Choose Tabletop Playground
Choose Tabletop Playground if you want a Simulation, RPG, and Early Access game with Shared/Split Screen, Tracked Controller Support, and VR Supported. Tabletop Playground launched in 2020.
Tabletop Playground vs Gem Rush
Tabletop Playground and Gem Rush both land in Strategy, Indie, Casual 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, Casual on Steam. Gem Rush (2018) is 2 years older than Tabletop Playground (2020). Gem Rush scores higher on Steam reviews (92.9% positive) than Tabletop Playground (82.8% 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 Gem Rush
Choose Gem Rush if you want the Steam Turn Notifications side of the pairing. On Steam, it's currently about 33% cheaper on the Steam Store. Gem Rush launched in 2018.
Both Tabletop Playground and Gem Rush sit in Strategy, Indie, and Casual on Steam and both list Multi-player, Online PvP, and Shared/Split Screen PvP, 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
 Tabletop Playground |  Gem Rush | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2020 | 2018 |
| Genres | Strategy, Indie, Simulation, RPG, Casual, Early Access | Strategy, Indie, Casual |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Steam Deck | Deck Playable | Unrated |
| Price | 14.99 USD | 9.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 82.8% positive (93 reviews) | 92.9% positive (14 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Multi-player, Cross-Platform Multiplayer, Online Co-op | Multi-player, Cross-Platform Multiplayer, Online Co-op |
| Developers | Plasticity Studios | Quicksilver Software, Inc. |
Side by side
- Both share Strategy, Indie, Casual on Steam.
- Gem Rush (2018) is 2 years older than Tabletop Playground (2020).
- Gem Rush scores higher on Steam reviews (92.9% positive) than Tabletop Playground (82.8% positive).
- Gem Rush is currently ~33% cheaper on Steam than Tabletop Playground (9.99 USD vs. 14.99 USD).
- Both support cooperative play.
- Tabletop Playground is Deck Playable on Steam Deck; Gem Rush has no Deck rating yet.
Tabletop Playground vs Gem Rush — FAQ
- Should I play Tabletop Playground or Gem Rush first?
- If you want chronology, Gem Rush (2018) came out before Tabletop Playground (2020). 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 Tabletop Playground and Gem Rush similar?
- They overlap on Strategy, Indie, Casual 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 Tabletop Playground and Gem Rush have co-op?
- Yes — both list a co-op category on Steam. Specifics differ: Tabletop Playground ships Online Co-op, Shared/Split Screen Co-op; Gem Rush ships Online Co-op, Shared/Split Screen Co-op.
- Does Tabletop Playground run on Steam Deck?
- Yes — Tabletop Playground is rated Deck Playable by Valve. Gem Rush doesn't have a Deck rating yet, so its Deck behaviour is currently unverified.