A rather simple-looking game, but warmly received on PC in Early Access. Set in a distant future, it puts you in the metal boots of a group of scavengers on the hunt for junk… that actually holds significant value, as it represents the long-fallen human civilization.
You’ll explore seemingly abandoned places – but in the shadows, terrifying creatures lie in wait. Direct confrontation rarely ends well, so your only hope for survival is to hide, run, and work closely with your team. Sounds familiar?
Of course, it does! The twist? This description fits not one, but two horror co-op games: the now-classic Lethal Company (available since 2023) and the recently released R.E.P.O. video game, which dropped in late February 2025. Both titles are strikingly similar games and could easily serve as alternatives to one another — but there are also a few key differences. So which one should you play? Which is the better fit for you? Let’s have a closer look at both games and compare them head-to-head!
A Few Words About the Developers
Both games were created by small indie studios. R.E.P.O. is the first release from the team at Semiwork, while Lethal Company is the work of solo developer Zeekerss — who also brought us a few other indie titles like It Steals, The Upturned, Drive Home, and Dead Seater.
Story & Setting
While both games share a similar narrative foundation, there are some notable differences.
In Lethal Company, you’re thrown into a dystopian future where space travel is the norm. You play as human employees of the eponymous company, tasked with traveling to derelict planets and long-abandoned industrial complexes. Avoiding monsters, your job is to gather valuable scrap and resources. But here’s the kicker — the company enforces strict quotas. Fail to meet them, and you may just get fired — as in, launched into space.
In R.E.P.O., on the other hand, you play as a group of robots scavenging a post-human world. Set even further in the future, humanity has long vanished, and your robotic crew is exploring the remnants of human civilization. Like in Lethal Company, horrifying monsters lurk in the dark, but at least you don’t have to worry about your employer being one of them.
Gameplay
Both games can technically be played solo, but they truly shine when you want to play with friends. You and your team explore dark, abandoned structures searching for valuable loot, carefully sneaking around to avoid drawing the attention of the terrifying creatures that roam the halls. Collected items can then be exchanged for in-game currency, used for upgrades and new tools. But what are the actual gameplay differences?
In R.E.P.O., you’re dropped straight into the mission zone, equipped with a special energy “grabber” that helps carry heavier items. It supports 1–6 players, and the goal isn’t just to find the artifacts — it’s to get them out safely as a team.
In Lethal Company, part of the experience takes place on your spaceship, which travels through procedurally generated space. Once you land on a planet or moon, up to four players split roles: some can stay on the ship monitoring the radar, while others venture into derelict buildings to collect scrap — all while trying to avoid gruesome deaths. The pressure is higher here, since failing your quota can have… fatal consequences.
Graphics & Performance
Neither game aims to compete with AAA visual standards. Both are built in Unity and embrace a lo-fi, retro aesthetic. Lethal Company leans slightly more into a “cartoony” look, while R.E.P.O. opts for something a bit grittier — but both are intentionally minimal in style.
When it comes to system requirements, both titles are lightweight and run fine on modern PCs. Here’s a quick comparison:
R.E.P.O. minimum specs:
- CPU: Intel Core i5-6600
- RAM: 8 GB
- GPU: 4 GB GeForce GTX 970
- Storage: 1 GB HDD
Lethal Company minimum specs:
- CPU: Intel Core i5-7400 3.0 GHz
- RAM: 6 GB
- GPU: 2 GB GeForce GTX 1050 or better
- Storage: 1 GB HDD
Price & Community Reception
Both games are rated “Overwhelmingly Positive” on Steam. The difference? Lethal Company has already amassed over 390,000 user reviews, while the newly released R.E.P.O. has been played by just under 85,000 players so far.
And what about price? Both games are very affordable, hovering around the $7–10 range.
So… Which One You Should Play?
As you can see, these two titles have a lot in common: similar gameplay loops, minimalist visuals, small dev teams, and wallet-friendly pricing. The main differences lie in the setting, characters, player count, and a few gameplay mechanics.
Which one’s for you? That depends — do you want to play as robots or humans? Are you teaming up with a larger group or keeping it small? The good news is, if you’re into this type of game, there’s no reason not to try both. You don’t need a high-end PC or a fat wallet to jump in — just a couple of dollars, some nerves of steel, and a few friends to scream with.