Best PC-Only Games Console Players Will Get to Experience on a Steam Machine

Valve, the company behind Steam, is now making a gaming console – or something very close to it. The Steam Machine is a pre-built computer designed for gamers who don’t want to build their own PC. It lets you play all your Steam games on your TV, aiming to compete with consoles like the PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox. Setting it up is easy – just sign in and start playing! The Steam Machine is designed to be powerful, compact, and quiet, and it’s optimized for gaming. It also has the flexibility to be used as a regular PC by installing an operating system like Windows, though it comes with SteamOS pre-installed.

PC gaming is becoming easier to get into, and the Steam Machine feels like the most console-like PC we’ll probably see. After successfully launching the Steam Deck handheld, Valve is now aiming to become a major player in the living room gaming market. If priced right, the Steam Machine could bring a huge number of console gamers to the vast library of PC-exclusive titles, including many incredible games. Here’s a look at some of the very best.

A few notes and criteria:

Only games that have never been released on consoles in any form.
While not a 100% rule, I am going to prioritize games that work with a controller. That said, modern consoles support a mouse and keyboard for certain titles, so a gamepad is no longer a must.
I’m avoiding PvP shooters like Counter-Strike 2 and GTFO. These are huge games, obviously, but they are not ideal picks for console players.

Black Mesa

The Definitive Remake Of One Of The Greatest PC Games Of All Time

Valve’s Half-Life is a landmark game, and for the most part, it’s always been available only on computers. While the original game did come out on PlayStation 2, that version isn’t considered the ideal way to play. Now, the Steam Machine could introduce a new generation to Gordon Freeman’s classic adventure. Or, players can experience Black Mesa, a fan-made remake from 2020 that many find even better than the original 1998 game. Black Mesa was created by fans as a mod and took many years and revisions to complete.

The hard work put into Black Mesa truly paid off. It stands on its own as an excellent first-person shooter, not just a loving nod to Half-Life. Even if you’ve played the original Half-Life many times, this remake is worth experiencing thanks to its refined gameplay, impressive graphics, and generally improved level design.

If you’re new to the world of Half-Life and the Steam Machine is your first chance to play, you absolutely should! It’s a great place to start.

Project Zomboid

The Steam Machine Brings One Of The Best Co-Op Zombie Games To Your Living Room

Most games that spend over ten years in early access struggle, but Project Zomboid is a notable exception. From the beginning, players loved this open-world survival game, and its popularity has only grown. While still technically in development, the current version offers a huge amount of content and can easily be enjoyed as a long-term, open-ended survival experience.

Project Zomboid is a crafting and survival game where you’re free to build and explore. It aims for a realistic feel, given the zombie apocalypse setting. It’s fun to play by yourself, but it also offers strong multiplayer options, including the rare feature of local co-op. This means up to four players can play together on a single computer, which isn’t common in games on Steam.

Pathologic

Maybe The Creepiest Psychological Horror Game Ever…And It Is Only On PC

Players on PlayStation and Xbox may already know the game Pathologic, since the second installment was released on those consoles. The new third game will be available on many platforms, meaning most people with a current gaming PC or console (but not the Nintendo Switch 2) should be able to play it. However, the very first Pathologic game remains exclusive to PC, and it doesn’t look like that will change anytime soon – even the updated HD version from 2015 never made it to consoles.

Originally, Pathologic 2 began as a remake of the original game, but it evolved into something completely unique. Because of this, both games are worth experiencing.

Pathologic is a truly exceptional horror game from the 2000s. In it, you play a doctor trying to uncover the source of a deadly disease in a very unwelcoming town. You’ll be racing against the clock, and every decision you make will have serious consequences, forcing you to confront difficult moral dilemmas. While a little rough in some areas, Pathologic is an amazing experience, and I’m excited that console players will finally get to play it.

Sheepy: A Short Adventure

The Steam Machine Will Introduce Console Players To So Many Fantastic PC-Only Indie Games

Steam has a huge number of independent games, many of which you won’t find anywhere else. While not every game is a hit, a lot of them are fantastic, created with enthusiasm, clever ideas, or just the joy of making something new.

I chose Sheepy: A Short Adventure as a good example for a few reasons. It’s free and takes only about an hour to complete, making it a quick and easy experience. Plus, the game is visually stunning, with a beautiful art style similar to the Ori series, and features well-designed levels in the Metroidvania style. Most importantly, it’s a hidden gem that deserves more attention.

