Valve’s Steam Machine has been put through an unusually thorough real-world test.
One Reddit user spent nine days trying more than 60 games to see whether it could genuinely replace a traditional games console. The verdict? It’s surprisingly close. However, a few familiar PC quirks still get in the way.
The test, posted by Reddit user u/arex333, has attracted plenty of attention for focusing on everyday use rather than benchmarks. After testing everything from indie titles to demanding AAA releases, the user concluded that the Steam Machine delivers a polished living room gaming experience. Yet, it doesn’t quite match the simplicity of a PlayStation or Xbox.
Much of the praise went to SteamOS, which was described as feeling far more console-like than a typical desktop PC. According to the Redditor, switching between Gaming Mode and Desktop Mode was straightforward. Even family members with little technical experience were able to navigate the system without difficulty.
Performance also exceeded expectations. The Resident Evil 4 remake reportedly ran well despite using lower graphics settings. Furthermore, the reviewer argued that the visual difference between 1440p, 1620p, and 1800p was difficult to notice at a typical sofa viewing distance. Out of more than 60 games tested, only Borderlands 4 and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor struggled to deliver consistently good performance, even after tweaking settings.
Still, the testing highlighted a few areas where the Steam Machine falls short of feeling like a true console.
Poorly optimised graphics presets often required manual adjustments before games performed properly. Moreover, third-party launchers for games such as Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor interrupted the otherwise streamlined experience with extra logins and pop-up windows.
The wider Reddit community largely agreed with the conclusions. Steam Machine appears to offer one of the closest PC alternatives yet to a traditional console experience, provided you’re willing to accept a little tinkering now and then.
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