Choose Spelunky 2
Choose Spelunky 2 if you want the Shared/Split Screen and Shared/Split Screen PvP side of the pairing. On Steam, it's the newer release (2020) and ships with the modern feature baseline. 13,985 Steam reviews back the pick.
Spelunky 2 vs Imprisoned Light
Spelunky 2 and Imprisoned Light both land in Action, 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 Action, Indie on Steam. Imprisoned Light (2016) is 4 years older than Spelunky 2 (2020). Spelunky 2 scores higher on Steam reviews (93.3% positive) than Imprisoned Light (59.1% 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 Imprisoned Light
Choose Imprisoned Light if you want an Adventure and RPG experience. On Steam, it's currently about 95% cheaper on the Steam Store. Imprisoned Light launched in 2016.
Both Spelunky 2 and Imprisoned Light sit in Action and Indie on Steam and both list Multi-player, Online PvP, and Online 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
 Spelunky 2 |  Imprisoned Light | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2020 | 2016 |
| Genres | Action, Indie | Action, Indie, Adventure, RPG |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows, macOS |
| Steam Deck | Deck Verified | Unrated |
| Price | 19.99 USD | 0.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 93.3% positive (13,985 reviews) | 59.1% positive (88 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Multi-player, Cross-Platform Multiplayer, Online Co-op | Multi-player, Online Co-op, Shared/Split Screen Co-op |
| Developers | Mossmouth, BlitWorks | imaginite Ltd |
Side by side
- Both share Action, Indie on Steam.
- Imprisoned Light (2016) is 4 years older than Spelunky 2 (2020).
- Spelunky 2 scores higher on Steam reviews (93.3% positive) than Imprisoned Light (59.1% positive).
- Imprisoned Light is currently ~95% cheaper on Steam than Spelunky 2 (0.99 USD vs. 19.99 USD).
- Both support cooperative play.
- Spelunky 2 is Deck Verified on Steam Deck; Imprisoned Light has no Deck rating yet.
Spelunky 2 vs Imprisoned Light — FAQ
- Should I play Spelunky 2 or Imprisoned Light first?
- If you want chronology, Imprisoned Light (2016) came out before Spelunky 2 (2020). 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 Spelunky 2 and Imprisoned Light similar?
- They overlap on Action, 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.
- Do both Spelunky 2 and Imprisoned Light have co-op?
- Yes — both list a co-op category on Steam. Specifics differ: Spelunky 2 ships Online Co-op, Shared/Split Screen Co-op; Imprisoned Light ships Online Co-op, Shared/Split Screen Co-op.
- Does Spelunky 2 run on Steam Deck?
- Yes — Spelunky 2 is rated Deck Verified by Valve. Imprisoned Light doesn't have a Deck rating yet, so its Deck behaviour is currently unverified.