Choose Project Zomboid
Choose Project Zomboid if you want a RPG game with Multi-player, Shared/Split Screen, and Online PvP. On Steam, it carries the stronger Steam consensus at 94% positive across 147,516 reviews.
Project Zomboid vs Machine World 2
Project Zomboid and Machine World 2 both land in Indie, Simulation, 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, Simulation, Early Access on Steam. Project Zomboid (2013) is 4 years older than Machine World 2 (2017). Project Zomboid scores higher on Steam reviews (94% positive) than Machine World 2 (49% 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 Machine World 2
Choose Machine World 2 if it's currently about 35% cheaper on the Steam Store. Machine World 2 launched in 2017.
Both Project Zomboid and Machine World 2 sit in Indie, Simulation, and Early Access 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
 Project Zomboid |  Machine World 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2013 | 2017 |
| Genres | Indie, Simulation, RPG, Early Access | Indie, Simulation, Early Access |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS |
| Steam Deck | Deck Verified | Unrated |
| Price | 19.99 USD | 12.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 94% positive (147,516 reviews) | 49% positive (153 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Multi-player, Cross-Platform Multiplayer, Online Co-op | Single-player only |
| Developers | The Indie Stone | Trino Games |
Side by side
- Both share Indie, Simulation, Early Access on Steam.
- Project Zomboid (2013) is 4 years older than Machine World 2 (2017).
- Project Zomboid scores higher on Steam reviews (94% positive) than Machine World 2 (49% positive).
- Machine World 2 is currently ~35% cheaper on Steam than Project Zomboid (12.99 USD vs. 19.99 USD).
- Project Zomboid has co-op; Machine World 2 does not.
- Project Zomboid is Deck Verified on Steam Deck; Machine World 2 has no Deck rating yet.
Project Zomboid vs Machine World 2 — FAQ
- Which is better, Project Zomboid or Machine World 2?
- On Steam reviews Project Zomboid scores higher (94% positive) than Machine World 2 (49% 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 Machine World 2 first?
- If you want chronology, Project Zomboid (2013) came out before Machine World 2 (2017). 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 Machine World 2 similar?
- They overlap on Indie, Simulation, 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.
- Does Machine World 2 have multiplayer like Project Zomboid?
- No. Project Zomboid supports multiplayer on Steam (Multi-player, Cross-Platform Multiplayer, Online Co-op), while Machine World 2 is listed as single-player only.
- Does Project Zomboid run on Steam Deck?
- Yes — Project Zomboid is rated Deck Verified by Valve. Machine World 2 doesn't have a Deck rating yet, so its Deck behaviour is currently unverified.