Choose Core Keeper
Choose Core Keeper if you want an Action, Adventure, and RPG experience. 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 Starground
Core Keeper and Starground both land in Indie, 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, Simulation on Steam. Both released in 2024. Core Keeper scores higher on Steam reviews (94.8% positive) than Starground (79.6% 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 Starground
Choose Starground if you want a Strategy and Early Access game with LAN Co-op, Adjustable Text Size, and Color Alternatives. On Steam, it's currently about 30% cheaper on the Steam Store. Starground launched in 2024.
Both Core Keeper and Starground sit in Indie and Simulation on Steam and both list Multi-player, Online Co-op, and Co-op, 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 |  Starground | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2024 | 2024 |
| Genres | Action, Indie, Adventure, Simulation, RPG | Strategy, Indie, Simulation, Early Access |
| Platforms | Windows, Linux | Windows, Linux |
| Steam Deck | Deck Verified | Deck Playable |
| Price | 19.99 USD | 13.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 94.8% positive (22,806 reviews) | 79.6% positive (93 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Multi-player, Online Co-op, Co-op | Multi-player, Online Co-op, LAN Co-op |
| Developers | Pugstorm | Big Boy Games |
Side by side
- Both share Indie, Simulation on Steam.
- Both released in 2024.
- Core Keeper scores higher on Steam reviews (94.8% positive) than Starground (79.6% positive).
- Starground is currently ~30% cheaper on Steam than Core Keeper (13.99 USD vs. 19.99 USD).
- Both support cooperative play.
- Steam Deck: Core Keeper is Deck Verified, Starground is Deck Playable.
Core Keeper vs Starground — FAQ
- Are Core Keeper and Starground similar?
- They overlap on Indie, 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.
- Do both Core Keeper and Starground have co-op?
- Yes — both list a co-op category on Steam. Specifics differ: Core Keeper ships Online Co-op, Co-op; Starground ships Online Co-op, LAN Co-op.