Comparison

Swim Out vs Close Cities

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

Head to head
About

Swim Out

A strategic, turn-based puzzle game set in a relaxing poolside or seaside environment. Plan your moves carefully to avoid other swimmers and enjoy the view. Features over 100 levels with diverse swimmers and interactive objects.

Highlights
  • Turn-based puzzle gameplay
  • Over 100 levels
  • Diverse swimmer types
  • Interactive objects
  • Environmental hazards
  • Controller support
Features
Read full description

Dive into the relaxing and refreshing atmosphere of Swim Out, a strategic, turn-based puzzle game, that will transport you into a sunny day by the swimming pool, the river or the sea. Plan each of your strokes wisely and be sure to never cross any other swimmer's path if you want to peacefully enjoy the sea view on a cosy chaise-longue. • "If you're a fan of puzzle games Swim Out is very likely for you. It's attractive, intuitive, and fun." - Touch Arcade • "Swim Out looks like the perfect tactical escape into a lush digital paradise" - Touch Arcade • "Swim Out is a perfect summertime game" - MacStories • "I am delighted by how unfamiliar a swimming experience this is to me" - Rock, Paper, Shotgun • "There are precious few things I appreciate more than a straightforward puzzle game with a strong commitment to its aesthetic, and Swim Out is exactly that" - Waypoint • Over 100 levels nestled in carefully crafted landscapes, soothed by the sound of seagulls, frogs or water splashes. • 7 chapters combining : - 12 different types of swimmers : each with their own way of moving around, ranging from the simple breaststroke swimmers to the more complex divers or cheeky water-bombing kids - 12 different objects to interact with : buoys, fins, water guns, you can even ride a kayak! - 6 disruptive environmental elements like waves, crabs or jellyfish that will give your brain a work out until you swim out! • iCloud sync • 15 GameCenter achievements • 28 iMessage Stickers • Support for all iPhones and iPads • Play with your Xbox One, PS4 or MFi controller Awards and recognition: • "GDC Summer 2020" Artwork selected at GDC Artists gallery • "TIGA Games Industry Awards 2018" Finalist, Creativity Award, Strategy Game • "Indie Prize 2018" Finalist • "Ping Awards 2017" Finalist, Mobile Game • "TIGA Games Industry Awards 2017" Finalist, Puzzle Game

About

Close Cities

Build beautiful cities on diverse worlds by solving unique puzzles. This relaxing game guides you through 160 levels with a simple tap or drag interface, requiring no architectural knowledge. Conquer each world's challenges and travel through time with its calming soundtrack.

Highlights
  • Build cities on empty maps
  • Solve 160 unique puzzle levels
  • Intuitive tap and drag controls
  • No architectural knowledge needed
  • Travel through different worlds
  • Relaxing music and pace
Features
Read full description

Close Cities is a relaxing puzzle game in which you will have to build cities in different worlds over time. Find a road and start there. Solve all 160 levels and become a Close Cities legend! UNIQUE PUZZLES You will start each level with an empty map that you will have to fill with beautiful cities. Choose the right road, choose the area and tap or drag with your fingers! DOES NOT REQUIRE KNOWLEDGE OF ARCHITECTURE Close Cities offers a fun experience even if you don't know the difference between a square and a bevel. The game's tutorial will show you everything you need to know at a relaxed pace. CONQUER ITS 160 LEVELS Each world has its king and 16 levels that you must solve to build his empire. TRAVEL THROUGH TIME During the course of the game you will discover different worlds over time with relaxed music to let you go.

Screenshots

Swim Out4 screens
Close Cities4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Close Cities at Free against Swim Out's $2.99. Close Cities also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 4 months) and review sentiment (69% vs 59%). Swim Out's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ads (none vs shown). On rating, ratings volume 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

Close Cities is free to download; Swim Out costs $2.99 up front. Close Cities sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Swim Out asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Swim Out against 4.8 for Close Cities. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 253 and 362 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 59% of Swim Out's written reviews are positive against 69% of Close Cities's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Swim Out ships an update every 4 months, Close Cities every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Swim Out versus Close Cities: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSwim OutClose Cities
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating4.7 (253 ratings)4.8 (362 ratings) — better
Positive reviews58.5% of reviews69.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings253362 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size125 MB158 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLozange LabJuan Manuel Altamirano Argudo

Customer experience

Swim Out

All ratings253 ratings
Positive94.9%
Neutral2.4%
Negative2.8%
Written reviews41 reviews
Positive58.5%
Neutral12.2%
Negative29.3%

Close Cities

All ratings362 ratings
Positive94.8%
Neutral2.2%
Negative3.0%
Written reviews36 reviews
Positive69.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative30.6%

Bugs and requests

Swim Out

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Crashes immediately on opening
  • Screen orientation locked
  • Money deducted without purchase/notification
  • Specific level bug (2-13)
  • Game crashes after opening

Requested features

7 requests
  • Option to see finished levels
  • Faster mode or quicker animations
  • More varied puzzle design
  • Ability to undo moves
  • More level variety or new levels
Show 2 more
  • Explanations for collectibles ('flippers', 'beach ball')
  • Customization options (swimsuit variations)

Close Cities

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Swim Out

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

Close Cities

One-time4
  • Hints - Small Pack$0.99
  • Hints - Medium Pack$2.99
  • Remove Ads + Hints$2.99
Show 1 more
  • Hints - Big Pack$5.99

Questions

Is Swim Out free?
Swim Out costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Close Cities free?
Close Cities is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Swim Out or Close Cities?
Close Cities is rated higher. Swim Out averages 4.7 out of 5 from 253 ratings, while Close Cities averages 4.8 from 362 ratings.
Do Swim Out or Close Cities have ads?
Close Cities shows ads; Swim Out does not.
Which is updated more often, Swim Out or Close Cities?
Swim Out ships an update every 4 months, and Close Cities every 3 weeks. Most recently, Swim Out was updated on October 24, 2026 and Close Cities on October 24, 2026.

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