Choose Chess Evolved Online
Choose Chess Evolved Online if you want a Free To Play and Early Access game with Multi-player, Online PvP, and PvP. On Steam, it's free to play, so the barrier to trying it is zero. Chess Evolved Online launched in 2021.
Chess Evolved Online vs Monster Train 2
Chess Evolved Online and Monster Train 2 both land in Strategy on Steam, which is why they keep getting compared. The comparison below is built from each game's Steam metadata — release year, genres, categories, Steam Deck status, price, and review score — refreshed daily by imho.run's scraper. Headline differences: Both are Strategy games on Steam. Chess Evolved Online (2021) is 4 years older than Monster Train 2 (2025). Monster Train 2 scores higher on Steam reviews (95.7% positive) than Chess Evolved Online (91.7% positive). No login or purchase needed — scroll for the full table, the verdict FAQ, and links to ranked similar games for both titles.
Which should you pick?
Choose Monster Train 2
Choose Monster Train 2 if you want an Indie game with Camera Comfort, Custom Volume Controls, and Playable without Timed Input. On Steam, it carries the stronger Steam consensus at 95.7% positive across 4,790 reviews.
Both Chess Evolved Online and Monster Train 2 sit in Strategy on Steam, so either pick lands in the same broad neighborhood. Use the side-by-side table for the feature view, or follow the "Games like" links below to see ranked alternatives for either title.
Side-by-side comparison
 Chess Evolved Online |  Monster Train 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2021 | 2025 |
| Genres | Strategy, Free To Play, Early Access | Strategy, Indie |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows, macOS |
| Steam Deck | Deck Unsupported | Deck Verified |
| Price | Free to play | 24.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 91.7% positive (638 reviews) | 95.7% positive (4,790 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Multi-player | Single-player only |
| Developers | TheGrandestine | Shiny Shoe |
Side by side
- Both are Strategy games on Steam.
- Chess Evolved Online (2021) is 4 years older than Monster Train 2 (2025).
- Monster Train 2 scores higher on Steam reviews (95.7% positive) than Chess Evolved Online (91.7% positive).
- Chess Evolved Online is free; Monster Train 2 is paid (24.99 USD).
- Steam Deck: Chess Evolved Online is Deck Unsupported, Monster Train 2 is Deck Verified.
Chess Evolved Online vs Monster Train 2 — FAQ
- Which is better, Chess Evolved Online or Monster Train 2?
- On Steam reviews Monster Train 2 scores higher (95.7% positive) than Chess Evolved Online (91.7% positive). Both have enough reviews to trust the signal, so for players using reviews alone, Monster Train 2 is the safer pick. Genre fit still matters — check the side-by-side table for the categories each game lands in.
- Should I play Chess Evolved Online or Monster Train 2 first?
- If you want chronology, Chess Evolved Online (2021) came out before Monster Train 2 (2025). If neither is a sequel to the other, order doesn't really matter — start with whichever fits your current mood, since both share enough on Steam to make either a reasonable opener.
- Are Chess Evolved Online and Monster Train 2 similar?
- They overlap on Strategy on Steam, so the catalogue groups them together — but "similar" depends on the specific mechanics. Use the genre + category rows above to decide whether the overlap matches what drew you to the one you've already played.
- Does Monster Train 2 have multiplayer like Chess Evolved Online?
- No. Chess Evolved Online supports multiplayer on Steam (Multi-player), while Monster Train 2 is listed as single-player only.
- Is Chess Evolved Online free?
- Yes — Chess Evolved Online is a free-to-play Steam title. Monster Train 2 is paid (24.99 USD).