Choose Sam & MaRU
Choose Sam & MaRU if it matches what drew you to this matchup. Sam & MaRU launched in 2021.
Sam & MaRU vs Database Detective: Minor Crimes Division
Sam & MaRU and Database Detective: Minor Crimes Division both land in 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 are Indie games on Steam. Sam & MaRU (2021) is 5 years older than Database Detective: Minor Crimes Division (2026). 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 Database Detective: Minor Crimes Division
Choose Database Detective: Minor Crimes Division if you want the Custom Volume Controls and Save Anytime side of the pairing. On Steam, it's the newer release (2026) and ships with the modern feature baseline. Database Detective: Minor Crimes Division launched in 2026.
Both Sam & MaRU and Database Detective: Minor Crimes Division sit in 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
 Sam & MaRU |  Database Detective: Minor Crimes Division | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2021 | 2026 |
| Genres | Indie | Indie |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Steam Deck | Unrated | Unrated |
| Price | 9.99 USD | Price unknown |
| Steam reviews | 4 reviews | — |
| Multiplayer | Single-player only | Single-player only |
| Developers | Space Cadet Interactive | Thomas Hsu |
Side by side
- Both are Indie games on Steam.
- Sam & MaRU (2021) is 5 years older than Database Detective: Minor Crimes Division (2026).
Sam & MaRU vs Database Detective: Minor Crimes Division — FAQ
- Should I play Sam & MaRU or Database Detective: Minor Crimes Division first?
- If you want chronology, Sam & MaRU (2021) came out before Database Detective: Minor Crimes Division (2026). 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 Sam & MaRU and Database Detective: Minor Crimes Division similar?
- They overlap on 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.