Choose Old World
Choose Old World if you want the Multi-player, Shared/Split Screen, and Online PvP side of the pairing. On Steam, it has co-op, so you can bring a friend. 3,708 Steam reviews back the pick.
Old World vs Heart of the Machine
Old World and Heart of the Machine both land in Strategy, Simulation, RPG 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, Simulation, RPG on Steam. Old World (2022) is 4 years older than Heart of the Machine (2026). Heart of the Machine scores higher on Steam reviews (93.3% positive) than Old World (84.3% 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 Heart of the Machine
Choose Heart of the Machine if you want the Stereo Sound side of the pairing. On Steam, it carries the stronger Steam consensus at 93.3% positive across 1,661 reviews.
Both Old World and Heart of the Machine sit in Strategy, Simulation, and RPG on Steam and both list Adjustable Text Size, Camera Comfort, and Custom Volume Controls, 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
 Old World |  Heart of the Machine | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2022 | 2026 |
| Genres | Strategy, Simulation, RPG | Strategy, Simulation, RPG |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS |
| Steam Deck | Deck Playable | Deck Verified |
| Price | 39.99 USD | 29.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 84.3% positive (3,708 reviews) | 93.3% positive (1,661 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Multi-player, Cross-Platform Multiplayer, Online Co-op | Single-player only |
| Developers | Mohawk Games | Arcen Games |
Side by side
- Both share Strategy, Simulation, RPG on Steam.
- Old World (2022) is 4 years older than Heart of the Machine (2026).
- Heart of the Machine scores higher on Steam reviews (93.3% positive) than Old World (84.3% positive).
- Heart of the Machine is currently ~25% cheaper on Steam than Old World (29.99 USD vs. 39.99 USD).
- Old World has co-op; Heart of the Machine does not.
- Steam Deck: Old World is Deck Playable, Heart of the Machine is Deck Verified.
Old World vs Heart of the Machine — FAQ
- Which is better, Old World or Heart of the Machine?
- On Steam reviews Heart of the Machine scores higher (93.3% positive) than Old World (84.3% positive). Both have enough reviews to trust the signal, so for players using reviews alone, Heart of the Machine is the safer pick. Genre fit still matters — check the side-by-side table for the categories each game lands in.
- Should I play Old World or Heart of the Machine first?
- If you want chronology, Old World (2022) came out before Heart of the Machine (2026). 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 Old World and Heart of the Machine similar?
- They overlap on Strategy, Simulation, RPG 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 Heart of the Machine have multiplayer like Old World?
- No. Old World supports multiplayer on Steam (Multi-player, Cross-Platform Multiplayer, Online Co-op), while Heart of the Machine is listed as single-player only.