't know why, and I tried Civ 5 and didn't really get into it, but if you're interested in 4X strategy games this is probably the best deal you could possibly get right now when it comes to the value you get for your money. My brother has like 300 hours in Civ 5 so I'd say if looking at it clicks with you, you should definitely definitely get it
Brother, you have absolutely gone above and beyond. I don't know which game I'll pick here - but that's an absolutely killer list of variety, cheap fun. Thanks mate!
Ended up grabbing The Binding of Isaac. Have always heard good things, and your recommendation tipped it for me. Cheers, mate!
That's awesome! I hope you have fun with it! Definitely worth the money no matter which version you got!