Choose Gem Rush
Choose Gem Rush if you want a Casual game with Online Co-op, Shared/Split Screen Co-op, and Co-op. On Steam, it has co-op, so you can bring a friend. Gem Rush launched in 2018.
Gem Rush vs Hnefatafl
Gem Rush and Hnefatafl both land in Strategy, 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 Strategy, Indie on Steam. Gem Rush (2018) is 2 years older than Hnefatafl (2020). Hnefatafl scores higher on Steam reviews (100% positive) than Gem Rush (92.9% 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 Hnefatafl
Choose Hnefatafl if you want the Shared/Split Screen side of the pairing. On Steam, it's Steam Deck Verified, so handheld play works out of the box. Hnefatafl launched in 2020.
Both Gem Rush and Hnefatafl sit in Strategy and Indie on Steam and both list Multi-player, Steam Turn Notifications, and Online 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
 Gem Rush |  Hnefatafl | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2018 | 2020 |
| Genres | Strategy, Indie, Casual | Strategy, Indie |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Steam Deck | Unrated | Deck Verified |
| Price | 9.99 USD | 9.99 USD |
| Steam reviews | 92.9% positive (14 reviews) | 100% positive (30 reviews) |
| Multiplayer | Multi-player, Cross-Platform Multiplayer, Online Co-op | Multi-player, Cross-Platform Multiplayer |
| Developers | Quicksilver Software, Inc. | Philippe Schober |
Side by side
- Both share Strategy, Indie on Steam.
- Gem Rush (2018) is 2 years older than Hnefatafl (2020).
- Hnefatafl scores higher on Steam reviews (100% positive) than Gem Rush (92.9% positive).
- Hnefatafl is currently ~0% cheaper on Steam than Gem Rush (9.99 USD vs. 9.99 USD).
- Gem Rush has co-op; Hnefatafl does not.
- Hnefatafl is Deck Verified on Steam Deck; Gem Rush has no Deck rating yet.
Gem Rush vs Hnefatafl — FAQ
- Should I play Gem Rush or Hnefatafl first?
- If you want chronology, Gem Rush (2018) came out before Hnefatafl (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 Gem Rush and Hnefatafl similar?
- They overlap on Strategy, 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.