# Dwarf Fortress Remote vs Crying Suns

The clearest difference is price: Dwarf Fortress Remote at Free against Crying Suns's $8.99. Crying Suns's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 3.3) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). On update cadence, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Dwarf Fortress Remote is free to download; Crying Suns costs $8.99 up front. Dwarf Fortress Remote sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per month. Crying Suns asks for nothing beyond the download.

Crying Suns holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Crying Suns has 2.2K ratings behind it against 143, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 60% of Dwarf Fortress Remote's written reviews are positive against 73% of Crying Suns's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Dwarf Fortress Remote | Crying Suns |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $8.99 |
| Rating | [3.3 (143 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dwarf-fortress-remote/id1003660287/reviews) | **[4.8 (2.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crying-suns/id1511788295/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 143 | **2.2K** |
| Positive reviews | 59.8% of reviews | **72.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#64** |
| Size | 8 MB | 1014 MB |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [MIFKI PTY LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/316521224) | [Alternative Shift](https://appshunter.io/developer/394617049) |

## What reviewers say

### Dwarf Fortress Remote

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dwarf-fortress-remote/id1003660287)

Control your fantasy world simulation game remotely on your mobile device. Manage a group of dwarves, build a thriving fortress, and explore a procedurally generated world with complex systems. Requires the original game and a server connection.

**Highlights:** Remote Fortress Mode control, Complex world simulation, Dwarf management, Fortress construction, Procedurally generated worlds, Detailed geology and weather

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Server Subscription | $4.99 | per month |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Intuitive touch interface superior to PC controls
- 💡 Innovative remote play solution for complex game
- 🎮 Enables playing Dwarf Fortress on mobile devices
- ⚙️ Works smoothly with home network setup
- 🔧 Free option available with self-hosted server

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💳 Requires paid subscription or PC setup (confusing to users)
- 🐛 Frequent server connection errors and failures
- ⚠️ App abandoned/outdated for extended periods
- 📦 Missing tilesets causing functionality issues
- 🔌 Inconsistent server reliability

**Reported bugs**

- Server subscription errors preventing gameplay
- App crashes when opening squad command menus
- Endless initialization loops on server subscription
- Connection failures when connecting to home PC
- Black screen on map load (tileset issue)

**Requested features**

- Adventure mode support
- Custom embark location selection
- DFHack plugin support (workflow, autolabor, digvein)
- World map visualization
- Sound effects


### Crying Suns

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crying-suns/id1511788295)

**Currently charting:** #64 Top Paid · Role Playing, #109 Top Paid · Strategy (US App Store)

Command a space fleet in a tactical rogue-lite inspired by classic sci-fi. Explore a procedurally generated universe, engage in strategic ship battles, and uncover a deep storyline across six chapters. Experience a rich narrative and atmospheric gameplay designed for mobile.

**Highlights:** Procedurally-generated space exploration, Tactical battleship and squadron fleet combat, Over 300 story events, Deep, 6-chapter storyline, Mobile-optimized interface

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fun gameplay
- 🌟 Amazing atmosphere and story
- 👍 Engaging combat system
- 💎 Great value for money

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🔍 Small text and UI elements
- 🔁 Repetitive gameplay and missions

**Reported bugs**

- Game crashes when using certain ship abilities
- Crashes during end-of-chapter cutscenes
- Progression-blocking bugs preventing access to new content
- Inability to progress past specific story points due to crashes

**Requested features**

- Zoom functionality for combat screen
- Ability to play own music during gameplay
- Endless mode or sandbox option
- Improved tutorial to explain key mechanics


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Dwarf Fortress Remote free?

Dwarf Fortress Remote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Crying Suns free?

Crying Suns costs $8.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Dwarf Fortress Remote or Crying Suns?

Crying Suns is rated higher. Dwarf Fortress Remote averages 3.3 out of 5 from 143 ratings, while Crying Suns averages 4.8 from 2.2K ratings.

### Do Dwarf Fortress Remote or Crying Suns have ads?

Neither Dwarf Fortress Remote nor Crying Suns shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Dwarf Fortress Remote or Crying Suns?

Dwarf Fortress Remote ships an update monthly, and Crying Suns monthly. Most recently, Dwarf Fortress Remote was updated on November 1, 2026 and Crying Suns on November 3, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*