Choose Core Keeper
Choose Core Keeper if you want an Action and Simulation game with Multi-player, Online Co-op, and Co-op. On Steam, it's Steam Deck Verified, so handheld play works out of the box. 22,806 Steam reviews back the pick.
Core Keeper vs Lighthouse Keeper
Core Keeper and Lighthouse Keeper both land in Indie, Adventure, 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 Indie, Adventure, RPG on Steam. Lighthouse Keeper (2022) is 2 years older than Core Keeper (2024). Core Keeper scores higher on Steam reviews (94.8% positive) than Lighthouse Keeper (64.4% 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 Lighthouse Keeper
Choose Lighthouse Keeper if you want a Casual game with Custom Volume Controls, Stereo Sound, and Playable without Timed Input. On Steam, it's currently about 40% cheaper on the Steam Store. Lighthouse Keeper launched in 2022.
Both Core Keeper and Lighthouse Keeper sit in Indie, Adventure, and RPG 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
 Core Keeper |  Lighthouse Keeper | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2024 | 2022 |
| Genres | Action, Indie, Adventure, Simulation, RPG | Indie, Adventure, RPG, Casual |
| Platforms | Windows, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Steam Deck | Deck Verified | Deck Playable |
| Price | 19.99 USD | 11.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 94.8% positive (22,806 reviews) | 64.4% positive (59 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Multi-player, Online Co-op, Co-op | Single-player only |
| Developers | Pugstorm | Stratera Games |
Side by side
- Both share Indie, Adventure, RPG on Steam.
- Lighthouse Keeper (2022) is 2 years older than Core Keeper (2024).
- Core Keeper scores higher on Steam reviews (94.8% positive) than Lighthouse Keeper (64.4% positive).
- Lighthouse Keeper is currently ~40% cheaper on Steam than Core Keeper (11.99 USD vs. 19.99 USD).
- Core Keeper has co-op; Lighthouse Keeper does not.
- Steam Deck: Core Keeper is Deck Verified, Lighthouse Keeper is Deck Playable.
Core Keeper vs Lighthouse Keeper — FAQ
- Should I play Core Keeper or Lighthouse Keeper first?
- If you want chronology, Lighthouse Keeper (2022) came out before Core Keeper (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 Core Keeper and Lighthouse Keeper similar?
- They overlap on Indie, Adventure, 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.
- Does Lighthouse Keeper have multiplayer like Core Keeper?
- No. Core Keeper supports multiplayer on Steam (Multi-player, Online Co-op, Co-op), while Lighthouse Keeper is listed as single-player only.