Choose I Hate Running Backwards
Choose I Hate Running Backwards if you want the Steam Leaderboards side of the pairing. On Steam, it's Steam Deck Verified, so handheld play works out of the box. I Hate Running Backwards launched in 2018.
I Hate Running Backwards vs Chasing Styx
I Hate Running Backwards and Chasing Styx 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. Chasing Styx (2017) is 1 year older than I Hate Running Backwards (2018). Chasing Styx scores higher on Steam reviews (78% positive) than I Hate Running Backwards (70.8% 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 Chasing Styx
Choose Chasing Styx if you want an Adventure and Free To Play game with Shared/Split Screen. On Steam, it's free to play, so the barrier to trying it is zero. Chasing Styx launched in 2017.
Both I Hate Running Backwards and Chasing Styx sit in Action and Indie on Steam and both list Multi-player, Shared/Split Screen PvP, and Shared/Split Screen 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
 I Hate Running Backwards |  Chasing Styx | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2018 | 2017 |
| Genres | Action, Indie | Action, Indie, Adventure, Free To Play |
| Platforms | Windows, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Steam Deck | Deck Verified | Unrated |
| Price | 14.99 USD | Free to play |
| Steam reviews | 70.8% positive (113 reviews) | 78% positive (59 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Multi-player, Shared/Split Screen Co-op, Co-op | Multi-player, Shared/Split Screen Co-op, Co-op |
| Developers | Binx Games, Croteam Incubator, Croteam | ForepawSoft |
Side by side
- Both share Action, Indie on Steam.
- Chasing Styx (2017) is 1 year older than I Hate Running Backwards (2018).
- Chasing Styx scores higher on Steam reviews (78% positive) than I Hate Running Backwards (70.8% positive).
- Chasing Styx is free; I Hate Running Backwards is paid (14.99 USD).
- Both support cooperative play.
- I Hate Running Backwards is Deck Verified on Steam Deck; Chasing Styx has no Deck rating yet.
I Hate Running Backwards vs Chasing Styx — FAQ
- Should I play I Hate Running Backwards or Chasing Styx first?
- If you want chronology, Chasing Styx (2017) came out before I Hate Running Backwards (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 I Hate Running Backwards and Chasing Styx 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.
- Do both I Hate Running Backwards and Chasing Styx have co-op?
- Yes — both list a co-op category on Steam. Specifics differ: I Hate Running Backwards ships Shared/Split Screen Co-op, Co-op; Chasing Styx ships Shared/Split Screen Co-op, Co-op.
- Is Chasing Styx free?
- Yes — Chasing Styx is a free-to-play Steam title. I Hate Running Backwards is paid (14.99 USD).
- Does I Hate Running Backwards run on Steam Deck?
- Yes — I Hate Running Backwards is rated Deck Verified by Valve. Chasing Styx doesn't have a Deck rating yet, so its Deck behaviour is currently unverified.