# Retro Commander vs Xenowerk Tactics

The clearest difference is rating: Xenowerk Tactics at 4.6 against Retro Commander's 3.8. Xenowerk Tactics also leads on ratings volume (341 vs 15) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). Retro Commander's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Retro Commander sells 14 one-off in-app purchases and Xenowerk Tactics sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Xenowerk Tactics holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Xenowerk Tactics has 341 ratings behind it against 15, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 81% of Retro Commander's written reviews are positive against 76% of Xenowerk Tactics's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Retro Commander ships an update every 2 months, Xenowerk Tactics every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 29, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Retro Commander | Xenowerk Tactics |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.8 (15 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retro-commander/id1274342935/reviews) | **[4.6 (341 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xenowerk-tactics/id1469037103/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 15 | **341** |
| Positive reviews | **81.3% of reviews** | 75.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 152 MB | 572 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **9.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Noble Master LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/310121642) | [Pixelbite](https://appshunter.io/developer/428934441) |

## What reviewers say

### Retro Commander

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retro-commander/id1274342935)

Engage in post-apocalyptic real-time strategy battles. Command diverse units and technologies in a rich story campaign or test your skills against AI and players in cross-platform multiplayer. Features include a map editor and extensive modding capabilities.

**Highlights:** Post-apocalyptic RTS gameplay, Story campaign with unique factions, Single-player skirmish matches vs AI, Cross-platform multiplayer, Map editor and modding support, Diverse units and research options, Multiple game modes (capture the flag, battle royale)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (14)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Map: Chapter 02 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Map: Battle Map 02 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Map: Battle Map 05 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Clan Manager | $1.99 | one-time |
| Map: Chapter 03 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Map: Chapter 08 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Map: Battle Map A1 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Map: Chapter 04 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Map: Chapter 06 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Map: Chapter 07 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Map: Battle Map 03 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Map: Battle Map 04 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Modded Maps | $4.99 | one-time |
| All Maps & Modding | $19.99 | one-time |


### Xenowerk Tactics

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xenowerk-tactics/id1469037103)

Lead an emergency response team in a post-disaster apocalyptic adventure. Explore infected zones, scavenge resources, and engage in real-time combat against mutant hordes. Manage your base and operatives to either cover up the incident or save the world.

**Highlights:** Squad-based real-time combat, World map exploration, Base management, Character development, Single-player offline gameplay, Tactical pause for orders

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| FULL GAME | $6.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Nice game help with easier experience
- 🚀 Great fun, nicely made
- 🚀 Excellent game, well worth purchasing the full version
- 👍 Addictive, enjoyable and a well made game
- 👍 Handheld AAA game

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Charged 60 instead of 6.99
- 🐛 Won't let me play
- 🐛 Unintentional or not, getting mutations for things that operatives already have
- 🐛 Uneven difficulty curve
- 🐛 Repetitive, not much content for the price point

**Reported bugs**

- Won't let me run the missions
- Game just loads with white loading dots, cannot play
- Keeps crashing

**Requested features**

- Add a super easy mode for people who are really bad
- More interesting combat, more depth to exploration
- Loot, finding gear and weapons to distribute among operators
- More interesting character progression and customization
- More dramatic effects of trauma and horror


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Retro Commander free?

Retro Commander is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Xenowerk Tactics free?

Xenowerk Tactics is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Retro Commander or Xenowerk Tactics?

Xenowerk Tactics is rated higher. Retro Commander averages 3.8 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while Xenowerk Tactics averages 4.6 from 341 ratings.

### Do Retro Commander or Xenowerk Tactics have ads?

Neither Retro Commander nor Xenowerk Tactics shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Retro Commander or Xenowerk Tactics?

Retro Commander ships an update every 2 months, and Xenowerk Tactics every 3 weeks. Most recently, Retro Commander was updated on October 29, 2026 and Xenowerk Tactics on October 29, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*