# Cataclysm vs Pathos

The clearest difference is rating: Pathos at 4.7 against Cataclysm's 3.9. Pathos also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and review sentiment (89% vs 69%). Cataclysm's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 4 months) and iOS requirement (7.0 vs 12.2). On price, ratings volume, ads and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Cataclysm sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Pathos asks for nothing beyond the download.

Pathos holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 323 and 360 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 69% of Cataclysm's written reviews are positive against 89% of Pathos's.

Cataclysm ships an update every 3 weeks, Pathos every 4 months. Both last shipped on October 16, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Cataclysm | Pathos |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.9 (323 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cataclysm-dark-days-ahead/id1017236109/reviews) | **[4.7 (360 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pathos-nethack-codex/id1045848120/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 323 | **360** |
| Positive reviews | 68.6% of reviews | **88.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 146 MB | 142 MB |
| Requires iOS | **7.0** | 12.2 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Dancing Bottle](https://appshunter.io/developer/536995131) | [Callan Hodgskin](https://appshunter.io/developer/1045848119) |

## What reviewers say

### Cataclysm

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cataclysm-dark-days-ahead/id1017236109)

A challenging post-apocalyptic survival roguelike with procedural generation. Explore, craft, and manage your needs to stay alive in a world overrun by monsters. Build, customize vehicles, and discover secrets in a vast, open-ended experience.

**Highlights:** Procedural world generation, Deep crafting system, Vehicle construction and modification, Survival mechanics (hunger, thirst, morale), Bionics and mutations, NPC interaction and quests, Open-ended exploration

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Awesome Sound Pack | $0.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great game
- 🚀 Highly customizable
- 💡 Endless possibilities
- 👍 Fantastic hardcore roguelike
- 👍 Addictive

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Controls are clunky and unresponsive
- 🐛 Language issues (game in Russian/other languages)
- 🐛 Screen size issues (too small)
- 🐛 Crashes and bugs
- 🐛 Outdated version, needs updates

**Reported bugs**

- Keyboard issues (gets stuck, doesn't work properly)
- Compatibility issues with newer devices/iOS versions
- Crashes and freezes

**Requested features**

- Update the game to latest stable version
- Improve touch controls and UI for mobile
- Add screen zooming/magnification options
- Provide better language support and options


### Pathos

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pathos-nethack-codex/id1045848120)

Embark on a challenging roguelike adventure inspired by Nethack's rule set. Select from 13 distinct classes and delve into a perilous dungeon. Your mission is to confront your nemesis in hell and escape with as much treasure as possible.

**Highlights:** Nethack-inspired gameplay, 13 playable classes, Deep dungeon exploration, Defeat nemesis in hell, Loot collection and escape

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Cataclysm free?

Cataclysm is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Pathos free?

Pathos is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Cataclysm or Pathos?

Pathos is rated higher. Cataclysm averages 3.9 out of 5 from 323 ratings, while Pathos averages 4.7 from 360 ratings.

### Do Cataclysm or Pathos have ads?

Neither Cataclysm nor Pathos shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Cataclysm or Pathos?

Cataclysm ships an update every 3 weeks, and Pathos every 4 months. Most recently, Cataclysm was updated on October 16, 2026 and Pathos on October 16, 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.*