Choose Loopback
Choose Loopback if you want the Multi-player, Shared/Split Screen, and Shared/Split Screen Co-op side of the pairing. On Steam, it's free to play, so the barrier to trying it is zero. Loopback launched in 2022.
Loopback vs The End
Loopback and The End both land in Action, Indie 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 on Steam. Loopback (2022) is 2 years older than The End (2024). Loopback is free; The End is paid (9.99 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 The End
Choose The End if it's a focused single-player run rather than a multiplayer commitment. The End launched in 2024.
Both Loopback and The End sit in Action and Indie 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
 Loopback |  The End | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2022 | 2024 |
| Genres | Action, Indie | Action, Indie |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Steam Deck | Unrated | Unrated |
| Price | Free to play | 9.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 2 reviews | 3 reviews |
| Multiplayer | Multi-player, Shared/Split Screen Co-op, Co-op | Single-player only |
| Developers | Cold Light Games | BITTRON STUDIOS |
Side by side
- Both share Action, Indie on Steam.
- Loopback (2022) is 2 years older than The End (2024).
- Loopback is free; The End is paid (9.99 USD).
- Loopback has co-op; The End does not.
Loopback vs The End — FAQ
- Should I play Loopback or The End first?
- If you want chronology, Loopback (2022) came out before The End (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 Loopback and The End similar?
- They overlap on Action, Indie 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 End have multiplayer like Loopback?
- No. Loopback supports multiplayer on Steam (Multi-player, Shared/Split Screen Co-op, Co-op), while The End is listed as single-player only.
- Is Loopback free?
- Yes — Loopback is a free-to-play Steam title. The End is paid (9.99 USD).