# Sometimes You Die

> A puzzle game that makes you die to progress. (iPhone/iPad app by Philipp Stollenmayer.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sometimes-you-die/id822701037 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Philipp Stollenmayer](https://appshunter.io/developer/580506869)
- Category: Games, Adventure, Puzzle
- Price: $1.99
- Rating: 4.30/5 from 155 App Store ratings · 228 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 12+
- Requires: iOS 8.0 · 28 MB
- Languages: American English, German (Germany)
- Released: 2014-03-27
- Data updated: 2026-09-04
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sometimes-you-die/id822701037/reviews.md

## What is Sometimes You Die?

In a game, you die.
And imply that it has no effect on you.
You feel invincible in the realm behind the screen.

This one is different.
In this game, you have to die.


∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ G A M E ∙ ∙ ∙
What is your motivation?
What do you expect from this game?
Do you want to beat it?
How do you know it can be beaten?

This game plays with expectation, illusion, and reality.


∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ P U Z Z L E S ∙ ∙ ∙ 
Think before you act. 
Who knows what it means to die behind the screen? 
Is it only a number that goes up? 
Pixels that change their intensity?

Solve disturbing, surprising, and malicious puzzles.


∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ D E A T H ∙ ∙ ∙
Is it possible to go through the game 
without dying even once? 
Will you aim for it?


∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ D I F F I C U L T Y ∙ ∙ ∙ 
Some think the game is easy.
I think,
those haven't discovered the hidden levels yet.

∙ ∙ ∙ ∙
slidetoplay.com > "interactive art"
appspy.com > "manipulates expectations"
148apps.com > "borderline brilliant"
ilounge.com > "messes with the players' heads"
toucharcade.com > "incredibly unique"
tabtimes.com > "extremely clever"
cultofmac.com > "must play"
pocketgamer.co.uk > "deliciously unputdownable"
tuaw.com > "play it, and love it"

80+ levels.
Hidden content.
Wow factor.
Epilepsy warning: One level includes fast flashing lights.

## Key features

- Unique death mechanic
- Disturbing and surprising puzzles
- Explores reality and illusion
- Over 80 levels
- Hidden content
- Interactive art

## Chart rankings

- #199 in Top Paid · Puzzle (US App Store)

## What do users think of Sometimes You Die?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 👍 Unique and innovative gameplay
- 🎨 Stylish and atmospheric presentation
- 🤔 Thought-provoking narrative
- 🎮 Addictive and challenging levels
- 💯 Excellent value for money

**Cons**

- 🕹️ Frustrating controls at times
- 🕰️ Short overall playtime
- 🤯 Extremely difficult 'orange' levels
- 🐛 Occasional bugs and crashes

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Pause button not functioning properly
- Game freezing on certain devices

**Most requested features**

- Leaderboard for fastest completions
- More content and levels
- Ability to reset/restart the game

## Recent user reviews (10 of 228)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sometimes-you-die/id822701037/reviews.md

### 2/5 — Easy and takes 20 minutes to complete

*2026-07-31, version 1.32*

Very easy, quite boring, no music at all, beaten in 20 minutes. dont waste your money

### 5/5 — Important to me.

*2025-12-07*

I’ve played this game over from start to finish, including orange levels, developers commentary, zero death run, glitches, secret room, etc, probably went through from start to finish over 100 times since this game came out years ago. Unfortunately now on iPhone 15 pro max the game doesn’t seem to run properly anymore. Pause button doesn’t work and can cause a total game freeze. Things are just off now. Hopefully this can be fixed

### 4/5 — I have a question for the developer (spoilers I guess?)

*2025-04-08, version 1.32*

I found the orange area and got stuck on the final jump before the elevator bit. After 20 tries I eventually got it, breezed through the elevator puzzle and then the drop, leading me to a room with a singular lightbulb in it. Here, I got the ability to pause the game, letting me: 1) mute the music. 2) return back to the beginning of the orange area/start of the game. And 3) credits. My question is —> does this mean I beat the game, or is there more secrets / content?

