Choose RimWorld
Choose RimWorld if you want an Indie game with Adjustable Text Size, Camera Comfort, and Custom Volume Controls. On Steam, it's Steam Deck Verified, so handheld play works out of the box. 116,236 Steam reviews back the pick.
RimWorld vs Command: Shifting Sands
RimWorld and Command: Shifting Sands both land in Strategy, 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, Simulation on Steam. Command: Shifting Sands (2017) is 1 year older than RimWorld (2018). RimWorld is Deck Verified on Steam Deck; Command: Shifting Sands has no Deck rating yet. 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 Command: Shifting Sands
Choose Command: Shifting Sands if it matches what drew you to this matchup. Command: Shifting Sands launched in 2017.
Both RimWorld and Command: Shifting Sands sit in Strategy 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 |  Command: Shifting Sands | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2018 | 2017 |
| Genres | Strategy, Indie, Simulation | Strategy, Simulation |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Deck Verified | Unrated |
| Price | 34.99 USD | Price unknown |
| Steam reviews | 97.9% positive (116,236 reviews) | 1 reviews |
| Multiplayer | Single-player only | Single-player only |
| Developers | Ludeon Studios | WarfareSims |
Side by side
- Both share Strategy, Simulation on Steam.
- Command: Shifting Sands (2017) is 1 year older than RimWorld (2018).
- RimWorld is Deck Verified on Steam Deck; Command: Shifting Sands has no Deck rating yet.
RimWorld vs Command: Shifting Sands — FAQ
- Should I play RimWorld or Command: Shifting Sands first?
- If you want chronology, Command: Shifting Sands (2017) came out before RimWorld (2018). 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 Command: Shifting Sands similar?
- They overlap on Strategy, 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. Command: Shifting Sands doesn't have a Deck rating yet, so its Deck behaviour is currently unverified.