Steep – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Steep

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

game2016

72%

WISE Score

77%

IGDB

Gorgeous open-world winter sports sim where you ski, board, and wingsuit down the Alps—minus the hospital bills.

Steep

game

2016

72%

WISE Score

77%

IGDB

Gorgeous open-world winter sports sim where you ski, board, and wingsuit down the Alps—minus the hospital bills.

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Screenwise Verdict

Steep is a solid, beautiful winter sports sim that does what it sets out to do: let you shred powder and fly through mountains without leaving your couch. The lack of predatory monetization and toxic chat makes it refreshingly parent-friendly for a multiplayer game.

That said, it's not groundbreaking. Released in 2016, it shows its age a bit, and some kids will find the open-world freedom aimless rather than liberating. The mild language is the main content concern—nothing terrible, but enough to earn that T rating.

If your kid is into extreme sports, loves exploration, or just wants to experience the Alps without the airfare, this is a good pick. Just have a quick chat about how hitting rocks in a wingsuit works differently in real life.

Age Fit

Best for ages 10-16 who love extreme sports or open-world exploration. The T rating is mainly for language rather than violence. Younger kids might struggle with the lack of structure, while older teens may find it repetitive or dated.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Celebrates outdoor winter sports with stunning mountain environments and cooperative multiplayer options. Some mild language present (rated T for Language by ESRB), but overall tone is positive and adventure-focused. Players can compete or collaborate, and the game emphasizes mastery and personal achievement over aggression.

Imaginative

Massive open-world Alps and Alaska environments encourage exploration and line creation. Players can record custom runs, share stunts, and challenge others to beat their tricks. The four distinct sport modes (skiing, snowboarding, wingsuit, paragliding) offer varied approaches to the same terrain. However, it's ultimately a sports simulator with defined parameters rather than true creative sandbox—you're mastering existing sports, not inventing new experiences.

Safe

Users can interact with other players but there's no online chat feature, significantly reducing toxicity risk. No in-game purchases or loot boxes. The main safety concern is moderate profanity (occasional mild swearing noted by parents). Wipeouts and crashes are cartoonish rather than graphic. Parents note the importance of distinguishing game fantasy from real-world danger of extreme sports. ESRB rated T for Language.

Enriching

Develops spatial reasoning, risk assessment, and mastery-oriented persistence as players learn to navigate complex terrain and improve their runs. The open-world exploration rewards curiosity. However, it's primarily entertainment-focused skill-building rather than deeper cognitive or ethical growth. IGDB rating of 77 suggests solid but not exceptional execution. Some Reddit criticism about lacking direction and catering only to backcountry riders suggests it may not deeply educate about winter sports culture.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Stunning mountain environments that genuinely inspire awe and encourage exploration
Four different sports (skiing, snowboarding, wingsuit, paragliding) keep gameplay varied
Safe multiplayer that lets kids ride together without toxic chat
Rewards persistence and mastery—kids can create custom lines and challenge themselves to improve
No predatory monetization—buy it once, play forever

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What to Watch For

Occasional mild swearing (the reason for the T rating)—some parents recommend checking language settings
Spectacular wipeouts might need a reality check conversation about real-world consequences
Can feel directionless for kids who need more structured goals
Released in 2016, so graphics and mechanics feel a bit dated compared to current games

Conversation Starters

"If you could try any of these sports in real life, which would you pick? What would you need to learn first?"
"What's the craziest line you've created? Walk me through it."
"How do you decide when to play it safe versus go for a risky trick?"
"Have you ever seen wingsuit flying videos? What do you think about people who do that for real?"

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