Choose Nexus 5X
Choose Nexus 5X if you want an Indie and RPG game with Multi-player, Online PvP, and Online Co-op. On Steam, it has co-op, so you can bring a friend. Nexus 5X launched in 2024.
Nexus 5X vs Hell Forest
Nexus 5X and Hell Forest both land in Strategy, 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 Strategy, Simulation on Steam. Nexus 5X (2024) is 2 years older than Hell Forest (2026). Hell Forest is free; Nexus 5X is paid (7.49 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 Hell Forest
Choose Hell Forest if you want a Free To Play and Casual game with Playable without Timed Input, Mouse Only Option, and Adjustable Difficulty. On Steam, it's free to play, so the barrier to trying it is zero. Hell Forest launched in 2026.
Both Nexus 5X and Hell Forest sit in Strategy 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
 Nexus 5X |  Hell Forest | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2024 | 2026 |
| Genres | Strategy, Indie, Simulation, RPG | Strategy, Simulation, Free To Play, Casual |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Deck Playable | Unrated |
| Price | 7.49 USD | Free to play |
| Steam reviews | 91.6% positive (717 reviews) | — |
| Multiplayer | Multi-player, Online Co-op, Co-op | Single-player only |
| Developers | Whatboy Games | situ sam |
Side by side
- Both share Strategy, Simulation on Steam.
- Nexus 5X (2024) is 2 years older than Hell Forest (2026).
- Hell Forest is free; Nexus 5X is paid (7.49 USD).
- Nexus 5X has co-op; Hell Forest does not.
- Nexus 5X is Deck Playable on Steam Deck; Hell Forest has no Deck rating yet.
Nexus 5X vs Hell Forest — FAQ
- Should I play Nexus 5X or Hell Forest first?
- If you want chronology, Nexus 5X (2024) came out before Hell Forest (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 Nexus 5X and Hell Forest similar?
- They overlap on Strategy, 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 Hell Forest have multiplayer like Nexus 5X?
- No. Nexus 5X supports multiplayer on Steam (Multi-player, Online Co-op, Co-op), while Hell Forest is listed as single-player only.
- Is Hell Forest free?
- Yes — Hell Forest is a free-to-play Steam title. Nexus 5X is paid (7.49 USD).
- Does Nexus 5X run on Steam Deck?
- Yes — Nexus 5X is rated Deck Playable by Valve. Hell Forest doesn't have a Deck rating yet, so its Deck behaviour is currently unverified.