Choose The Dream Machine: Chapter 1 & 2
Choose The Dream Machine: Chapter 1 & 2 if you want the Subtitle Options, Narrated Game Menus, and Save Anytime side of the pairing. 1,057 Steam reviews back the pick.
The Dream Machine: Chapter 1 & 2 vs Vem, Exu
The Dream Machine: Chapter 1 & 2 and Vem, Exu both land in Indie, Adventure, 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, Adventure, Casual on Steam. The Dream Machine: Chapter 1 & 2 (2012) is 15 years older than Vem, Exu (2027). The Dream Machine: Chapter 1 & 2 is Deck Playable on Steam Deck; Vem, Exu has no Deck rating yet. 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 Vem, Exu
Choose Vem, Exu if you want the Camera Comfort side of the pairing. On Steam, it's the newer release (2027) and ships with the modern feature baseline. Vem, Exu launched in 2027.
Both The Dream Machine: Chapter 1 & 2 and Vem, Exu sit in Indie, Adventure, and Casual on Steam and both list Color Alternatives, Custom Volume Controls, and Stereo Sound, 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
 The Dream Machine: Chapter 1 & 2 |  Vem, Exu | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2012 | 2027 |
| Genres | Indie, Adventure, Casual | Indie, Adventure, Casual |
| Platforms | Windows | Windows |
| Steam Deck | Deck Playable | Unrated |
| Price | 3.99 USD | Price unknown |
| Steam reviews | 89.7% positive (1,057 reviews) | — |
| Multiplayer | Single-player only | Single-player only |
| Developers | Cockroach Inc. | Tejo Estúdio |
Side by side
- Both share Indie, Adventure, Casual on Steam.
- The Dream Machine: Chapter 1 & 2 (2012) is 15 years older than Vem, Exu (2027).
- The Dream Machine: Chapter 1 & 2 is Deck Playable on Steam Deck; Vem, Exu has no Deck rating yet.
The Dream Machine: Chapter 1 & 2 vs Vem, Exu — FAQ
- Should I play The Dream Machine: Chapter 1 & 2 or Vem, Exu first?
- If you want chronology, The Dream Machine: Chapter 1 & 2 (2012) came out before Vem, Exu (2027). 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 The Dream Machine: Chapter 1 & 2 and Vem, Exu similar?
- They overlap on Indie, Adventure, 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.
- Does The Dream Machine: Chapter 1 & 2 run on Steam Deck?
- Yes — The Dream Machine: Chapter 1 & 2 is rated Deck Playable by Valve. Vem, Exu doesn't have a Deck rating yet, so its Deck behaviour is currently unverified.