Choose the Xbox/Microsoft Store version if you want Xbox Play Anywhere between an Xbox Series X|S and Xbox PC, shared progression and achievements, or access through Game Pass. Choose Steam if Steam is your preferred PC storefront and you care most about PC display options, input remapping, handheld support and Steam features. Both PC storefronts can play with players on other supported platforms; Steam’s listing explicitly includes cross-platform multiplayer and optional Microsoft account linking.
The game launched worldwide on October 6, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC. The right purchase is therefore less about a different campaign and more about where you play, how you want your ownership and saves organized, and which subscription or PC features matter to you.
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Steam vs. Xbox at a glance
| Choose this version | Best fit | What you get | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xbox Series X|S | You already play on an Xbox console | Console access, two-player split-screen, Xbox ecosystem progression and achievements through Play Anywhere when you also use Xbox PC | Online console multiplayer requires a Game Pass subscription that includes online multiplayer |
| Xbox PC/Microsoft Store | You use Windows PC and want Xbox account continuity or Game Pass | Xbox Play Anywhere entitlement across Xbox Series X|S and Xbox PC, shared progression and achievements | PC feature availability depends on your hardware, display and drivers |
| Steam | You want Steam as your PC library and community platform | Cross-platform multiplayer, optional Microsoft account linking, roaming saves, Steam achievements, broad PC display and control options | The listing does not describe the purchase as an Xbox Play Anywhere entitlement |
There is no separate Steam or Xbox campaign. The meaningful differences are storefront entitlement, account and save handling, subscription access, console-only play options and the way each PC version exposes graphics and input settings.
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What “Xbox” means in this comparison
“Xbox” covers two related ways to play:
- Xbox Series X|S: the console edition, including console split-screen and the Xbox console multiplayer environment.
- Xbox PC/Microsoft Store: the Windows 10 or Windows 11 edition distributed through the Xbox app or Microsoft Store and tied to the Xbox ecosystem.
Xbox’s product information lists both Xbox Series X|S and Windows 10/11. It also identifies the game as included with Game Pass, with the exact catalog and access depending on the current plan and region. Steam is a separate PC storefront choice, not another name for the Microsoft Store entitlement.
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Xbox Play Anywhere is the biggest ownership difference
Xbox says Xbox Play Anywhere lets you play across Xbox Series X|S and Xbox PC with shared progression and achievements. If you regularly move between an Xbox console and a Windows PC, this is the clearest reason to buy through the Xbox/Microsoft Store ecosystem: one qualifying purchase is designed to connect those two Xbox destinations under the same Microsoft account.
Steam’s page separately documents optional Microsoft account linking and roaming saves. It does not describe the Steam purchase as an Xbox Play Anywhere entitlement. Do not buy the Steam edition assuming that it automatically grants the Xbox console version. The official listings establish that these are separate storefront presentations; they do not spell out every possible save-transfer scenario, so treat cross-store migration as unconfirmed rather than guaranteed or impossible.
When Play Anywhere matters
- You own an Xbox Series X|S now and expect to add or use a Windows gaming PC.
- You want Xbox achievements and progression associated with the Xbox ecosystem on both devices.
- You want to use the Xbox app and Microsoft Store rather than maintain a second PC storefront library.
- You are already paying for a Game Pass plan and prefer its access model over a separate Steam purchase.
When the distinction matters less
If you will play only on a PC and have no Xbox console, Play Anywhere may not change your daily experience. In that case, compare the storefront features, controller and display support, account preferences, subscription cost and the edition price shown in your region on the day you buy.
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Steam explicitly lists cross-platform multiplayer and online co-op. Its listing describes optional Microsoft account linking as a way to enable roaming saves, connect with friends and send cross-platform invites. That means a Steam player is not restricted to a Steam-only multiplayer population when the other platform is supported by the game’s services.
Rank #2
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The game’s multiplayer structure includes a solo campaign, online Campaign co-op for two to four players, Horde Siege PvE and Versus PvP. Steam’s feature information describes competitive multiplayer for up to eight players across supported platforms. Exact matchmaking behavior, party rules and availability can change with service updates, so use the in-game invite and account prompts rather than assuming that a platform friend list alone is sufficient.
What linking does and does not establish
- It does establish: an optional connection between the Steam copy and a Microsoft account for the features named on Steam’s listing—roaming saves, friends and cross-platform invites.
- It does not establish: that the Steam purchase becomes an Xbox Play Anywhere purchase.
- It does not justify: a promise that every save, entitlement or add-on transfers between Steam and Xbox. The published listings do not define all cross-store transfer cases.
Console split-screen is an Xbox-specific reason to choose the console edition
Xbox’s game description says two-player split-screen is console-only. If two people want to play on one television without two PCs or two online accounts, Xbox Series X|S is the version that provides that local option. Online co-op is a separate mode and supports up to four players.
