Choose Project Zomboid
Choose Project Zomboid if you want a Simulation and RPG game with Shared/Split Screen and Shared/Split Screen Co-op. On Steam, it carries the stronger Steam consensus at 94% positive across 147,516 reviews.
Project Zomboid vs CHKN
Project Zomboid and CHKN both land in Indie, Early Access 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 share Indie, Early Access on Steam. Project Zomboid (2013) is 3 years older than CHKN (2016). Project Zomboid scores higher on Steam reviews (94% positive) than CHKN (80.1% 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 CHKN
Choose CHKN if you want an Adventure and Casual experience. On Steam, it's free to play, so the barrier to trying it is zero. 1,307 Steam reviews back the pick.
Both Project Zomboid and CHKN sit in Indie and Early Access on Steam and both list Multi-player, Online PvP, and Online Co-op, 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
 Project Zomboid |  CHKN | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2013 | 2016 |
| Genres | Indie, Simulation, RPG, Early Access | Indie, Adventure, Casual, Early Access |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Steam Deck | Deck Verified | Deck Playable |
| Price | 19.99 USD | Free to play |
| Steam reviews | 94% positive (147,516 reviews) | 80.1% positive (1,307 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Multi-player, Cross-Platform Multiplayer, Online Co-op | Multi-player, Online Co-op, Co-op |
| Developers | The Indie Stone | Katapult |
Side by side
- Both share Indie, Early Access on Steam.
- Project Zomboid (2013) is 3 years older than CHKN (2016).
- Project Zomboid scores higher on Steam reviews (94% positive) than CHKN (80.1% positive).
- CHKN is free; Project Zomboid is paid (19.99 USD).
- Both support cooperative play.
- Steam Deck: Project Zomboid is Deck Verified, CHKN is Deck Playable.
Project Zomboid vs CHKN — FAQ
- Which is better, Project Zomboid or CHKN?
- On Steam reviews Project Zomboid scores higher (94% positive) than CHKN (80.1% positive). Both have enough reviews to trust the signal, so for players using reviews alone, Project Zomboid is the safer pick. Genre fit still matters — check the side-by-side table for the categories each game lands in.
- Should I play Project Zomboid or CHKN first?
- If you want chronology, Project Zomboid (2013) came out before CHKN (2016). 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 Project Zomboid and CHKN similar?
- They overlap on Indie, Early Access 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.
- Do both Project Zomboid and CHKN have co-op?
- Yes — both list a co-op category on Steam. Specifics differ: Project Zomboid ships Online Co-op, Shared/Split Screen Co-op; CHKN ships Online Co-op, Co-op.
- Is CHKN free?
- Yes — CHKN is a free-to-play Steam title. Project Zomboid is paid (19.99 USD).