Comparison

Ouroboros vs Cracking the Cryptic

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

Head to head
About

Ouroboros

Connect block pieces to form loops and score points in this addictive puzzle game. Inspired by classic brain training challenges, it offers endless ways to test your logic and creativity. Unlock new themes and compete with friends on the global leaderboard.

Highlights
  • Connect block pieces
  • Form and complete loops
  • Offline play
  • Unlockable themes
  • Global leaderboard
  • Relaxing gameplay
Features
Read full description

Inspired by classic puzzle and brain training games such as pipes, Ouroboros is a unique brain training game that will challenge you to connect various block pieces to form as many loops as possible before filling up the board. Ouroboros is also the name of the mythical snake, symbol of eternal renewal. This ancient creature inspired our fun, addictive puzzle game that will constantly challenge you to think differently and create anew from destruction. Are you ready to take on the Ouroboros challenge? Download OUROBOROS now and play the game for free! ◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆ How to play OUROBOROS: ► Place & connect blocks on the board. ► Create & complete loops. ► Earn points and progress as far as you can. Beware! As you progress further, limited space, randomly-placed tiles, and various obstacles will present new challenges to solve. ◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆ What you’ll love in OUROBOROS: ◆ FREE to play! Start right now! Download the game and play it for free. The game is supported by ads. ◆ OFFLINE play Play anywhere, on the go, even if you don’t have an internet or WIFI connection available. ◆ EASY to learn! Place blocks & connect them. Create loops & Earn points ◆ ENDLESS ways to challenge your brain The challenge is endless. As long as you manage to clear enough space on the board, you’ll be able to progress. ◆ CREATE the biggest loops Be creative and find ways to connect the largest loops possible. ◆ RELAX and play at your own pace Pick it up anytime. Stop whenever you want. The game is a perfect time killer for those small breaks. ◆ INVITE your friends to play and challenge them to beat your score Compare how you are doing against your friends on the global leaderboard. ◆ BEAUTIFUL themes to unlock As you progress, you’ll unlock new backgrounds to customize the look and feel of the game. ◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆ Any questions or comments? We’d love to hear from you. Contact us at: contact@oaplus.co Want to learn more about the game? Please visit: Website: https://www.oaplus.co Privacy: https://www.oaplus.co/privacy Follow us on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oaplus.co/ Twitter: @oaplusstudio Big THANKS to all of you who are showing interest in our game. Download OUROBOROS now for free and challenge your brain to think anew. See you soon in the game!

About

Cracking the Cryptic

This app offers a curated collection of handcrafted Sudoku puzzles from world-renowned constructors. Explore classic and unique variants, with new puzzle packs released regularly. A free introductory pack is included with download.

Highlights
  • Handcrafted Sudoku puzzles
  • Curated by expert constructors
  • Classic and unique variants
  • Regularly released puzzle packs
  • Free introductory puzzle pack
Features
Read full description

OUR NEWEST PACK – CLASSIC VOLUME #2! Classic sudoku is where it all began, and there is still lots of skill to be deployed to solve classic puzzles, and new techniques to be explored. Nikoli, the Japanese puzzle house, named and popularised sudoku from 1984, and we have commissioned 20 puzzles from them for this Classic Sudoku 2 app. We have also created 20 ourselves, and sourced 20 more from Sam Cappleman-Lynes, the brilliant British sudoku expert. The result is a wonderful 60-puzzle pack which will delight and challenge you. -------------------- Welcome to the brand new Sudoku app from the most popular Sudoku channel, Cracking The Cryptic. Unlike other Sudoku apps, we feature handcrafted and curated puzzles from the world’s best Sudoku constructors. Each collection features puzzles made by various authors that are now familiar names to those who follow the channel. Authors like Phistomefel, Clover, Sam Cappleman-Lynes, Christoph Seeliger, Richard Stolk, jovi_al, Qodec, Prasanna Seshadri and of course, Simon and Mark! Downloading Cracking the Cryptic will give you access to our first free collection – a variety pack by Prasanna Seshadri featuring 7 puzzles inspired from our previous Sudoku apps; Sandwich, Classic, Chess, Thermo, Miracle, Killer and Arrow Sudoku. We also have purchasable packs designed for all skill levels and featuring many unique variants not seen previously. We’ll be releasing more free and paid packs in the future so keep an eye on the app for more Sudoku content from Cracking The Cryptic!

Screenshots

Ouroboros4 screens
Cracking the Cryptic4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Ouroboros at none against Cracking the Cryptic's 13. Ouroboros also leads on review sentiment (85% vs 72%). Cracking the Cryptic's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 5 months). On price, rating and device support 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

Both are free to download. Cracking the Cryptic sells 13 one-off in-app purchases. Ouroboros asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Ouroboros holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Cracking the Cryptic has 210 ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 85% of Ouroboros's written reviews are positive against 72% of Cracking the Cryptic's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Ouroboros ships an update every 5 months, Cracking the Cryptic every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Ouroboros versus Cracking the Cryptic: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOuroborosCracking the Cryptic
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (10 ratings) — better4.4 (210 ratings)
Positive reviews84.6% of reviews — better72.1% of reviews
Number of ratings10210 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size111 MB234 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOA+ LLCNick Carney

Customer experience

Ouroboros

All ratings10 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive84.6%
Neutral7.7%
Negative7.7%

Cracking the Cryptic

All ratings208 ratings
Positive84.1%
Neutral6.3%
Negative9.6%
Written reviews147 reviews
Positive72.1%
Neutral13.6%
Negative14.3%

Bugs and requests

Ouroboros

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Cracking the Cryptic

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Puzzle progress and purchases disappearing after updates
  • Incorrect rules or hints in certain puzzles
  • Crashes and freezes, especially on older devices or Macs
  • Inconsistent behavior when switching between portrait and landscape modes

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add more color options for pencil marking and highlighting
  • Implement a way to clear progress or start puzzles from scratch
  • Integrate all CTC apps into a single app for better organization
  • Add keyboard support, especially on Mac
  • Improve the quality and clarity of hints

In-app purchases

None

Ouroboros

No in-app purchases

13 purchases

Cracking the Cryptic

One-time13
  • CTC Worms - James Sinclair$0.99
  • CTC Worms - Marty Sears$0.99
  • CTC Worms - Zetamath$1.99
Show 10 more
  • CTC Worms - Blobz$1.99
  • CTC Worms - Michael Lefkowitz$1.99
  • CTC Worms - Phistomefel$1.99
  • GAS Volume #1$2.99
  • GAS Volume #2$2.99
  • CTC Approachable Sudoku #1$2.99
  • Domino Sudoku Pack$4.99
  • Lines Variety Pack$4.99
  • Classic Volume #2$4.99
  • CTC Fog Pack #1$4.99

Questions

Is Ouroboros free?
Ouroboros is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Cracking the Cryptic free?
Cracking the Cryptic is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Ouroboros or Cracking the Cryptic?
Ouroboros is rated higher. Ouroboros averages 4.6 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while Cracking the Cryptic averages 4.4 from 210 ratings.
Do Ouroboros or Cracking the Cryptic have ads?
Ouroboros shows ads; Cracking the Cryptic does not.
Which is updated more often, Ouroboros or Cracking the Cryptic?
Ouroboros ships an update every 5 months, and Cracking the Cryptic every 3 weeks. Most recently, Ouroboros was updated on October 21, 2026 and Cracking the Cryptic on October 20, 2026.

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