Choose The Barbarian and the Subterranean Caves
Choose The Barbarian and the Subterranean Caves if it matches what drew you to this matchup. The Barbarian and the Subterranean Caves launched in 2017.
The Barbarian and the Subterranean Caves vs Non-Linear Text Quests
The Barbarian and the Subterranean Caves and Non-Linear Text Quests both land in 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 Indie, Adventure on Steam. The Barbarian and the Subterranean Caves (2017) is 1 year older than Non-Linear Text Quests (2018). Non-Linear Text Quests scores higher on Steam reviews (81% positive) than The Barbarian and the Subterranean Caves (69.2% 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 Non-Linear Text Quests
Choose Non-Linear Text Quests if it's free to play, so the barrier to trying it is zero. Non-Linear Text Quests launched in 2018.
Both The Barbarian and the Subterranean Caves and Non-Linear Text Quests sit in 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
 The Barbarian and the Subterranean Caves |  Non-Linear Text Quests | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2017 | 2018 |
| Genres | Indie, Adventure | Indie, Adventure |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, Linux |
| Steam Deck | Deck Playable | Unrated |
| Price | 4.99 USD | Free to play |
| Steam reviews | 69.2% positive (26 reviews) | 81% positive (21 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Single-player only | Single-player only |
| Developers | NLB project | NLB project |
Side by side
- Both share Indie, Adventure on Steam.
- The Barbarian and the Subterranean Caves (2017) is 1 year older than Non-Linear Text Quests (2018).
- Non-Linear Text Quests scores higher on Steam reviews (81% positive) than The Barbarian and the Subterranean Caves (69.2% positive).
- Non-Linear Text Quests is free; The Barbarian and the Subterranean Caves is paid (4.99 USD).
- The Barbarian and the Subterranean Caves is Deck Playable on Steam Deck; Non-Linear Text Quests has no Deck rating yet.
The Barbarian and the Subterranean Caves vs Non-Linear Text Quests — FAQ
- Should I play The Barbarian and the Subterranean Caves or Non-Linear Text Quests first?
- If you want chronology, The Barbarian and the Subterranean Caves (2017) came out before Non-Linear Text Quests (2018). 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 The Barbarian and the Subterranean Caves and Non-Linear Text Quests similar?
- They overlap on 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 Non-Linear Text Quests free?
- Yes — Non-Linear Text Quests is a free-to-play Steam title. The Barbarian and the Subterranean Caves is paid (4.99 USD).
- Does The Barbarian and the Subterranean Caves run on Steam Deck?
- Yes — The Barbarian and the Subterranean Caves is rated Deck Playable by Valve. Non-Linear Text Quests doesn't have a Deck rating yet, so its Deck behaviour is currently unverified.