# The Ensign

> VoiceOver-accessible, text-based narrative adventure game with challenging gameplay. (iPhone/iPad app by Amirali Rajan.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-ensign/id908073488 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Amirali Rajan](https://appshunter.io/developer/736683064)
- Category: Games, Adventure, Role Playing
- Price: $1.99
- Rating: 4.60/5 from 549 App Store ratings · 340 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: +12
- Requires: iOS 11.0 · 32 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2014-08-17
- Data updated: 2026-08-28
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-ensign/id908073488/reviews.md

## What is The Ensign?

death awaits. their humanity makes them strong.

- 100% playable via VoiceOver
- Pre-sequel to the #1 viral smash hit, A Dark Room.
- Made with love by indie game developers.
- No ads.
- No data collection.
- No IAP.
- No crippled gameplay.
- No data requirements.
- No elevated device privileges.
- Stupid difficult, but that's why you'll love it.

## Key features

- 100% VoiceOver playable
- Challenging gameplay
- Narrative-driven
- No ads
- No data collection
- No in-app purchases

## Chart rankings

- #111 in Top Paid · Adventure (US App Store)
- #60 in Top Paid · Role Playing (US App Store)

## What do users think of The Ensign?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 🌟 Compelling story and world-building
- 🤖 Unique and challenging gameplay
- 🎮 Rewarding progression and sense of accomplishment
- 💎 Excellent prequel to A Dark Room
- 🧠 Encourages strategic thinking and decision-making

**Cons**

- 🤯 Extremely difficult and punishing at times
- 🔁 Frustrating to restart from the beginning after dying
- 🕹️ Lack of checkpoints or save options
- 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs
- 🧭 Unclear navigation and objectives at times

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Game crashing when trying to collect loot
- Inconsistencies between item descriptions and inventory
- Saved progress being lost after closing the app

**Most requested features**

- Ability to save progress and resume later
- Difficulty settings or optional modes
- More narrative depth and character development
- Improved accessibility and UI for visually impaired players

## Recent user reviews (10 of 340)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-ensign/id908073488/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Accessibilities

*2026-04-25, version 19.10*

People like me are sensitive to the bright screens
And I’m blind asf
So I can’t see the texts
Let me make them father

### 5/5 — most rewarding game i’ve played

*2026-03-25, version 19.10*

i loved 100%ing this game. it was so challenging that i enjoyed it. i also loved the secrets and lore that you left us. i am patiently waiting for that one last story you wanna tell us.

### 5/5 — The blind wanderer

*2025-09-13, version 19.9*

I came into this world blind. I was given scraps of food and a compass that spoke to me, and the houses and people I encountered along the way changed my perception of everything. I found myself stumbling through death as part of the game; survival was the challenge. As I neared the end of my mission, I found a new respect for the world. My journey in this world is complete, yet I find myself reliving it and imagining different outcomes. Maybe one day I will return to this world with my eyes open and working, and we’ll see it for what it is. For now, it leaves me with a conflicted feeling: do I survive at the cost of others, or do I die and accept defeat?

### 5/5 — One of the greatest mobile games of all time

*2025-07-05, version 19.9*

This and a dark room

### 5/5 — Yeah

*2025-07-03, version 19.9*

Bad app game crashes every time I try collecting loot still hasn’t been fixed never mind I was clicking the take all loot button in the app was crashing it works if I try taking items one by one

### 5/5 — Incredible

*2025-05-31, version 19.9*

I’ve been playing this game for years- Only when I travel. Even after so many years, and even a few wins, the game is still challenging and thought-provoking. 
I’ve had dozens and dozens of games on my phone over the years, and The Ensign is the only one that has remained no matter what. 
Props to the developer who has been maintaining the app for so long.

### 1/5 — Yeah

*2025-05-20, version 19.7*

Bad app game crashes every time I try collecting loot still hasn’t been fixed

### 1/5 — This review will get drowned out so whatrver

*2024-12-16, version 19.7*

Halfway through the game stopped saving my items. Not worth the headache, the game actively mocks you. It's a shame, cause I really liked A Dark Room...

### 4/5 — Great replay quality.

*2024-08-25, version 19.5*

A good game, but I can’t find any contact information. The update is good as well, but it does make some things harder for voiceover users, thus why I’d like to talk to the developer.

### 1/5 — KC

*2024-08-23, version 19.5*

It’s a little bit too busy now. Little bit harder to navigate the screen without having single or double tabs. Liked the older version way better.

## Frequently asked questions about The Ensign

### What kind of game is The Ensign?

The Ensign is a narrative-driven adventure game with a strong emphasis on challenging gameplay. It is designed to be fully playable using VoiceOver, making it accessible to a wider audience.

### Is The Ensign difficult to play?

Yes, the game is described as 'stupid difficult,' which is highlighted as a key reason players will enjoy it. This suggests a high level of challenge and a focus on player skill and decision-making.

### How much does The Ensign cost?

The Ensign is a paid application. It does not feature ads, in-app purchases, or any form of crippled gameplay, indicating a complete and upfront purchase model.

### Is The Ensign compatible with VoiceOver?

Absolutely. The Ensign is 100% playable via VoiceOver, making it a fully accessible experience for visually impaired players. This is a core feature of the game.

### What are the benefits of playing The Ensign?

Players can expect a challenging and engaging narrative experience. The game offers a pure, unadulterated gameplay experience with no ads, no data collection, and no in-app purchases, all while being fully accessible.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 19.10 — 2026-03-19

Fixed rendering issue with alternate ending. It's no longer squished.

### 19.9 — 2025-05-30

cooking cured meat at the swamp no longer causes the world to explode

### 19.8 — 2025-05-29

minor ui improvements and voiceover bug fixes.

### 19.7 — 2024-12-14

bug fixes for voiceover.

### 19.6 — 2024-12-03

perf improvements

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## More apps by Amirali Rajan

- [A Dark Room](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/a-dark-room/id736683061)
- [Beautiful Go](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/beautiful-go/id955295568)
- [A Noble Circle](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/a-noble-circle/id977865620)
- [A Noble Circle - Prologue](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/a-noble-circle-prologue/id1033044184)
- [Mildly Interesting RTS](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mildly-interesting-rts/id1202710090)

All apps by Amirali Rajan: https://appshunter.io/developer/736683064

## Related topics

[amirali rajan](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/amirali-rajan) · [the ensign](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/the-ensign) · [a dark room](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/a-dark-room) · [ensign](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/ensign) · [the dark room](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/the-dark-room)

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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 2026-08-28.*