Steep (Xbox One) Review
Released: 2016
Developer: Ubisoft Annecy
Platform: Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC
Steep is an open-world extreme sports game that lets you explore vast snow-covered mountains while skiing, snowboarding, wingsuiting, and paragliding. With stunning visuals and a massive open-world, it delivers an immersive winter sports experience, but its lack of structure and repetitive gameplay might not appeal to everyone.
What Works
Gorgeous Open-World Snowy Landscapes
- The Alps are beautifully designed, with realistic snow effects and lighting.
- A seamless open world with no loading screens enhances immersion.
Varied Extreme Sports Disciplines
- Skiing & Snowboarding: Smooth, physics-based movement with satisfying tricks.
- Wingsuiting: High-speed thrill rides through tight gaps and mountain ridges.
- Paragliding: A slower, more relaxed way to explore the environment.
Freedom to Explore & Play Your Way
- No forced objectives; choose your own path, whether exploring or racing.
- Drop anywhere on the map and create custom challenges.
Online Multiplayer & Social Features
- Compete in time trials, trick challenges, and multiplayer events.
- Share replays and race against ghosts of other players.
What Doesnt Work
Lack of Career Mode or Story Depth
- No structured career mode or major progression system.
- Objectives can feel repetitive over time.
Controls Can Be Inconsistent
- Some trick mechanics feel unresponsive, especially in snowboarding.
- Paragliding is slow and dull compared to other sports.
Limited Long-Term Appeal
- After exploring and completing challenges, theres little to keep you engaged.
- No major sense of achievement or rewards beyond unlocking new gear.
Final Verdict
🟡 Final Score: 7.5/10
Steep is a stunning open-world extreme sports game that excels in freedom and visuals but lacks deep progression or structured gameplay. If you love winter sports and free exploration, its a fun experience. However, if you prefer a structured career mode and long-term goals, it may not hold your attention for long.
Pros:
Beautiful open-world mountain landscapes
Freedom to explore and play at your own pace
Variety of extreme sports disciplines
Fun online challenges and multiplayer
Cons:
No real career mode or structured progression
Repetitive objectives and limited rewards
Some inconsistent controls (especially paragliding)
Recommendation: If youre looking for a chill, open-world winter sports game, Steep is great. But if you want deep progression or an engaging single-player campaign, it may feel lacking.
