LUNA The Shadow Dust vs Machinarium
Which one is worth buying now, with today's prices and each game's recommendation.
Machinarium wins 11 of 15 head-to-head metrics. Machinarium is $15.23 cheaper.
Metric by metric
The winner of each row gets a ✓. No row weighs more than another; the recommendation is calculated separately.
| Metric | LUNA The Shadow Dust | Machinarium |
|---|---|---|
| GameValio scoreRecommendation: Maybe × Worth It | 62 | 73 |
| Quality | 82 | 92 |
| Value | 49 | 74 |
| Popularity | 50 | 34 |
| Current Best Price (USD) | $19.99 | $4.76 |
| Steam Review Score | 88.7% positive | 95.4% positive |
| Average Concurrent Players (14 days) | 0 | 196 |
Where to buy
The 3 cheapest stores for each game
Side by side over time
LUNA The Shadow DustMachinarium
Details and requirements
| Item | LUNA The Shadow Dust | Machinarium |
|---|---|---|
| Release date | February 13, 2020 | October 16, 2009 |
| Developers | Lantern Studio | Amanita Design |
| Publishers | Application Systems Heidelberg, Coconut Island Games | Amanita Design |
| Platforms | Linux, Windows, MacOs | Windows, MacOs |
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: LUNA The Shadow Dust or Machinarium?
Machinarium won the comparison against LUNA The Shadow Dust based on the head-to-head metric breakdown. Check the metrics table above for a full side-by-side analysis.
How is the comparison calculated?
The comparison winner is determined objectively by counting which game wins more individual metrics in the head-to-head table. No weighting is applied. The GameValio Recommendation shown separately is our own suggestion for each game, based on a weighted score that combines quality (reviews), popularity (player counts), and affordability (price vs value) into a score out of 100. These are two different things: the comparison is objective, the recommendation is GameValio's opinion.
Is LUNA The Shadow Dust worth buying over Machinarium?
Based on the metrics, Machinarium won the direct comparison. However, also check the GameValio Recommendation for each game and the price comparison table to make the most informed purchase decision.
Which game has better player reviews?
Review score trends and volume over time are shown in the charts section above. The game with consistently higher positive ratios has stronger community reception.
Which game offers better value for money?
The affordability score and price comparison table above highlight the best deals. Machinarium currently scores better on value relative to its quality and price.
Related comparisons
Analysis updated: Oct 24, 2026, 12:11 PM UTC