Steam Winter Sale 2014 Pick of the Day

It's that time of the year when any leftover money you've got after buying gifts, arranging holiday travel, and donating to worthwhile causes is going to go PC games. The Steam Winter sale is live, and we'll be updating this story every day with what we think is the best of the best as well as all of the other day's deals. Things are structured little different this year:

• New featured deals pop up every 24 hours, but will last for 48 hours
• Flash Sales will update every 12 hours, but those deals will be available for 24 hours
• Community's choice deals will update every 24 hours

What are you picking up (or hoping to buy) during Valve's quarterly sales event? Let us know in the comments below.

Day 14: December 31, 2014

Our Pick: Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor -- $29.99 (-40%)

Steam is wrapping up its Holiday discounts with a two-day Encore Sale, which brings back the best deals from the past two weeks. With so many great games to choose from, our pick of the day can only be GameSpot's game of the year, Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor.

Other Encore Deals:

• Endless Legend -- $17.49 (-50%)
• Saints Row IV -- $4.99 (-75%)
• Company of Heroes 2 -- $9.99 (-75%)
• Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes -- $13.39 (-33%)
• Football Manager 2015 -- $33.49 (-33%)
• Euro Truck Simulator 2 -- $3.74 (-85%)
• Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel -- $29.99 (-50%)
• Telltale's Game of Thrones -- $22.49 (-25%)
• Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare -- $44.99 (-25%)
• The Binding of Isaac Rebirth -- $10.04 (-33%)
• Mount & Blade: Warband -- $3.99 (-80%)
• Don't Starve -- $3.74 (-75%)
• Kerbal Space Program -- $17.99 (-60%)
• Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition -- $4.99 (-80%)
• Shovel Knight -- $10.04 (-33%)
• Arma III -- $29.00 (-50%)
• The Long Dark -- $9.99 (-50%)
• This War of Mine -- $14.99 (-25%)
• Wasteland 2 -- $19.99 (-50%)
• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim -- $4.99 (-75%)
• Payday 2 -- $7.49 (-75%)
• BioShock Infinite-- $7.49 (-75%)
• South Park: The Stick of Truth -- $13.59 (-66%)
• 7 Way to Die -- $12.49 (-50%)
• Far Cry 4 -- $47.99 (-20%)
• Transistor -- $6.79 (-66%)
• Dark Souls 2 -- $14.70 (63%)
• Wolfenstein: The New Order -- $20.39 (-66%)
• Total War: Rome II Emperor Edition -- $14.98 (-75%)
• Age of Empires II HD -- $3.99 (-80%)
• The Forest -- $10.04 (-33%)
• Assassin's Creed Unity -- $40.19 (-33%)
• Divinity: Original Sin -- $26.79 (-33%)
• Alien: Isolation -- $24.99 (-50%)
• Space Engineers -- $9.99 (-50%)
• Counter-Strike: Global Offensive -- $7.49 (-50%)
• Gary's Mod -- $2.49 (-75%)
• Civilization: Beyond Earth -- $29.99 (-40%)
• Prison Architect -- $5.99 (-80%)

Day 12: December 29, 2014

Our pick: Wolfenstein: The New Order -- $20.39 (-66%)

Sometimes you just need to unload two submachine guns into some robot Nazis, If that's the particular itch you're looking to scratch, you can't do much better than Wolfenstein: The New Order, especially at $20.49. If you're not quite sure that it's for you, make sure to read GameSpot's review.

Other Day 12 Deals:

• Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Blacklist -- $7.49 (-75%)
• BattleBlock Theater -- $1.49 (-90%)
• Don't Starve -- $3.74 (-75%)
• Construction Simulator 2015 -- $20.99 (-30%)
• Men of War: Assault Squad 2 -- $8.74 (-75%)
• Farming Simulator 15 -- $20.09 (-33%)
• The Stanley Parable -- $4.49 (-70%)
• Left 4 Dead 2 -- $4.99 (-75%)

Flash Sale:

