IMHO.

I Hate Running Backwards vs Pixel Survivor - Pixel Up!

I Hate Running Backwards and Pixel Survivor - Pixel Up! 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. I Hate Running Backwards (2018) is 5 years older than Pixel Survivor - Pixel Up! (2023). I Hate Running Backwards scores higher on Steam reviews (70.8% positive) than Pixel Survivor - Pixel Up! (60% 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 I Hate Running Backwards

Choose I Hate Running Backwards if you want the Multi-player, Steam Leaderboards, and Shared/Split Screen PvP side of the pairing. On Steam, it has co-op, so you can bring a friend. I Hate Running Backwards launched in 2018.

Choose Pixel Survivor - Pixel Up!

Choose Pixel Survivor - Pixel Up! if you want an Early Access experience. On Steam, it's currently about 93% cheaper on the Steam Store. Pixel Survivor - Pixel Up! launched in 2023.

Both I Hate Running Backwards and Pixel Survivor - Pixel Up! 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

I Hate Running Backwards vs Pixel Survivor - Pixel Up! — Steam metadata comparison
I Hate Running Backwards — Steam game coverI Hate Running BackwardsPixel Survivor - Pixel Up! — Steam game coverPixel Survivor - Pixel Up!
Released20182023
GenresAction, IndieAction, Indie, Early Access
PlatformsWindows, LinuxWindows
Steam DeckDeck VerifiedDeck Verified
Price14.99 USD0.99 USD
Steam reviews70.8% positive (113 reviews)60% positive (10 reviews)
MultiplayerMulti-player, Shared/Split Screen Co-op, Co-opSingle-player only
DevelopersBinx Games, Croteam Incubator, CroteamPanda Indie Studio

Side by side

I Hate Running Backwards vs Pixel Survivor - Pixel Up! — FAQ

Should I play I Hate Running Backwards or Pixel Survivor - Pixel Up! first?
If you want chronology, I Hate Running Backwards (2018) came out before Pixel Survivor - Pixel Up! (2023). 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 I Hate Running Backwards and Pixel Survivor - Pixel Up! 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 Pixel Survivor - Pixel Up! have multiplayer like I Hate Running Backwards?
No. I Hate Running Backwards supports multiplayer on Steam (Multi-player, Shared/Split Screen Co-op, Co-op), while Pixel Survivor - Pixel Up! is listed as single-player only.
Do I Hate Running Backwards and Pixel Survivor - Pixel Up! both run on Steam Deck?
Yes — both are Steam Deck Verified, meaning Valve confirms they run with full controller support, legible text, and default settings out of the box.
I Hate Running Backwards vs Pixel Survivor - Pixel Up! · imho.run