Choose Pulsewave
Choose Pulsewave if you want an Indie game with Multi-player, Online PvP, and Online Co-op. On Steam, it has co-op, so you can bring a friend. Pulsewave launched in 2027.
Pulsewave vs Runner Gunner
Pulsewave and Runner Gunner both land in Action, Casual 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, Casual on Steam. Runner Gunner (2026) is 1 year older than Pulsewave (2027). Pulsewave has co-op; Runner Gunner does not. 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 Runner Gunner
Choose Runner Gunner if you want the Custom Volume Controls, Surround Sound, and Playable without Timed Input side of the pairing. On Steam, it's a focused single-player run rather than a multiplayer commitment. Runner Gunner launched in 2026.
Both Pulsewave and Runner Gunner sit in Action and Casual on Steam and both list Steam Leaderboards and Stereo Sound, 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
 Pulsewave |  Runner Gunner | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2027 | 2026 |
| Genres | Action, Indie, Casual | Action, Casual |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Unrated | Unrated |
| Price | Price unknown | Price unknown |
| Steam reviews | — | — |
| Multiplayer | Multi-player, Cross-Platform Multiplayer, Online Co-op | Single-player only |
| Developers | Grindare Studio | JoyForge Games |
Side by side
- Both share Action, Casual on Steam.
- Runner Gunner (2026) is 1 year older than Pulsewave (2027).
- Pulsewave has co-op; Runner Gunner does not.
Pulsewave vs Runner Gunner — FAQ
- Should I play Pulsewave or Runner Gunner first?
- If you want chronology, Runner Gunner (2026) came out before Pulsewave (2027). 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 Pulsewave and Runner Gunner similar?
- They overlap on Action, Casual 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 Runner Gunner have multiplayer like Pulsewave?
- No. Pulsewave supports multiplayer on Steam (Multi-player, Cross-Platform Multiplayer, Online Co-op), while Runner Gunner is listed as single-player only.