PC display, graphics and control options
Steam’s listing exposes a long set of PC-oriented options. They are reasons to choose the Steam version when you value configuration, not proof that it is faster than Xbox. No independent comparative benchmark establishes a universal performance advantage for Steam, and the game cannot deliver every listed option on every graphics card or display.
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|---|---|
| Display modes | Borderless, exclusive fullscreen and windowed modes let you fit the game into a multi-app or multi-monitor setup. |
| Ultrawide support | 21:9 and 32:9 formats are listed for gameplay and menus; an appropriate ultrawide display is required. |
| Frame-rate controls | Uncapped frame rates are available on capable systems. An uncapped setting is not a guaranteed frame rate. |
| Keyboard and mouse | Keyboard/mouse controls and controller remapping allow you to build a preferred layout. |
| HDR10 | HDR output requires a compatible HDR display and an operating-system setup that passes HDR correctly. |
| Ray tracing | Hardware ray-traced lighting, reflections and shadows require supported graphics hardware and may increase rendering cost. |
| Upscaling and frame generation | DLSS 4.5, FSR “Redstone,” optional frame generation and multi-frame generation are listed, but support depends on the GPU, driver and selected mode. |
| Variable Rate Shading | VRS can alter shading work on compatible hardware; its effect depends on the scene and system. |
| Benchmark | A built-in benchmark helps you evaluate settings on your own PC rather than relying on a console target. |
| Handheld optimization | The listing mentions optimization for Steam Deck and Xbox Ally devices. Actual image quality, battery life and frame rate still depend on the device and chosen settings. |
How Xbox console video is described
Xbox describes 4K output and up to 60 FPS across Campaign and Multiplayer, subject to compatible display conditions. That is a vendor specification, not an independent head-to-head measurement against a PC. Your television, selected display mode and console model affect what you see.
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Pick Steam for control; do not pick it on an untested performance promise
Steam is the more natural choice if you need an ultrawide layout, extensive remapping, keyboard and mouse play, a handheld installation or granular graphics experimentation. If your priority is predictable console setup on a television, Xbox avoids the hardware and driver decisions a PC requires.
Game Pass, purchase and cloud access
Xbox lists the game in Game Pass and identifies Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass availability. Catalog inclusion, plan names, pricing and regional availability can change, so confirm the current listing for your country before treating a subscription as a permanent alternative to buying the game.
Xbox also announced cloud availability through Game Pass Ultimate and GeForce NOW, subject to service and regional availability. Cloud access is an additional way to run the game; it does not remove the need to check which account, plan and region are supported on your device.
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Xbox states that online multiplayer on Xbox requires a Game Pass subscription that includes online multiplayer. This matters for Campaign co-op, Horde Siege, Versus and other online modes on an Xbox console. A Game Pass plan that includes the game but not the required online-multiplayer benefit will not satisfy that console requirement. Check the current plan description before subscribing.
Rank #4
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The published material does not provide a single universal PC subscription rule for every storefront and region. On Xbox PC, verify the current Xbox app and plan terms; on Steam, review the game’s current requirements and your Microsoft-account setup. Do not assume that the console subscription rule maps identically to Steam.
Editions, price and launch-period benefits
Xbox’s product page lists Standard and Premium editions. Regional prices are not fixed: the official listings consulted show Steam regional pricing and Xbox US edition pricing, and both storefronts can change prices, taxes and promotions. Recheck the store in your country immediately before purchase rather than using a price copied from another region.
| Edition point | What is established | How to evaluate it now |
|---|---|---|
| Standard edition | Listed by Xbox as a base edition. | Compare the current included content and price in your region. |
| Premium edition | Listed by Xbox with additional content packs and a launch benefit of up to five days of early access. | The early-access window ended before the October 6, 2026 launch, so it is not a benefit available on October 13, 2026. Buy Premium only for the content that remains included. |
| Steam edition pricing | Steam shows regional pricing on its store page. | Check your local currency, taxes, edition contents and any current discount on Steam. |
| Xbox/Game Pass access | Xbox identifies Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass access. | Confirm catalog inclusion, plan price, online-multiplayer benefits and regional availability before relying on the subscription. |
Do not pay extra for Premium solely to obtain early access; that launch period has passed. The meaningful remaining question is whether its listed content packs justify the current regional price.
Which version should you choose?
Choose Xbox Series X|S when local play or a living-room setup comes first
- You want two-player split-screen on one console.
- Your main display is a television and you prefer a fixed hardware target.
- You already own Xbox accessories and friends and achievements are centered in the Xbox ecosystem.
- You are willing to maintain the Game Pass subscription required for online console multiplayer.
Choose Xbox PC/Microsoft Store when you move between Xbox and Windows
- You want Play Anywhere across Xbox Series X|S and Xbox PC.
