# The Machines — Battle your friends in AR. > Augmented reality strategy game with multiplayer battles and spatial audio. (iPhone/iPad app by Directive Games.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-machines/id1280682965 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Directive Games](https://appshunter.io/developer/1030218518) - Category: Games, Action, Strategy - Price: $1.99 - Rating: 3.60/5 from 268 App Store ratings · 406 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 12+ - Requires: iOS 12.0 · 911 MB - Languages: American English, French (France), German (Germany), Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Chinese (Simplified, China), European Spanish, Chinese (Traditional, Taiwan) - Released: 2017-09-19 - Data updated: 2026-08-31 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-machines/id1280682965/reviews.md ## What is The Machines? **As featured in the Apple Keynote** “The Machines may be Apple's most impressive augmented-reality showcase yet” - Eurogamer “If you've only got enough money to spend on one AR game, then I'd probably make it this one.” - Pocket Gamer “The Machines is a perfect example of the future of AR” - Macworld “A must have ARKit game—Highly recommended and definitely worth its asking price!” - AR Critic ======== In The Machines, battle your friends in a breathtaking augmented reality world. Experience 3D sound, graphics, and gameplay like never before. Use powerful abilities and perspective-based tactics to destroy your enemy's base and climb the global leaderboard. Victory or defeat depends on your skills, strategic thinking, and ability to maneuver yourself and your troops in battle. ======== VISUALLY STUNNING The Machines uses advanced technology to push the boundaries of visual fidelity. The battlefield has over 1.2 million polygons and uses 4k assets and physics-based rendering to bring you a beautifully immersive game. 3D SPATIAL AUDIO Your position in the real world affects the audio you hear. Move closer for louder action or disappear behind a rock and audio bounces off, just like in real life. PERSPECTIVE-BASED GAMING Your physical position is the competitive edge in this augmented reality battlefield. Use super weapons and abilities tactically by aiming your phone and adjusting your position. COMPETETIVE MULTIPLAYER Claim your place at the top of the global leaderboards by defeating foes around the world. Outwit your opponents with balanced, strategic gameplay. A single player training mode is also available to gain experience. FRIEND BATTLES Add friends via a unique invite link and challenge them directly to battle! Play against each other on the same table or anywhere in the world. See who is the champion on your friends leaderboard. ======== **If you enjoying playing the game, please consider leaving a review on the App Store. We really appreciate it!** Follow us on Twitter: @DirectiveGames Follow us on Facebook: @DirectiveGames Want to discuss a new feature? Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/w4GdRVc ## Key features - Augmented reality battles - Competitive multiplayer - 3D spatial audio - Perspective-based tactics - Global leaderboards - Friend battles ## What do users think of The Machines? Overall sentiment: neutral **Pros** - 🚀 Impressive AR experience - 👍 Great graphics and visuals - 🤖 Innovative gameplay concept - 🎮 Engaging multiplayer battles **Cons** - 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs - 🔍 Difficulty detecting playing surface - 🕹️ Confusing controls and tutorials - 🔋 High battery consumption - 🗺️ Limited map and gameplay variety **Commonly reported bugs** - Game crashes after short playtime - Inability to detect flat surfaces - Unresponsive controls and commands - Compatibility issues with newer devices **Most requested features** - Ability to play against friends - More maps and gameplay modes - Better onboarding and tutorials - Customization options for characters - Offline/single-player mode ## Recent user reviews (10 of 406) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-machines/id1280682965/reviews.md ### 1/5 — Why I can’t connect to the server *2025-02-10, version 1.6.3* Why I can’t connect to the server, is this game not available in China?Or this game dead?? ### 1/5 — Не работает *2025-02-03, version 1.6.3* При попытке запустить игру, появляется текст, невозможно подключить к серверу ### 1/5 — Server up or down *2025-02-02, version 1.6.3* I just downloaded, and receive the messages : unable to connect to servers. Are there still servers up ? ### 1/5 — What is going on!?!? *2024-12-19, version 1.6.3* I purchased this game when it first came out, now it doesn’t load! I deleted and tried to reinstall and it’s asking me to pay again!?!? Why?! ### 1/5 — Не запускается *2024-12-19, version 1.6.3* Как только заходишь в игру выдаётся ошибка ### 2/5 — Won’t start *2024-12-06, version 1.6.3* Game is not starting saying connect to the internet but I’m connected not sure what is happening ### 1/5 — Dopo aver acquistato non si apre nemmeno *2024-11-10, version 1.6.3* Non ho idea se il gioco sia piacevole o meno perché dopo aver pagato 1,99€ l app nemmeno si avvia perché si ostina a non rilevare la connessione Internet né con il Wi-Fi né con il 5g….deludente ### 1/5 — Game is not loading.. dead game? *2024-09-26, version 1.6.3* Tried to play this game but it fails to connect to the server. Is the game dead or offline? ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work on 16 pro max *2024-09-25, version 1.6.3* Doesn’t work on 16 pro max ### 5/5 — The Future od Now *2021-09-16, version 1.6.3* Game and this technology for sure need updates. It doesn’t change the fact that this game is a something ahead our times and it will become popular later or will give a strong basics for games of these type for the others. Keep it up devs, I really looking forward to play this game more often :) ## Frequently asked questions about The Machines ### What is The Machines? The Machines is an augmented reality game where you battle friends in a visually stunning, 3D environment. It emphasizes strategic thinking, tactical positioning, and the use of powerful abilities to destroy your opponent's base and climb the global leaderboards. ### What are the key features of The Machines? Key features include visually stunning graphics with high-polygon battlefields, 3D spatial audio that reacts to your real-world position, perspective-based gaming where your physical location is an advantage, competitive multiplayer with global leaderboards, and direct friend battles. ### How much does The Machines cost? The app is a paid application, meaning you purchase it once to download and play. Based on the description, there are no in-app purchases or advertisements. ### What devices is The Machines compatible with? The app utilizes ARKit, which is Apple's framework for augmented reality. Therefore, it is compatible with iOS devices that support ARKit, as mentioned in the description highlighting its use in an Apple Keynote. ### What are common use cases for The Machines? Common use cases include engaging in competitive battles with friends, challenging opponents worldwide on the global leaderboards, and practicing strategies in the single-player training mode. It's ideal for players seeking an immersive AR gaming experience. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.6.3 — 2021-01-14 • Fixed a crash when trying to add new friends on iOS 14 ### 1.6.2 — 2020-06-21 • Fixed display issues with some Asian fonts • Fixed a problem where long player names would get cut truncated • Updated device profile to accommodate recently released devices ### 1.6.1 — 2018-11-21 • Added support for the new iPad and iPad Pro models ### 1.6.0 — 2018-09-20 We fully integrated ARKit 2! Now, two friends can play the game at the same time, in the the same location, sharing the same battlefield. No longer limited to play with friends online, local multiplayer is a really new way to compete. Watch out for the other player's position in the real world and get to your favorite spot as fast as you can for more effective and precise aiming. Physical contact allowed...but Fair Play rules apply :) Also, with ARKit 2, plane detection is faster and more accurate. Well lit and non-reflective surfaces are needed for optimal AR tracking. ### 1.4.1 — 2018-02-12 • Fixed iPhone X tutorial text alignment • Camera permission check handles more scenarios • Adjust UI layout iPhone X • Themed lobby for Chinese New Year ## Apps similar to The Machines | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [The Division Resurgence](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-division-resurgence/id1606349410) | 4.8 (16,170) | Free | Games | | [Mech Wars-Online Robot Battles](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mech-wars-online-robot-battles/id1450397793) | 4.6 (5,582) | Free | Games | | [Warhammer 40,000: Freeblade](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/warhammer-40000-freeblade/id1043640363) | 4.8 (49,842) | Free | Games | | [Assassin's Creed Mirage](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/assassins-creed-mirage/id6472704261) | 4.2 (2,087) | Free | Games | | [War Thunder Mobile](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/war-thunder-mobile/id1577525428) | 4.8 (133,564) | Free | Games | | [RESIDENT EVIL 7 biohazard](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/resident-evil-7-biohazard/id1640629241) | 4.1 (423) | Free | Games | --- *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 2026-08-31.*