i have 1046 things on my steam wishlist and no money in my bank account - so I cannot play these - but someone should, because they:
- look interesting
- are at least 40% off during the winter sale
- have under 1000 steam reviews

links are in the notes for each entry

barely missed the cut/not on IGDB:
- Chang'an: The capital of Tang Dynasty (not on IGDB)
- Corn Kidz 64 (less than 40% off, still ~$5)
- No Sun to Worship (less than 40% off, still ~$5)
- Sunshine Shuffle (less than 40% off)
- An Outcry (less than 40% off)
- Who's Lila? (recently broke 1k steam reviews)
- The Plague Doctor of Wippra (less than 40% off)
- Islands of the Caliph (less than 40% off)
- Dordogne (less than 40% off)
- Return (less than 40% off)
- Space Wreck (less than 40% off)
- The Tartarus Key (less than 40% off)