Choose Eco
Choose Eco if it matches what drew you to this matchup. 6,553 Steam reviews back the pick.
Eco vs Loco Shortline Operations
Eco and Loco Shortline Operations both land in Indie, Simulation, Early Access 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 Indie, Simulation, Early Access on Steam. Eco (2018) is 3 years older than Loco Shortline Operations (2021). Loco Shortline Operations scores higher on Steam reviews (88% positive) than Eco (78.7% 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 Loco Shortline Operations
Choose Loco Shortline Operations if you want a Casual experience. On Steam, it's currently about 43% cheaper on the Steam Store. Loco Shortline Operations launched in 2021.
Both Eco and Loco Shortline Operations sit in Indie, Simulation, and Early Access on Steam and both list Multi-player, Online Co-op, and LAN Co-op, 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
 Eco |  Loco Shortline Operations | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2018 | 2021 |
| Genres | Indie, Simulation, Early Access | Indie, Simulation, Casual, Early Access |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Deck Playable | Unrated |
| Price | 29.99 USD | 16.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 78.7% positive (6,553 reviews) | 88% positive (50 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Multi-player, Online Co-op, LAN Co-op | Multi-player, Online Co-op, LAN Co-op |
| Developers | Strange Loop Games | TSRS |
Side by side
- Both share Indie, Simulation, Early Access on Steam.
- Eco (2018) is 3 years older than Loco Shortline Operations (2021).
- Loco Shortline Operations scores higher on Steam reviews (88% positive) than Eco (78.7% positive).
- Loco Shortline Operations is currently ~43% cheaper on Steam than Eco (16.99 USD vs. 29.99 USD).
- Both support cooperative play.
- Eco is Deck Playable on Steam Deck; Loco Shortline Operations has no Deck rating yet.
Eco vs Loco Shortline Operations — FAQ
- Should I play Eco or Loco Shortline Operations first?
- If you want chronology, Eco (2018) came out before Loco Shortline Operations (2021). 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 Eco and Loco Shortline Operations similar?
- They overlap on Indie, Simulation, Early Access 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.
- Do both Eco and Loco Shortline Operations have co-op?
- Yes — both list a co-op category on Steam. Specifics differ: Eco ships Online Co-op, LAN Co-op; Loco Shortline Operations ships Online Co-op, LAN Co-op.
- Does Eco run on Steam Deck?
- Yes — Eco is rated Deck Playable by Valve. Loco Shortline Operations doesn't have a Deck rating yet, so its Deck behaviour is currently unverified.