The Windows Store doesn’t have a clear refund policy if the game doesn’t work properly–you have to chat with a representative, and who knows how that will go. After that, you can still attempt to get a refund if you have a problem. It’s no-questions-asked for the first two hours of gameplay, allowing you to refund a game for any reason.
Software like Fraps for recording your screen and tracking your framerate won’t work, either. You can’t get a Steam overlay or any other type of overlay.
exe File (and No Steam Controller): You can’t launch the game directly as an. The game’s running process is protected so applications like SweetFX can’t be used to modify its graphics.
Sorry, No Modding: Windows Store apps are protected, so this means modding–one of the mainstays of PC gaming–just isn’t possible.Windows Store apps are also more locked down, so other processes on the system can’t interfere with them and their files can’t be modified. The Steam version gives you the option of using exclusive fullscreen mode. However, it means the game can’t have exclusive access to your graphics card, so you can’t get the best possible performance. This ensures Alt+Tab will work properly and the game won’t take over your entire display. Always Borderless Fullscreen Mode: The Store version will always run in “borderless fullscreen” mode, also known as “fullscreen (windowed)” mode.On the Windows Store version, it’s always enabled. If you have the Steam version, you can choose whether or not you want to use VSync. VSync is Always On: VSync is designed to eliminate screen tearing, but it can have downsides–like adding input lag, or decreasing game performance.It doesn’t support SLI or CrossFire, although the Steam version does. No SLI or CrossFire: If you have multiple NVIDIA or AMD graphics cards using SLI or CrossFire, the Windows Store version won’t be good for you.Some graphics settings also can’t be changed: Courtesy of this discussion on Reddit, here’s a list of things the Windows Store version of Rise of the Tomb Raider can’t do.įirst up, there are serious limitations when it comes to making use of your graphics hardware. This doesn’t normally matter for simple apps or casual games, but it’s very noticeable for PC games.
“Store apps,” as Microsoft called them back in Windows 8.1, are limited in some important ways. It may one day be, but it isn’t there yet. Microsoft’s new app platform has improved dramatically from the state it was in back in Windows 8. But it’s still not as powerful as the Windows desktop platform. Underneath, you’re choosing between a “universal app” version of the game and a “Windows desktop” version of the game. It’s not just the limitations of the Store itself. That’s why there’s such a huge difference here.
All apps in the Windows Store, on the other hand, are made using Microsoft’s new “Universal Windows Platform,” or UWP. Steam and other PC gaming services distribute games as traditional Windows desktop applications.