Choose Netherworld Covenant
Choose Netherworld Covenant if you want an Adventure game with Stereo Sound and Save Anytime. On Steam, it's a focused single-player run rather than a multiplayer commitment. Netherworld Covenant launched in 2025.
Netherworld Covenant vs Kernel Hearts
Netherworld Covenant and Kernel Hearts both land in Action, Indie, 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 Action, Indie, RPG on Steam. Netherworld Covenant (2025) is 1 year older than Kernel Hearts (2026). Kernel Hearts has co-op; Netherworld Covenant does not. 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 Kernel Hearts
Choose Kernel Hearts if you want the Multi-player, Online Co-op, and Camera Comfort side of the pairing. On Steam, it has co-op, so you can bring a friend. Kernel Hearts launched in 2026.
Both Netherworld Covenant and Kernel Hearts sit in Action, Indie, and RPG on Steam and both list Custom Volume Controls and Adjustable Difficulty, 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
 Netherworld Covenant |  Kernel Hearts | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2025 | 2026 |
| Genres | Action, Indie, Adventure, RPG | Action, Indie, RPG |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Deck Playable | Unrated |
| Price | 19.99 USD | Price unknown |
| Steam reviews | 75.9% positive (145 reviews) | — |
| Multiplayer | Single-player only | Multi-player, Online Co-op, Co-op |
| Developers | MadGoat Game Studio | Ephemera Games |
Side by side
- Both share Action, Indie, RPG on Steam.
- Netherworld Covenant (2025) is 1 year older than Kernel Hearts (2026).
- Kernel Hearts has co-op; Netherworld Covenant does not.
- Netherworld Covenant is Deck Playable on Steam Deck; Kernel Hearts has no Deck rating yet.
Netherworld Covenant vs Kernel Hearts — FAQ
- Should I play Netherworld Covenant or Kernel Hearts first?
- If you want chronology, Netherworld Covenant (2025) came out before Kernel Hearts (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 Netherworld Covenant and Kernel Hearts similar?
- They overlap on Action, Indie, 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.
- Does Netherworld Covenant have multiplayer like Kernel Hearts?
- No. Kernel Hearts supports multiplayer on Steam (Multi-player, Online Co-op, Co-op), while Netherworld Covenant is listed as single-player only.
- Does Netherworld Covenant run on Steam Deck?
- Yes — Netherworld Covenant is rated Deck Playable by Valve. Kernel Hearts doesn't have a Deck rating yet, so its Deck behaviour is currently unverified.