Choose Paper Sorcerer
Choose Paper Sorcerer if you want an Indie experience. Paper Sorcerer launched in 2014.
Paper Sorcerer vs Cartridge Monsters
Paper Sorcerer and Cartridge Monsters both land in Adventure, RPG 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 Adventure, RPG on Steam. Paper Sorcerer (2014) is 7 years older than Cartridge Monsters (2021). Cartridge Monsters scores higher on Steam reviews (86.4% positive) than Paper Sorcerer (83.4% 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 Cartridge Monsters
Choose Cartridge Monsters if you want a Strategy game with Tracked Controller Support and VR Only. On Steam, it's free to play, so the barrier to trying it is zero. Cartridge Monsters launched in 2021.
Both Paper Sorcerer and Cartridge Monsters sit in Adventure and RPG 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
 Paper Sorcerer |  Cartridge Monsters | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2014 | 2021 |
| Genres | Indie, Adventure, RPG | Strategy, Adventure, RPG |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Unrated | Unrated |
| Price | 4.99 USD | Free to play |
| Steam reviews | 83.4% positive (349 reviews) | 86.4% positive (22 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Single-player only | Single-player only |
| Developers | Ultra Runaway Games | Happenstance Games |
Side by side
- Both share Adventure, RPG on Steam.
- Paper Sorcerer (2014) is 7 years older than Cartridge Monsters (2021).
- Cartridge Monsters scores higher on Steam reviews (86.4% positive) than Paper Sorcerer (83.4% positive).
- Cartridge Monsters is free; Paper Sorcerer is paid (4.99 USD).
Paper Sorcerer vs Cartridge Monsters — FAQ
- Should I play Paper Sorcerer or Cartridge Monsters first?
- If you want chronology, Paper Sorcerer (2014) came out before Cartridge Monsters (2021). 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 Paper Sorcerer and Cartridge Monsters similar?
- They overlap on Adventure, RPG 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 Cartridge Monsters free?
- Yes — Cartridge Monsters is a free-to-play Steam title. Paper Sorcerer is paid (4.99 USD).