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- Best overall: Eremite Games Against the Storm (PC Edition)
- Best budget: Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included (PC Edition)
- Best premium: ASUS ROG Ally X 1TB
- Best for portable play: Valve Steam Deck OLED 512GB
- Oxygen Not Included is the deeper pick for players who enjoy managing complex colony systems.
- Against the Storm suits players who want compact, repeatable settlement strategy runs.
- Spaced Out! expands Oxygen Not Included with space exploration; Keepers of the Stone adds content to Against the Storm.
- Steam Deck OLED, ASUS ROG Ally X, and Lenovo Legion Go S offer portable ways to play PC games.
Oxygen Not Included vs Against the Storm is a choice between long-term colony engineering and focused settlement strategy. For Black Friday 2026, I researched and compared specs, reviews and owner feedback to help match each game to the way you like to play. Both reward planning, but their rhythms feel very different: one asks you to keep a living colony running, while the other challenges you to build settlements through a sequence of runs.
Below, you’ll find the two games, their standout expansions, and three handheld PC options for portable play. Oxygen Not Included is my pick for players who love systems and fine-tuning. Against the Storm is a strong fit for players who want brisker strategic decisions and a clear run structure. Here's the bottom line: choose the game whose loop sounds fun to repeat, then consider an expansion or handheld that fits your setup.
How We Picked
- Compared each game’s core loop, difficulty curve, replay structure, and appeal to strategy fans.
- Reviewed the purpose and base-game requirements of the featured downloadable content.
- Considered screen size, refresh rate, storage, and battery capacity for handheld PC picks.
- Used researched specs, reviews and owner feedback rather than detailed claims.
- Prioritized products that give distinct options for colony simulation, settlement strategy, and portable play.
Comparison Table
| Product | Best for | Players | Display / content | Storage / requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included (PC Edition) | Detailed colony management | 1 | Colony simulation | PC game |
| Eremite Games Against the Storm (PC Edition) | Replayable settlement strategy | 1 | Roguelite city builder | PC game |
| Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out! (PC DLC) | Space-focused colony expansion | 1 | Expansion DLC | Requires Oxygen Not Included |
| Eremite Games Against the Storm: Keepers of the Stone (PC DLC) | Expanded settlement runs | 1 | Expansion DLC | Requires Against the Storm |
| Valve Steam Deck OLED 512GB | Compact Steam handheld | 1 user | 7.4-inch OLED | 512GB |
| ASUS ROG Ally X 1TB | Premium Windows handheld | 1 user | 7-inch, 120Hz | 1TB |
| Lenovo Legion Go S 1TB SteamOS | Large-screen Steam handheld | 1 user | 8-inch, 120Hz | 1TB |
Best Picks Reviewed
#1
Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included (PC Edition)
The Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included (PC Edition) is the best colony simulator for players who enjoy detailed systems, with 1-player management of a growing underground colony. Oxygen, food, heat, and waste all demand attention.
Best for: Players who enjoy intricate colony management and engineering.
- Players
- 1
- Game type
- Colony simulation
- Core focus
- Oxygen, food, heat, and resource systems
- Layered simulation with room to optimize.
- Strong fit for long, self-directed play sessions.
- Many interconnected systems to learn.
- Steep learning curve for new colony-sim players.
Is Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included (PC Edition) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included (PC Edition) is worth considering for players who love complex colony management. The Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included (PC Edition)'s 1-player simulation combines survival needs and engineering challenges, making it a rewarding choice for patient players who enjoy solving problems.
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#2 · Top pick
Eremite Games Against the Storm (PC Edition)
The Eremite Games Against the Storm (PC Edition) is the best strategy game for players who want replayable settlement runs, with 1-player play built around a network of settlements and changing conditions. Each run calls for fresh priorities.
Best for: Strategy fans who want structured, replayable runs.
- Players
- 1
- Game type
- Roguelite city builder
- Core focus
- Settlement planning and resource management
- Runs create a satisfying sense of progression.
- Strategic choices stay central.
- A good fit for shorter play sessions.
- Run-based structure is less suited to players seeking one permanent city.
Is Eremite Games Against the Storm (PC Edition) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Eremite Games Against the Storm (PC Edition) is a strong pick for players who enjoy strategic settlement building in repeatable runs. The 1-player structure gives each session a clear goal, while shifting demands keep planning at the center.
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#3
Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out! (PC DLC)
The Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out! (PC DLC) is the best expansion for established colony managers, adding space-focused progression to the 1-player base game. Buy it when you want a broader campaign with new goals.
Best for: Oxygen Not Included players ready for more exploration.
- Players
- 1
- Content type
- Expansion DLC
- Requirement
- 1 base game: Oxygen Not Included
- Adds a new space-exploration layer.
- Builds on the base game’s management systems.
- Offers a fresh direction for experienced players.
- Requires the base game.
