Steam is often my primary way to play games because it provides players with so many cool features that make gaming fun.
Playing games on Steam provides many advantages to the player. Gamers have access to the biggest new releases along with thousands of free games, while also enjoying perks such as cloud saves and custom settings to controller support and free online matchmaking.
Steam is arguably the best way to play games on computer or otherwise.
Continue reading if you want to know the 10 main reasons you need to play games on Steam. I’ll be covering each in detail, so let’s get to it!
If you’re interested in knowing which Xbox games are on Steam, you can view the complete list by clicking here.
10 Stellar Reasons Why You Should Play Games On Steam
There are 10 main pros to playing games on Steam. Gamers have access to the newest releases along with thousands of free games to play.
And game settings can be easily tweaked for preference, while online multiplayer does not require a fee.
A wide range of controller support, in-game achievements, cloud saves, download options, extensive backwards compatibility, and consistent discounted games are also reasons you need to start playing games on Steam today.
There are 10 main pros to playing games on Steam
1) Play The Newest Releases
The latest, most popular games regularly launch on Steam. During the holiday season of 2021, games such as Forza Horizon 5 and Marvel’s Guardian’s of the Galaxy launched alongside console versions. And the Steam store easily lets you see the hottest new releases at any time with a click of a button.
The latest, most popular games regularly launch on Steam
New Steam Games Launched Alongside Console Versions (2021-2022)
- Battlefield 2042
- Deathloop
- Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water
- Forza Horizon 5
- Halo Infinite
- Madden NFL 22
- Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
- Mass Effect Legendary Edition
- NBA 2K22
- Resident Evil Village
New games release all the time, and nearly every big new release launches on Steam. This ensures Steam is a consistent platform for gamers who enjoy playing games on launch day.
You’ll rarely miss out on any big new game by playing on Steam. Rest assured you’ll have access to the newest third-party releases and Xbox published games, along with computer-only exclusives (such as Age of Empires).
Overall, Steam is the best place to play the biggest newest games, from sports titles like Madden NFL and massive first-person shooters like Deathloop to highly anticipated launches including Resident Evil Village and Halo Infinite.
2) Play Thousands Of Free Games
In total, Steam has 4,292 free to play games and counting. This is the most free games on any major dedicated gaming service and includes nearly every notable free game on the market. Popular free games on Steam include Apex Legends, Destiny 2, and Warframe.
Steam has 4,292 free to play games and counting
More so, Steam includes free games across every genre:
- fighting
- role playing
- action
- sports
- strategy
- first-person shooter
- adventure
- and many more
And each game has a dedicated community of players to keep each game alive.
More than one million people play ten of the top free Steam games on a daily basis. Because of this, Steam remains a thriving platform for players to find matches at any time of day in their free to play game of choice.
Top Steam Free Games: Average Daily Player Count
| GAME | ACTIVE PLAYERS |
|---|---|
| Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | 500,000 |
| Dota 2 | 430,000 |
| PUBG: Battlegrounds | 150,000 |
| Apex Legends | 120,000 |
| Team Fortress 2 | 80,000 |
| Destiny 2 | 60,000 |
| Warframe | 40,000 |
| Path of Exile | 20,000 |
| World of Tanks Blitz | 17,000 |
*Steam active players as of November 2021
Steam is my primary place to play free games, and I highly recommend the platform if you’re looking to do the same.
If you’re interested in viewing all of Steam’s free games, you can do so on Steam by clicking here.
3) Online Service And Matchmaking Is Free
Steam provides free online play with no fees or subscription costs. Online matchmaking, single and multiplayer sessions, remote play over online, chat functions, and every other online feature supported is entirely free for players on Steam. As long as you have internet, you can play online.
Free online features provided to all Steam users include (but are not limited to) online
- single player
- player versus player
- cooperative play
- cross-platform play
- cloud saves
- chat functions
- web browser
- friends list
- steam achievements
- remote play
- discussion boards
- communities
- profiles
- game broadcasting/streaming
Steam’s exhaustive online feature set includes everything a player asks for in an online suite and then some.
As long as a game enables a certain online feature on Steam, you can access at no extra cost.
Compared to competitors, Steam provides the least expensive online plan for its player.
Playing online on Steam costs $0 a month versus $1.66 a month on Nintendo Switch and $9.99 a month for Xbox and PlayStation.
