# polytone vs Synthwave Escape

The clearest difference is ads: polytone at none against Synthwave Escape's shown. polytone also leads on rating (4.9 vs 4.6) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 6 months). Synthwave Escape's advantage is review sentiment (83% vs 74%) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. polytone sells 37 one-off in-app purchases and Synthwave Escape sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

polytone holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 153 and 219 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 74% of polytone's written reviews are positive against 83% of Synthwave Escape's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

polytone ships an update every 3 months, Synthwave Escape every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | polytone | Synthwave Escape |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (153 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/polytone-rhythm-game/id1039246228/reviews)** | [4.6 (219 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/synthwave-escape/id1435802053/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 153 | **219** |
| Positive reviews | 74.0% of reviews | **83.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 months** | Every 6 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 2.0 GB | 152 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Haonan Li](https://appshunter.io/developer/1039246227) | [Moby Pixel](https://appshunter.io/developer/1435802052) |

## What reviewers say

### polytone

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/polytone-rhythm-game/id1039246228)

Experience music like never before in this immersive first-person rhythm game. Tap on incoming musical notes in time with the beat. Discover unique visuals and curated music for a fresh rhythm gaming adventure.

**Highlights:** First-person perspective, Tap on music notes, Unique visual elements, Curated music collections, Immersive rhythm experience

**In-app purchases (37)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Earth and Sea | $0.99 | one-time |
| In Circles | $0.99 | one-time |
| Passion | $0.99 | one-time |
| Reflex | $0.99 | one-time |
| At the Distant World of Stars | $0.99 | one-time |
| F*****g High (SK Remix) | $0.99 | one-time |
| Terminal Shore | $0.99 | one-time |
| Pixel Heart | $0.99 | one-time |
| Eternalisms | $0.99 | one-time |
| world electronica BOFU 2016 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Thunder | $0.99 | one-time |
| 1nn0c3n+ | $0.99 | one-time |
| F*****g High | $0.99 | one-time |
| Channel 88 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Brave The Elements | $0.99 | one-time |
| Contrast | $0.99 | one-time |
| DistorteD MoonlighT | $0.99 | one-time |
| Next Anthem... | $0.99 | one-time |
| Firmament | $0.99 | one-time |
| Vainglory | $0.99 | one-time |
| EVERYTHING | $0.99 | one-time |
| Colosseum | $0.99 | one-time |
| Let Me Drive | $0.99 | one-time |
| 120 Vertices | $1.00 | one-time |
| All Tracks ver.1.3 | $1.49 | one-time |
| All Tracks ver.1.7 | $1.49 | one-time |
| Trance Journey vol.1 | $1.99 | one-time |
| All Tracks ver.1.5 | $2.49 | one-time |
| All Tracks ver.1.9 | $2.49 | one-time |
| Selection from WAVES | $2.49 | one-time |
| polytone Welcome Bundle 1 | $2.49 | one-time |
| polytone MusicFes | $2.49 | one-time |
| all tracks 1.0 (iOS Special) | $3.99 | one-time |
| 500 Vertices | $4.00 | one-time |
| 1000 Vertices | $8.00 | one-time |
| 2000 Vertices | $16.00 | one-time |
| 4000 Vertices | $32.00 | one-time |


### Synthwave Escape

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/synthwave-escape/id1435802053)

Embark on a retro rhythm puzzle platformer adventure with an 80s synthwave aesthetic. Guide a team of robots with unique physics to escape a neon bunker and defeat an antagonist. Solve challenges through 60 stages with an original soundtrack and a humorous storyline.

**Highlights:** 60 Retro Rhythm Puzzle Platformer Stages, 8 All-New Synthwave Tracks, 4 Escaping Robots with Super Duper Physics, Robot Storyline, Dad Jokes

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 20 Coins | $0.99 | one-time |
| 50 Coins | $1.99 | one-time |
| Unlimited Coins | $4.99 | one-time |
| Unlimited Coins Deal | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎶 Amazing music/songs
- 🎨 Great graphics/visual aesthetic
- 🧠 Challenging/mind-bending gameplay
- 🤩 Fun and enjoyable experience
- ✨ Impressive novelty/innovative

**What reviewers complain about**

- ⚠️ Level 18 is too hard
- 💥 No invincibility frames
- ⏳ Stressful timer
- 💰 Needs more coins
- 🐛 Audio option bug

**Reported bugs**

- Audio option doesn't work
- No invincibility stage after getting hit
- Game won't download

**Requested features**

- Longer game or sequel
- More levels
- New music
- PC version
- More cutscenes


## Frequently asked questions

### Is polytone free?

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

### Is Synthwave Escape free?

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

### Which has better reviews, polytone or Synthwave Escape?

polytone is rated higher. polytone averages 4.9 out of 5 from 153 ratings, while Synthwave Escape averages 4.6 from 219 ratings.

### Do polytone or Synthwave Escape have ads?

Synthwave Escape shows ads; polytone does not.

### Which is updated more often, polytone or Synthwave Escape?

polytone ships an update every 3 months, and Synthwave Escape every 6 months. Most recently, polytone was updated on October 26, 2026 and Synthwave Escape on October 25, 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.*