Choose XEL
Choose XEL if it's Steam Deck Verified, so handheld play works out of the box. XEL launched in 2022.
XEL vs DragonLoop
XEL and DragonLoop both land in Action, Indie, 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 Action, Indie, RPG on Steam. XEL (2022) is 3 years older than DragonLoop (2025). DragonLoop scores higher on Steam reviews (89.5% positive) than XEL (44.7% 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 DragonLoop
Choose DragonLoop if you want an Adventure experience. On Steam, it's currently about 40% cheaper on the Steam Store. DragonLoop launched in 2025.
Both XEL and DragonLoop sit in Action, Indie, 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
 XEL |  DragonLoop | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2022 | 2025 |
| Genres | Action, Indie, RPG | Action, Indie, Adventure, RPG |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Deck Verified | Deck Playable |
| Price | 14.99 USD | 8.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 44.7% positive (47 reviews) | 89.5% positive (57 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Single-player only | Single-player only |
| Developers | Tiny Roar | 沙因, 小阮 |
Side by side
- Both share Action, Indie, RPG on Steam.
- XEL (2022) is 3 years older than DragonLoop (2025).
- DragonLoop scores higher on Steam reviews (89.5% positive) than XEL (44.7% positive).
- DragonLoop is currently ~40% cheaper on Steam than XEL (8.99 USD vs. 14.99 USD).
- Steam Deck: XEL is Deck Verified, DragonLoop is Deck Playable.
XEL vs DragonLoop — FAQ
- Should I play XEL or DragonLoop first?
- If you want chronology, XEL (2022) came out before DragonLoop (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 XEL and DragonLoop similar?
- They overlap on Action, Indie, 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.