Comparison

Terra Mystica vs Eclipse

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

Head to head
About

Terra Mystica

Engage in a strategic fantasy world where 14 unique races vie for power and territory. Master resource management and terraforming to lead your settlers to victory in this digital adaptation of a renowned board game. Play against others worldwide or challenge the AI.

Highlights
  • 14 unique fantasy races
  • Resource management
  • Terraforming mechanics
  • Interactive tutorial
  • Multiplayer mode
  • Computer opponent with 3 difficulties
  • Game replays
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Short Summary: ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ In a world of fantasy, called Terra Mystica, 14 races are fighting together or individually against their opponents to gain power and territory. Using their resources smartly and terraforming wisely to gain supremacy and lead their own settlers to victory. The original digital conversion of the highly decorated Terra Mystica board game of Helge Ostertag and Jens Drögemüller. Play against other players world wide or challenge the computer opponent. Overview: ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ Terra Mystica is a strategy game with a simple game principle and very little luck involved: You govern one of 14 factions trying to transform the Landscape on the game board in your favor in order to build your Structures. On the one hand, proximity to other players limits your options for further expansion, on the other hand though, it provides some benefits during the game. This conflict is the source of Terra Mystica's appeal. Structures may be upgraded to provide even more resources, like Workers, Pries The 14 artfully designed factions, each having unique special abilities, as well as the exchangeable bonus cards allow for a large number of possible game plays that constantly keep this game entertaining! Features of Terra Mystica: ≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈ - easy to learn: the interactive Tutorial helps to get a start in this deep strategy game - hard to master: Enormous depth and interesting decisions without being too complex to understand. The best strategy always wins! - replayability: always changing and challenging game experience with new combinations. You want to try all fantasy races! An ideal game for hardcore gamers! - challenging developments: only strategy and tactics count - not luck! - game replays: Analyse your best games or learn tricks from the pro settlers - multiplayer: Challenge the best players across all platforms world wide or play against your family and friends - three computer difficulties: Try to beat the computer opponent - newest update: This game uses the newest rules edition of the board game Awards: ≈≈≈≈≈≈ Terra Mystica has won many awards as a board game, such as: - Deutscher Spielepreis (German Games Award) - Spiel des Jahres (Empfehlung) (Game of the Year - Recommended) - Golden Geek Game Award - Nederlandse Spellenpreijs - International Gamers Awards

About

Eclipse

Lead a vast interstellar civilization in a strategic 4X game. Explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate your rivals to achieve galactic domination. Features customizable species, technologies, and ship designs for a unique experience.

Highlights
  • Official board game adaptation
  • Deep 4X gameplay
  • Customizable species, tech, and ships
  • Up to 6 players (human/AI)
  • Asynchronous multiplayer
  • In-game tutorial
Features
Read full description

The galaxy has been a peaceful place for many years. After the ruthless Terran–Hegemony War, much effort has been employed by all major spacefaring species to prevent the terrifying events from repeating themselves. The Galactic Council was formed to enforce precious peace, and it has taken many courageous efforts to prevent the escalation of malicious acts. Nevertheless, tension and discord are growing among the seven major species and in the Council itself. Old alliances are shattering, and hasty diplomatic treaties are made in secrecy. A confrontation of the superpowers seems inevitable—only the outcome of the galactic conflict remains to be seen. Which faction will emerge victorious and lead the galaxy under its rule? The shadows of the great civilizations are about to eclipse the galaxy. A game of Eclipse Second Dawn places you in control of a vast interstellar civilization, competing for success with its rivals. You will explore new star systems, research technologies, and build mighty spaceships. There are many potential paths to victory, so you need to plan your strategy considering the strengths and weaknesses of your species, while paying attention to the other civilizations' endeavors. Eclipse other civilizations and lead your people to victory! Exciting Gameplay: Challenge AI opponents or play against friends in real-time or turn-based. Tutorial & Help: Whether you're an experienced Eclipse player or a beginner, the game features a detailed tutorial that walks you through the basics step-by-step. Online Domination: The Eclipse app allows you to compete against friends or rivals from around the world. The app gives you the opportunity to compete with players from all over the world. The "Eclipse-2nd Dawn" app has been carefully designed to seamlessly bring the charm of the board game to your device. The intuitive interface ensures a smooth gaming experience for both experienced players and novices. This is the new version, which corresponds to the original board game "Eclipse - 2nd Dawn for the Galaxy" that makes the gameplay even more diverse and challenging. FEATURES * Official iOS version of the 'Eclipse - Second Dawn for the Galaxy' boardgame * Deep and challenging 4X (eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, and eXterminate) gameplay * 7 species with different strengths and weaknesses * Customizable star systems, technology tree and ship designs * Up to 6 players (human or AI) * Asynchronous multiplayer with push notifications * 3 AI difficulty levels * In-game tutorial & manual Eclipse received multiple awards: Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy 2021 Geek Media Awards Game of the Year for Experienced Gamers Winner 2021 Geek Media Awards Game of the Year for Experienced Gamers Nominee 2020 Charles S. Roberts Best SciFi Fantasy Board Wargame Winner 2020 Charles S. Roberts Best SciFi Fantasy Board Wargame Nominee Eclipse base game * 2011 Charles S. Roberts Best Science-Fiction or Fantasy Board Wargame Nominee * 2011 Jogo do Ano Nominee * 2012 Golden Geek Board Game of the Year Winner * 2012 Golden Geek Golden Geek Best Strategy Board Game Winner * 2012 International Gamers Award - General Strategy: Multi-player Nominee * 2012 JoTa Best Gamer Game Audience Award * 2012 JUG Game of the Year Winner * 2012 Ludoteca Ideale Winner * 2012 Lys Passioné Winner * 2012 Tric Trac Nominee

