Payday: 3/28

So you either weren't interesting in the South Park, TitanFall and Infamous, or perhaps big budget isn’t your thing.  Nothing to worry about!  There is still plenty out there for the budget gamer this week on every platform.  Here is how I would spent $20 this payday.  As always, I've done nothing to ensure any one system is represented over and other.

FINAL FANTASY VII - $3.99, PC (Steam)

Often overlooked by fans waiting on a true remake, the FF7 PC update on steam is still the best way to enjoy this timeless classic.  If you haven’t played it, the low price tag, increased resolution, and controller support should give you all the motivation you need, and if you’re a returning player you’ll find steam cloud saves, achievements, and the new cheat system breathes new life into what is still one of the most engrossing and stratifying JRPGs you can play.

Bioshock - $4.99 (PSN+ and Xbox 360 Gold)

First person shooters are never easy to recommend.  Huge market saturation and the fact that most don’t age well means there is very rarely any good reason to go back and play something you missed instead of enjoying a contemporary.  Bioshock is a stand-out exception to this rule.   The game play and level design feel fresh even beside the greats of today and the story is one you simply need to experience.  I've always considered this and Boardlands to be the "gateway" FPS; strong enough on story alone to be worth playing even if you're not a fan of the genre.  My last play though of this game was only a few weeks ago after the Burial at Sea DLC, and my option hasn't diminished at all.

Defender's Quest: Valley of the Forgotten - $6 (Humble bundle weekly sale; comes with 7 other games at this price)

At $6 Defender’s Quest is any easy sell; as part of a bundle of 8 quality games at that price it’s a no brainer.  With the ever increasing number of low budget but well executed games being released, games that truly set themselves apart are few and far between.  Defender’s quest merges RPG elements with tower defense action and a comical story that’s easy to enjoy if you don’t take it too seriously. The end result is an experience that you’ll want to come back to over and over again, and "star rating" that lead to gear unlocks will reward you for doing so.  Nothing else in the bundle is really stands out, but Evoland, Incedipede, and Planet Stronghold are worth a look.

Dr. Mario - $4.99 (Wii U Virtual Console)

Not a sale, but new to the Wii U Virtual Console this week is the classic puzzle game Dr. Mario.  Fun, simple, addictive, and updated to use the game pad, this is a great way to make sure you’re Wii U is collecting more love then dust (if you have that problem)

So there you have it!  Did I miss anything?  How would you spend your money differently?