Valve is doing it. Finally, Steam is entering the console market. Kind of. The Steam Machine is a pre-built PC designed to lower the barrier of entry for individuals who may be intimidated by the prospect of assembling a gaming computer from scratch. On its store page, the Steam Machine features the slogan “Your games on the big screen,” clearly positioning it as a product that can sit alongside (or replace) the PS5, Switch 2, and Xbox. Your entire library will be playable, and all you need to do is sign in and get started. The Steam Machine will be powerful, small, quiet, and optimized for gaming, all the while still having the capacity to be adapted into a standard PC with, for example, Windows (however, it comes pre-installed with SteamOS).
PC gaming has been gradually becoming more accessible, but the Steam Machine is the closest PC to a home console we are likely to get. Valve has already struck gold in the handheld scene with the Steam Deck, so it makes complete sense to now focus on dominating living rooms. Provided its price is competitive, the Steam Machine could very well introduce millions of console players to a seemingly infinite number of PC-only games, including some straight-up masterpieces. Let’s go through the best of the best.
A few notes and criteria:
- Only games that have never been released on consoles in any form.
- While not a 100% rule, I am going to prioritize games that work with a controller. That said, modern consoles support a mouse and keyboard for certain titles, so a gamepad is no longer a must.
- I’m avoiding PvP shooters like Counter-Strike 2 and GTFO. These are huge games, obviously, but they are not ideal picks for console players.
Black Mesa
The Definitive Remake Of One Of The Greatest PC Games Of All Time
Valve’s Half-Life is one of the most important games of all time, and it has largely remained a PC exclusive. Console-wise, the original was only ever released for the PS2, and that version is not the best way to experience this story. Consequently, the Steam Machine might very well introduce millions of people to Gordon Freeman’s original masterpiece; alternatively, they can just play the 2020 remake that is, arguably, more enjoyable nowadays than the 1998 classic. Created by fans and starting life as a mod, Black Mesa was in development for a very long time, and it went through quite a few changes en route to its full debut.
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These games may scratch the permanent itch that was left behind by the iconic Half-Life game, with fans still holding out for a Half-Life 3.
That effort proved to be more than worth it, as Black Mesa holds up as a stellar first-person shooter in a vacuum rather than just a neat tribute to Half-Life. Even if you are intimately familiar with the latter, you should play the remake as it offers improved gameplay, fantastic visuals for this type of project, and changes to the level design that are mostly for the better.
Just to be clear, if the Steam Machine ends up being the first time you gain access to Half-Life, you should definitely play it.
Project Zomboid
The Steam Machine Brings One Of The Best Co-Op Zombie Games To Your Living Room
Usually, a project spending more than a decade in early access is not a great sign, but Project Zomboid demonstrates that every rule has exceptions. The Indie Stone’s open-world survival game was beloved right out of the gate, and its positive reputation has not only persisted but also strengthened over the years. Yes, it is still in development, but the current version has more than enough content to keep you engaged for a very long time, and it can largely be played as an open-ended campaign where you just try to survive as long as possible.
Project Zomboid is a pure sandbox crafting survival game, one that tries to incorporate a fairly grounded tone, at least as realistic as this type of setting allows. While enjoyable solo, it also has robust multiplayer support, including local co-op. The latter is really not a common feature of Steam games, so it is a pretty big deal that Project Zomboid lets four survivors team up while sitting on the same couch.
Pathologic
Maybe The Creepiest Psychological Horror Game Ever…And It Is Only On PC
Console players should be familiar-ish with Pathologic, as the sequel came out on PS4 and Xbox One. The upcoming third entry will be multi-platform and should be readily available for everyone with a modern system, not named the Nintendo Switch 2. However, the original game is still only on PC, and that seems likely to remain the case for the foreseeable future. Even the 2015 HD edition never got a console port.
OK, technically, Pathologic 2 started as a remake of the first game, but it morphed into its own monster in due time. So, they are both worth playing.
Pathologic is one of the best horror games of the 2000s. For the uninitiated, you are a doctor investigating a disease spreading through a town that is anything but hospitable. You are on a time limit, and your choices have dire consequences and test your moral compass. Although somewhat rough around the edges, Pathologic is incredible. Frankly, I am envious that console players will get to experience this game for the first time.
Sheepy: A Short Adventure
The Steam Machine Will Introduce Console Players To So Many Fantastic PC-Only Indie Games
Steam is packed with what seems like thousands of indie games that will never, ever be released outside of Valve’s platform. Sure, they are not all winners, but plenty of these projects are wonderful showcases fueled by passion, ingenuity, or a simple desire to create.
I’ve picked Sheepy: A Short Adventure as a representative for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it is free and only lasts about an hour, so it is the definition of short, sweet, and risk-free. Secondly, this game is absolutely gorgeous and boasts an aesthetic reminiscent of the Ori games, along with decent Metroidvania level design. Finally, not enough people know about Sheepy.
Forget waiting for the Steam Machine, try to find a way to play Sheepy now. It is delightful.