### 5/5 — Superb

*2025-02-01, version 1.32*

This game is a perfect example of originality, not in the game itself but everything surrounding it that makes you feel a certain way. I loved every minute Phillip your a genius, I got okay? After loving this so much. Years later this game still stands the test of time, it just has that special something you can’t put your finger on, so stylish and addictive, originality is so hard to find …what is it that makes a game or a film so riveting? Whatever it is this has it in spades.

### 1/5 — What the heck

*2024-12-26, version 1.32*

There was an impossible level and now I can’t win and plus the one with the stairs is just hard enough

### 5/5 — Kamibox knocks it out of the park… as usual.

*2024-11-16, version 1.32*

Kamibox. Enough said. I would love to know where the ideas for these games come from. This game is so unique, and I love the story or plot that you literally follow. It’s such an interesting concept. Do you or have you ever dabbled in console game development, or is there anything on steam, or are these only mobile games? I seriously love everything you put out. My favorite is a toss up between squaredance, supertype, and zip zap. I would absolutely love to see what you would do with an RPG. I’ve no doubt you’re unique stylistic choices, story, and playability would be a smash! Keep the games rolling! So good.

### 5/5 — Different and Smart

*2024-06-28, version 1.32*

This is another excellent game, from a brilliant developer, that’s grossly underrated. 
It seems most people aren’t interested in games that are unique and thoughtful. 
Anything more cerebral than match 3 is lost on most people. 
Thank goodness there are still developers who are willing to create great independent games for those who want more than more copies of the same old thing.

### 1/5 — Waste of money

*2024-04-16, version 1.32*

Can’t even open the app it crashes within seconds

### 5/5 — INCROYABLE

*2024-03-27*

Un jeu vraiment incroyable, partie cachée magique, et pour les gens qui disent qu’il faut payer 9999€ C UNE BLAGUE DU DÉVELOPPEUR. Le message fait partie du jeu et vous pouvez l’escalader, ce qui vous aides grandement.
Bref, je recommande

### 4/5 — Fantastic Game

*2023-08-04, version 1.32*

I really enjoyed this game. It’s really smart with lots of twists. It was very engaging and I’m sad it’s over. Going to explore more from this developer. Fantastic.

## Frequently asked questions about Sometimes You Die

### What is the main gameplay mechanic of this app?

Unlike most games where dying is a failure, this game requires you to die to progress. It plays with your expectations and the concept of death within a digital environment. You'll need to solve puzzles that involve this unique mechanic.

### What kind of puzzles can I expect?

The puzzles are described as disturbing, surprising, and malicious, requiring you to think before you act. They are designed to challenge your perception of reality and the meaning of death in the game.

### How much does the app cost?

Based on the provided information, this app is a paid application. There are no mentions of in-app purchases or advertisements, suggesting a one-time purchase model.

### Is this game suitable for everyone?

The game features disturbing content and one level includes fast flashing lights, which may not be suitable for all players. It is recommended for those who enjoy experimental and thought-provoking gaming experiences.

### What makes this game different from other puzzle games?

Its core difference lies in its central mechanic: you must die to advance. It also focuses on manipulating player expectations and blurring the lines between illusion and reality, offering a more philosophical and artistic experience than typical puzzle games.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.32 — 2018-05-18

This update from Apple will improve the functionality of this app. No new features are included.

+ iPhone X

### 1.31 — 2015-10-17

iOS 9 fixes

### 1.3 — 2014-12-01

V1.3:
Added support for iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.

V1.2:
New chapter,
new wow-effects.
I promise.

### 1.2 — 2014-07-02

New chapter,
new wow-effects.
I promise.

Not finding it? 
> complete game 
> look for white arrow in first chapter

### 1.1 — 2014-03-17

No release notes.

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## More apps by Philipp Stollenmayer

- [Okay?](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/okay/id962050549)
- [Pancake – The Game](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pancake-the-game/id965965461)
- [Get Hi](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/get-hi/id990168714)
- [Burger – The Game](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/burger-the-game/id1023218196)
- [1 Meter](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/1-meter/id1071528099)

All apps by Philipp Stollenmayer: https://appshunter.io/developer/580506869

## Related topics

[you die](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/you-die) · [sometimes you die](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/sometimes-you-die)

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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 2026-09-04.*