• Gang Beasts -- $13.39 (-33%)
• Half-Life 2 -- $2.49 (-75%)
• Serious Sam 3: BFE -- $3.99 (-90%)
• Shadowgate -- $4.99 (-75%)
• Two World II -- $1.99 (-90%)
• A Bird Story -- $2.49 (-50%)

Community's Choice:

• Winner: Mercenary Kings -- $6.79 (-66%)
• LUFTRAUSERS -- $4.99 (-50%)
• Gunpoint -- $4.99 (-50%)

Day 11: December 28, 2014

Our pick: Divinity: Original Sin -- $26.79 (-33%)

At $26.79, our PC game of the year Divinity: Original Sin is far from the cheapest game on Steam's Holiday Sale, but it's still more than worth it at that price. As GameSpot's review said, "to play Divinity: Original Sin is to fall in love with role-playing games all over again."

Other Day 11 Deals:

• Age of Empires II HD -- $3.99 (-80%)
• NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja STORM Revolution -- $29.99 (-40%)
• Dishonored -- $4.99 (-75%)
• This War of Mine -- $14.99 (-25%)
• Max Payne 3 -- $4.99 (-75%)
• Mount & Blade: Warband -- $6.79 (-66%)
• Transistor -- $6.79 (-66%)
• Tomb Raider -- $3.99 (-80%)

Flash Sale:

• To the Moon -- $1.99 (-80%)
• The Crew -- $47.99 (-20%)
• Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning -- $4.99 (-75%)
• Victoria II -- $4.99 (-75%)
• Red Faction Guerrilla -- $2.99 (-85%)
• Pinball FX2 -- -66% on a large number of tables

Community's Choice:

• Winner: Ancient Space -- $11.99 (-40%)
• Invisible, Inc. -- $11.19 (-30%)
• Audiosurf 2 -- $10.49 (-30%)

Day 10: December 27, 2014

Our pick: Alan Wake -- $2.99 (-90%)

Alan Wake is a few years old at this point, but it still looks and plays great. As GameSpot said in its review, the game's creepy atmosphere, fantastic combat, and clever storytelling make Alan Wake's quest thrilling from beginning to end. For $3, it's a must if you haven't played it already, and if you have, it's still worth revisiting on max settings on the PC in anticipation of Remedy's Quantum Break.

Other Day 10 Deals:

• Watch Dogs -- $29.99 (-50%)
• Shadowrun: Dragonfall -- $5.99 (-60%)
• Shovel Knight -- $10.04 (-33%)
• Dead Rising 3 Apocalypse Edition -- $29.99 (-40%)
• Fallout: New Vegas -- $2.49 (-75%)
• Tropico 5 -- $13.99 (-65%)
• Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II: Retribution -- $10.19 (-66%)
• The Long Dark -- $9.99 (-50%)

Flash Sale:

• Game Dev Tycoon -- $3.99 (-60%)
• Surgeon Simulator 2013 -- $3.24 (-75%)
• Mortal Kombat Komplete Edition -- $4.99 (-75%)
• Starpoint Gemini 2 -- $17.49 (-50%)
• Nidhogg -- $3.74 (-75%)
• Alan Wake -- $2.99 (-90%)

Community's Choice:

• Winner: Super Time Force Ultra -- $5.09 (-66%)
• Warlock 2: The Exiled -- $9.99 (-50%)
• Abyss Odyssey -- $7.49 (-50%)

Day 9: December 26, 2014

Our pick: Brothers - A Tale of Two Sons -- $1.49 (-90%)

Brothers is clever puzzle game with a huge heart. It's a short, beautiful experience, and an absolute steal at $1.49. Once you'll play it you'll understand why we're excited for developer Hazelight's next game.

