Choose EX-XDRiVER
Choose EX-XDRiVER if you want the Steam Input API Support side of the pairing. On Steam, it's free to play, so the barrier to trying it is zero. EX-XDRiVER launched in 2024.
EX-XDRiVER vs Synapse Grid
EX-XDRiVER and Synapse Grid both land in Action, Indie, 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 Action, Indie, Early Access on Steam. EX-XDRiVER (2024) is 2 years older than Synapse Grid (2026). EX-XDRiVER is free; Synapse Grid is paid (Price unknown). 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 Synapse Grid
Choose Synapse Grid if you want the Shared/Split Screen, Shared/Split Screen PvP, and Shared/Split Screen Co-op side of the pairing. On Steam, it has co-op, so you can bring a friend. Synapse Grid launched in 2026.
Both EX-XDRiVER and Synapse Grid sit in Action, Indie, and Early Access on Steam and both list Multi-player, Steam Leaderboards, and Online PvP, 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
 EX-XDRiVER |  Synapse Grid | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2024 | 2026 |
| Genres | Action, Indie, Early Access, Racing | Action, Indie, Early Access, Racing |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, Linux |
| Steam Deck | Deck Playable | Unrated |
| Price | Free to play | Price unknown |
| Steam reviews | 75.2% positive (113 reviews) | — |
| Multiplayer | Multi-player | Multi-player, Shared/Split Screen Co-op, Co-op |
| Developers | Team XDRV | AlluringCoffee |
Side by side
- Both share Action, Indie, Early Access on Steam.
- EX-XDRiVER (2024) is 2 years older than Synapse Grid (2026).
- EX-XDRiVER is free; Synapse Grid is paid (Price unknown).
- Synapse Grid has co-op; EX-XDRiVER does not.
- EX-XDRiVER is Deck Playable on Steam Deck; Synapse Grid has no Deck rating yet.
EX-XDRiVER vs Synapse Grid — FAQ
- Should I play EX-XDRiVER or Synapse Grid first?
- If you want chronology, EX-XDRiVER (2024) came out before Synapse Grid (2026). 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 EX-XDRiVER and Synapse Grid similar?
- They overlap on Action, Indie, 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.
- Is EX-XDRiVER free?
- Yes — EX-XDRiVER is a free-to-play Steam title. Synapse Grid is paid (Price unknown).
- Does EX-XDRiVER run on Steam Deck?
- Yes — EX-XDRiVER is rated Deck Playable by Valve. Synapse Grid doesn't have a Deck rating yet, so its Deck behaviour is currently unverified.