Steam Monthly And Annual Cost Compared To Competitors
| CONSOLE | 1 MONTH | ANNUAL |
|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch | 1.66 | 19.99 |
| PlayStation 4, 5 | 9.99 | 59.99 |
| Steam | 0 | 0 |
| Xbox One, Series S/X | 9.99 | 59.99 |
Steam’s free online service provides savings over time, allowing you to buy more games and extra content without needing to worry about funding your next month’s online play sessions.
My spouse and I have played hundreds of hours of Paladins, Warframe, and Gauntlet by utilizing Steam’s online services for years without error at no cost to us.
And we will continue to do so long into the future, because nothing beats free online play.
4) Customize Game Settings To Your Liking
Overall, most Steam games allows players to tweak in-game settings. Everything from video resolution and frame rate to graphical features and quality. This freedom to customize settings allows each player to adjust their game according to their hardware specifications, environment, and preference.
most Steam games allows players to tweak in-game settings
The ability to customize Steam game settings in order to maximize play sessions is a huge advantage, and it’s what sets Steam apart from console games.
Common Steam game settings that can be tweaked include
- resolution (4K, 1080p, 900p, 720p, dynamic, etc.)
- frame rate (30, 60, 120, 240+ frames per second)
- aspect ratios (widescreen, letterbox, etc.)
- texture quality
- shadow quality
- lighting quality
- hair quality
- clothing quality
- foliage quality
- water quality
- field of view
- controller sensitivity
As long as your computer is strong enough, you can turn many (if not all) of these settings to max and enjoy an experience on Steam that can’t be done elsewhere.
Alternatively, you can turn down and turn off settings to match a desired performance that meets your computer specifications.
You can play the way you want to on Steam, only limited by your hardware specifications
The high resolution, frame rate, or blur effect making you nausea? Simply turn it off.
Want better shadow and water graphics? Turn the appropriate settings up and see how the game performs.
You can play the way you want to on Steam, only limited by your hardware specifications and preferences versus a console’s pre-determined hardware specifications.
This is truly an aspect of Steam that I use on every game I play, and it has made a world of difference in allowing my games to perform very well on my personal computer.
5) Use Nearly Any Controller (Nintendo, PlayStation, Xbox)
Steam games can be played with a wide range of controllers including wired USB gamepads made specifically for computers and even wireless console controllers. Xbox 360, One, Series X/S; PlayStation 4 and 5; and Nintendo Switch Pro Controllers are all officially supported on Steam.
Steam games can be played with a wide range of controllers including Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo gamepads
That’s correct: you can play Steam games with your console controllers.
Controllers Compatible With Steam Games
- Xbox 360 Wired and Wireless
- Xbox One Wired and Wireless
- PlayStation 4
- PlayStation 5
- Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
- Arcade Fight Sticks
- USB Wired Controllers
- Official and unofficial controllers
In fact, Steam encourages game developers to enable support for console manufacturer’s controllers to provide as many options for the player to interface with games on the Steam platform as possible.
Doing so will also make console gamers more comfortable with switching over to playing Steam by providing support for controllers a player already knows how to use.
Steam encourages game developers to enable support for console controllers
Simply plug in your wired controller to one of your computer’s USB ports to start playing games on Steam.
Or buy a Bluetooth or controller-appropriate wireless USB receiver and connect it to your computer’s USB port to connect wireless Xbox, PlayStation, or Nintendo controllers to Steam.
With Steam, you are not locked into one controller. Change controllers if the one you are using is uncomfortable because Steam gives you the freedom to do so.
And save money by utilizing the console controllers you already have instead of buying new ones.
Using Three Different Controllers On Steam At Once
My spouse, my sister-in-law, and I all love to play multiplayer Gauntlet on Steam during the holidays. And we all use different controllers without a problem. An Xbox 360 wired playing alongside an unofficial USB wired gamepad and an official Steam Controller works.
Get used to controlling your games on Steam with the freedom of choosing nearly any controller you prefer.
You can check out the most popular Steam games played with a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller on Steam’s website by clicking here.
And you can check out the most popular Steam games played with PlayStation controllers on Steam’s website by clicking here.
6) Unlock Achievements While Playing Games
Over 28,600 Steam games include achievements to unlock while you play. Players can unlock achievements by performing tasks in supported Steam games, track their completion rate, and view friends and other Steam community member’s achievements lists in detail on a per game basis.
Over 28,600 Steam games include achievements to unlock while you play
What Are Achievements?
Achievements are a set of optional mini-quests to accomplish while playing a game that increases an account score.
Millions of players fell in love with achievements ever since the concept was introduced by Microsoft on the Xbox 360 consoles.
