Comparison

Highwind vs Zen Gems!

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

Head to head
About

Highwind

Control a paper plane with two buttons to shoot enemies and defend yourself. Upgrade your plane's capabilities and unlock new aircraft as you progress through randomly generated waves and different dimensions.

Highlights
  • Simple two-button controls
  • Unlockable planes with different stats
  • Upgradeable health, shield, and ammo
  • Randomly selected enemy waves
  • Multiple game styles including infinite mode
  • Minigames with unique mechanics
Features
Read full description

In Highwind you control a paper plane using only two buttons. You will destroy enemy planes and protect your own. Tapping the right side of the screen will shoot bullets and holding the left side will activate the shield. The shield blocks and reflects bullets back to your enemies. Fight different enemy planes and obstacles, each with different behavior. Travel to different dimensions and avoid obstacles on the way. As you progress through the game you will be able to purchase upgrades to your health, shield and ammo. Also, each time you beat a level you will get a power up that will help you defeat your enemies. Each time you play you will accumulate points that will unlock new planes and new game styles. Try to beat the game in each one of the different styles! Features -Simple controls: Play with only two buttons -Different game styles: Five variations of the game including an infinite mode -Minigames: Three additional sections with different mechanics -A different experience each play: Enemy waves are randomly selected from a predefined set -Upgrades and power ups: Purchase upgrades to your shield, ammo and health. Get a power up every level -Different airplanes: Unlock new airplanes with different stats

About

Zen Gems!

A relaxing match-3 puzzle game designed for unwinding. Offers multiple game modes to suit your mood. Enjoy a calming experience with satisfying visuals and sounds.

Highlights
  • Match 3 gameplay
  • ASMR elements
  • Classic game mode
  • Endless game mode
  • Relaxing experience
Features
Read full description

Sit back and relax with this match 3 game! Includes Game Modes: - Classic - Endless

Screenshots

Highwind4 screens
Zen Gems!4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Highwind at 71% against Zen Gems!'s 0%. Highwind also leads on rating (4.8 vs 1.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 4). Zen Gems!'s advantage is price (Free vs $0.99) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 21 months). On 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

Zen Gems! is free to download; Highwind costs $0.99 up front. Zen Gems! sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Highwind asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Highwind holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Highwind has 11 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 71% of Highwind's written reviews are positive against 0% of Zen Gems!'s.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Highwind ships an update every 21 months, Zen Gems! fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 17, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 1 level
Highwind versus Zen Gems!: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHighwindZen Gems!
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating4.8 (11 ratings) — better1.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews71.4% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings11 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 21 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.613.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size169 MB139 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSelva InteractiveJoao Milone

Customer experience

Highwind

All ratings11 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive71.4%
Neutral14.3%
Negative14.3%

Zen Gems!

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

None

Highwind

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

Zen Gems!

One-time4
  • +5 Refreshes$1.99
  • +15 Refreshes$2.99
  • Unlock Endless Mode$4.99
Show 1 more
  • No Ads$8.99

Questions

Is Highwind free?
Highwind costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Zen Gems! free?
Zen Gems! is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Highwind or Zen Gems!?
Highwind is rated higher. Highwind averages 4.8 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while Zen Gems! averages 1.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Highwind or Zen Gems! have ads?
Zen Gems! shows ads; Highwind does not.
Which is updated more often, Highwind or Zen Gems!?
Highwind ships an update every 21 months, and Zen Gems! fortnightly. Most recently, Highwind was updated on September 17, 2026 and Zen Gems! on September 28, 2026.

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