Choose StarbaseSim
Choose StarbaseSim if you want an Early Access game with Multi-player, Online Co-op, and Co-op. On Steam, it has co-op, so you can bring a friend. StarbaseSim launched in 2025.
StarbaseSim vs Time Dilation Lab
StarbaseSim and Time Dilation Lab both land in 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 are Simulation games on Steam. StarbaseSim (2025) is 1 year older than Time Dilation Lab (2026). Time Dilation Lab is currently ~62% cheaper on Steam than StarbaseSim (6.30 USD vs. 16.37 USD). 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 Time Dilation Lab
Choose Time Dilation Lab if it's currently about 62% cheaper on the Steam Store. Time Dilation Lab launched in 2026.
Both StarbaseSim and Time Dilation Lab sit in 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
 StarbaseSim |  Time Dilation Lab | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2025 | 2026 |
| Genres | Simulation, Early Access | Simulation |
| Platforms | Windows, Linux | Windows, Linux |
| Steam Deck | Unrated | Unrated |
| Price | 16.37 USD | 6.30 USD |
| Steam reviews | 96.7% positive (30 reviews) | — |
| Multiplayer | Multi-player, Online Co-op, Co-op | Single-player only |
| Developers | AshtorakSimGames | Logan Bier |
Side by side
- Both are Simulation games on Steam.
- StarbaseSim (2025) is 1 year older than Time Dilation Lab (2026).
- Time Dilation Lab is currently ~62% cheaper on Steam than StarbaseSim (6.30 USD vs. 16.37 USD).
- StarbaseSim has co-op; Time Dilation Lab does not.
StarbaseSim vs Time Dilation Lab — FAQ
- Should I play StarbaseSim or Time Dilation Lab first?
- If you want chronology, StarbaseSim (2025) came out before Time Dilation Lab (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 StarbaseSim and Time Dilation Lab similar?
- They overlap on 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 Time Dilation Lab have multiplayer like StarbaseSim?
- No. StarbaseSim supports multiplayer on Steam (Multi-player, Online Co-op, Co-op), while Time Dilation Lab is listed as single-player only.