buying from Steam

[t_ras]

Any one with experience buying from Steam?
I always bough hard copies of my games. this is the first time I buy from Steam and I think I regret it.
I understood that I dont just get the files and install wherever I want, but have to install Steam client and can only play through Steam.
Is this how it works? How off line works?
I think Im going to give it up, I dont want to be attached to them by force.

[BlaneckW]

My understanding is that Steam games can be rendered to play be playable offline.

[Geo]

Any one with experience buying from Steam?
I always bough hard copies of my games. this is the first time I buy from Steam and I think I regret it.
I understood that I dont just get the files and install wherever I want, but have to install Steam client and can only play through Steam.
Is this how it works? How off line works?
I think Im going to give it up, I dont want to be attached to them by force.

These days, every game where the developer/publisher has a distribution agreement with Steam, it doesn't matter whether you buy a physical copy or "software" copy at an online shop.
If you have a hard disk, the game gets installed from it, and seeks the Steam client on your computer. If not present, it installs it.
If you bought a game in an online shop (among others, you can buy your game at Steam too), it gets downloaded and installed, and activated in the same session.
The game can only be activated through Steam so you need to have Steam installed, and have at least once an online connection with this service to activate it.
After that, there's no need to be online when playing your Steam-supported game. The Steam app/program on your computer will give you the option to start the game in offline mode.
But for expansions and patches you need to be online too.

I bought my copy of CiV in a retail store, buth the Expansions through Steam. There was no problem with this mix&match combo.