Comparison

Retro Commander vs Space Pixel Swarm

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

Head to head
About

Retro Commander

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
Read full description

Retro Commander is a post-apocalyptic real-time strategy wargame (RTS). Take command and fight it out in a world where a cataclysmic timeline has transpired on Mother Earth. Wage wars solo, against the AI, or take on your gaming comrades and friends in cross-platform multiplayer matches. Form teams and clans and fight co-op style with the AI and other players for ultimate victory. As opposed to other real-time strategy game, Retro Commander tries to focus on both, a fun single player and a thrilling multiplayer experience. The game strives to be easy to learn with a modern user interface. Single player comes with skirmish matches against the AI as well as a comic-based story campaign. Multiplayer can be played cross-platform and includes a ranking and rating system. POST-APOCALYPTIC: Real-time strategy (RTS) played in a post-apocalyptic timeline on Mother Earth. The environment includes day-night cycles, rain, snow, wind and solar flare activity. STORY CAMPAIGN: Deep campaign and story line of humanity after a cataclysmic event. Factions come with their own specialized technologies such as stealth, robots, drones or shields. SINGLE & MULTIPLAYER: A challenging AI for both single and multiplayer matches with co-op play. Cross-platform multiplayer including LAN/internet. ONLINE play comes with an award and rating system. PLAY MODES: In addition to regular skirmish matches, the game supports missions such as elimination, survival, capture the flag, defense and battle royale. Available in both single and multiplayer also are escort and rescue missions. STRUCTURES & TROOPS: Common troops for land, sea and air warfare is available to all factions. Specialized elements such as stealth, shields, EMP weapons, nukes, portals, orbital weapons, assimilator and other troops and structures provide for additional variety. RESEARCH: A tech tree and research options enable to build specialized structures and troops. A Tech Snatcher can be used to steal enemy technology. MODDING: A map editor is included allowing for player-modded maps including player-modded campaigns. All elements including troops, structures, as well as graphics and sound effects, can be modded if desired.

About

Space Pixel Swarm

Engage in an offline, single-player 2D space real-time strategy game. Overcome overwhelming odds by making difficult strategic choices, sacrificing planets to bolster your fleet, or fortifying your defenses. Enjoy diverse units, configurable AI, and a unique desperation mechanic.

Highlights
  • Offline single-player RTS
  • Procedural skirmish mode
  • Configurable swarm AI
  • Desperation mechanic: lost planets fuel forces
  • 29 campaign levels
  • Diverse unit types
  • Multiple enemy variations
Features
Read full description

Space Pixel Swarm is an offline, single‑player space RTS where you start outnumbered and win by making hard strategic tradeoffs. Sacrifice planets to power up your fleet, or hold the line and fortify. Features - Offline single‑player RTS - Short sessions + procedural skirmish mode - Configurable swarm AI behaviors - Unique “desperation” mechanic: lost planets fuel your remaining forces - 29 carefully designed campaign levels with progressive difficulty - Diverse units: fighters, capital ships, shield generators, and missile installations - Multiple enemy variations that force different tactics Master Your Strategy Every level pushes you to refine your approach: expand fast to contest the enemy’s growth, or consolidate and build an unbreakable defense. Experiment with unit mixes, timing, and positioning to survive increasingly intense swarm pressure. Skirmish Mode for Endless Replayability Jump into randomized maps with customizable settings for quick matches and long-form challenges. Tune the swarm to your preference and test new strategies whenever you want. Share Your Thoughts Found a bug or have an idea? We’re actively improving the game and welcome feedback at: yearofthegamerdev@gmail.com

Screenshots

Retro Commander4 screens
Space Pixel Swarm4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Space Pixel Swarm at 4.6 against Retro Commander's 3.8. Space Pixel Swarm also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 months). Retro Commander's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and in-app purchases 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. Retro Commander sells 14 one-off in-app purchases and Space Pixel Swarm sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Space Pixel Swarm holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 15 and 21 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of Retro Commander's written reviews are positive against 82% of Space Pixel Swarm's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Retro Commander ships an update every 2 months, Space Pixel Swarm every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Retro Commander versus Space Pixel Swarm: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRetro CommanderSpace Pixel Swarm
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (15 ratings)4.6 (21 ratings) — better
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews81.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1521 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 4 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.5
Further details — not scored
Size152 MB218 MB
Age rating12+9+
DeveloperNoble Master LLCDavid Smith

Customer experience

Retro Commander

All ratings15 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral6.7%
Negative26.7%
Written reviews15 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral6.7%
Negative13.3%

Space Pixel Swarm

All ratings18 ratings
Positive94.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative5.6%
Written reviews22 reviews
Positive81.8%
Neutral9.1%
Negative9.1%

In-app purchases

14 purchases

Retro Commander

One-time14
  • Map: Chapter 02$0.99
  • Map: Battle Map 02$0.99
  • Map: Battle Map 05$0.99
Show 11 more
  • Clan Manager$1.99
  • Map: Chapter 03$3.99
  • Map: Chapter 08$3.99
  • Map: Battle Map A1$3.99
  • Map: Chapter 04$3.99
  • Map: Chapter 06$3.99
  • Map: Chapter 07$3.99
  • Map: Battle Map 03$3.99
  • Map: Battle Map 04$3.99
  • Modded Maps$4.99
  • All Maps & Modding$19.99
3 purchases

Space Pixel Swarm

One-time3
  • Remove Ads$0.99
  • Buy 20 Merits$0.99
  • 10 Merits$0.99

Questions

Is Retro Commander free?
Retro Commander is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Space Pixel Swarm free?
Space Pixel Swarm is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Retro Commander or Space Pixel Swarm?
Space Pixel Swarm is rated higher. Retro Commander averages 3.8 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while Space Pixel Swarm averages 4.6 from 21 ratings.
Do Retro Commander or Space Pixel Swarm have ads?
Space Pixel Swarm shows ads; Retro Commander does not.
Which is updated more often, Retro Commander or Space Pixel Swarm?
Retro Commander ships an update every 2 months, and Space Pixel Swarm every 4 days. Most recently, Retro Commander was updated on October 29, 2026 and Space Pixel Swarm on October 23, 2026.

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