IMHO.

The Darkest Files vs Abnormal1999:The Compass and the Sand

The Darkest Files and Abnormal1999:The Compass and the Sand 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. Abnormal1999:The Compass and the Sand (2024) is 1 year older than The Darkest Files (2025). Abnormal1999:The Compass and the Sand is currently ~85% cheaper on Steam than The Darkest Files (2.99 USD vs. 19.99 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 Darkest Files

Choose The Darkest Files if you want a Simulation game with Adjustable Text Size, Subtitle Options, and Camera Comfort. On Steam, it's Steam Deck Verified, so handheld play works out of the box. The Darkest Files launched in 2025.

Choose Abnormal1999:The Compass and the Sand

Choose Abnormal1999:The Compass and the Sand if it's currently about 85% cheaper on the Steam Store. Abnormal1999:The Compass and the Sand launched in 2024.

Both The Darkest Files and Abnormal1999:The Compass and the Sand 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 Darkest Files vs Abnormal1999:The Compass and the Sand — Steam metadata comparison
The Darkest Files — Steam game coverThe Darkest FilesAbnormal1999:The Compass and the Sand — Steam game coverAbnormal1999:The Compass and the Sand
Released20252024
GenresIndie, Adventure, SimulationIndie, Adventure
PlatformsWindows, macOSWindows
Steam DeckDeck VerifiedUnrated
Price19.99 USD2.99 USD
Steam reviews94.7% positive (340 reviews)—
MultiplayerSingle-player onlySingle-player only
DevelopersPaintbucket GamesQZQ Studio

Side by side

The Darkest Files vs Abnormal1999:The Compass and the Sand — FAQ

Should I play The Darkest Files or Abnormal1999:The Compass and the Sand first?
If you want chronology, Abnormal1999:The Compass and the Sand (2024) came out before The Darkest Files (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 The Darkest Files and Abnormal1999:The Compass and the Sand 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 Darkest Files run on Steam Deck?
Yes — The Darkest Files is rated Deck Verified by Valve. Abnormal1999:The Compass and the Sand doesn't have a Deck rating yet, so its Deck behaviour is currently unverified.
The Darkest Files vs Abnormal1999:The Compass and the Sand · imho.run