Steam Ocean Fest 2026 Is Live
Valve has kicked off Steam Ocean Fest 2026, running from May 18 through May 25 — eight days of deep discounts on ocean, sea, diving, and maritime-themed games. Whether you're into underwater survival, pirate action, narrative adventures, or city-building on a flooded world, this sale has something for you.
Here's a complete breakdown of every deal worth your attention, complete with PC system requirements, player recommendations, and real screenshots.
Top Deals: Full Breakdown
🎮 Subnautica

What It Is
Subnautica is the gold standard of underwater survival games. You crash-land on an alien ocean planet and must survive by harvesting resources, building underwater bases, and exploring increasingly terrifying depths. The game masterfully balances beauty and dread — the shallows are breathtaking, filled with bioluminescent creatures and coral reefs, but descend far enough and the darkness becomes genuinely unsettling in a way that stays with you.
With 60–80 hours of content and a Very Positive Steam rating backed by hundreds of thousands of reviews, Subnautica is a landmark title in gaming. At $7.49, it's one of the best value propositions on Steam today.
Reviews
| Source | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic (PC) | 87 — "One of the most original survival games ever made" |
| IGN | 8.5/10 — "Perfectly captures the terror and wonder of deep-sea exploration" |
| PC Gamer | 92/100 — "You'll lose 100 hours and not notice" |
| OpenCritic | 89 — critics recommend |


PC System Requirements
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows Vista SP2 / 7 | Windows 7 / 8.1 |
| CPU | Intel Haswell 2-core (2.5GHz) | Intel Haswell 4-core (3.2GHz) |
| GPU | Intel HD 4600 | Nvidia GTX 550 Ti |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage | 20 GB | 20 GB |
Buy It If: ✅
- ▶You love open-world exploration and survival loops
- ▶You want something that's genuinely terrifying and beautiful at the same time
- ▶You prefer long immersive sessions over quick-session games
Skip It If: ❌
- ▶You have thalassophobia (fear of deep water)
- ▶You need clear quest markers and HUD guidance at all times
Community Quotes
""70 hours in and not once did I think 'I should stop.' Best value on Steam." — Steam User (70h playtime)
""The first time I saw the Leviathan I put my controller down and just stared. Terror and awe simultaneously." — Steam User (120h)
""Gave me thalassophobia. Still 5 stars." — Steam User
Pricing
- ▶Regular: $29.99 (₩41,400) | Sale: $7.49 (₩10,300) (75% off)
- ▶Sale ends: May 25, 2026
🎮 Subnautica: Below Zero

What It Is
Below Zero is the standalone follow-up to Subnautica, set in the arctic region of the same planet 4546B. You play as Robin Ayou searching for her missing sister, with significantly more voiced dialogue, a stronger narrative focus, and the addition of surface exploration alongside underwater diving. The creature roster is entirely new, and the arctic biomes create a distinct atmosphere — colder, more claustrophobic, yet equally beautiful.
If you enjoyed Subnautica, Below Zero is essential. Players who prefer story-driven games over pure survival may actually prefer to start here.


PC System Requirements
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 7 | Windows 10 |
| CPU | Intel Haswell 2-core (2.5GHz) | Intel Haswell 4-core (3.2GHz) |
| GPU | Intel HD 4600 | Nvidia GTX 550 Ti |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage | 15 GB | 15 GB |
Buy It If: ✅
- ▶You've played and loved Subnautica (this is essential)
- ▶You want more voiced storytelling and character development
- ▶You want to explore both surface tundra and deep ocean environments
Skip It If: ❌
- ▶You want the pure, unguided survival of the original (Below Zero is more story-driven)
- ▶You haven't played Subnautica yet (start with the original)
Community Quotes
""Less fear, more story. Robin is one of the better-written survival protagonists. Both games are essential." — Steam User (45h)
""Original was ocean terror. Below Zero is arctic loneliness. Two very different moods. Both masterful." — Reddit user
Pricing
- ▶Regular: $29.99 (₩41,400) | Sale: $7.49 (₩10,300) (75% off)
- ▶Sale ends: May 25, 2026
Buy Subnautica: Below Zero on Steam 🛒
🎮 BioShock Remastered

What It Is
BioShock is one of the greatest video games ever made. Set in Rapture — a sunken art-deco city built beneath the Atlantic Ocean in the 1960s — it tells the story of a utopia that collapsed under the weight of Objectivist philosophy and genetic experimentation gone wrong. You explore this waterlogged dystopia armed with guns and Plasmids (genetic superpowers), piecing together what happened through audio diaries, environmental storytelling, and morally weighted choices.
The environmental narrative design remains unmatched nearly two decades later. The remastered version adds 4K textures and improved lighting, making it the definitive way to experience one of gaming's landmark works. With a Metacritic score of 96 and an Overwhelmingly Positive Steam rating, $4.99 is a historic low.
Reviews
| Source | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic (original PC) | 96 — one of the highest-rated games ever |
| IGN | 9.7/10 — "A near-perfect FPS" |
| PC Gamer | 94/100 — "Proof that games are art" |
| OpenCritic | 96 — critics universally recommend |


