Choose Exanima
Choose Exanima if you want a Simulation experience. On Steam, it's Steam Deck Verified, so handheld play works out of the box. 8,861 Steam reviews back the pick.
Exanima vs Spark in the Dark
Exanima and Spark in the Dark both land in Action, Indie, Adventure 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, Adventure on Steam. Exanima (2015) is 11 years older than Spark in the Dark (2026). Spark in the Dark scores higher on Steam reviews (84.4% positive) than Exanima (79.6% 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 Spark in the Dark
Choose Spark in the Dark if you want the Adjustable Text Size, Stereo Sound, and Surround Sound side of the pairing. On Steam, it carries the stronger Steam consensus at 84.4% positive across 205 reviews.
Both Exanima and Spark in the Dark sit in Action, Indie, and Adventure 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
 Exanima |  Spark in the Dark | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2015 | 2026 |
| Genres | Action, Indie, Adventure, Simulation, RPG, Early Access | Action, Indie, Adventure, RPG, Early Access |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows, macOS |
| Steam Deck | Deck Verified | Deck Playable |
| Price | 14.99 USD | 16.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 79.6% positive (8,861 reviews) | 84.4% positive (205 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Single-player only | Single-player only |
| Developers | Bare Mettle Entertainment | Stellar Fish |
Side by side
- Both share Action, Indie, Adventure on Steam.
- Exanima (2015) is 11 years older than Spark in the Dark (2026).
- Spark in the Dark scores higher on Steam reviews (84.4% positive) than Exanima (79.6% positive).
- Exanima is currently ~12% cheaper on Steam than Spark in the Dark (14.99 USD vs. 16.99 USD).
- Steam Deck: Exanima is Deck Verified, Spark in the Dark is Deck Playable.
Exanima vs Spark in the Dark — FAQ
- Which is better, Exanima or Spark in the Dark?
- On Steam reviews Spark in the Dark scores higher (84.4% positive) than Exanima (79.6% positive). Both have enough reviews to trust the signal, so for players using reviews alone, Spark in the Dark is the safer pick. Genre fit still matters — check the side-by-side table for the categories each game lands in.
- Should I play Exanima or Spark in the Dark first?
- If you want chronology, Exanima (2015) came out before Spark in the Dark (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 Exanima and Spark in the Dark similar?
- They overlap on Action, Indie, Adventure 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.