Examples of Achievement include
- completing story missions
- performing specific tasks in a level
- reaching certain ranks
- spending a specific amount of in-game currency
- performing a task for the first time or a certain amount of times
- beating a game on a specified difficulty setting
- defeating a certain number of enemies
- playing a game for an absurd amount of time
Furthermore, achievements have no impact on the game while you’re playing.
Accomplish or skip them–it’s up to you.
They are simply fun to accomplish, add replay value, encourage exploration of a game’s various modes or mechanics one would not normally play, and can be completely ignored if you do not want to accomplish them.
Achievements have no impact on the game
Steam adopted achievements on a system-wide level meaning any game (past or present) has access to using them as long as a developer implements an achievements list for their game.
I enjoy completing a Steam game’s achievements one-by-one and viewing how I compare to everyone else. And I feel happy when I can say I unlocked an achievement only 3% of all players unlocked.
It feels good.
Steam’s in-depth achievement system provides that little something extra that makes games on the platform even more fun to play.
7) Continue Where You Left Off With Cloud Saves
Over 14,000 games include cloud save support on Steam at no cost to the player. This means saves aren’t just saved on your computer but on a server, allowing you to continue playing your game with a single save file across any computer you game on. Steam cloud saves automatically upload in the background and require no work from you.
Over 14,000 games include cloud save support on Steam
You can start playing Marvels Guardians of the Galaxy on break at lunch or school then continue where you left off on your gaming computer at home only to keep playing in bed at night on your Steam Deck handheld.
This is the power of Steam cloud saves. And unlike some of its competitors who charge for cloud save functionality, Steam provides it for free.
As long as a developer enables cloud saves, you’ll have access to remote saves tied to your Steam account that you’ll have access to no matter where you are.
Cloud saves on Steam can also prevent headaches if you don’t regularly backup the saves on your computer.
Why I Love Steam Cloud Saves
I love Steam cloud saves as I occasionally upgrade or build new computers for myself. But in doing so, I often forget to transfer my local Steam saves stored on my computer to an external device.
And truthfully, many Steam save locations can be hard to locate and are tucked away into obscure folders. No fun.
Having my Steam games save to the cloud has saved me (pun intended) many times in the past. Turn on cloud save support on Steam and start enjoying the benefits of the free feature in supported games immediately.
8) Download Games To Internal Or External Drives
Steam allows player to use their storage method of choice when downloading games. Internal and external storage solutions work with Steam along with a varied assortment of drives from hard disk to flash thumb sticks and solid state. Steam’s storage options passes savings onto the player.
Steam allows player to use their storage method of choice
Steam is compatible with hundreds of drive types and manufacturers including
- Western Digital internal and external hard disk, solid state, and M.2 drives
- Kingston internal and external hard disk, solid state, and M.2 drives
- Samsung internal and external hard disk, solid state, and M.2 drives
- Crucial internal and external hard disk, solid state, and M.2 drives
- SanDisk internal and external hard disk, solid state, and M.2 drives
- Seagate internal and external hard disk, solid state, and M.2 drives
Having a compatibility list this extensive allow you to purchase the size, brand, and type of storage device you want to use with Steam.
You’re never locked into a “one storage fits all” method that is typically used on consoles and is fairly overpriced. Steam gives you the freedom of storage. Rejoice!
You can use a 240 GB internal solid state drive to simply play Apex Legends or buy a 5 TB external hard drive to house a large portion of your Steam library.
Even better, you can have multiple drives connected to Steam at once and have your games stored on different device to fit your needs.
My Personal Steam Drive Setup
I, personally, have a 3 TB external hard drive that acts as my gaming library backup; I rarely connect to Steam only to occasionally update titles.
And I also have an external 1 TB solid state drive that I use as my primary Steam storage with a few of my most-played games being stored to my computer’s internal operating system drive.
I recommend a Western Digital solid state drive as it work wonderfully at shaving off load times and providing consistency and faster speeds than hard drives.
If you’re interested in the 1 TB solid state drive I’ve used for years with Steam and never had an issue with, view it on Amazon by clicking here.
9) Access Ultimate Backwards Compatibility
Steam is backwards compatible with nearly 20 years of games. Any game released on the gaming platform since Steam’s inception in 2003 can be played on modern and future computers. More so, Steam has the ultimate form of backwards compatibility in the form of a persistent library of games.
Steam is backwards compatible with nearly 20 years of games
Due to the nature of computer gaming, Steam has the advantage of playing all games released for it in the past, present, and future.
A computer can always be upgraded when a more demanding game release, ensuring Steam is forward compatible in addition to playing all older games.
