Choose Wave Beta
Choose Wave Beta if you want a Massively Multiplayer game with MMO. On Steam, it's free to play, so the barrier to trying it is zero. Wave Beta launched in 2017.
Wave Beta vs PatchWorld
Wave Beta and PatchWorld both land in 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 Simulation, Early Access on Steam. Wave Beta (2017) is 9 years older than PatchWorld (2026). Wave Beta is free; PatchWorld is paid (Price unknown). 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 PatchWorld
Choose PatchWorld if you want the Tracked Controller Support, Camera Comfort, and Custom Volume Controls side of the pairing. On Steam, it's the newer release (2026) and ships with the modern feature baseline. PatchWorld launched in 2026.
Both Wave Beta and PatchWorld sit in Simulation and Early Access 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
 Wave Beta |  PatchWorld | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2017 | 2026 |
| Genres | Simulation, Massively Multiplayer, Early Access | Simulation, Early Access |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Unrated | Unrated |
| Price | Free to play | Price unknown |
| Steam reviews | 91.7% positive (494 reviews) | — |
| Multiplayer | Multi-player, Online Co-op, Co-op | Multi-player, Cross-Platform Multiplayer, Online Co-op |
| Developers | WaveVR, Inc. | PatchXR |
Side by side
- Both share Simulation, Early Access on Steam.
- Wave Beta (2017) is 9 years older than PatchWorld (2026).
- Wave Beta is free; PatchWorld is paid (Price unknown).
- Both support cooperative play.
Wave Beta vs PatchWorld — FAQ
- Should I play Wave Beta or PatchWorld first?
- If you want chronology, Wave Beta (2017) came out before PatchWorld (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 Wave Beta and PatchWorld similar?
- They overlap on 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 Wave Beta and PatchWorld have co-op?
- Yes — both list a co-op category on Steam. Specifics differ: Wave Beta ships Online Co-op, Co-op; PatchWorld ships Online Co-op, Co-op.
- Is Wave Beta free?
- Yes — Wave Beta is a free-to-play Steam title. PatchWorld is paid (Price unknown).