Comparison

Evolution Board Game vs Root Board Game

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Evolution Board Game

Adapt your species to survive and thrive in a dynamic ecosystem. Evolve traits to overcome environmental challenges and outcompete opponents. Experience a rich campaign, challenging multiplayer, and endless replayability with thousands of species combinations.

Highlights
  • Adapt species to survive
  • Evolve traits and abilities
  • Compete in dynamic ecosystems
  • Engaging single-player campaign
  • Online multiplayer matches
  • Thousands of species combinations
Features
Read full description

Evolution continues to evolve! New changes mean faster, fluid games and more content to explore. Adapt, survive, and thrive in a changing world enhanced by incredible art and thoughtful, balanced mechanics. Inspired by the award-winning board game with more than 3 million players, Evolution has arrived on iOS. "#1 Digital Board Game of the year" -Ars Technica "Best Mobile Strategy Game of the year" -Pocket Gamer NATURAL SELECTION IN ACTION In the game Evolution, you adapt your species to survive and stay one step ahead of opponents. -Watering hole running dry? Evolve a long neck to reach food in the trees. -Staring down a Carnivore? Develop a hard shell to fend off an attack. -Evolve up the food chain to become a the most successful species. TRY BEFORE YOU BUY! Unlike most board games, evolution lets you try the game for free first. Freeplay includes the tutorial, the easy and intermediate AI opponents, five campaign levels, and 1 multiplayer game a day. Pay a one-time cost to unlock unlimited functionality such as the Weekly Challenges, the Hard & Expert AI, Pass and Play, the full Campaign, Private Multiplayer Games and Asynchronous Games, and unlimited Matchmade Games. CHALLENGING AND ADDICTIVE Do you evolve protection from Carnivores, or find a way to eat if there is no Food in the Watering Hole? The ecosystem is constantly changing, and you’ve got to figure out what your opponents are up to. INTERACTIVE TUTORIAL Our friendly professor will guide you from one watering hole to the next on our learn-as-you-play tutorial, showing you how to survive in evolution before sending you off to make a name for yourself. Hone your skill as you progress from lowly Biology Intern to competing for the Nobel Prize! EXPLORE THE CAMPAIGN Explore the mysteries of Evolution Island and discover distinct Boss opponents. As you move through the campaign you’ll unlock new “Apex Species” that are masters of specific strategies; defeat them to add them to your menu of single-player opponents. MATCH MADE MULTIPLAYER One click and the game will match you with players of similar skill in a fast paced online game. Make friends in the game and set up custom games, or rank up in the ongoing seasonal tournaments and see how far you can go. ENDLESS REPLAYS, ONE PRICE This isn't a collectible card game, the full set of cards are included in the base game. Thousands of possible species combinations evolve from 17 unique trait cards, meaning no two games are ever the same. PACE & POLISH With a smooth user interface and fast, informative animations, Evolution was built to satisfy a quick fix of intense strategic battles. Easy to learn, almost impossible to master, one game and you’ll find yourself addicted. Evolution isn’t just a top tier strategy game – it’s a whole new animal. "Best Digital Board Game of the year" -Vulture "A powerhouse game poised to steal the thunder of some of the most popular games on the app store" -Touch Arcade

About

Root Board Game

Experience a digital adaptation of a popular tabletop board game. Engage in strategic woodland warfare as 2 to 4 players vie for control of a vast wilderness, leading diverse factions to victory.

Highlights
  • Digital board game adaptation
  • Adventure and war gameplay
  • 2-4 player battles
  • Faction control mechanics
  • Wilderness exploration
Features
Read full description

Play the digital adaptation of the beloved tabletop board game. Root is a game of adventure and war where 2 to 4 players battle for control of a vast wilderness. The nefarious Marquise de Cat has seized the great woodland, intent on harvesting its riches. Under her rule, the many creatures of the forest have banded together. This Alliance will seek to strengthen its resources and subvert the rule of Cats. In this effort, the Alliance may enlist the help of the wandering Vagabonds who are able to move through the more dangerous woodland paths. Though some may sympathize with the Alliance’s hopes and dreams, these wanderers are old enough to remember the great birds of prey who once controlled the woods. Meanwhile, at the edge of the region, the proud, squabbling Eyrie have found a new commander who they hope will lead their faction to resume their ancient birthright. The stage is set for a contest that will decide the fate of the great woodland. It is up to the players to decide which group will ultimately take root.