I have games in my Steam library that originally released as far back as 1994 to the present. And every game (no matter its release date) can be fully played at any time.
I’m able to enjoy Xbox 360 era classics such as Borderlands, Lost Planet, and Condemned to modern favorites such as Fall Guys, Warframe, and Apex Legends on one machine. It’s amazing!
Steam truly is the pinnacle of backwards compatibility in what could also be called a persistent library: compatibility with an indefinite-lasting catalog of games. And it’s an advantage of the platform that I enjoy.
10) Enjoy Game Discounts All Year Long
Steam games consistently go on sale, being discounted on average by 30% to 50%. Daily, midweek, and weekend sales occur frequently, while seasonal and holiday sales occur throughout the year. Steam provides great savings for players, with discounts as low as 10% and as high as 90% or more.
Steam games consistently go on sale
Buying a game on sale provides immense savings and is one of Steam’s strongest features.
Steam games go on sale often, which means you’ll never have to wait too long for your most anticipated title to receive a discount worth drooling over.
And did I mention the savings are spectacular on Steam? Because they are!
Discount Prices Of Popular Steam Games
| GAME | PRICE | DISCOUNT % | SALE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Among Us | 4.99 | 25 | 3.74 |
| Borderlands 3 | 59.99 | 67 | 19.79 |
| Dead By Daylight | 19.99 | 50 | 9.99 |
| Death Stranding | 59.99 | 60 | 23.99 |
| Deathloop | 59.99 | 34 | 39.59 |
| Fall Guys | 19.99 | 50 | 9.99 |
| Hades | 24.99 | 30 | 17.49 |
| Resident Evil 2 Remake | 39.99 | 60 | 15.99 |
| Rust | 39.99 | 33 | 26.79 |
| Stardew Valley | 14.99 | 20 | 11.99 |
| Terraria | 9.99 | 50 | 4.99 |
| The Sims 4 | 39.99 | 75 | 9.99 |
| Tomb Raider (2013) | 14.99 | 85 | 2.24 |
| We Happy Few | 59.99 | 90 | 5.99 |
*Discounted prices derived from Steam’s Halloween Sale 2021
It’s no joke to say Steam games are on sale all year long. Hundreds of games remain on sale throughout each week, with other titles receiving discounts for special occasions.
You can expect a wide range of sales when purchasing on Steam.
- Daily
- Weeklong
- Weekend
- Flash
- Publisher
- Franchise
- Seasonal (Summer, Fall, Winter)
- Holiday (Halloween, Christmas)
Knowing each Steam sale type will help you understand how often Steam games receive discounts.
Daily Sales
Games that only remain on sale for a day or three. Get them while you can!
Weeklong Sales
Games that stay on sale during the entire week.
Weekend Sales
Games that go on sale from Friday to the end of Sunday, early Monday.
Flash Sales
Games that don’t stay on sale for long, from a few hours to a full day or more.
Publisher Sales
A sale entirely made up of a certain publisher’s games.
Franchise Sales
A sale entirely made up of a certain game franchise.
Seasonal and Holiday Sales
Sales that last for a certain prolonged period around certain season or holidays. These sales last a few days to a few weeks, depending on the time of year.
Simply put: Steam games go on sale, and the deep discounts is arguably the gaming’s platform’s biggest strength.
Utilize Steam sales to your advantage to build a sizeable library of stellar games and maximize your game spending.
Should You Play Games On Steam?
You should play games on Steam as it provides a combination of the best console gaming has to offer with the freedom and flexibility of playing on a computer. Steam is home to nearly every major game available, including a growing list of Xbox and PlayStation exclusives.
Steam provides the best console gaming has to offer with the freedom and flexibility of playing on a computer
Free online play, price savings across storage and game discounts, cloud saves, the freedom to choose your preferred controller and tweak game settings, with access to thousands of free games has to be acknowledged and should not be ignored.
This is Steam. If you want the best gaming has to offer right now, download Steam today and do not ignore the advantages the computer gaming platform has to offer.
All in all, Steam has been my primary way of playing all non-Nintendo games for the past decade without regret and this will continue long into the future. The perks are truly worth playing on computer with Steam versus a boxed console.
Visit Valve’s official about page for Steam to learn more about the awesome gaming platform by clicking here.
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(Screenshots taken by me. Images sourced from product pages, websites, or social media and are credited appropriately. Logos, images, etc. belong to their respective owners. All information current at time of publication.)
SOURCE: Steam (Valve)