Is Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out! (PC DLC) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out! (PC DLC) suits owners who want more from Oxygen Not Included. The expansion adds space-focused progression to the 1-player colony experience, so newcomers should start with the base game first.
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#4
Eremite Games Against the Storm: Keepers of the Stone (PC DLC)
The Eremite Games Against the Storm: Keepers of the Stone (PC DLC) is the best add-on for returning settlement strategists, expanding the 1-player game with additional content. Choose it when the base game’s run-based loop already clicks.
Best for: Against the Storm players looking for expanded runs.
- Players
- 1
- Content type
- Expansion DLC
- Requirement
- 1 base game: Against the Storm
- Extends the settlement strategy experience.
- Designed for players familiar with the base game.
- Adds another reason to revisit runs.
- Requires the base game.
Is Eremite Games Against the Storm: Keepers of the Stone (PC DLC) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Eremite Games Against the Storm: Keepers of the Stone (PC DLC) is a sensible add-on for fans who already enjoy the base game. The 1-player expansion adds content to the settlement loop, while new players should learn the core game first.
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#5
Valve Steam Deck OLED 512GB
The Valve Steam Deck OLED 512GB is the best handheld for Steam-focused players who want a bright 7.4-inch display and 512GB of storage. The portable design suits strategy games that reward pausing to plan.
Best for: Steam players who want a compact handheld.
- Display
- 7.4-inch OLED
- Refresh rate
- 90Hz
- Storage
- 512GB
- OLED screen with a 90Hz refresh rate.
- Built around a portable Steam experience.
- 512GB gives room for a game library.
- Game compatibility and control comfort vary by title.
Is Valve Steam Deck OLED 512GB worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Valve Steam Deck OLED 512GB is a worthwhile portable option for Steam players who value its 7.4-inch OLED screen and 512GB storage. Check each game’s compatibility and control layout before choosing a handheld as your main way to play.
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#6
ASUS ROG Ally X 1TB
The ASUS ROG Ally X 1TB is the best premium handheld for players who want a 7-inch display, 120Hz refresh rate, and 1TB of storage. Windows support gives PC players a broad software setup.
Best for: Players who want a premium Windows handheld.
- Display
- 7-inch
- Refresh rate
- 120Hz
- Storage
- 1TB
- Operating system
- Windows
- 1TB internal storage.
- 120Hz display refresh rate.
- Windows-based PC game access.
- Windows navigation is less console-like than a dedicated gaming interface.
Is ASUS ROG Ally X 1TB worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. ASUS ROG Ally X 1TB is a strong premium pick for players who want Windows flexibility, a 120Hz display, and 1TB of storage. Confirm storefront access, game compatibility, and preferred controls before making it your everyday handheld.
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#7
Lenovo Legion Go S 1TB SteamOS
The Lenovo Legion Go S 1TB SteamOS is the best large-screen handheld for players who want an 8-inch display and 1TB of storage. The Lenovo Legion Go S 1TB SteamOS's SteamOS setup makes it a natural choice for Steam-library browsing on a handheld.
Best for: Steam players who prefer a larger handheld screen.
- Display
- 8-inch
- Refresh rate
- 120Hz
- Storage
- 1TB
- Operating system
- SteamOS
- Large 8-inch display.
- 1TB storage for an installed library.
- SteamOS offers a gaming-focused interface.
- Larger screen means a bigger handheld to carry.
Is Lenovo Legion Go S 1TB SteamOS worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Lenovo Legion Go S 1TB SteamOS fits players who want a large 8-inch screen and a Steam-focused handheld interface. The 1TB model supports a substantial installed library, while game compatibility and portable comfort remain worth checking.
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Which game is better: Oxygen Not Included or Against the Storm?
Oxygen Not Included and Against the Storm suit different strategy players: Oxygen Not Included centers on 1 evolving colony, while Against the Storm builds around repeated settlement runs. Pick Oxygen Not Included if you want to inspect systems, solve bottlenecks, and keep a colony stable over time.
Choose Against the Storm if you prefer a tighter run structure with changing settlement needs. The game keeps attention on choices such as resource priorities and how to meet a settlement’s demands. Each option asks for planning, but the scale and pace differ.
For Black Friday 2026, buy the base game that best matches your preferred loop before adding DLC. Worth it for most players: Against the Storm offers a more structured rhythm, while Oxygen Not Included rewards players who enjoy intricate simulation.
Which game has more replay value?
Against the Storm offers replay value through repeated settlement runs, while Oxygen Not Included supports extended 1-colony projects with open-ended management. The better match depends on whether you want varied starts or a long-running system to refine.
Against the Storm’s run structure makes it easy to return for another strategic challenge. The changing goals ask players to rethink priorities instead of repeating one fixed build. Oxygen Not Included leans into a different kind of replay: new colony plans, system designs, and solutions to survival problems.
Players who enjoy resetting and adapting should start with Against the Storm. Players who like building on previous decisions and improving a complex setup should choose Oxygen Not Included. Both can support long-term play, but they deliver that value through different loops.