Other Day 9 Deals:

• Risen 3 - Titan Lords -- $24.99 (-50%)
• Company of Heroes 2 -- $9.99 (-75%)
• Kerbal Space Program -- $17.99 (-60%)
• Thief -- $7.49 (-75%)
• Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor -- $29.99 (-40%)
• Anno 2070 -- $7.49 (-75%)
• Counter-Strike: Global Offensive -- $7.49 (-50%)
• Banished -- $7.99 (-60%)

Flash Sale:

• FTL: Faster Than Light -- $2.49 (-75%)
• Viscera Cleanup Detail -- $6.69 (-33%)
• Fight The Dragon -- $7.49 (-50%)
• Turbo Dismount -- $3.39 (66%)
• Resident Evil 6 -- $9.99 (-75%)
• Gods Will Be Watching -- $2.49 (-75%)

Community's Choice:

• Winner: Postal 2 -- $0.99 (-90%)
• Hero Siege -- $1.49 (-75%)
• Dust: An Elysian Tale -- $3.74

Day 8: December 25, 2014

Our pick: South Park: The Stick of Truth -- $13.59 (-66%)

A perfect transition from TV show to game. While not every South Park game has been a hit, this one perfectly encapsulates the snarky humor of Matt Stone and Trey Parker. Read our South Park review and check it out on Steam here.

Other Day 8 Deals:

• Democracy 3 -- $4.99 (-80%)
• Contagion -- $4.99 (-75%)
• Train Fever -- $20.99 (-40%)
• Lego Batman 3 Beyond Gotham -- $20.09 (-33%)
• Football Manager 2015 -- $33.49 (-33%)
• Planetary Annihilation -- $5.99 (-80%)
• Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare -- $44.99 (-25%)
• Grid Autosport -- $9.99 (-75%)

Flash Sale:

• The Secret World -- $10.19 (-66%)
• Test Drive Unlimited -- $4.99 (-75%)
• Gone Home -- $3.99 (-80%)
• Sleeping Dogs -- $10.19 (-66%)
• Dungeon Defenders -- $1.49 (-90%)
• Legend of Grimrock II -- $16.70 (-30%)

Community's Choice:

• Winner: Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit -- $3.99 (-80%)
• Slender: The Arrival -- $2.99 (-70%)
• Halo: Spartan Assault -- $1.49 (-70%)

Day 7: December 24, 2014

Our pick: Terraria -- $1.99 (-80%)

Simplistic graphics doesn't mean simple game. Kind of like a 2D Minecraft, Terraria is a game where your imagination can run wild. And at $2, you can afford a four-pack to get your friends in on the action with you. Read our review and check out the game on Steam.

Other Day 7 Deals:

• Gauntlet -- $9.99 (-50%)
• Life is Feudal: Your Own -- $26.79 (-33%)
• Far Cry 4 -- $47.99 (-20%)
• XCOM: Enemy Unknown -- $7.49 (-75%)
• Plague Inc., Evolved -- $10.04 (-33%)
• The Evil Within -- $20.39 (-66%)
• Ultra: Street Fighter -- $17.99 (-40%)
• Lords of the Fallen -- $19.99 (-60%)

Flash Sale:

• Magicka -- $2.49 (-75%)
• Talisman -- $1.49 (-90%)
• Natural Selection II -- $3.74 (-85%)
• Car Mechanic Simulator Complete Edition 2014 -- $3.74 (-75%)
• Supreme Ruler Ultimate -- $10.19 (-66%)
• Sanctum 2 -- $2.99 (-80%)

Community's Choice:

• Winner: Bully: Scholarship Edition -- $4.41 (-66%)
• Contrast -- $5.09 (-66%)
• Supreme Commander 2 -- $2.99 (-80%)

Day 6: December 23, 2014

Our pick: BioShock Infinite-- $7.49 (-75%)

The continuation of the BioShock series, and likely the final one from Ken Levine, Infinite was a divisive title among fans. But either way, it's a game worth checking out, especially for $7.50. Read our GameSpot review and check out the game on Steam here.

