Choose Cuphead
Choose Cuphead if you want the Multi-player, Shared/Split Screen, and Shared/Split Screen Co-op side of the pairing. On Steam, it's Steam Deck Verified, so handheld play works out of the box. 62,740 Steam reviews back the pick.
Cuphead vs Close Order
Cuphead and Close Order both land in Action, 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 share Action, Indie on Steam. Close Order (2016) is 1 year older than Cuphead (2017). Cuphead scores higher on Steam reviews (96.2% positive) than Close Order (58.8% 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 Close Order
Choose Close Order if it's currently about 75% cheaper on the Steam Store. Close Order launched in 2016.
Both Cuphead and Close Order sit in Action and Indie 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
 Cuphead |  Close Order | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2017 | 2016 |
| Genres | Action, Indie | Action, Indie |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Deck Verified | Unrated |
| Price | 19.99 USD | 4.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 96.2% positive (62,740 reviews) | 58.8% positive (17 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Multi-player, Shared/Split Screen Co-op, Co-op | Single-player only |
| Developers | Studio MDHR Entertainment Inc. | Raconteur Games |
Side by side
- Both share Action, Indie on Steam.
- Close Order (2016) is 1 year older than Cuphead (2017).
- Cuphead scores higher on Steam reviews (96.2% positive) than Close Order (58.8% positive).
- Close Order is currently ~75% cheaper on Steam than Cuphead (4.99 USD vs. 19.99 USD).
- Cuphead has co-op; Close Order does not.
- Cuphead is Deck Verified on Steam Deck; Close Order has no Deck rating yet.
Cuphead vs Close Order — FAQ
- Should I play Cuphead or Close Order first?
- If you want chronology, Close Order (2016) came out before Cuphead (2017). 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 Cuphead and Close Order similar?
- They overlap on Action, 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.
- Does Close Order have multiplayer like Cuphead?
- No. Cuphead supports multiplayer on Steam (Multi-player, Shared/Split Screen Co-op, Co-op), while Close Order is listed as single-player only.
- Does Cuphead run on Steam Deck?
- Yes — Cuphead is rated Deck Verified by Valve. Close Order doesn't have a Deck rating yet, so its Deck behaviour is currently unverified.