PC System Requirements
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 7/8/10 (64-bit) | Windows 7/8/10 (64-bit) |
| CPU | Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 | Intel Core i5-3570 |
| GPU | Nvidia GeForce GTX 670 | Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage | 30 GB | 30 GB |
Buy It If: ✅
- ▶You want a story-driven FPS with genuine philosophical depth
- ▶You've never experienced BioShock and want to understand why it changed gaming
- ▶You enjoy atmospheric, horror-adjacent world-building
Skip It If: ❌
- ▶You're looking for multiplayer (this is purely single-player)
- ▶Older game UI conventions frustrate you
Community Quotes
""The 'Would you kindly' moment is still one of the greatest reveals in gaming history. 2007 game, 2025 impact." — Steam User (22h)
""$4.99 for a Metacritic 96 game. No explanation needed." — Steam User
""Proof that games are art. Still shocking in 2025." — Steam User (18h)
Pricing
- ▶Regular: $19.99 (₩27,600) | Sale: $4.99 (₩6,900) (massive discount)
- ▶Sale ends: May 25, 2026
Buy BioShock Remastered on Steam 🛒
🎮 Harold Halibut

What It Is
Harold Halibut is a one-of-a-kind narrative adventure 12 years in the making. Every single character, prop, and environment was handcrafted as a physical miniature, then 3D-scanned into the game — resulting in a tactile, handmade visual style unlike anything else in the medium. The story follows Harold, a mild-mannered lab assistant living aboard a sunken spaceship at the bottom of an alien ocean, navigating friendship, bureaucracy, and a longing for meaning.
At 8–12 hours long, Harold Halibut is closer to an interactive film than a traditional game. But what it does with that runtime — the warmth of its characters, the melancholy of its setting, the craft of every handmade frame — makes it one of the most memorable gaming experiences of recent years. The Very Positive rating at 82% reflects a highly satisfied niche audience who came for art and got exactly that.
Reviews
| Source | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | 69 — visual ambition praised; gameplay simplicity divides critics |
| IGN | 7/10 — "Visually unlike anything else, gameplay is minimal" |
| Eurogamer | Recommended — "Expands what video games can be" |
| OpenCritic | 58% recommend — split between art lovers and gameplay-first players |
| Steam | Very Positive (82%) — player reception much warmer than critical consensus |
The Metacritic score of 69 reflects gaming critics judging gameplay depth. The Steam rating of 82% from players who bought it tells a different story — those who came for the artistic experience left satisfied. At $9.79, the price matches the runtime, and the experience is genuinely unlike anything else.
Note: The correct Steam App ID for Harold Halibut is 924750.


PC System Requirements
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 (64-bit) | Windows 10/11 (64-bit) |
| CPU | Intel Core i5-6600K | Intel Core i7-8700K |
| GPU | Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Ti |
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Storage | 15 GB | 15 GB |
Buy It If: ✅
- ▶You value storytelling and artistic ambition over gameplay mechanics
- ▶You want something genuinely unlike any other game
- ▶You're comfortable with an interactive movie format
Skip It If: ❌
- ▶You need action, combat, or traditional gameplay loops
- ▶Playtime-per-dollar value is a primary concern for you
Community Quotes
""12 years of handcrafted love. It plays like a warmly-made puppet show you can't stop watching." — Steam User (11h)
""I cried. Unexpectedly cried. No AAA game has done that to me recently." — Steam User
""Metacritic 69 is irrelevant. This is an art experience, not a game score." — Reddit user
Pricing
- ▶Regular: $34.99 (₩48,300) | Sale: $9.79 (₩13,500) (72% off)
- ▶Sale ends: May 25, 2026
🎮 Pronty

What It Is
Pronty is an underwater Metroidvania that puts you in control of a deep-sea diver accompanied by a loyal jellyfish companion named Bront. Together they explore a submerged world overrun by a parasitic infection, combining combat and exploration in a hand-crafted 2D environment. The jellyfish companion mechanic adds a creative twist — Bront can be independently controlled to access areas or solve puzzles, giving the game a distinct co-operative feel even in solo play.
At $4.49, Pronty is an outstanding value for fans of the Metroidvania genre. The aquatic visuals, tight controls, and inventive companion system punch well above its price point.
PC System Requirements
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 (64-bit) | Windows 10/11 (64-bit) |
| CPU | Intel Core i5-4570 | Intel Core i7-8700 |
| GPU | Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 |
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Storage | 4 GB | 4 GB |
Buy It If: ✅
- ▶You enjoy Metroidvania games with tight 2D combat
- ▶You want an underwater atmosphere with a charming companion mechanic
- ▶You're looking for a quality indie at a very low price
Skip It If: ❌
- ▶You need a long campaign (runtime is on the shorter side)
- ▶You dislike 2D action games or side-scrolling exploration
Community Quotes
""$4.49 for this quality is an indie gem. The jellyfish companion mechanic is genuinely creative." — Steam User (9h)
""Best underwater Metroidvania I've played. Small studio, massive heart." — Reddit r/metroidvania
Pricing
- ▶Regular: $17.99 (₩24,800) | Sale: $4.49 (₩6,200) (75% off)
- ▶Sale ends: May 25, 2026
🎮 Skull and Bones



