The Steam Machine has settled into a consistent role in my daily gaming habits after a little over a month since its release. While initial testing against the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X left me questioning its place in my rotation, a recent bout of illness solidified its value. Connecting it to my TV and comfortably playing from the couch, away from the usual performance meters, has revealed the intended vision for the device.
While the Steam Machine's price point may not be justifiable for everyone, particularly those without an extensive PC gaming library, its ability to bring my existing Steam library to the television without network strain has proven invaluable. It occupies a small footprint on the entertainment center, and for this specific use case, it excels.
My gaming preferences have long leaned towards PC, with Steam being my primary platform for nearly two decades. Consoles have historically served to fill the gaps, their libraries often consisting of exclusives and titles acquired through subscription services. Even purchased console exclusives frequently go unfinished, as seen with experiences like Death Stranding 2, which I barely engaged with due to its living room-only accessibility.
PC, however, offers a different dynamic. The flexibility to pick up a game on any device, whether a handheld, laptop, or desktop tower, with synchronized progress, has always made me more likely to complete titles. This cross-device compatibility, a cornerstone of PC gaming, has been a significant factor in finishing games, especially RPGs with extensive side quests or grinding requirements. The ability to seamlessly transition from my desk to a handheld device in bed, while engaging in other media, is a workflow I've long appreciated.
Living room PC gaming, however, has historically presented challenges. Previous setups often required a discreet keyboard and mouse for occasional maintenance, and bulky tower PCs disrupted the sleek aesthetic of entertainment centers. This frustration led me to largely abandon TV-based PC gaming until the advent of the Steam Machine.
SteamOS effectively addresses these issues. Most day-to-day operations are manageable within 'Gaming Mode,' eliminating the need to frequently access the desktop. Even when desktop use is necessary for third-party launchers or specific games, the Steam Controller's trackpads negate the need for a separate keyboard and mouse.
Over the past weekend, the Steam Machine found its natural environment. Setting the output resolution to 1440p, which appears adequate from a typical viewing distance, allowed for a comfortable experience playing titles like Resident Evil 4 Remake and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. The focus shifted from achieving a steady 60 fps or comparing visual fidelity to the PS5, to simply enjoying my existing PC library on the TV. Carry-over saves and avoiding repurchase of games were key advantages.
At $1049, the Steam Machine's price-to-performance ratio is still a significant hurdle for those seeking a purely console-like experience. However, for individuals with a substantial Steam library, many titles of which are not available on current-generation consoles, the Steam Machine offers a dream solution: a compact living room device capable of playing an entire Steam library locally.