A mountain you can ride end to end
Steep drops you into a big open world across the Alps, with Alaska added as a second region full of challenges. There is no fixed track to follow: you pick a peak, point yourself downhill, and the run keeps going. Four ways of moving are built into the game — skis, snowboards, wingsuits and paragliders — and you can swap between them as you go, so a single descent can start on a board, take to the air in a wingsuit, and finish under a paraglider. Along the way you'll find challenges that test specific skills, plus plenty of terrain that is just there to be explored and ridden however you like.
Riding with your group
You can ride alone or drop in next to other players and share the same runs. Because the world is shared and open, your group can pick a line down a mountain together, take turns trying to beat a challenge, or split up and meet somewhere on the slope. Custom lines you create are meant to be shared with friends, so one of you can lay out a route and the rest can ride it. The game also has Online PvP, which gives your group a way to compete against each other rather than only riding side by side. Stunts can be recorded and shared, so the group can swap the runs they're proudest of after a session.
Before you start
A permanent internet connection is required to play, so plan for that before a group session — everyone will need to be online. Expect a third-person view by default, with a first-person option also listed, and a soundtrack that runs under the whole thing. Tobii Eye Tracking support is included for compatible devices, and it changes how you look around the mountain, but it is optional hardware rather than something you need. The X Games Gold Edition bundles the base game with the Season Pass year 1 and the X Games Pass, adding the X Games competition, eight extreme sports, Rockets Wings, a 90's themed ski and snowboard mode, and extra customization — worth knowing if your group wants the fullest version of the game.