Choose Ys IX: Monstrum Nox
Choose Ys IX: Monstrum Nox if you want the Stereo Sound and Save Anytime side of the pairing. On Steam, it's Steam Deck Verified, so handheld play works out of the box. Ys IX: Monstrum Nox launched in 2021.
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox vs Starless Umbra
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox and Starless Umbra both land in Action, RPG 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 Action, RPG on Steam. Both support cooperative play. Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is Deck Verified on Steam Deck; Starless Umbra has no Deck rating yet. 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 Starless Umbra
Choose Starless Umbra if you want an Indie and Adventure game with DualShock Controller Support, Gamepad Recommended, and Camera Comfort.
Both Ys IX: Monstrum Nox and Starless Umbra sit in Action and RPG on Steam and both list Multi-player, Shared/Split Screen, and Shared/Split Screen 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
 Ys IX: Monstrum Nox |  Starless Umbra | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2021 | — |
| Genres | Action, RPG | Action, Indie, Adventure, RPG |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Deck Verified | Unrated |
| Price | 29.99 USD | Price unknown |
| Steam reviews | 95.4% positive (934 reviews) | — |
| Multiplayer | Multi-player, Shared/Split Screen Co-op, Co-op | Multi-player, Shared/Split Screen Co-op, Co-op |
| Developers | Nihon Falcom, PH3 GmbH, Engine Software BV | Alcuria Games |
Side by side
- Both share Action, RPG on Steam.
- Both support cooperative play.
- Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is Deck Verified on Steam Deck; Starless Umbra has no Deck rating yet.
Ys IX: Monstrum Nox vs Starless Umbra — FAQ
- Are Ys IX: Monstrum Nox and Starless Umbra similar?
- They overlap on Action, RPG 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 Ys IX: Monstrum Nox and Starless Umbra have co-op?
- Yes — both list a co-op category on Steam. Specifics differ: Ys IX: Monstrum Nox ships Shared/Split Screen Co-op, Co-op; Starless Umbra ships Shared/Split Screen Co-op, Co-op.
- Does Ys IX: Monstrum Nox run on Steam Deck?
- Yes — Ys IX: Monstrum Nox is rated Deck Verified by Valve. Starless Umbra doesn't have a Deck rating yet, so its Deck behaviour is currently unverified.