Choose SYNTHETIK 2
Choose SYNTHETIK 2 if you want an Early Access game with Multi-player, Online Co-op, and Co-op. On Steam, it has co-op, so you can bring a friend. 2,407 Steam reviews back the pick.
SYNTHETIK 2 vs SALTWATER
SYNTHETIK 2 and SALTWATER both land in Action, Indie 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, Indie on Steam. SYNTHETIK 2 (2021) is 4 years older than SALTWATER (2025). SALTWATER scores higher on Steam reviews (100% positive) than SYNTHETIK 2 (81% 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 SALTWATER
Choose SALTWATER if you want a Strategy, RPG, and Casual experience. On Steam, it's currently about 80% cheaper on the Steam Store. SALTWATER launched in 2025.
Both SYNTHETIK 2 and SALTWATER sit in Action and Indie 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
 SYNTHETIK 2 |  SALTWATER | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2021 | 2025 |
| Genres | Action, Indie, Early Access | Action, Strategy, Indie, RPG, Casual |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Deck Playable | Unrated |
| Price | 19.99 USD | 3.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 81% positive (2,407 reviews) | 100% positive (13 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Multi-player, Online Co-op, Co-op | Single-player only |
| Developers | Flow Fire Games | Lean Hog, shinyvictorcarp |
Side by side
- Both share Action, Indie on Steam.
- SYNTHETIK 2 (2021) is 4 years older than SALTWATER (2025).
- SALTWATER scores higher on Steam reviews (100% positive) than SYNTHETIK 2 (81% positive).
- SALTWATER is currently ~80% cheaper on Steam than SYNTHETIK 2 (3.99 USD vs. 19.99 USD).
- SYNTHETIK 2 has co-op; SALTWATER does not.
- SYNTHETIK 2 is Deck Playable on Steam Deck; SALTWATER has no Deck rating yet.
SYNTHETIK 2 vs SALTWATER — FAQ
- Should I play SYNTHETIK 2 or SALTWATER first?
- If you want chronology, SYNTHETIK 2 (2021) came out before SALTWATER (2025). 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 SYNTHETIK 2 and SALTWATER similar?
- They overlap on Action, Indie 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 SALTWATER have multiplayer like SYNTHETIK 2?
- No. SYNTHETIK 2 supports multiplayer on Steam (Multi-player, Online Co-op, Co-op), while SALTWATER is listed as single-player only.
- Does SYNTHETIK 2 run on Steam Deck?
- Yes — SYNTHETIK 2 is rated Deck Playable by Valve. SALTWATER doesn't have a Deck rating yet, so its Deck behaviour is currently unverified.