Choose Monster Train
Choose Monster Train if you want the Multi-player, Online PvP, and PvP side of the pairing. 12,182 Steam reviews back the pick.
Monster Train vs Backroom
Monster Train and Backroom 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. Monster Train (2020) is 4 years older than Backroom (2024). Backroom is currently ~40% cheaper on Steam than Monster Train (2.99 USD vs. 4.99 USD). 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 Backroom
Choose Backroom if you want an Indie and Simulation experience. On Steam, it's currently about 40% cheaper on the Steam Store. Backroom launched in 2024.
Both Monster Train and Backroom 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
 Monster Train |  Backroom | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2020 | 2024 |
| Genres | Strategy | Strategy, Indie, Simulation |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Deck Playable | Unrated |
| Price | 4.99 USD | 2.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 96.7% positive (12,182 reviews) | 2 reviews |
| Multiplayer | Multi-player | Single-player only |
| Developers | Shiny Shoe | Molance Games |
Side by side
- Both are Strategy games on Steam.
- Monster Train (2020) is 4 years older than Backroom (2024).
- Backroom is currently ~40% cheaper on Steam than Monster Train (2.99 USD vs. 4.99 USD).
- Monster Train is Deck Playable on Steam Deck; Backroom has no Deck rating yet.
Monster Train vs Backroom — FAQ
- Should I play Monster Train or Backroom first?
- If you want chronology, Monster Train (2020) came out before Backroom (2024). 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 Monster Train and Backroom 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 Backroom have multiplayer like Monster Train?
- No. Monster Train supports multiplayer on Steam (Multi-player), while Backroom is listed as single-player only.
- Does Monster Train run on Steam Deck?
- Yes — Monster Train is rated Deck Playable by Valve. Backroom doesn't have a Deck rating yet, so its Deck behaviour is currently unverified.