Screenshots

Evolution Board Game4 screens
Root Board Game4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Evolution Board Game at Free against Root Board Game's $9.99. Root Board Game's advantage is review sentiment (77% vs 59%) and update cadence (every 4 days vs every 11 days). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Evolution Board Game is free to download; Root Board Game costs $9.99 up front. Evolution Board Game sells 14 one-off in-app purchases and Root Board Game sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Root Board Game holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4.8K and 5.4K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 59% of Evolution Board Game's written reviews are positive against 77% of Root Board Game's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Evolution Board Game ships an update every 11 days, Root Board Game every 4 days. Both last shipped on September 22, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Evolution Board Game versus Root Board Game: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEvolution Board GameRoot Board Game
PriceFree — better$9.99
Rating4.7 (4.8K ratings)4.9 (5.4K ratings) — better
Positive reviews59.2% of reviews77.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings4.8K5.4K — better
Update frequencyEvery 11 daysEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#11 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.013.0
Further details — not scored
Size531 MB505 MB
Age rating9+9+
DeveloperNorth Star Digital GamesDire Wolf Digital

Customer experience

Evolution Board Game

All ratings4,788 ratings
Positive94.1%
Neutral2.9%
Negative3.0%
Written reviews284 reviews
Positive59.2%
Neutral10.2%
Negative30.6%

Root Board Game

All ratings5,424 ratings
Positive97.5%
Neutral1.1%
Negative1.3%
Written reviews393 reviews
Positive77.1%
Neutral8.4%
Negative14.5%

User reviews

Evolution Board Game

From 4.8K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Excellent digital implementation of the board game
  • 🎨 Beautiful artwork and animations
  • 🤖 Challenging and well-designed AI opponents
  • 🕹️ Smooth and intuitive gameplay
  • 📚 Helpful tutorial and campaign mode

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and stability issues
  • 🔌 Battery-draining performance
  • 💰 Expensive in-app purchases for full game access
  • 🤖 Overpowered AI opponents in some cases
  • 🤝 Limited multiplayer options and matchmaking

Root Board Game

From 5.4K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Faithful adaptation of the board game
  • 🎨 Charming visuals and animations
  • 🕹️ Smooth gameplay
  • 🧠 Helpful tutorials for learning the game
  • 🕹️ Great way to practice and learn the game

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs
  • 🕹️ AI could be improved, makes questionable decisions
  • 🕹️ Lack of undo button frustrating
  • 🕹️ Replaying opponent moves can be tedious
  • 🕹️ Animations can be slow, need option to speed up

Bugs and requests

Evolution Board Game

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Campaign progress not saving properly
  • Inability to create new accounts
  • Multiplayer games freezing or crashing
  • UI elements overlapping or not scaling correctly

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add local pass-and-play multiplayer
  • Implement more customization options for creatures
  • Introduce new gameplay modes and expansions
  • Improve online matchmaking and stability
  • Optimize performance for older devices

Root Board Game

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashes and freezes during gameplay
  • Issues with async game notifications and state
  • Bugs with specific faction mechanics (e.g. Vagabond)

Requested features

6 requests
  • Add undo button
  • Implement option to skip/speed up opponent moves
  • Include expansion factions and maps
  • Add match history and player stats tracking
  • Improve async game notifications and stability
Show 1 more
  • Add more customization options for game setup

In-app purchases

14 purchases

Evolution Board Game

One-time14
  • Gigantism$0.99
  • Venom$0.99
  • Promo Card Bundle$1.99
Show 11 more
  • Stained Glass Cards$2.99
  • Promo Card Bundle$3.99
  • Arms Race Promo Pack$3.99
  • Alone and Unafraid Promo Pack$3.99
  • Evolution Full Game$6.99
  • Climate$6.99
  • Flight Upgrade$6.99
  • Base Game & Climate Upgrade$9.99
  • Flight & Promo Packs$14.99
  • Ultimate Bundle$19.99
  • Ultimate Bundle$24.99
6 purchases

Root Board Game

One-time6
  • The Clockwork Expansion$5.99
  • Exiles & Partisans & Vagabonds$7.99
  • The Riverfolk Expansion$9.99
Show 3 more
  • Root: The Underworld Expansion$9.99
  • Root: The Marauder Expansion$9.99
  • Hirelings & Landmarks$9.99

Questions

Is Evolution Board Game free?
Evolution Board Game is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Root Board Game free?
Root Board Game costs $9.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Evolution Board Game or Root Board Game?
Root Board Game is rated higher. Evolution Board Game averages 4.7 out of 5 from 4.8K ratings, while Root Board Game averages 4.9 from 5.4K ratings.
Do Evolution Board Game or Root Board Game have ads?
Neither Evolution Board Game nor Root Board Game shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Evolution Board Game or Root Board Game?
Evolution Board Game ships an update every 11 days, and Root Board Game every 4 days. Most recently, Evolution Board Game was updated on September 22, 2026 and Root Board Game on September 22, 2026.

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