Screenshots

Terra Mystica4 screens
Eclipse4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Eclipse at none against Terra Mystica's 1. Terra Mystica's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months) and review sentiment (49% vs 33%). On price, rating, ads 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

Terra Mystica costs $9.99 and Eclipse $9.99 up front. Terra Mystica sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Eclipse asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Terra Mystica holds the better App Store score, 3.4 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Terra Mystica has 75 ratings behind it against 15, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 49% of Terra Mystica's written reviews are positive against 33% of Eclipse's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Terra Mystica ships an update every 3 weeks, Eclipse every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Terra Mystica versus Eclipse: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTerra MysticaEclipse
Price$9.99$9.99
Rating3.4 (75 ratings) — better3.2 (15 ratings)
Positive reviews49.3% of reviews — better33.3% of reviews
Number of ratings75 — better15
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
Best chart rank#166 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.012.0
Further details — not scored
Size161 MB157 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperDIGIDICEDBrettspielWelt

Customer experience

Terra Mystica

All ratings75 ratings
Positive57.3%
Neutral14.7%
Negative28.0%
Written reviews223 reviews
Positive49.3%
Neutral15.7%
Negative35.0%

Eclipse

All ratings15 ratings
Positive53.3%
Neutral13.3%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews24 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral29.2%
Negative37.5%

Bugs and requests

Terra Mystica

Reported bugs

21 issues
  • App crashes on launch or during gameplay
  • Tutorial freezes at specific steps
  • AI becomes unresponsive mid-game
  • Faction abilities not working correctly (Dragonlords, Chaos Magicians, Mermaids, etc.)
  • Power tokens disappearing or not calculating correctly
Show 16 more
  • Terrain transformation bugs
  • City bonus tiles not offered when due
  • Multiplayer turn order changing unexpectedly
  • Game Center login errors preventing online play
  • Notifications not working or sending unwanted ads
  • Game freezes when switching apps and returning
  • Unable to complete actions despite having resources
  • Favor tile selection not working
  • Priest placement bugs in cult tracks
  • Shipping/navigation bonuses calculating incorrectly
  • Mac M1 compatibility issues
  • Game hangs on race/landscape selection screens
  • Free shovel cannot be used when out of resources
  • Undo button not functioning properly
  • Text overlays blocking tutorial information
  • Spelling and grammar errors throughout interface

Requested features

15 requests
  • Difficulty levels for AI beyond easy
  • Fire & Ice and Merchants of the Sea expansions
  • Ability to choose factions for both players and AI in local games
  • Random faction selection option
  • Save and resume functionality for games
Show 10 more
  • Adjustable AI turn time delays
  • Game statistics and achievement tracking for offline play
  • Colorblind mode for accessibility
  • Ability to turn off animations to improve battery life
  • Better tutorial with comprehensive rule explanations
  • In-game rules reference
  • Faster AI opponents
  • Timeout customization for multiplayer games
  • Game replay feature for multiplayer
  • Player names for local pass-and-play games

Eclipse

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Terra Mystica

One-time1
  • Fire and Ice$5.99
None

Eclipse

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Terra Mystica free?
Terra Mystica costs $9.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Eclipse free?
Eclipse costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Terra Mystica or Eclipse?
Terra Mystica is rated higher. Terra Mystica averages 3.4 out of 5 from 75 ratings, while Eclipse averages 3.2 from 15 ratings.
Do Terra Mystica or Eclipse have ads?
Neither Terra Mystica nor Eclipse shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Terra Mystica or Eclipse?
Terra Mystica ships an update every 3 weeks, and Eclipse every 3 months. Most recently, Terra Mystica was updated on September 21, 2026 and Eclipse on September 23, 2026.

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