Summary
One big advantage of PC gaming is the ability to play all your games on a single device. As a PC gamer, you probably think there’s hardly any reason to turn on your Xbox at all, right? Well, Xbox Play Anywhere presents a compelling argument to the contrary.
Xbox Play Anywhere Lets You Play on PC or Xbox
Play Anywhere is a long-standing initiative in the Xbox ecosystem. When you purchase a compatible Xbox Play Anywhere digital game, you can play it on Xboxandon a Windows PC at no additional cost. While Play Anywhere is not prominently promoted by Xbox, it is still a supported feature compatible with some notable new releases such as 2024’sPersona 3 Reload.
When you purchase an Xbox Play Anywhere game from the Microsoft Store, either on your Xbox console or through theMicrosoft Store website, you can play it on your Windows 10 or 11 PC simply by logging into theXbox Appwith the same Microsoft account you used to purchase the game. Naturally, the game will also be playable on the corresponding Xbox console by logging into the same Microsoft account.
A key feature of Play Anywhere is that your progress goes with you. Wherever you log into your Microsoft account, you will find all your saves, game add-ons, and achievements for all Xbox Play Anywhere games you own.
There are many reasons to beboth a console and PC gamer. If you find yourself going back and forth between your Xbox and PC, it can be worth your while to buy supported Play Anywhere games from Microsoft rather than from PC-focused storefronts like Steam or Epic Games.
Not All Games Support Play Anywhere
While Play Anywhere can be a great value proposition for the hybrid gamer, it is important to note that not all games are compatible with this service. Theofficial Play Anywhere websiteprovides a full list of compatible games.
On the plus side, all first-party Microsoft games are compatible with Play Anywhere. This includes games likeStarfield,Sea of Thieves, andHi-Fi Rush. Many other big-name titles are also available, likeResident Evil 2. you may even find some great indie games on Play Anywhere, likeHadesandHollow Knight.
The Xbox Play Anywhere program fails to include some notable must-have titles, though. For example, some of 2023’s biggest hits likeHogwarts Legacy,Diablo IV, andStar Wars Jedi: Survivorremain conspicuously absent from the list of supported games. It is also extremely important to be aware thatchoosing to buy the physical versionof an Xbox game will not allow you to play it on PC, even if the digital version of the game supports Play Anywhere.
How the Microsoft Store Compares to Steam and Others
Play Anywhere is a great point in favor of any games that support it, but it does require purchasing the games from the Microsoft Store to take advantage of the feature. This may or may not be a dealbreaker, depending on your preferences. While some users have no complaints regarding the Microsoft Store, others report slow performance while browsing and claim that the algorithm recommends uninteresting games or apps.
If you’re interested inmodding your PC games, be aware that buying through the Microsoft Store can complicate the process. The Microsoft Store version of many games use a locked folder that modders cannot access, or they may lack key dependencies that certain mods rely on.
Multiplayer is another factor to consider. Some Play Anywhere games, likeSea of Thievesfor example, have fullcross-platform multiplayer. This means that you can play with friends no matter what platform they are on, be it Xbox, Steam, or anywhere else. Others, likeMortal Kombat 11, lack this functionality and might not enable you to play with friends on the Steam version of the game if you are playing the Microsoft Store version.
Some people prefer gaming on a console, while plenty of others love doing all their gaming on a PC. If you straddle the line, it can be difficult to decide which platform you should choose when buying new games.There’s still a place for consolesin the gaming industry, and great features like Xbox Play Anywhere will keep many gamers coming back to the Microsoft Store.
