7.5 /10 13

Steep redefines what an open-world sports game can be by combining extreme winter disciplines in one of gaming’s most visually captivating mountain environments. Released in 2016, Ubisoft Annecy’s debut original title received mixed critical acclaim for its breathtaking graphics and expansive landscapes, though players debated its progression structure and mandatory online connectivity. This review explores what makes Steep a compelling winter sports experience and identifies which players will thrive in its freeform gameplay.

How to Play Steep

Steep emphasizes player agency across four core disciplines. Each sport features accessible controls balanced between arcade responsiveness and realistic physics, allowing both casual exploration and competitive mastery. Progression happens organically through completing challenges scattered across the open world, with no forced linear campaign structure.

1. Controls – Intuitive stick-based movement with sport-specific mechanics for tricks and maneuvers; learning curve is shallow for basic movement but steepens when pursuing advanced techniques
2. Progression – Complete challenges across the Alps and Alaska at your own pace; unlock new areas, characters, and cosmetics through activities rather than traditional level systems
3. Combat/Mechanics – Each discipline (ski, snowboard, wingsuit, paraglide) feels distinct; tricks and landing angles affect scoring and speed management in competitive challenges
4. Tips – Start with skiing to grasp fundamentals; experiment with different characters to find playstyles matching your preference; use photo mode liberally to enjoy the world’s beauty

Who Should Play Steep

Steep appeals to players who value environmental exploration and moment-to-moment gameplay over structured campaigns. The always-online requirement and open-ended design attract multiplayer-focused gamers, while stunning visuals captivate players who enjoy photographing virtual landscapes.

• Open-World Explorer – If you loved Skyrim’s freedom or GTA’s exploration, Steep’s massive Alps and Alaska regions offer endless paths down untouched powder and cliffs
• Multiplayer Competitor – The game thrives when playing online challenges against friends; leaderboards and shared runs create persistent social engagement
• Photographer/Screenshot Collector – Steep’s vistas are arguably the industry’s best winter landscapes; every run is a potential screenshot gallery moment
• Skip if – You need campaign structure, offline-only gameplay, or prefer direct progression markers; Steep’s lack of direction frustrated players seeking traditional quest systems

Steep Platform Performance

Steep delivers consistent visual quality across platforms with stable frame rates suited to each hardware tier. PS4 and Xbox One versions hold their own against PC, while no Switch version materialized despite announcements. Performance balances graphical fidelity with responsiveness essential for precision sports gameplay.

Steep System Requirements

Steep’s engine scales across modest to powerful PCs. Minimum specs accommodate mid-range 2010-era hardware, while recommended settings demand modern GPUs for 1080p/60fps. The 25GB storage footprint is justified by environment density and draw distance. Large install size is essential for the open world’s scale and detail.

Similar Games to Steep

Winter sports and action-sports titles share Steep’s emphasis on physics-based movement and open-world exploration. These alternatives offer varying degrees of structure, social features, and gameplay focus, allowing players to choose between simulation rigor and arcade accessibility.

• Riders Republic – Ubisoft’s 2021 spiritual successor combines skiing, snowboarding, biking, and wingsuit in a larger, more casual arcade experience with structured career mode
• Snow – Free-to-play skiing and snowboarding MMO with persistent world and stronger emphasis on community events and seasonal content
• Shaun White Snowboarding – Older but beloved pure snowboarding game with trick-focused gameplay and trick spots hidden across its world
• 1080 Snowboarding – Nintendo 64 classic establishing many arcade snowboarding conventions that Steep modernizes with realistic physics

Steep vs Competitors

Steep occupies a unique space between arcade accessibility and simulation depth. Compared to pure snowboarding games and action-sports simulators, Steep offers the broadest discipline variety and arguably the largest, most detailed mountain environment. Its always-online requirement and lack of single-player campaign structure distinguish it significantly from competitors prioritizing offline play or narrative-driven progression.

Steep Story and World

Steep abandons narrative in favor of pure environmental storytelling. The Alps and Alaska serve as characters themselves, each mountain region featuring distinct terrain types, vegetation, and weather patterns that reward exploration. The world respects player agency, presenting challenges without forcing a story path; discovering hidden valleys and secret routes becomes its own reward. Seasonal mountain aesthetics shift throughout gameplay, creating a dynamic backdrop that emphasizes the meditative aspects of extreme sports rather than dramatic plot beats.

Steep Multiplayer and Online

Multiplayer is core to Steep’s design philosophy, with asynchronous competition forming the backbone of engagement. Leaderboards track every discipline, and ghosts of friends’ runs appear organically, creating passive competitive moments. Real-time modes allow up to four-player sessions across identical courses, though the always-online requirement proved controversial at launch.

• Challenge Mode – Compete against AI and leaderboards in scripted courses; asynchronous play lets you challenge specific friends’ times
• Multiplayer Races – Up to 4 players compete simultaneously in real-time sessions; supports mixed disciplines on shared mountain paths
• Free Roam – Explore with friends online; no competitive pressure, just shared mountain exploration and collaborative video capture
• Cross-Play – Limited; PC players cannot directly compete with console players, though leaderboards remain unified

Steep DLC and Expansions

Post-launch content significantly expanded Steep’s world and gameplay. The Winter X Games pass added competitive events, while Road to the Olympics introduced official winter sport disciplines and Olympic venues. Free updates continuously added minor features, cosmetics, and seasonal events keeping the game fresh for committed players.

• Road to the Olympics – December 2017 expansion; adds Japan and Korea regions, halfpipe, slalom, ski cross, and 2018 PyeongChang Olympics integration
• Winter X Games Pass – Adds Alaska region and X Games-specific events; unlocks slopestyle and big air challenges
• Seasonal Events – Limited-time challenges with exclusive cosmetic rewards; encourages repeated engagement
• Free Updates – Regular patches added new cosmetics, avatar customization, and seasonal modifications to existing content

Steep Community and Support

Steep’s community remains active years after launch despite the player base shrinking as interest shifted to newer titles. The developer maintained engagement through seasonal events and cosmetic updates, though core gameplay changes became rare post-2018. Reddit and Discord communities preserve knowledge about optimal routes, hidden challenges, and competitive strategies.

• Official Community – Ubisoft forums hosted seasonal event announcements and developer communication, though activity declined significantly by 2019
• Reddit and Discord – Active communities at r/Steep and dedicated Discord servers share route recommendations, cosmetic showcases, and multiplayer organization
• Mod Support – No official mod support; community remains limited to cosmetic customization through game files
• Updates – Patches became monthly then quarterly; no significant balance changes or feature additions after 2019, though seasonal events continued intermittently