Choose Manahex
Choose Manahex if you want the Multi-player, Online PvP, and PvP side of the pairing. Manahex launched in 2024.
Manahex vs Checkmage!
Manahex and Checkmage! both land in Strategy, 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 Strategy, Indie on Steam. Manahex (2024) is 2 years older than Checkmage! (2026). 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 Checkmage!
Choose Checkmage! if you want a RPG and Casual experience. On Steam, it's a focused single-player run rather than a multiplayer commitment. Checkmage! launched in 2026.
Both Manahex and Checkmage! sit in Strategy 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
 Manahex |  Checkmage! | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2024 | 2026 |
| Genres | Strategy, Indie | Strategy, Indie, RPG, Casual |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, Linux |
| Steam Deck | Unrated | Unrated |
| Price | 1.19 USD | Price unknown |
| Steam reviews | 5 reviews | — |
| Multiplayer | Multi-player, Cross-Platform Multiplayer | Single-player only |
| Developers | Erik Svedäng | posshydra |
Side by side
- Both share Strategy, Indie on Steam.
- Manahex (2024) is 2 years older than Checkmage! (2026).
Manahex vs Checkmage! — FAQ
- Should I play Manahex or Checkmage! first?
- If you want chronology, Manahex (2024) came out before Checkmage! (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 Manahex and Checkmage! similar?
- They overlap on Strategy, 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 Checkmage! have multiplayer like Manahex?
- No. Manahex supports multiplayer on Steam (Multi-player, Cross-Platform Multiplayer), while Checkmage! is listed as single-player only.