Choose Gem Rush
Choose Gem Rush if you want a Strategy game with Shared/Split Screen Co-op. Gem Rush launched in 2018.
Gem Rush vs Codenames
Gem Rush and Codenames both land in 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 Indie, Casual on Steam. Gem Rush (2018) is 2 years older than Codenames (2020). Both support cooperative play. 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 Codenames
Choose Codenames if you want the Shared/Split Screen side of the pairing. Codenames launched in 2020.
Both Gem Rush and Codenames sit in Indie and Casual 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 |  Codenames | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2018 | 2020 |
| Genres | Strategy, Indie, Casual | Indie, Casual |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS |
| Steam Deck | Unrated | Unrated |
| Price | 9.99 USD | Price unknown |
| Steam reviews | 92.9% positive (14 reviews) | — |
| Multiplayer | Multi-player, Cross-Platform Multiplayer, Online Co-op | Multi-player, Cross-Platform Multiplayer, Online Co-op |
| Developers | Quicksilver Software, Inc. | CGE Digital |
Side by side
- Both share Indie, Casual on Steam.
- Gem Rush (2018) is 2 years older than Codenames (2020).
- Both support cooperative play.
Gem Rush vs Codenames — FAQ
- Should I play Gem Rush or Codenames first?
- If you want chronology, Gem Rush (2018) came out before Codenames (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 Codenames similar?
- They overlap on 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 Gem Rush and Codenames have co-op?
- Yes — both list a co-op category on Steam. Specifics differ: Gem Rush ships Online Co-op, Shared/Split Screen Co-op; Codenames ships Online Co-op, Co-op.