Choose SHAFTED
Choose SHAFTED if you want a Simulation and Free To Play experience. On Steam, it's free to play, so the barrier to trying it is zero. SHAFTED launched in 2022.
SHAFTED vs Medchess
SHAFTED and Medchess both land in Strategy 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 are Strategy games on Steam. SHAFTED (2022) is 1 year older than Medchess (2023). SHAFTED is free; Medchess is paid (2.99 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 Medchess
Choose Medchess if it matches what drew you to this matchup. Medchess launched in 2023.
Both SHAFTED and Medchess sit in Strategy 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
 SHAFTED |  Medchess | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2022 | 2023 |
| Genres | Strategy, Simulation, Free To Play | Strategy |
| Platforms | Windows, Linux | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Unrated | Unrated |
| Price | Free to play | 2.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 90% positive (10 reviews) | 1 reviews |
| Multiplayer | Single-player only | Single-player only |
| Developers | Looch Labs | Hashdev |
Side by side
- Both are Strategy games on Steam.
- SHAFTED (2022) is 1 year older than Medchess (2023).
- SHAFTED is free; Medchess is paid (2.99 USD).
SHAFTED vs Medchess — FAQ
- Should I play SHAFTED or Medchess first?
- If you want chronology, SHAFTED (2022) came out before Medchess (2023). 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 SHAFTED and Medchess similar?
- They overlap on Strategy 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.
- Is SHAFTED free?
- Yes — SHAFTED is a free-to-play Steam title. Medchess is paid (2.99 USD).