- Shared progression and achievements under one Xbox/Microsoft account are more valuable than Steam’s community layer.
- You want to use Game Pass or Xbox cloud options where they are available.
- You would rather keep one Xbox entitlement than buy a separate Steam copy for PC.
Choose Steam when PC flexibility is the deciding factor
- You keep your games in Steam and want Steam achievements and Family Sharing features listed on the store page.
- You use an ultrawide monitor, HDR display, keyboard and mouse, custom controller layouts or a handheld PC.
- You want the Steam listing’s explicit cross-platform multiplayer and optional Microsoft account linking.
- You do not need an Xbox Play Anywhere entitlement or console split-screen.
Choose based on your existing hardware, not a theoretical maximum
A high-end gaming PC can expose more graphics settings than a console, but the result depends on your GPU, CPU, memory, storage, drivers and display. Conversely, a console’s stated 4K and up-to-60-FPS target is tied to compatible display conditions and is not a promise that every scene behaves identically. Decide whether you value configuration headroom or a known console environment before comparing feature checklists.
Best Value
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How to set up each version
Xbox Series X|S
- Sign in to the Microsoft account that owns the game or the Game Pass subscription you intend to use.
- Open the Xbox Store or Game Pass catalog, select the edition available in your region and install it on the console.
- For online Campaign, Horde Siege or Versus, verify that your account has a Game Pass subscription including online multiplayer.
- For local co-op, connect the second controller and use the game’s console split-screen option.
- If you also play on Xbox PC, use the same Microsoft account so the Play Anywhere entitlement and associated progression can be recognized.
Xbox PC/Microsoft Store
- Use Windows 10 or Windows 11 and sign in to the Xbox app or Microsoft Store with the Microsoft account that owns the game or has the eligible Game Pass plan.
- Install the game from the Xbox app or Microsoft Store listing.
- Keep the Xbox app and Windows components updated if the game does not appear in your library.
- Use the same Microsoft account on Xbox Series X|S if you want the Play Anywhere progression and achievements described by Xbox.
- Open the game’s video and input settings after the first launch; available options depend on your PC hardware and display.
Steam
- Buy or redeem the edition shown on your regional Steam store page and install it through your Steam library.
- At first launch, review the optional Microsoft account-linking prompt if you want the listed roaming-save, friend and cross-platform-invite functions.
- Configure display mode, ultrawide resolution, HDR, ray tracing, upscaling, frame generation and input mappings for your hardware.
- Run the built-in benchmark before settling on demanding settings, especially with ray tracing or frame generation enabled.
- Use the game’s cross-platform invite flow when playing with Xbox or other supported-platform friends.
Common problems and how to avoid them
“I bought Steam but expected the Xbox console version”
The Steam listing is a separate storefront purchase and does not claim Play Anywhere entitlement. If Xbox console access and shared Xbox progression are essential, buy through the Xbox/Microsoft Store ecosystem instead.
“My friend is on another platform and I cannot invite them”
Confirm that cross-platform multiplayer is enabled for the game and that your Microsoft account link, if required for the listed invite functions, is complete. Check that both players are on supported versions and use the in-game cross-platform invite route rather than relying only on a platform-specific friends list.
“My progress is not where I expected”
Check which account is signed in on the platform that contains the progress. Steam describes roaming saves when optional Microsoft account linking is used, while Xbox describes Play Anywhere sharing between Xbox console and Xbox PC. The published descriptions do not guarantee every cross-store entitlement or save transfer, so avoid switching storefronts with the assumption that all content will follow automatically.
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“A graphics option is missing”
Options such as ray tracing, DLSS 4.5, FSR Redstone, frame generation, multi-frame generation, VRS and HDR depend on compatible hardware, drivers and displays. Update the graphics driver, confirm that the feature is supported by your GPU and display, then restart the game after changing major rendering settings.
“Online play is locked on Xbox”
For Xbox console online multiplayer, verify that the account has a Game Pass subscription including online multiplayer. Game Pass catalog access by itself is not the same as the online-multiplayer requirement stated by Xbox.
“Cloud play is unavailable”
Cloud availability is subject to the service, account plan and region. Xbox announced availability through Game Pass Ultimate and GeForce NOW, but neither service is universal. Check the current regional service page and device support before treating cloud play as a guaranteed option.
Final decision
For an Xbox owner who also uses Windows, the Xbox/Microsoft Store version is the straightforward choice because Play Anywhere is explicitly built around shared Xbox console and PC progression and achievements. For a PC-only player who wants Steam’s library, remapping, ultrawide and handheld-oriented options, Steam is the better fit and still lists cross-platform multiplayer. Choose Xbox Series X|S specifically when console split-screen and a living-room setup matter most. In every case, check the current regional edition price, Game Pass catalog, online-multiplayer terms and included Premium content before paying.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
