Choose Core Keeper
Choose Core Keeper if you want an Action and RPG 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 Sandbox
Core Keeper and Sandbox both land in Indie, Adventure, Simulation 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, Simulation on Steam. Sandbox (2023) is 1 year older than Core Keeper (2024). Sandbox is currently ~95% cheaper on Steam than Core Keeper (0.99 USD vs. 19.99 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 Sandbox
Choose Sandbox if it's currently about 95% cheaper on the Steam Store. Sandbox launched in 2023.
Both Core Keeper and Sandbox sit in Indie, Adventure, and Simulation 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 |  Sandbox | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2024 | 2023 |
| Genres | Action, Indie, Adventure, Simulation, RPG | Indie, Adventure, Simulation |
| Platforms | Windows, Linux | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Deck Verified | Unrated |
| Price | 19.99 USD | 0.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 94.8% positive (22,806 reviews) | 2 reviews |
| Multiplayer | Multi-player, Online Co-op, Co-op | Single-player only |
| Developers | Pugstorm | Game Sunlight |
Side by side
- Both share Indie, Adventure, Simulation on Steam.
- Sandbox (2023) is 1 year older than Core Keeper (2024).
- Sandbox is currently ~95% cheaper on Steam than Core Keeper (0.99 USD vs. 19.99 USD).
- Core Keeper has co-op; Sandbox does not.
- Core Keeper is Deck Verified on Steam Deck; Sandbox has no Deck rating yet.
Core Keeper vs Sandbox — FAQ
- Should I play Core Keeper or Sandbox first?
- If you want chronology, Sandbox (2023) 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 Sandbox similar?
- They overlap on Indie, Adventure, Simulation 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 Sandbox have multiplayer like Core Keeper?
- No. Core Keeper supports multiplayer on Steam (Multi-player, Online Co-op, Co-op), while Sandbox is listed as single-player only.
- Does Core Keeper run on Steam Deck?
- Yes — Core Keeper is rated Deck Verified by Valve. Sandbox doesn't have a Deck rating yet, so its Deck behaviour is currently unverified.