# Phage Invaders — CRISPR defense game

> CRISPR defense game where you protect a city from viral invaders. (iPhone/iPad app by Innovative Genomics Institute.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phage-invaders/id1460866913 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Innovative Genomics Institute](https://appshunter.io/developer/1460866912)
- Category: Games, Education, Casual, Family
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.38/5 from 8 App Store ratings · 3 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12 · 113 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2019-10-24
- Data updated: 2026-07-05
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phage-invaders/id1460866913/reviews.md

## What is Phage Invaders?

Defend the city of Bacterium from viral annihilation!

The city is under attack and needs a hero to save the day! Play as noble defender Cris Perotein. You’ll need to act fast to stop an army of viral villains from taking over the city. Will you be quick enough?

Use the on-screen controller to move Cris Perotein, our Cas9-inspired hero. Run Cris into the invading DNA to slash and destroy it. Careful, once viral parts appear, nothing can stop them!

Features:
• Play through levels that get harder and harder to learn the CRISPR ropes.
• Try "survival mode" to battle a brutal, infinite onslaught of phage invaders.
• Add your high score to the Game Center and see how you rank!

*** Share on social media with #PhageInvaders ***

About the IGI:
The Innovative Genomics Institute is an academic research organization in the Bay Area. The IGI excites, engages, and empowers diverse audiences with clear and reliable resources. To learn more, visit https://www.innovativegenomics.org

## Key features

- Control Cas9-inspired hero
- Slash invading DNA
- Progressive difficulty levels
- Survival mode
- High score leaderboards

## Recent user reviews (3 of 3)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phage-invaders/id1460866913/reviews.md

### 4/5 — Great learning tool

*2022-10-08*

Would be a little bit better if the joystick for mobile devices was gone and you could control the Cas9 complex with you finger.

### 1/5 — Good concept, bad game.

*2021-10-31*

While the concept of this game is great, they have made difficult controls and all-around bad game design. I feel this could be improved in a different game however it dose not seem to work well in this format.

### 5/5 — Solid game, and makes science fun

*2019-11-04*

This game is well-designed and seems to capture some pretty sophisticated aspects of microbiology. Science aside, the game is simply a blast! And it's plenty challenging, which keeps things interesting. Highly recommended.

## Frequently asked questions about Phage Invaders

### What is the gameplay like in Phage Invaders?

In Phage Invaders, you control a hero named Cris Perotein using an on-screen controller. Your objective is to run into and destroy invading DNA and viral parts to defend the city of Bacterium.

### Does Phage Invaders have different game modes?

Yes, Phage Invaders offers a standard level-based mode that increases in difficulty, as well as a "survival mode" where you face an infinite onslaught of phage invaders.

### Can I compete with other players in Phage Invaders?

Phage Invaders allows you to add your high score to the Game Center, enabling you to see how you rank against other players. The game also encourages sharing on social media with the hashtag #PhageInvaders.

### What devices is Phage Invaders compatible with?

Phage Invaders is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices. It is rated for ages 4 and up.

### How often is Phage Invaders updated?

The latest version of Phage Invaders is 1.4.6, which was last updated on May 17, 2022. The game was initially released on October 24, 2019.

### Does Phage Invaders have ads?

No, Phage Invaders does not contain advertisements. It is a free game with no in-app purchases or ads.

### What is the user rating for Phage Invaders?

Phage Invaders has a strong user rating of 4.4 stars based on 8 ratings, indicating positive reception from its players.

### Is Phage Invaders playable offline?

The provided information does not specify whether Phage Invaders can be played offline. However, its features like Game Center integration suggest it may require an internet connection for some functionalities.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.4.6 — 2022-05-17

Updated information and performance improvements

### 1.4.3 — 2021-12-09

Fixed issue with gRNA selection

### 1.4.2 — 2021-12-06

Updated for latest version of iOS

### 1.4.0 — 2021-02-25

New features!
- Select difficulty: easy, medium, or hard
- Skip to a level from the pause menu or intro screen
- Larger, more visible buttons to switch your guide RNA
- Visual indicators for phages destroyed and cell health

### 1.0.3 — 2019-10-30

Updated Game Center features

## Apps similar to Phage Invaders

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Inside Us: Bacteria rush](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/inside-us-bacteria-rush/id6443545809) | — | Free | Games |
| [1D Arcade](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/1d-arcade/id638871602) | 5.0 (2) | Free | Games |
| [Virus Invaders 3D](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/virus-invaders-3d/id6446288936) | — | Free | Games |
| [Sand Dunes Safari](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sand-dunes-safari/id6471991950) | — | Free | Games |
| [Zoodemic](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zoodemic/id1537220619) | 5.0 (1) | Free | Games |
| [Cellmaniac: Virus Defense](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cellmaniac-virus-defense/id6470078103) | 3.8 (4) | Free | Games |

## More apps by Innovative Genomics Institute

- [CRISPR-3D](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crispr-3d/id1468426395)

All apps by Innovative Genomics Institute: https://appshunter.io/developer/1460866912

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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 2026-07-05.*