Can you play Oxygen Not Included and Against the Storm on a handheld PC?
Valve Steam Deck OLED 512GB, ASUS ROG Ally X 1TB, and Lenovo Legion Go S 1TB SteamOS are handheld PC options for portable strategy gaming. Each has a different screen size, storage capacity, and software setup.
Valve Steam Deck OLED 512GB offers a 7.4-inch OLED screen and a Steam-focused interface. ASUS ROG Ally X 1TB brings Windows and a 7-inch, 120Hz display. Lenovo Legion Go S 1TB SteamOS has an 8-inch display and a SteamOS setup. Compare controls and display comfort alongside the headline specs.
Check the current compatibility listing for each game and device before choosing a handheld. Strategy games often involve menus, tooltips, and detailed selection, so control layout matters as much as portability. A larger screen helps with visibility; a smaller device is easier to carry.
Which DLC should you buy first?
Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out! (PC DLC) and Eremite Games Against the Storm: Keepers of the Stone (PC DLC) are add-ons for players who already own their matching base game. Neither expansion is a substitute for learning the core game.
Choose Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out! (PC DLC) when you want space-focused progression and have already enjoyed managing a colony. Choose Eremite Games Against the Storm: Keepers of the Stone (PC DLC) when you want to extend the settlement strategy experience with more content.
Start with the base game if you have not played either series. Learn the core loop, then decide which expansion fits the part you want to explore further. Buying matching DLC without the required game will not provide the complete experience.
What should you look for in a Black Friday 2026 gaming pick?
The best Black Friday 2026 pick is the product that matches your play style, platform, and setup—not simply the one with the longest feature list. Start by choosing between colony simulation, settlement strategy, and portable PC play.
For a game, check platform support, required base content, and whether the core loop suits your preferred session length. For DLC, confirm ownership of the matching game. For a handheld, compare screen size, refresh rate, storage, operating system, and control comfort.
A clear shortlist keeps the decision simple: Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included (PC Edition) for detailed colony systems, Eremite Games Against the Storm (PC Edition) for run-based strategy, or a handheld if portable access matters most. Match the purchase to the way you actually play.
Buying Guide
Choose your strategy loop
Pick Oxygen Not Included for a detailed colony that rewards ongoing management. Pick Against the Storm for settlement runs with clear goals and changing demands. The core loop matters more than a long list of features.
Buy the base game before DLC
Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out! (PC DLC) requires Oxygen Not Included. Eremite Games Against the Storm: Keepers of the Stone (PC DLC) requires Against the Storm. Start with the matching base game if you are new.
Check PC platform compatibility
Confirm that your computer or handheld supports the game and storefront you plan to use. Review current device compatibility details and input options, especially for games with dense menus and detailed management.
Compare handheld screen and storage
Valve Steam Deck OLED 512GB has a 7.4-inch OLED screen and 512GB storage. ASUS ROG Ally X 1TB offers a 7-inch, 120Hz display. Lenovo Legion Go S 1TB SteamOS has an 8-inch, 120Hz display.
Prioritize comfort for long sessions
Screen size, weight, controls, and interface all affect handheld comfort. Compare each device’s dimensions and control layout in person at a retailer when available, and consider whether you prefer a compact device or a larger viewing area.
FAQ
Oxygen Not Included vs Against the Storm: which should I buy?
Buy Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included (PC Edition) for complex colony simulation and long-term system management. Choose Eremite Games Against the Storm (PC Edition) for repeatable settlement strategy runs. Both are 1-player games, but their pacing and progression styles differ.
Is Oxygen Not Included good for beginners?
Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included (PC Edition) suits beginners who enjoy learning layered management systems and solving problems gradually. New players should expect to learn how survival needs interact. A patient approach makes the colony simulator easier to understand and enjoy.
Is Against the Storm a roguelike city builder?
Eremite Games Against the Storm (PC Edition) combines city-building decisions with a run-based structure. Players manage settlements and adapt to changing demands rather than relying on one permanent city. The format suits strategy fans who enjoy replayable challenges and evolving goals.
Does Spaced Out! require Oxygen Not Included?
Yes. Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out! (PC DLC) is an expansion and requires Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included (PC Edition). The base game provides the core colony experience; the expansion adds space-focused progression for players ready to broaden that experience.
Can I play Against the Storm on Steam Deck?
Eremite Games Against the Storm (PC Edition) is a PC game, and Valve Steam Deck OLED 512GB is a portable Steam device. Check the current compatibility listing and control information before buying. Handheld play depends on the game’s current support and your preferred input setup.
Which handheld is best for strategy games?
Valve Steam Deck OLED 512GB is a strong pick for Steam players seeking a 7.4-inch OLED screen and a compact format. Lenovo Legion Go S 1TB SteamOS offers a larger 8-inch display, while ASUS ROG Ally X 1TB provides Windows flexibility and 1TB storage.