Most PlayStation exclusives stay on PlayStation, but some have moved to Steam in recent years

PlayStation exclusives are games made by Sony or licensed studios that were originally released only on PlayStation consoles. Some of these games have since been ported to Steam, but the majority remain exclusive to PlayStation. Sony has been selective about which titles it brings to PC—usually older games or sequels where the first game already proved successful on other platforms.

The games that have made the jump to Steam are the exception, not the rule. Sony's strategy is to use exclusives to sell PlayStation hardware, so it keeps most new releases locked to its consoles. However, as PlayStation 5 sales have matured and PC gaming has grown, Sony has become more willing to port certain titles after they have had their exclusive window on PlayStation.

Key Takeaways

  • Games like God of War, Horizon Zero Dawn, and Days Gone are available on Steam, but they came to PC years after their PlayStation release.
  • Most current PlayStation exclusives, including the Spider-Man series and Final Fantasy VII Remake, remain exclusive to PlayStation and are not on Steam.
  • Sony typically waits two to four years after a PlayStation release before bringing a game to Steam, if it brings it at all.
  • Upcoming PlayStation exclusives announced for 2024 and beyond have not been confirmed for Steam release.

PlayStation exclusives currently available on Steam

A small number of PlayStation exclusives have been ported to Steam. God of War (2018) arrived on Steam in January 2024, more than five years after its PlayStation 4 release. Horizon Zero Dawn came to Steam in 2017, about two years after its PlayStation 4 debut. Days Gone was ported to Steam in 2021, three years after its PlayStation 4 launch.

Death Stranding is also on Steam, released there in July 2020, about eight months after the PlayStation 4 version. These ports typically include the full game and all previously released DLC, though performance and graphics options may differ from the PlayStation version.

Sony has also brought some older titles to Steam, including Predator: Hunting Grounds and various smaller releases. However, the number of PlayStation exclusives on Steam remains small compared to the total library of exclusive games.

Major PlayStation exclusives not on Steam

The majority of PlayStation's biggest franchises remain exclusive to PlayStation. The Spider-Man series (including Spider-Man, Spider-Man: Miles Morales, and Spider-Man 2) has no Steam version and Sony has not announced plans to bring these games to PC. The same is true for Sackboy: A Big Adventure, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, and Kena: Bridge of Spirits.

Final Fantasy VII Remake and its sequel Final Fantasy VII Rebirth are PlayStation exclusives. While the original Final Fantasy VII is available on Steam, the remake series has not been ported. Demon's Souls (the PlayStation 5 remake) and Bloodborne remain exclusive to PlayStation, despite years of fan requests for PC versions.

Newer exclusives like Astro's Playroom, Gran Turismo 7, and Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time have no announced Steam release. These games are designed to showcase PlayStation hardware capabilities and are unlikely to leave the platform.

Why Sony keeps most exclusives off Steam

PlayStation exclusives are a major reason people buy PlayStation consoles. If every exclusive came to Steam when ready, fewer players would purchase a PlayStation 5. Sony uses exclusives as a selling point, similar to how Nintendo keeps games like The Legend of Zelda on Switch only.

When Sony does port a game to Steam, it is usually years after the PlayStation release. By that time, most players who wanted to play it on PlayStation have already done so. The port serves to reach PC-only gamers and extend the game's commercial life, but it does not cannibalize PlayStation sales the way an when ready PC release would.

Licensing agreements also play a role. Some exclusives involve characters or franchises (like Spider-Man) where the licensing deal may restrict where the game can be released. These restrictions can make a Steam port legally complicated or impossible.

How to check if a PlayStation exclusive is on Steam

The easiest way to check is to search for the game's name directly on Steam. If it appears in the search results, it is available for purchase on Steam. You can also visit the official PlayStation website or the game's publisher page to see where it is sold.

If a game is not on Steam, check the game's official social media accounts or the publisher's website for announcements about a PC release. Sony sometimes announces ports months in advance, but not always. Some games may never come to Steam, even if fans request it.

You can also add games to your Steam wishlist even if they are not yet available. Steam will notify you if a game you have wishlisted becomes available for purchase.

What to expect if a PlayStation exclusive comes to Steam

When a PlayStation exclusive is ported to Steam, it usually includes all the content from the PlayStation version plus any DLC that was released. The graphics options are often expanded to take advantage of different PC hardware configurations, allowing players with high-end systems to increase resolution, frame rate, or visual effects.

Performance can vary depending on your PC's specifications. A game that runs at 60 frames per second on PlayStation 5 might run at higher frame rates on a powerful gaming PC, or lower frame rates on a less powerful one. The port may also include new features like ultrawide monitor support or keyboard and mouse controls, though some games are designed for controller use.

Prices for ported exclusives on Steam are typically the same as the original PlayStation release, though older ports sometimes go on sale. Check user reviews on Steam before purchasing to see if the port runs well on different PC configurations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Spider-Man come to Steam?

Sony has not announced any plans to bring the Spider-Man games to Steam. The licensing agreement for Spider-Man may restrict where the game can be released, and Sony's strategy is to keep major exclusives on PlayStation to drive console sales. It is possible a port could happen years from now, but there is no official confirmation.

Is God of War Ragnarök on Steam?

God of War Ragnarök is not currently on Steam. Only the 2018 God of War has been ported to PC. Sony has not announced whether Ragnarök will come to Steam, though based on past patterns, a port could arrive several years after its PlayStation release if one happens at all.

Can I play PlayStation exclusives on PC without Steam?

Some PlayStation exclusives are available on other PC platforms like Epic Games Store or GOG, though most ports go to Steam first. If a game is not on Steam, check the publisher's official website to see where it is sold. PlayStation Now (now called PlayStation Plus Premium) allows you to stream some games to a PC, but this requires a subscription and an internet connection.

How long after a PlayStation release does a game usually come to Steam?

There is no fixed timeline. Horizon Zero Dawn came to Steam about two years after its PlayStation release, while God of War took over five years. Some exclusives never come to Steam at all. Sony decides on a case-by-case basis based on sales performance and business strategy.

Are ported PlayStation games the same as the PlayStation versions?

Ported games include the same story and gameplay, but graphics options and performance differ. PC versions often have higher frame rates, better graphics settings, and additional features like ultrawide monitor support. Some ports may have bugs or performance issues that the PlayStation version did not have, so check user reviews before purchasing.