Choose Outlast 2
Choose Outlast 2 if it matches what drew you to this matchup. 10,570 Steam reviews back the pick.
Outlast 2 vs Dark Watching Chapter 1
Outlast 2 and Dark Watching Chapter 1 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. Outlast 2 (2017) is 8 years older than Dark Watching Chapter 1 (2025). Dark Watching Chapter 1 scores higher on Steam reviews (100% positive) than Outlast 2 (85% 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 Dark Watching Chapter 1
Choose Dark Watching Chapter 1 if you want a Free To Play game with Subtitle Options and Stereo Sound. On Steam, it's free to play, so the barrier to trying it is zero. Dark Watching Chapter 1 launched in 2025.
Both Outlast 2 and Dark Watching Chapter 1 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
 Outlast 2 |  Dark Watching Chapter 1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2017 | 2025 |
| Genres | Action, Indie, Adventure | Action, Indie, Adventure, Free To Play |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Deck Playable | Unrated |
| Price | 19.99 USD | Free to play |
| Steam reviews | 85% positive (10,570 reviews) | 100% positive (10 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Single-player only | Single-player only |
| Developers | Red Barrels | Cannedheart's studios |
Side by side
- Both share Action, Indie, Adventure on Steam.
- Outlast 2 (2017) is 8 years older than Dark Watching Chapter 1 (2025).
- Dark Watching Chapter 1 scores higher on Steam reviews (100% positive) than Outlast 2 (85% positive).
- Dark Watching Chapter 1 is free; Outlast 2 is paid (19.99 USD).
- Outlast 2 is Deck Playable on Steam Deck; Dark Watching Chapter 1 has no Deck rating yet.
Outlast 2 vs Dark Watching Chapter 1 — FAQ
- Should I play Outlast 2 or Dark Watching Chapter 1 first?
- If you want chronology, Outlast 2 (2017) came out before Dark Watching Chapter 1 (2025). 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 Outlast 2 and Dark Watching Chapter 1 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.
- Is Dark Watching Chapter 1 free?
- Yes — Dark Watching Chapter 1 is a free-to-play Steam title. Outlast 2 is paid (19.99 USD).
- Does Outlast 2 run on Steam Deck?
- Yes — Outlast 2 is rated Deck Playable by Valve. Dark Watching Chapter 1 doesn't have a Deck rating yet, so its Deck behaviour is currently unverified.