Comparison

Ancient Battle vs HexWars Arena

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

Head to head
About

Ancient Battle

Engage in classic historical battles with a vast array of ancient units. This strategy game offers multiple campaigns based on Alexander the Great's conquests, featuring improved AI and detailed combat analysis for a challenging wargaming experience.

Highlights
  • Multiple historical campaigns
  • Diverse ancient unit types
  • Improved AI and combat analysis
  • High Definition graphics
  • Universal app for iPhone and iPad
  • Detailed flank attack logic
Features
Read full description

Ancient Battle: Alexander delivers a unique wargaming experience on iPhone and iPad. Use Macedonian Phalangites, Greek Hoplites, Indian Elephants, Scythed Chariots, Persian Cavalry, Catapults, Archers, Slingers, and many other unit types to engage in classic battles. Based upon, and a major upgrade to, the game system developed for Ancient Battle: Rome. A game that was the No.1 strategy game on the App Store in 8 countries and reviews included: "Delivers everything one can expect from a strategy title" - Arcade Sushi "Smart, challenging, and surprisingly substantial strategy game" - Pocket Gamer Included in this version are three campaigns that allow you to refight Alexander’s battles in and around Greece and Macedonia, including the battle of Chaeronea. The second campaign follows his push to conquer the Achaemenid Persian Empire, while having to deal with rebellious Spartans in Greece. Finally Alexander’s campaign in India, ending in the epic battle of Hydaspes, with the Macedonian Pike Phalanx versus the masses of Indian Elephants. Major game system improvements on Ancient Battle: Rome include improved A.I., improved combat analysis system, better flank attack logic, better line of sight logic, Elephant Generals, and Greek Hoplites. Key Game Features: • High Definition Ancient Era Graphics. • 7 Mission Tutorial Campaign. • 4 Mission Agnostos Thule campaign. • 8 Mission Greece Campaign playable as the Macedonians or their opponents the Athenians, Thebans, Illyrians, Getae, Thracians and Triballians. • 7 Mission Persia Campaign playable as the Macedonians or their opponents the Achaemenid Persians and Spartans. • 5 Mission India Campaign playable as the Macedonians or their opponents the Classical Indians and Scythians. • 48 Unique Ancient Units. • Detailed Combat Analysis • Flank Attacks • Hours of Gameplay. • Universal App (Works on iPhone & iPad) Find us on Facebook - facebook.com/hexwar Follow us on Twitter - @HexWarGames

About

HexWars Arena

Engage in strategic conquest on a hexagonal grid. This offline game offers classic gameplay with custom or randomly generated maps. Upgrade territories and outsmart AI opponents without micro-transactions or ads.

Highlights
  • Offline gameplay
  • Custom and random maps
  • Strategic hex conquest
  • AI opponents
  • Territory upgrades
Features
Read full description

HexWars is a throwback to classic offline games. When you need a game to pass the time on a flight, or are sick of micro-transactions and constant ads, you can turn to HexWars Arena. Play through custom created maps against the AI or start a game on a randomly generated map! Simple, but strategic gameplay is the cornerstone of HexWars Arena. Outsmart the AI in the prebuilt scenarios or enjoy endless content on random maps. Upgrade your territories, take over hexes, and cut the opponent to pieces.

Screenshots

Ancient Battle2 screens
HexWars Arena4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: HexWars Arena at 100% against Ancient Battle's 25%. HexWars Arena also leads on rating (4.3 vs 3.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 2). Ancient Battle's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 13 months) and ratings volume (9 vs 3). On ads, monetization model 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

Ancient Battle costs $2.99 and HexWars Arena $0.99 up front. Ancient Battle sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. HexWars Arena asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

HexWars Arena holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 9 and 3 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 25% of Ancient Battle's written reviews are positive against 100% of HexWars Arena's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Ancient Battle ships an update every 2 months, HexWars Arena every 13 months. Both last shipped on November 2, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Ancient Battle versus HexWars Arena: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAncient BattleHexWars Arena
Price$2.99$0.99 — better
Rating3.0 (9 ratings)4.3 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews25.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings9 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 13 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.312.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size692 MB33 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperHunted Cow Studios Ltd.Byte Brush Software LLC

Customer experience

Ancient Battle

All ratings9 ratings
Positive44.4%
Neutral11.1%
Negative44.4%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive25.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative50.0%

HexWars Arena

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Ancient Battle

One-time2
  • Persia Campaign$1.99
  • India Campaign$1.99
None

HexWars Arena

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Ancient Battle free?
Ancient Battle costs $2.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is HexWars Arena free?
HexWars Arena costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Ancient Battle or HexWars Arena?
HexWars Arena is rated higher. Ancient Battle averages 3.0 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while HexWars Arena averages 4.3 from 3 ratings.
Do Ancient Battle or HexWars Arena have ads?
Neither Ancient Battle nor HexWars Arena shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Ancient Battle or HexWars Arena?
Ancient Battle ships an update every 2 months, and HexWars Arena every 13 months. Most recently, Ancient Battle was updated on November 2, 2026 and HexWars Arena on November 2, 2026.

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