Choose Universe Sandbox
Choose Universe Sandbox if you want a Casual game with Adjustable Text Size, Custom Volume Controls, and Playable without Timed Input. 18,850 Steam reviews back the pick.
Universe Sandbox vs Virtual Chemistry Lab
Universe Sandbox and Virtual Chemistry Lab both land in Indie, Simulation, Early Access 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, Simulation, Early Access on Steam. Universe Sandbox (2015) is 8 years older than Virtual Chemistry Lab (2023). Virtual Chemistry Lab is currently ~33% cheaper on Steam than Universe Sandbox (19.99 USD vs. 29.99 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 Virtual Chemistry Lab
Choose Virtual Chemistry Lab if it's currently about 33% cheaper on the Steam Store. Virtual Chemistry Lab launched in 2023.
Both Universe Sandbox and Virtual Chemistry Lab sit in Indie, Simulation, and Early Access 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
 Universe Sandbox |  Virtual Chemistry Lab | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2015 | 2023 |
| Genres | Indie, Simulation, Casual, Early Access | Indie, Simulation, Early Access |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Deck Playable | Unrated |
| Price | 29.99 USD | 19.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 96.6% positive (18,850 reviews) | 1 reviews |
| Multiplayer | Single-player only | Single-player only |
| Developers | Giant Army | Alpay Akay |
Side by side
- Both share Indie, Simulation, Early Access on Steam.
- Universe Sandbox (2015) is 8 years older than Virtual Chemistry Lab (2023).
- Virtual Chemistry Lab is currently ~33% cheaper on Steam than Universe Sandbox (19.99 USD vs. 29.99 USD).
- Universe Sandbox is Deck Playable on Steam Deck; Virtual Chemistry Lab has no Deck rating yet.
Universe Sandbox vs Virtual Chemistry Lab — FAQ
- Should I play Universe Sandbox or Virtual Chemistry Lab first?
- If you want chronology, Universe Sandbox (2015) came out before Virtual Chemistry Lab (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 Universe Sandbox and Virtual Chemistry Lab similar?
- They overlap on Indie, Simulation, Early Access 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 Universe Sandbox run on Steam Deck?
- Yes — Universe Sandbox is rated Deck Playable by Valve. Virtual Chemistry Lab doesn't have a Deck rating yet, so its Deck behaviour is currently unverified.