Choose Darknet
Choose Darknet if you want the Tracked Controller Support and VR Supported side of the pairing. Darknet launched in 2017.
Darknet vs Dataminers
Darknet and Dataminers both land in Strategy, Indie 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 on Steam. Darknet (2017) is 9 years older than Dataminers (2026). Dataminers scores higher on Steam reviews (96.9% positive) than Darknet (90% 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 Dataminers
Choose Dataminers if you want the Steam Leaderboards, Adjustable Text Size, and Custom Volume Controls side of the pairing. On Steam, it's currently about 58% cheaper on the Steam Store. Dataminers launched in 2026.
Both Darknet and Dataminers sit in Strategy and Indie 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
 Darknet |  Dataminers | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2017 | 2026 |
| Genres | Strategy, Indie | Strategy, Indie |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Steam Deck | Deck Playable | Unrated |
| Price | 14.99 USD | 6.29 USD |
| Steam reviews | 90% positive (60 reviews) | 96.9% positive (32 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Single-player only | Single-player only |
| Developers | E McNeill | Electrocosmos |
Side by side
- Both share Strategy, Indie on Steam.
- Darknet (2017) is 9 years older than Dataminers (2026).
- Dataminers scores higher on Steam reviews (96.9% positive) than Darknet (90% positive).
- Dataminers is currently ~58% cheaper on Steam than Darknet (6.29 USD vs. 14.99 USD).
- Darknet is Deck Playable on Steam Deck; Dataminers has no Deck rating yet.
Darknet vs Dataminers — FAQ
- Should I play Darknet or Dataminers first?
- If you want chronology, Darknet (2017) came out before Dataminers (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 Darknet and Dataminers similar?
- They overlap on Strategy, Indie 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 Darknet run on Steam Deck?
- Yes — Darknet is rated Deck Playable by Valve. Dataminers doesn't have a Deck rating yet, so its Deck behaviour is currently unverified.