Choose The Operator
Choose The Operator if you want a Simulation game with Adjustable Text Size, Subtitle Options, and Color Alternatives. On Steam, it's Steam Deck Verified, so handheld play works out of the box. 3,406 Steam reviews back the pick.
The Operator vs Pixel Detective: Curse of the Paintings
The Operator and Pixel Detective: Curse of the Paintings both land in Indie, Adventure 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 on Steam. The Operator (2024) is 2 years older than Pixel Detective: Curse of the Paintings (2026). The Operator is Deck Verified on Steam Deck; Pixel Detective: Curse of the Paintings has no Deck rating yet. 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 Pixel Detective: Curse of the Paintings
Choose Pixel Detective: Curse of the Paintings if you want a Casual game with DualShock Controller Support and Steam Input API Support. Pixel Detective: Curse of the Paintings launched in 2026.
Both The Operator and Pixel Detective: Curse of the Paintings sit in Indie and Adventure 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
 The Operator |  Pixel Detective: Curse of the Paintings | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2024 | 2026 |
| Genres | Indie, Adventure, Simulation | Indie, Adventure, Casual |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Steam Deck | Deck Verified | Unrated |
| Price | 13.99 USD | Price unknown |
| Steam reviews | 89.7% positive (3,406 reviews) | — |
| Multiplayer | Single-player only | Single-player only |
| Developers | Bureau 81 | NorthLightPixels |
Side by side
- Both share Indie, Adventure on Steam.
- The Operator (2024) is 2 years older than Pixel Detective: Curse of the Paintings (2026).
- The Operator is Deck Verified on Steam Deck; Pixel Detective: Curse of the Paintings has no Deck rating yet.
The Operator vs Pixel Detective: Curse of the Paintings — FAQ
- Should I play The Operator or Pixel Detective: Curse of the Paintings first?
- If you want chronology, The Operator (2024) came out before Pixel Detective: Curse of the Paintings (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 The Operator and Pixel Detective: Curse of the Paintings similar?
- They overlap on Indie, Adventure 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 The Operator run on Steam Deck?
- Yes — The Operator is rated Deck Verified by Valve. Pixel Detective: Curse of the Paintings doesn't have a Deck rating yet, so its Deck behaviour is currently unverified.