When is a Game Worth $60 Dollars?
How you can make that expensive decision
In the infinite strangeness of game release schedules, the newest video games tend to come out all at the same time.
In most cases, there are reasons for this. They are usually motivated by money. That’s why we see February rushes (for the fiscal year for investor reporting) and then again in November/December when the holiday season comes rumbling through.
Look back at February 2022! Dying Light 2, Elden Ring, Sifu, Horizon Forbidden Rest! Those are the biggest titles, all releasing in the shortest month of the year. Horizon Forbidden West is a $70 title, but it still belongs in this section. To be honest, I’m still hungover from holiday 2021. It was an avalanche of must-plays. FPS obligatory Call of Duty Vanguard. Demon-collector Shin Megami Tensei V. The Pokémon remakes, FF XIV: Endwalker, the future Battlefield, and Forza Horizon 5. I bought SMTV and Pokémon Shining Pearl, but I wanted to grab more. This was — after all — Black Friday month, which meant games from the rest of the year sunk to their lowest prices yet.
In the end, I bought some games and I made the choice to hold off on some others. That brings me to the sixty dollar question: How should we go about this decision? It can be a struggle to balance time, budget, and the status of games on day one. Let’s talk through some steps to make this choice a little easier:
#1: Make a list
This is a pretty easy one. Make a list of all the games coming out. You can break it down by month, quarter, or even year. Websites like Game Informer put out a schedule of the year’s release schedule, updated as delays occur. Once you have a list of all the games that you’re interested in, you can see how you should be thinking about the year.
With your list, you can also rank according to your interest. For the must play games, you put them at the top and then work your way down. If a game is on the lower half of the list, that basically tells you that you can wait for the inevitable price drop. The top of your handy list will the $60 day one games.
#2: Budget it Out
If you’re wealthy — congrats on that — you can skip this one. For the normal folks, this is another excellent determining factor on whether a game is worth it.
I’m not rich, and I spent too much money on games last year. Those are facts. This year I set a limit: I would only buy five full priced ($60/$70) games in 2022. Because I have my list, I know what games I’m willing to spend big money. Anything after the five will have to wait for a sale or remain on the store shelves out of reach. I encourage you to examine your finances. If you can only afford one or two games, plan for that. If you want to buy Pokémon Violet/Scarlet and the new God of War, maybe wait until Dying Light 2 and Triangle Strategy go on sale.
#3: Reviews are Your Friends
Websites like Eurogamer, IGN, and the very one you’re reading review new games. If something catches your eye but you’re not sure if it deserves the price tag, go read some reviews!
After all, informed consumers are smart consumers. Read reviews from multiple places. Find a particular gaming journalist’s who’s interest align with your own. In this golden age of content, nearly every publication has a podcast and a Youtube channel where they will spend hours discussing all of their personal likes and dislikes in regards to the newest gaming release. Trust these reviewers, and use them to make your final decision.
When is a game worth $60? The question is going to be different for everyone. Ultimately, it’s up to you to identify what games are worth your time and money. Whatever you choose, just remember: games are fun, and they aren’t going anywhere. Play what you want, and try to enjoy yourself. The fun you have is really what’s worth it.