Forget waiting for the Steam Machine, try to find a way to play Sheepy now. It is delightful.

BeamNG.drive

One Of The Biggest Vehicle Games Ever Will Finally Be Available To Console-Only Players

While most racing games are built for consoles, or eventually come to them, BeamNG.drive has remained exclusively on PC since 2013. Though still in early access on Steam, and without plans for a console release, it’s still a fantastic game. In fact, it offers more content than many fully released, high-budget titles, and that’s a testament to its quality.

Let’s be clear: while BeamNG includes racing, it’s not primarily a racing game. In fact, the racing aspect isn’t its strongest suit. It really excels as a sandbox – a creative playground where you can cause as much mayhem as you like. Plus, a large and active community is always making new content, offering nearly endless possibilities.

Garry’s Mod

The Ultimate PC Sandbox Game That Has Been Going Strong For Two Decades

When people think of the most popular games on Steam, what usually comes to mind? Is it something like Half-Life 2, Portal 2, or Counter-Strike 2? Actually, Counter-Strike 2 is likely the most played, but Garry’s Mod is a very close second. Both it and Minecraft are the ultimate sandbox games – they simply give you a world and let you create your own fun.

Garry’s Mod is more than just a fun game – it’s surprisingly versatile. While it’s famous for being a huge time-waster, it’s also a powerful creative tool for those who want to explore its potential. It’s not typically thought of as a console game, as it’s best played with a keyboard and mouse, but controller support is available through Steam’s settings.

Echo Point Nova

So Many FPS Games Are Only On Steam…And Console Players Will Finally Get To Play Them

I was initially reluctant to suggest PC-only shooting games because they often don’t play well with controllers. But with so many first-person shooters available on Steam, leaving them out would feel like a mistake. Black Mesa is an obvious choice, being connected to Valve’s popular Half-Life series, but Steam also has a ton of excellent retro-style and unique shooting games that deserve more attention.

Though it hasn’t gotten as much attention as games like Ultrakill, Echo Point Nova is a standout FPS title from the last few years, and currently it’s only available on PC. You’ll explore a beautiful, streamlined open world, moving quickly across floating islands and performing incredibly satisfying combat maneuvers. Echo Point Nova rewards both speed and skill, all while letting you look good doing it.

I was really considering picking Amid Evil as my go-to, but since the original is only on PC and it’s been out for ages, I figured a console version probably isn’t happening. Luckily, there is a VR version for the PSVR 2, which is awesome!

Vindictus

Console Players, Prepare To Dedicate Your Futures

Besides retro-style shooters, the Steam Machine will also introduce a divisive genre: massively multiplayer online role-playing games, or MMOs. Steam already has many of these games, and they’re known for being incredibly addictive. People tend to either love or hate MMOs – there’s rarely an in-between opinion.

Vindictus is a long-standing MMO, having been around for about 15 years and remains fairly popular. While it may not be at its peak anymore, its combat system is still better than many PC-based MMOs, especially those not available on consoles. If you’re looking for a game to really lose yourself in with satisfying action combat, Vindictus is a solid choice and plays well with a controller.

Kenshi

A Janky, Ugly Steam Game That Is Also Amazing

I mostly left out strategy games because they don’t typically feel like console games, particularly those only available on PC. However, Kenshi is a bit different. It offers more than just standard RTS gameplay and, while it isn’t the prettiest game on Steam, Kenshi is incredibly immersive and detailed. You really need to get into its systems and community to fully appreciate it.

It might sound familiar, but Kenshi truly allows you to forge your own experiences. You’re essentially thrown into a harsh, post-apocalyptic world and left to survive and thrive. You’ll gather companions, develop skills based on your actions, and discover a vast and diverse landscape.

Cry of Fear

A Billion Steam-Only Horror Games Exist, And This One Is Free

As a PC gamer, I gotta say, horror has the best exclusives. Seriously, if you’re into scary games, you’ll find most of the really good stuff only on PC, and almost all of it is on Steam. The best part? Tons of them are totally free, which means I can jump into a new nightmare without spending a dime thanks to Steam!

Cry of Fear is a standout title on Steam, and widely considered one of the best free games available. It’s rare for a horror game to offer both single-player and co-op campaigns, but Cry of Fear does just that. Although the gameplay isn’t revolutionary, the controls are well-done, making the shooting feel satisfying. It has the feel of an indie game that began as a mod, but it’s surprisingly polished and high-quality.

2025-11-19 13:36