Choose RimWorld
Choose RimWorld if you want the Adjustable Text Size, Camera Comfort, and Custom Volume Controls side of the pairing. On Steam, it's Steam Deck Verified, so handheld play works out of the box. 116,236 Steam reviews back the pick.
RimWorld vs Exile
RimWorld and Exile both land in Strategy, Indie, Simulation 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, Simulation on Steam. RimWorld (2018) is 7 years older than Exile (2025). RimWorld scores higher on Steam reviews (97.9% positive) than Exile (63.6% 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 Exile
Choose Exile if it's currently about 43% cheaper on the Steam Store. Exile launched in 2025.
Both RimWorld and Exile sit in Strategy, Indie, and Simulation 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
 RimWorld |  Exile | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2018 | 2025 |
| Genres | Strategy, Indie, Simulation | Strategy, Indie, Simulation |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Steam Deck | Deck Verified | Unrated |
| Price | 34.99 USD | 19.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 97.9% positive (116,236 reviews) | 63.6% positive (11 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Single-player only | Single-player only |
| Developers | Ludeon Studios | JD7 Games |
Side by side
- Both share Strategy, Indie, Simulation on Steam.
- RimWorld (2018) is 7 years older than Exile (2025).
- RimWorld scores higher on Steam reviews (97.9% positive) than Exile (63.6% positive).
- Exile is currently ~43% cheaper on Steam than RimWorld (19.99 USD vs. 34.99 USD).
- RimWorld is Deck Verified on Steam Deck; Exile has no Deck rating yet.
RimWorld vs Exile — FAQ
- Should I play RimWorld or Exile first?
- If you want chronology, RimWorld (2018) came out before Exile (2025). 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 RimWorld and Exile similar?
- They overlap on Strategy, Indie, Simulation 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 RimWorld run on Steam Deck?
- Yes — RimWorld is rated Deck Verified by Valve. Exile doesn't have a Deck rating yet, so its Deck behaviour is currently unverified.