BeamNG.drive
One Of The Biggest Vehicle Games Ever Will Finally Be Available To Console-Only Players
Most car games make their way to consoles eventually or are specifically designed with them in mind, but one of the biggest-ever titles is only available on PC, and it has been like that since 2013. BeamNG.drive is another Steam early access game that feels like it will never announce a full release or a PlayStation/Xbox port, although that does not mean its current version is not worth playing. Frankly, it has more content than most full AAA games, and that is by no means a knock against the latter.
7 Beginner Tips For BeamNG.drive
This racing game offers a unique take on the genre, but can be tricky for newcomers. Here are a few tips for players starting out.
Now, to temper expectations, BeamNG features racing, but it is not really a racing game. Honestly, the actual racing is one of the game’s weaker elements, and it shines the brightest as a sandbox or creative tool that lets you be as chaotic or as messy as you want. It also has a huge community that is constantly creating new content, so the options are almost limitless.
Garry’s Mod
The Ultimate PC Sandbox Game That Has Been Going Strong For Two Decades
What is the biggest game on Steam? I mean, in terms of sheer popularity and exposure. Half-Life 2? Portal 2? Counter-Strike 2? Well, honestly, the latter is probably the right answer, but Garry’s Mod comes in at a very close second. Along with Minecraft, Facepunch’s release is the definitive sandbox experience, in the sense that it just drops players in a world and tells them to have fun.
And fun is not the only thing that can happen, as Garry’s Mod somehow manages to be the greatest time-waster game of all time that also works as a top-notch creative tool for people who really want to push its limits. Now, Garry’s Mod is not the first project that comes to mind as a “Steam game for console players,” as it is very much a keyboard and mouse game; however, you can use a controller if you want (just through Steam’s controller options rather than natively through the game).
Echo Point Nova
So Many FPS Games Are Only On Steam…And Console Players Will Finally Get To Play Them
Full disclosure, I was hesitant to include any PC-only shooters, as they usually are not optimized for controllers. However, the sheer volume of FPS games on Steam means that not mentioning a few would be a missed opportunity. Black Mesa is the most obvious pick due to its association with Valve’s most beloved series, but Steam has so many great boomer shooters or experimental FPS titles that deserve to be exposed to a wider audience.
While not as well-known as something like Ultrakill, Echo Point Nova is one of the best FPS games of the last few years, and it seems set to be a PC exclusive for the time being. Dropped into an open-world that is frequently stunning and has very little in the way of fat, you will have to stylishly and skillfully traverse floating islands while executing some really satisfying kills. Speed and efficiency are Echo Point Nova‘s heart and soul, but you also get to look good while doing it.
I almost went with Amid Evil as the standard version is PC-only and has been out for more than 5 years, so a console port seems unlikely at this point. However, the VR version is on the PSVR 2.
Vindictus
Console Players, Prepare To Dedicate Your Futures
Along with boomer shooters, the Steam Machine will open up a whole new, polarizing world: MMORPGs. Yeah, Steam has a lot of these games, and they can consume your life if you let them. Depending on who you ask, MMOs are either the best or the worst things in gaming, and there really does not seem to be much of a middle ground.
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MMORPGs can have great longevity if made correctly. Here’s a look at some examples of old titles that are still online today.
Vindictus is one of the genre’s cornerstones that has been around and going somewhat strong for roughly 15 years. Its glory days are probably behind it at this point, but its combat is still ahead of most MMOs that are not already on consoles. If you are craving a time sink that has solid hack-and-slash gameplay, Vindictus is a good option that works well enough with a controller.
Kenshi
A Janky, Ugly Steam Game That Is Also Amazing
For the most part, I omitted strategy games since they do not exactly scream “console gaming,” at least the ones that are PC exclusives. That said, Kenshi is somewhat of an exception, and it has more going on than just RTS gameplay. While it might not be the most visually impressive game on Steam, Kenshi is one of the most immersive and dense, especially if you are willing to fully dive into its mechanics and community.
As cliché as this might sound, Kenshi really lets you create your own fun and stories, as you are effectively dropped in a post-apocalyptic hellscape and told to make the best of it. You acquire followers, specialize in skills through your behavior, and explore a surprisingly huge and varied world.
Cry of Fear
A Billion Steam-Only Horror Games Exist, And This One Is Free
Out of all possible genres, horror has arguably the strongest line-up of PC-only games, and they are nearly all available through Steam. Dozens of them are even free, so the Steam Machine will let you build new nightmares without having to invest any cash.
Cry of Fear is not only a great representative of this part of Steam, but also one of the best free games ever. It supports both single-player and co-op by featuring campaigns for both of them, something that very few horror games provide. While the gameplay is nothing too unusual, the controls are responsive, making the gunplay feel pretty decent. Cry of Fear definitely feels like an indie game that started as a mod, but it is pretty high quality.
From online multiplayer titles to local masterpieces, Steam has plenty of fantastic co-op games that cover a wide spectrum of genres.
