Choose Spacebase DF-9
Choose Spacebase DF-9 if you want an Indie experience. 2,862 Steam reviews back the pick.
Spacebase DF-9 vs Surviving Mars
Spacebase DF-9 and Surviving Mars 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. Spacebase DF-9 (2014) is 4 years older than Surviving Mars (2018). Surviving Mars scores higher on Steam reviews (79% positive) than Spacebase DF-9 (16.2% positive). 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 Surviving Mars
Choose Surviving Mars if it carries the stronger Steam consensus at 79% positive across 10,552 reviews.
Both Spacebase DF-9 and Surviving Mars 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
 Spacebase DF-9 |  Surviving Mars | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2014 | 2018 |
| Genres | Strategy, Indie, Simulation | Strategy, Simulation |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Steam Deck | Deck Playable | Deck Unsupported |
| Price | 9.99 USD | Price unknown |
| Steam reviews | 16.2% positive (2,862 reviews) | 79% positive (10,552 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Single-player only | Single-player only |
| Developers | Double Fine Productions | Haemimont Games, Abstraction |
Side by side
- Both share Strategy, Simulation on Steam.
- Spacebase DF-9 (2014) is 4 years older than Surviving Mars (2018).
- Surviving Mars scores higher on Steam reviews (79% positive) than Spacebase DF-9 (16.2% positive).
- Steam Deck: Spacebase DF-9 is Deck Playable, Surviving Mars is Deck Unsupported.
Spacebase DF-9 vs Surviving Mars — FAQ
- Which is better, Spacebase DF-9 or Surviving Mars?
- On Steam reviews Surviving Mars scores higher (79% positive) than Spacebase DF-9 (16.2% positive). Both have enough reviews to trust the signal, so for players using reviews alone, Surviving Mars is the safer pick. Genre fit still matters — check the side-by-side table for the categories each game lands in.
- Should I play Spacebase DF-9 or Surviving Mars first?
- If you want chronology, Spacebase DF-9 (2014) came out before Surviving Mars (2018). 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 Spacebase DF-9 and Surviving Mars 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.