Steep

A workout in Steep sounds pretty good until you’re trying to thread a wingsuit between trees with your thumb bouncing around, so I’d stick to skiing or snowboarding when the treadmill is moving. The mountain gives you a lot to do, and you don’t need to turn every run into a stunt contest.

Gameplay

Steep is at its best when you’re moving downhill and deciding whether to take the easy line or try something a little more ridiculous. You can ski or snowboard, fly in a wingsuit, or take a paraglider out over the Alps, and I like that the same mountain can feel like a different game depending on what you pick. The paragliding is slower and more scenic, which is lovely, though sometimes I want to get moving again.

There are challenges for different kinds of riding, including races and trick focused runs, and that gives you a reason to try a route instead of just wandering around. I think that variety works because you can ignore the parts you don’t enjoy and head somewhere else. The challenge menus and markers can interrupt that feeling a bit, but they’re not a long visit to a menu every time you want to play.

Wingsuit challenges are where I’d expect to get properly humbled. Flying close to the terrain looks exciting, but the margin for error seems pretty small, and a line that looks simple from above can turn into a fast lesson about trees. I don’t know that I’d want every session to be about chasing a perfect run, but I do like having the option to attempt one.

The open mountain is a big part of the appeal, though it also means you can spend time getting to the bit you actually want to do. Exploring and finding new places is nice when you’re in the mood to look around, but if you’ve got a short workout planned, I’d pick a challenge or area first instead of treating the map like a weekend road trip. There’s a lot of mountain. That is the point.

Recording and sharing your stunts fits the game, because a ridiculous jump is more fun when you can watch it again, but I’d treat that as extra rather than the reason to play. The basic pleasure is still getting down the slope and trying a different route. Sometimes that’s enough.

Category Score: 3 out of 3

Treadmill and Bike Compatibility

I’d use a controller and begin with skiing or snowboarding on routes that leave some room to turn, because the movement is simple to understand but getting exactly where you want takes attention. Steep supports an optional controller, and that’s what I’d want here. A keyboard and mouse could work, but reaching for keys while you’re moving sounds like making a workout harder for a very small reward.

On a treadmill, I’d choose a slower pace and avoid the tight wingsuit challenges and races where a quick correction matters. You’re steering downhill while the scenery and hazards come at you, and I think that could pull your attention away from your stride pretty quickly. The forgiving choice is to ski or snowboard without making every turn a high stakes decision. I would like to say I’d be graceful about it, but I’d probably steer into something on screen and then blame the controller.

The bike seems like a comfortable place to explore the mountain or take a paraglider out, since those activities don’t ask for the same constant sharp corrections. I’d still skip precision flying while pedaling hard, because trying to make tiny adjustments with a bouncing thumb is a lot like threading a needle on a bus. You can pick a more relaxed activity instead.

I don’t know how much the game lets you tune the pace of every challenge, so I wouldn’t build a workout plan around a setting I can’t confirm. I’d choose a route that looks forgiving, keep the controller close, and save the risky stunts for when you’re not trying to hold a steady pace. If a section starts demanding all your attention, it’s fine to stop moving for a moment. The mountain will still be there.

Category Score: 2 out of 3

Computer Requirements

This asks for a dedicated graphics card around the level of older gaming hardware, rather than something you should expect to run well on basic integrated graphics. I’d check your graphics card first, then make sure the computer meets the processor and memory requirements.

Category Score: 2 out of 3

Conclusion and Score

Steep is a fun fit for workouts when you want a mountain to explore and can keep the riding relaxed. I’d suggest it to someone who enjoys sports games and is willing to leave the precise wingsuit runs for another time.

Overall Score: 2.33 out of 3