# Ascender — user reviews > 65 indexed App Store user reviews of Ascender by Peter Moyle, rated 4.90/5 from 156 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ascender/id1642885179/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ascender/id1642885179.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 149 · 4★ 2 · 3★ 1 · 2★ 1 · 1★ 2 ## What do users think of Ascender? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 🎮 No ads or in-app purchases - 🎨 Retro aesthetic and pixel art style - ⚙️ Simple yet engaging gameplay mechanics - 🎯 Challenging but fair difficulty balance - 🏆 Multiple game modes (Classic, Survival, Time Trial) - 📱 Small file size (40MB) for easy download - 🔒 No data collection or privacy concerns - 😊 Highly addictive and fun experience - 🎵 Great arcade-style music and sound design - ✨ Well-polished and bug-free experience - 🎪 Creative level design with varied obstacles - 💰 Completely free with no monetization **Cons** - 📏 Control buttons positioned too close together and far left - ⏱️ Limited content - single level with three play modes - 🎮 Controls occasionally unresponsive or don't register - 😞 Game is too short for some players - 🔧 Input detection issues causing unexpected deaths **Commonly reported bugs** - Controls don't register sometimes causing flight or fire errors - Input detection issues leading to unexpected deaths **Most requested features** - Sequel or Part 2 with more levels - Progress saving functionality - Additional levels and content - Adjustable button sizes - Discord server for community - Repositioned control buttons for better accessibility - More game modes or variations ## Newest reviews (19 of 65) ### 5/5 — Amazing! *2023-04-30, version 1.9.12* Great game with no ads and is a fun pastime, would like for more content as the original 1000m was too easy :) ### 5/5 — . *2023-03-31, version 1.9.12* Amazing game! Very addictive! 😂 Love the graphics of the game. ### 5/5 — Great game *2023-03-27, version 1.9.12* Fun game ### 5/5 — Wow *2023-03-01, version 1.9.12* This game is sooo cool I like it because it looks old. Theres not that much old games in the App Store. But it is kind of hard. You have to get this game!!! ### 5/5 — LOVE LOVE LOVE *2023-02-10, version 1.9.12* Loved this game. I just finished it a second ago and Iʻm so sad it’s over. I definitely recommend this. The best part- NO ADS!!! It’s so hard to find a good quality game with no ads these days, and this game is both of those things. It’s also very addictive! It’s the right level of difficulty but no so hard that I can wipe out my phone to try to beat a level when Iʻm bored and have a few minutes to spare. Get this game!! ### 5/5 — My 80’s memories flashed before me *2023-02-08, version 1.9.12* What a great 8-bit tribute. Thanks for making my day! ### 5/5 — Cool game *2023-02-06, version 1.9.12* Love the game. The lil flame thrower dudes are so cute ### 5/5 — Very good *2023-01-27, version 1.9.12* I like it. The travel between checkpoints is a bit long. Or I’m not very good at it. ### 5/5 — Fun for Hours!! *2023-01-26, version 1.9.12* Love ❤️ it and can’t wait for more. Best game on app store!! ### 5/5 — Addicting! *2023-01-25, version 1.9.12* I very much enjoyed this game! It was fun and addicting to play. It was a little bit difficult to get used to but that’s what it’s supposed to be. Looking forward to Ascender dos! God bless sir! ### 5/5 — Awesome retro game. *2023-01-20, version 1.9.12* This game is really fun especially considering it’s free. ### 5/5 — Great Game! *2023-01-19, version 1.9.12* This game is really fun and I am surprised that not a lot of people play it. It is fun and challenging with no ads! ### 5/5 — Amazing *2023-01-19, version 1.9.12* Their is nothing wrong it’s just amazing and their is no ads one of the best games I’ve played ### 5/5 — A gem *2023-01-18, version 1.9.12* It’s a simple game. Fun, challenging, doesn’t collect your data, and has no micro-transactions or in-app purchases. Personally, I couldn’t ask for more. Give a try, it’s 40mb and you will know within 5 minutes of playing if it is a game you will enjoy or not. ### 5/5 — Great game *2023-01-02, version 1.9.12* Fun game. Love the retro minimalist style. I will definitely be looking for more games like this ### 5/5 — A great game to kill time *2022-12-21, version 1.9.12* Have recommended to my friends and they all love it just as much as me ### 5/5 — Darling’s *2022-12-19, version 1.9.12* It is always better to look good , than to feel good. ### 5/5 — Great retro game *2022-12-16, version 1.9.12* I really enjoyed playing the game. Being a game developer myself I can appreciate the level design, the inventive array of enemy units and their strategic placements through the map. Really well done game with a simple but appealing atmosphere. Someone mentioned that hard high spot at 200m - that was fun to figure out. I was just grateful that past that point the game allows you to finish the level without any other significant obstacles. My only criticism is the positioning of the game controls - the movement arrows are too far over to the left and too close together and it’s easy to press the wrong button. The whole scene including the buttons on the right could be scooted over to the right to allow more space in the left corner. This issue could be due to my phone maybe - I have iPhone XR. Other than that, thank you, it’s a brilliant little game, I’ll be looking forward to your next installment. ### 5/5 — Excellent game *2022-11-27, version 1.9.12* First mobile game I’ve enjoyed playing in a while. No ads, perfect difficulty, unique levels. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 3/5 — Fun game but limited *2023-03-15, version 1.9.12* Fun free ascension game but limited. There is one level with three different play types. I beat all but no other levels to play. Controls are jenky and don’t register sometimes causing a flight or fire error causing a death/end in the run. Other than that, worth getting and playing occasionally. ### 5/5 — an EPIC game (waiting for a pt. 2!!) *2024-12-27, version 1.9.12* the fact that’s it’s free and doesn’t have any adds really makes the game be such a nice experience. I loved messing around at the end a bit, and i’m really looking forward to a part 2!!! good job!! ### 5/5 — Funnest game *2024-10-20, version 1.9.12* When is it “to be continued” ??!?!?!?”?. ### 5/5 — Excellent game :) ! *2024-09-22, version 1.9.12* I loved this game and just finished completing all the levels … when is the 2nd one coming out ;)? Thanks ### 5/5 — A challenging but fun game *2024-07-09, version 1.9.12* As my title said the game will be a challenge however it is very fun, there is also no ads or any purchases. ### 5/5 — Fantastic game Peter! *2023-12-11, version 1.9.12* Thanks for making and releasing this. I’ve gotten more enjoyment out of Ascender than most any other iOS game I’ve played. After completing Classic mode, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of beating Survival and competing against others in the Time Trial global leaderboards. I’m writing this review after just setting the global record for the 100-0 time trial. Not to brag, but I crushed the previous record by nearly 30 seconds, and was the first to break the 1 min mark. I say this because I want someone to try to figure out how I did it and beat my time. Cheers!! ### 5/5 — best game *2023-08-31, version 1.9.12* I Like it :) make it so that it saves Progression or make a discord server for it :) ### 5/5 — Simple yet challenging *2023-07-10* I first came across Ascender when I looking for class arcade games to play on my phone. It was immediately an addicting game that I enjoyed for a long time. I would play any chance I could and it took a while for me to beat the game. The game is challenging at times but it honestly comes down to learning the various tricks and patterns to help you along the way. I can’t wait for next one to come out. ### 5/5 — Great Game *2023-05-14, version 1.9.12* No Ads! Was disappointed when it was over but I still have the other play modes to try. ### 5/5 — 11/10 *2023-05-01, version 1.9.12* after a long time enjoyed the game. masterpiece ## Most praised reviews (1 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — One of the best games ever put on the App Store. *2023-05-01, version 1.9.12* I loved it. Just wished that there was more to play. The pinnacle of games that you can play on your phone. More enjoyable then many triple A games. Loved it. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-04.*