Comparison

Retro Commander vs Forward Element

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

Forward Element

Features
Read full description

Little troops. Big plans. Your turn. Lead the Green Guys against the Tan Dudes in Forward Element, a playful turn-based tactics game for iPhone and iPad. Bring infantry, tanks, aircraft, and boats together, use the terrain, and turn a clever move into a satisfying victory. LEARN YOUR SQUAD Start with 24 short tutorial missions: one for each of 22 units, plus two lessons in commanding your whole force. Then take on the 10-mission Ringfall Chain campaign and chase better medals as your tactics improve. MAKE EVERY UNIT COUNT Send Field Engineers to capture structures, buy reinforcements with Cash at production sites, and keep your force supplied. Carry troops into position, line up a Sniper shot, or soften a crowded defense with rockets and artillery. The Dossier explains each unit's role and special abilities. A NEW BATTLEFIELD, YOUR WAY Choose one of 8 curated skirmish maps, revisit any of the 34 campaign battlefields, or generate a fresh map. Set its size, biome, water, elevation, and seed, then decide how you want to win. TAKE ON THE AI OR A FRIEND - Play solo against four AI difficulty levels. - Share one device in Pass & Play, with a private screen between turns. - Host or join a nearby LAN match on compatible devices. - Use curated, campaign, or generated maps in every skirmish mode. SET YOUR OWN PACE Adjust starting Cash, income, unit limits, victory conditions, and the optional turn timer. Tap a unit to move or attack. Confirm Actions is off by default and can be enabled in Settings. PLAY A LITTLE, COME BACK LATER Save and resume your campaigns and skirmishes. Campaign, AI skirmish, and Pass & Play work offline. Nearby multiplayer uses a local connection, not internet matchmaking. Color-vision palettes, high contrast, reduced motion, subtitles, and adjustable audio help you make the battlefield your own. No ads. No in-app purchases. No account required. The troops are ready. What's your next move?

Screenshots

Retro Commander4 screens
Forward Element4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Forward Element at none against Retro Commander's 14. Retro Commander's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). On price, 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

Both are free to download. Retro Commander sells 14 one-off in-app purchases. Forward Element asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Retro Commander versus Forward Element: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRetro CommanderForward Element
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (16 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings16 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 months—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size151 MB189 MB
Age rating12+12+
DeveloperNoble Master LLCRichard Lavey

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
None

Forward Element

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Retro Commander free?
Retro Commander is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Forward Element free?
Forward Element is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Retro Commander or Forward Element have ads?
Neither Retro Commander nor Forward Element shows ads.

Other comparisons