Other Day 5 Deals:

• Goat Simulator -- $4.99 (-50%)
• Age of Wonders III -- $13.59 (-66%)
• Scribblenauts Unlimited -- $4.99 (-75%)
• Payday 2 -- $7.49 (-75%)
• Telltale's Game of Thrones -- $22.49 (-25%)
• Assetto Corsa -- $24.99 (-50%)
• Gary's Mod -- $2.49 (-75%)
• Just Cause 2 -- $2.99 (-80%)

Flash Sale:

• Dead Island -- $4.99 (-75%)
• Darksiders II: Death Lives -- $4.49 (-85%)
• Rising Storm -- $4.99 (-75%)
• RPG Maker VX -- $13.99 (-80%)
• Murdered: Soul Suspect -- $7.49 (-75%)
• Spelunky -- $2.99 (-80%)

Community's Choice:

• Winner: Orion Prelude -- $0.49 (-51%)
• IL-2 Sturmovik -- $35.99 (-40%)
• OMSI 2 -- $20.99 (-40%)

Day 5: December 22, 2014

Our pick: Grand Theft Auto IV -- $4.99 (-75%)

Sure, everyone might be more focused on getting Grand Theft Auto V on PC, but that doesn't mean that $5 for GTAIV isn't a steal. And with a crazy modding community that's been supporting the game for years, there's plenty to explore outside the main game as well. Read our review of the game and check it out on Steam here.

Other Day 5 Deals:

• Train Simulator 2015 -- $27.49 (-50%)
• The Walking Dead: Season Two -- $6.24 (-75%)
• Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends -- $16.99 (-66%)
• Chivalry: Medieval Warfare -- $4.99 (-80%)
• Endless Legend -- $17.49 (-50%)
• The Escapists -- $7.49 (-50%)
• Saints Row IV -- $4.99 (-75%)
• Outlast -- $4.99 (-75%)

Flash Sale:

• Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodlines -- $4.99 (-75%)
• Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 -- $4.99 (-75%)
• X-Plane 10 Global -- $29.99 (-50%)
• Papers, Please -- $2.49 (-75%)
• Mount Your Friends -- $1.99 (-60%)
• Tabletop Simulator -- $8.99 (-40%)

Community's Choice:

• Clickteam Fusion -- $33.99 (-66%)
• 3DMark -- $4.99 (-80%)
• Fuse Character Creator -- $33.99 (-66%)

Day 4: December 21, 2014

Our pick: Bulletstorm -- $3.99 (-80%)

There are some bigger and newer games on today's list, but with an 80 percent discount that brings it down to $4, you should take the opportunity to catch up with Bulletstorm, a score-driven first-person shooter with some really great, original weapons.

Other Day 3 Deals:

• Age of Mythology: Extended Edition -- $7.49 (-75%)
• Alien: Isolation -- $24.99 (-50%)
• Portal 2 -- $3.99 (-80%)
• Spore -- $4.99 (-75%)
• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim -- $4.99 (-75%)
• Spintires -- $10.19 (-66%)
• Never Alone -- $10.04 (-33%)
• Five Nights at Freddy's 2 -- $5.35 (-33%)
• Shadow Warrior -- $3.99 (-90%)

Flash Sale:

• Grim Dawn -- $12.49 (-50%)
• Craft the World -- $9.49 (-50%)
• Project Zomboid -- $9.74 (-35%)
• L.A. Noire -- $4.99 (-75%)
• Bound By Flame -- $9.99 (-75%)
• Wargame: Red Dragon -- $9.99 (-75%)

Community's Choice:

• Winner: Bulletstorm -- $3.99 (-80%)
• Panzer Corps -- $6.79 (-66%)
• Cities XL Platinum -- 10.19 (-66%)

Day 3: December 20, 2014

Our pick: Metro 2033 Redux -- $12.49 (-50%)

Metro 2033 was released four years ago, but with the Redux treatment, it's still one of the best-looking first-person shooters on PC. If you didn't play it back then, you owe it to yourself to pick up the discounted version. Read GameSpot's Metro 2033 Redux review and check it out on Steam here.

