Choose Pavlov
Choose Pavlov if you want the Multi-player, Online PvP, and Online Co-op side of the pairing. On Steam, it's the newer release (2024) and ships with the modern feature baseline. 30,993 Steam reviews back the pick.
Pavlov vs X Virus
Pavlov and X Virus 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. X Virus (2021) is 3 years older than Pavlov (2024). X Virus is currently ~96% cheaper on Steam than Pavlov (0.99 USD vs. 24.99 USD). 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 X Virus
Choose X Virus if it's currently about 96% cheaper on the Steam Store. X Virus launched in 2021.
Both Pavlov and X Virus sit in Action and Indie 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
 Pavlov |  X Virus | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2024 | 2021 |
| Genres | Action, Indie | Action, Indie |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Deck Unsupported | Unrated |
| Price | 24.99 USD | 0.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 89.3% positive (30,993 reviews) | — |
| Multiplayer | Multi-player, Online Co-op, Co-op | Single-player only |
| Developers | Vankrupt Games | LI YANG |
Side by side
- Both share Action, Indie on Steam.
- X Virus (2021) is 3 years older than Pavlov (2024).
- X Virus is currently ~96% cheaper on Steam than Pavlov (0.99 USD vs. 24.99 USD).
- Pavlov has co-op; X Virus does not.
- Pavlov is Deck Unsupported on Steam Deck; X Virus has no Deck rating yet.
Pavlov vs X Virus — FAQ
- Should I play Pavlov or X Virus first?
- If you want chronology, X Virus (2021) came out before Pavlov (2024). 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 Pavlov and X Virus 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.
- Does X Virus have multiplayer like Pavlov?
- No. Pavlov supports multiplayer on Steam (Multi-player, Online Co-op, Co-op), while X Virus is listed as single-player only.