What It Is
Skull and Bones had a rough launch and earned its mixed reception honestly — a Metacritic score of 64 and a 38% Steam rating tell you what the critics and players thought. Set in the Indian Ocean, the game centers on naval combat, ship customization, and multiplayer co-op on the open seas. The pirate fantasy atmosphere and ship-to-ship battles can be genuinely fun, but repetitive content loops and technical issues dragged it down at full price.
At $2.99, however, the risk calculus changes entirely. A few sessions of pirate chaos on the water with friends is worth $2.99 to most people. Just don't buy it expecting Sea of Thieves quality — this is a fair deal for what it is at this price.
PC System Requirements
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 (64-bit) | Windows 10/11 (64-bit) |
| CPU | Intel Core i7-4790 | Intel Core i7-8700K |
| GPU | Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 | Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 |
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Storage | 65 GB | 65 GB |
Buy It If: ✅
- ▶You have 2–3 friends willing to buy it and play together
- ▶You want a low-risk taste of the pirate naval fantasy genre
- ▶You can tolerate repetitive content in short bursts
Skip It If: ❌
- ▶You're a solo player expecting a story-driven experience
- ▶You're comparing it to high-quality pirate games
- ▶65GB install space is a concern
Community Quotes
""$2.99 with friends is genuinely fun. We played two sessions, laughed the whole time, got our money's worth." — Steam User
""Lower your expectations to the floor and it's worth $2.99. Don't come in expecting Sea of Thieves." — Steam User (8h)
Pricing
- ▶Regular: $29.99 (₩41,400) | Sale: $2.99 (₩4,100) (90% off)
- ▶Metacritic 64 / Mixed reviews — honest at $2.99, poor at full price.
- ▶Sale ends: May 25, 2026
Buy Skull and Bones on Steam 🛒
🎮 Flotsam

What It Is
Flotsam is a city-building survival game set on a flooded world where you construct a drifting settlement from salvaged ocean debris. The concept is genuinely charming — collecting floating junk to build a sustainable community, managing freshwater supply, food production, and morale while your settlement drifts through the drowned world. It's a gentler, more whimsical take on the survival city-builder format, and the premise alone makes it worth a look for fans of the genre.

Buy It If: ✅
- ▶You enjoy city builders but want an unusual setting
- ▶You prefer relaxed, low-pressure survival experiences
Skip It If: ❌
- ▶You want massive-scale city building (Cities: Skylines depth)
- ▶You need fast action or combat in your games
Community Quotes
""The concept alone sold me. Building a town on ocean debris is charming in a way no other city builder is." — Steam User (15h)
""Relaxing, creative, addictive. Bought it as a throwaway game and played 40 hours." — Steam User
Pricing
- ▶Regular: $24.99 (₩34,500) | Sale: $12.49 (₩17,200) (50% off)
- ▶Sale ends: May 25, 2026
Quick Reference: Ocean Fest Deals
| Game | Discount | Sale Price (USD / KRW) | Regular Price (USD / KRW) | MC | OC | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subnautica | -75% | $7.49 / ₩10,300 | $29.99 / ₩41,400 | 87 | 89 | Survival/Exploration |
| Subnautica: Below Zero | -75% | $7.49 / ₩10,300 | $29.99 / ₩41,400 | 82 | 83 | Story-focused players |
| BioShock Remastered | Massive | $4.99 / ₩6,900 | $19.99 / ₩27,600 | 96 | 96 | FPS/Narrative fans |
| Harold Halibut | -72% | $9.79 / ₩13,500 | $34.99 / ₩48,300 | 69 | 58% | Narrative/Art lovers |
| Pronty | -75% | $4.49 / ₩6,200 | $17.99 / ₩24,800 | — | — | Metroidvania fans |
| Skull and Bones | -90% | $2.99 / ₩4,100 | $29.99 / ₩41,400 | 64 | 10% | Groups only |
| Flotsam | -50% | $12.49 / ₩17,200 | $24.99 / ₩34,500 | — | — | City builder fans |
Shopping Tips
- 1Grab the Subnautica pair: Both games for $14.98 total is exceptional value — 100+ hours of content from one of gaming's greatest survival worlds.
- 2BioShock Collection: Check if the full BioShock Collection is discounted too — it adds BioShock 2 and Infinite.
- 3Harold Halibut App ID: The correct Steam App ID is 924750. If you see 933110 anywhere, that's an error.
- 4Skull and Bones caveat: Only buy with friends. The 38% Steam rating and Metacritic 64 are real — the $2.99 price mitigates but doesn't erase those issues.
- 5Steam refund policy: Two hours of playtime, 14 days from purchase. Try anything risk-free.
- 6Sale ends May 25 — don't sleep on these prices.
Final Verdict
The unmissable combination this sale is Subnautica + Below Zero ($14.98 combined) and BioShock Remastered ($4.99). For roughly $20, you're getting three landmark titles with well over 150 hours of content between them. Add Harold Halibut ($9.79) if you want something genuinely unlike anything else. Skip Skull and Bones unless you have friends buying it too.
