Choose Aethernaut
Choose Aethernaut if it's Steam Deck Verified, so handheld play works out of the box. Aethernaut launched in 2022.
Aethernaut vs Beta MAX
Aethernaut and Beta MAX both land in Indie, Adventure 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, Adventure on Steam. Aethernaut (2022) is 2 years older than Beta MAX (2024). Beta MAX is currently ~41% cheaper on Steam than Aethernaut (9.99 USD vs. 16.99 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 Beta MAX
Choose Beta MAX if you want an Action experience. On Steam, it's currently about 41% cheaper on the Steam Store. Beta MAX launched in 2024.
Both Aethernaut and Beta MAX sit in Indie and Adventure 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
 Aethernaut |  Beta MAX | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2022 | 2024 |
| Genres | Indie, Adventure | Action, Indie, Adventure |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Deck Verified | Unrated |
| Price | 16.99 USD | 9.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 52.9% positive (34 reviews) | 8 reviews |
| Multiplayer | Single-player only | Single-player only |
| Developers | Dragon Slumber | Nexcide |
Side by side
- Both share Indie, Adventure on Steam.
- Aethernaut (2022) is 2 years older than Beta MAX (2024).
- Beta MAX is currently ~41% cheaper on Steam than Aethernaut (9.99 USD vs. 16.99 USD).
- Aethernaut is Deck Verified on Steam Deck; Beta MAX has no Deck rating yet.
Aethernaut vs Beta MAX — FAQ
- Should I play Aethernaut or Beta MAX first?
- If you want chronology, Aethernaut (2022) came out before Beta MAX (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 Aethernaut and Beta MAX similar?
- They overlap on Indie, Adventure 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 Aethernaut run on Steam Deck?
- Yes — Aethernaut is rated Deck Verified by Valve. Beta MAX doesn't have a Deck rating yet, so its Deck behaviour is currently unverified.