STEEP BETA

jackcooper98
Nov 22, 2016
2 min read

In theory, a game centrered around the extreme world of winter sports should be an original and exciting idea. It’s an idea that’s mostly untouched by game companies, without much of a reason why. That’s the idea behind Ubisoft’s new title, Steep.

While in theory winter sports might make a great playground for gamers, the actual game itself, or perhaps it’s beta, is an unfortunate realisation that not all good ideas make good products. Don’t get me wrong, there are times when Steep showcases style and flare incredibly well, and in those moments the game feels and plays great. On the other hand, once too often dodgy controls and sloppy gameplay let the experience on the whole down.

Yes, I know it’s a beta and therefore an unfinished product, but the problems I encountered during gameplay where far more extensive than those beta’s usually cover. Overly sensitive controls and the surprisingly annoying lack of ability to change camera angles meant that during Steep’s races, gameplay became…irritating, to say the least. Steep clearly shines best when it isn’t making you complete a task, but is instead allowing you to free roam around it’s map doing whatever you want. When the player is free to choose their own path down a mountain side, the game plays a lot better than when it’s forcing you to take a single path.

While I’m sure the finished game will feature improvements on it’s beta, Steep definitely feels like one of those games where it’s nice to play it every once in a while, but not pay anywhere near full price for. Yes, the map, even in the beta, is extensive, and yes, the graphics do look great, but every task the game sets you feels very similar to the previous one.

With games getting, usually at least, better and better, Steep feels like an unfortunate and unwanted step backwards. That being said, most of it’s problems, if not all of them, could easily be solved by improved controls and slightly altered gameplay.

Speaking of gameplay, here’s some of mine: