Choose Idle Evolution
Choose Idle Evolution if you want the Subtitle Options and Save Anytime side of the pairing. Idle Evolution launched in 2017.
Idle Evolution vs All Aboard! The Train Defense Express
Idle Evolution and All Aboard! The Train Defense Express both land in Strategy, Indie, Simulation 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 Strategy, Indie, Simulation on Steam. Idle Evolution (2017) is 8 years older than All Aboard! The Train Defense Express (2025). All Aboard! The Train Defense Express scores higher on Steam reviews (81.4% positive) than Idle Evolution (71.7% 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 All Aboard! The Train Defense Express
Choose All Aboard! The Train Defense Express if you want the Keyboard Only Option and Touch Only Option side of the pairing. On Steam, it carries the stronger Steam consensus at 81.4% positive across 145 reviews.
Both Idle Evolution and All Aboard! The Train Defense Express sit in Strategy, Indie, and Simulation on Steam and both list Custom Volume Controls, Playable without Timed Input, and Mouse Only Option, 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
 Idle Evolution |  All Aboard! The Train Defense Express | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2017 | 2025 |
| Genres | Strategy, Indie, Simulation, Casual | Strategy, Indie, Simulation, Casual |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Deck Unsupported | Deck Verified |
| Price | 4.99 USD | 4.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 71.7% positive (127 reviews) | 81.4% positive (145 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Single-player only | Single-player only |
| Developers | MTR | Likadev |
Side by side
- Both share Strategy, Indie, Simulation on Steam.
- Idle Evolution (2017) is 8 years older than All Aboard! The Train Defense Express (2025).
- All Aboard! The Train Defense Express scores higher on Steam reviews (81.4% positive) than Idle Evolution (71.7% positive).
- All Aboard! The Train Defense Express is currently ~0% cheaper on Steam than Idle Evolution (4.99 USD vs. 4.99 USD).
- Steam Deck: Idle Evolution is Deck Unsupported, All Aboard! The Train Defense Express is Deck Verified.
Idle Evolution vs All Aboard! The Train Defense Express — FAQ
- Which is better, Idle Evolution or All Aboard! The Train Defense Express?
- On Steam reviews All Aboard! The Train Defense Express scores higher (81.4% positive) than Idle Evolution (71.7% positive). Both have enough reviews to trust the signal, so for players using reviews alone, All Aboard! The Train Defense Express is the safer pick. Genre fit still matters — check the side-by-side table for the categories each game lands in.
- Should I play Idle Evolution or All Aboard! The Train Defense Express first?
- If you want chronology, Idle Evolution (2017) came out before All Aboard! The Train Defense Express (2025). 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 Idle Evolution and All Aboard! The Train Defense Express similar?
- They overlap on Strategy, Indie, Simulation 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.