Other Day 3 Deals:

• Prison Architect -- $5.99 (-80%)
• NBA 2K15 -- $40.19 (-33%)
• Stronghold Crusader -- $33.49 (-33%)
• Europa Universalis IV -- $10 (-75%)
• 7 Way to Die -- $12.49 (-50%)
• Rise of Nations Extended Edition -- $4.99 (-75%)
• The Binding of Isaac Rebirth -- $10.04 (-33%)
• The Vanishing of Ethan Carter -- $11.99 (-40%)

Flash Sale:

• Mass Effect 2 -- $4.99 (-75%)
• Trine 2 -- $1.99 (-90%)
• Dreamfall Chapters -- $17.99 (-40%)
• The Golf Club -- $13.99 (-60%)
• Risk of Rain -- $2.49 (-75%)
• Lord of the Rings: War in the North -- $4.99 (-75%)

Community's Choice:

• Winner: Rage --$4.99 (-75%)
• Ruse -- $2.49 (-75%)
• Cities in Motion 2 -- $4.99 (-75%)

Day 2: December 19, 2014

Our pick: Castle Crashers -- $1.49 (-90%)

At 90% off, there's no reason not to buy developer The Behemoth's colorful beat-em-up. It makes a good gift as well; after all, the game is a lot more fun with friends. Read our Castle Crashers review and check it out on Steam here.

Other Day 2 Deals:

• Depth -- $14.99 (-40%)
• Fable Anniversary -- $17.49 (-50%)
• Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel -- $29.99 (-50%)
• Ryse: Son of Rome -- $19.99 (-50%)
• Batman: Arkham Origins -- $4.99 (-75%)
• Killing Floor -- $4.99 (-75%)
• Valkyria Chronicles -- $14.99 (-25%)
• Assassin's Creed Unity -- $40.19 (-33%)

Community's Choice:

• Winner: Hack n Slash -- $4.54 (-66%)
• Neverending Nightmares -- $6.74 (-55%)
• The Amazing Spider-Man 2 -- $17.99 (-55%)

Flash sale round 1:

• Galactic Civilizations III -- $24.99 (-50%)
• Spacebase DF9 -- $6.79 (-66%)
• The Legend of Korra -- $9.89 (-34%)
• Deus Ex: Human Revolution -- $3.99 (-80%)
• Guns of Icarus -- $2.24 (-85%)
• Space Run -- $5.09 (-66%)

Flash sale round 2

• Insurgency -- $4.49 (-70%)
• Transocean -- $17.99 (-40%)
• Planet Explorers -- $14.99 (-40%)
• DmC: Devil May Cry -- $12.49 (-75%)
• Hammerwatch -- $1.49 (-85%)
• Orcs Must Die 2 -- $3.74 (-75%)

Day 1: December 18, 2014

Our pick: Dark Souls 2 -- $14.70 (63%)

The follow-up to the crazy-hard Demon's Souls and the crazy-hard Dark Souls is... still crazy-hard. The game might not be to everyone's tastes, but it's a series that you have to respect for sticking to its punishing formula. Read our Dark Souls 2 review and check it out on Steam.

Other 48-hour deals:

• State of Decay -- $4.99 (-75%)
• Euro Truck Simulator 2 -- $3.74 (-85%)
• Space Engineers -- $9.99 (-50%)
• Civilization: Beyond Earth -- $29.99 (-40%)
• Total War: Rome II Emperor Edition -- $14.98 (-75%)
• Sniper Elite III -- $24.99 (-50%)
• Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes -- $13.39 (-33%)
• Rocksmith 2014 -- $20.99 (-65%)

Community's Choice hasn't kicked off yet, but here are the first six flash sale games:

Flash sale round 2

• Monaco -- $1.34 (-91%)
• Broforce -- $10.04 (-33%)
• Broken Age -- $8.49 (-66%)
• Dead Space 2 -- $4.99 (-75%)
• Defense Grid 2 -- $8.49 (-66%)
• Doorkickers -- $9.99 (-50%)

And an additional six flash games (note that the deals below didn't expire 24 hours after posting.

Flash sale round 1:

• Damned -- $4.99 (-75%)
• Styx: Master of Shadows -- $14.99 (-50%)
• Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition -- $4.99 (-80%)
• Hegemony Rome: The Rise of Caesar -- $4.49 (-85%)
• Injustice Gods Among Us -- $4.99 (-75%)
• SpeedRunners -- $2.49 (-75%)