# Hoplite — Turn-based tactics

> Turn-based tactical roguelike strategy game with deep gameplay. (iPhone/iPad app by Douglas Cowley.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hoplite/id782438457 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Douglas Cowley](https://appshunter.io/developer/782438460)
- Category: Games, Puzzle, Strategy
- Price: $3.99
- Rating: 4.70/5 from 787 App Store ratings · 238 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 12+
- Requires: iOS 8.0 · 39 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2013-12-21
- Data updated: 2026-09-02
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hoplite/id782438457/reviews.md

## What is Hoplite?

"Blanket recommendation for this one." - Pocket Tactics (5 stars)

"It's very simple to learn, but there's a huge amount of depth to the game" - Touch Arcade (5 stars)


Hoplite is a turn-based strategy game focusing on tactical movement around small maps.

This game is designed to be hard, yet fair.  You'll need to think before you act if you hope to win.  Every move counts!

Quest Mode:
• Make strategical choices to upgrade your abilities as you dive deeper into the underworld.
• Earn achievements and unlock access to new upgrades.
• Procedurally generated levels give a new experience every play.
• Challenge your friends and see how you rank on the leaderboard.

Challenge mode:
• Jump straight into the action with a randomized set of upgrades.
• Try to beat the daily challenge or play predetermined challenges at two difficulty levels.

## Key features

- Turn-based tactical movement
- Procedurally generated levels
- Quest mode with upgrades
- Challenge mode with daily challenges
- Leaderboard rankings
- Hard but fair gameplay

## Chart rankings

- #104 in Top Paid · Puzzle (US App Store)
- #124 in Top Paid · Strategy (US App Store)

## What do users think of Hoplite?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 🚀 Simple yet deep gameplay
- 👍 Addictive and challenging
- 🕹️ Elegant and intuitive controls
- 💎 Excellent value for money
- 🔍 Surprising depth and strategy
- 🔄 High replayability

**Cons**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes or compatibility issues
- 🔧 Lack of landscape mode support
- 🔊 Mutes music/podcast playback
- 🕹️ Accidental moves due to controls

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Crashes on launch with certain OS versions
- Agility upgrade not functioning properly

**Most requested features**

- More game modes or levels
- Customization options for the character
- Landscape mode support
- Ability to start at higher levels

## Recent user reviews (10 of 238)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hoplite/id782438457/reviews.md

### 4/5 — Love it

*2026-07-16, version 2.8.65*

I download games all of the time but then delete most of them for one reason or another. The ones I keep are the gems. This is a keeper. Strategy game with endless replayability and lots of content due to a long list of over 1,000 challenge missions. 

4/5 stars because I believe the game could be expanded upon. There could be more enemies and more upgrades. The diversity of character builds seems lacking. You have something like a jump build, a throw build, or a shield build. But it doesn’t feel entirely complete.

### 5/5 — Überragend.

*2026-06-21, version 2.8.65*

Klassiker.

### 5/5 — Challenging but fair

*2026-06-12, version 2.8.65*

This has to be one of the best games i have ever played. It is perfectly balanced, really gets your brain working, and simple but rewarding gameplay. Seems like endless challenge levels and it took a good long while to lock in and beat the main quest before the endless challenges. I recommend this to anybody who likes to feel their brain physically turning its gears it gets you there for sure

### 5/5 — Suggestions

*2026-04-02, version 2.8.65*

Hey, author! The game is great and I just got my final 20th achievement. However, I have a few suggestions (or bug reports).
1. If you make a shield bash and it kicks you back, you may end up on the stairs to the next level. But if you also got a protection from damage, it will also be transferred to the next level and will last for one more turn. So damage protection works for two turns instead of one. Seems like a bug.
2. Sword demons can stand on the exit portal and prevent you from using it after the 16th level.
3. Bombers can throw bombs directly onto the stair tile and also prevent you from using it. This happens very often.

Thanks!

### 5/5 — Fortune favors the PATIENT

*2025-12-20, version 2.8.65*

Can’t believe this game is still around, played it on my Android device at least 5 years ago and loved it. As the title suggests this isn’t a run n gun type game; you’ll spend more time planning than acting; be patient when progressing and you’ll be handsomely rewarded!

### 5/5 — Still great

*2025-10-30, version 2.8.65*

I’ve been coming back to this game for over ten years now. Great on mobile.

### 3/5 — Broken in iOS 26 on Lockdown mode

*2025-10-26, version 2.8.65*

Awesome game, unfortunately the update to iOS 26 makes the game not go past the splash screen if on Lockdown mode. Toggling off Game Mode does not seem to have any effect.

### 5/5 — excellent awesome

*2025-10-22, version 2.8.65*

A truly unparalleled game—simple yet profoundly deep. It hooks you instantly and keeps you coming back for more.

### 3/5 — Fun but difficult

*2025-10-07, version 2.8.47*

Fun game to learn  and play. Lots of different moves and strategies to beat the levels. The difficulty gets almost impossible once you collect the golden ram armor tho. 15-24 enemies on the screen, no safe spots to move to. Wish it was just a bit more easy

### 5/5 — Addictive

*2025-08-31, version 2.8.47*

Seems simple but it hooked me for a long time. Lots of depth.

## Frequently asked questions about Hoplite

### What kind of game is Hoplite?

Hoplite is a turn-based strategy game that emphasizes tactical movement on small maps. It's designed to be challenging yet fair, requiring players to think carefully about every move. The game features procedurally generated levels for replayability.

### What are the main game modes in Hoplite?

Hoplite offers two main modes: Quest Mode, where you make strategic choices to upgrade abilities as you progress through procedurally generated levels, and Challenge Mode, which allows you to jump directly into action with randomized or predetermined challenges.

### Is Hoplite a free game?

Based on the provided information, Hoplite is a paid application. It does not appear to have in-app purchases or advertisements, suggesting a one-time purchase model.

### What makes Hoplite challenging?

The game is intentionally designed to be difficult but fair. Success relies on careful planning and tactical decision-making, as every move counts. The procedurally generated levels and randomized upgrades in Challenge Mode also contribute to its difficulty and replayability.

### Can I play Hoplite with friends?

Yes, Hoplite allows you to challenge your friends and see how you rank on the leaderboard. This competitive element adds another layer to the strategic gameplay, encouraging players to improve their skills.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.8.65 — 2025-10-22

- Fixed protection and some conducts not being saved correctly

### 2.8.47 — 2025-01-13

- Fixed depth bug
- Fixed missing text on devices with chinese language

### 2.8.39 — 2024-05-20

- Monsters are shown as stunned anytime they would not have a move after you
- Fixed bug in stalemate detection
- Wizard Beam graphics

### 2.8.22 — 2023-09-01

Fixed tiles being too small on some devices

### 2.8.20 — 2023-08-28

- Bug fixes
- Prayer icons

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## Related topics

[hoplite](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/hoplite) · [douglas cowley](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/douglas-cowley) · [tactics game](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/tactics-game)

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*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 2026-09-02.*