Choose Paranormal Observation
Choose Paranormal Observation if you want a Simulation and Casual game with Steam Leaderboards, Mouse Only Option, and Touch Only Option. Paranormal Observation launched in 2024.
Paranormal Observation vs Shadows of the Past
Paranormal Observation and Shadows of the Past both land in 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 are Indie games on Steam. Paranormal Observation (2024) is 1 year older than Shadows of the Past (2025). Shadows of the Past is currently ~0% cheaper on Steam than Paranormal Observation (4.99 USD vs. 4.99 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 Shadows of the Past
Choose Shadows of the Past if you want the Custom Volume Controls and Surround Sound side of the pairing. Shadows of the Past launched in 2025.
Both Paranormal Observation and Shadows of the Past sit in Indie on Steam and both list HDR available and Stereo Sound, 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
 Paranormal Observation |  Shadows of the Past | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2024 | 2025 |
| Genres | Indie, Simulation, Casual | Indie |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Steam Deck | Unrated | Unrated |
| Price | 4.99 USD | 4.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 88% positive (25 reviews) | — |
| Multiplayer | Single-player only | Single-player only |
| Developers | Platuro | SomeTimesAtNight |
Side by side
- Both are Indie games on Steam.
- Paranormal Observation (2024) is 1 year older than Shadows of the Past (2025).
- Shadows of the Past is currently ~0% cheaper on Steam than Paranormal Observation (4.99 USD vs. 4.99 USD).
Paranormal Observation vs Shadows of the Past — FAQ
- Should I play Paranormal Observation or Shadows of the Past first?
- If you want chronology, Paranormal Observation (2024) came out before Shadows of the Past (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 Paranormal Observation and Shadows of the Past similar?
- They overlap on 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.