Comparison

The Phenomenon vs Identity V

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

Head to head
About

The Phenomenon

Embark on an episodic survival horror adventure as a paranormal researcher. Explore vast maps, utilize specialized devices, and confront intelligent creatures. Engage in cross-platform multiplayer and compete for global leaderboard dominance.

Highlights
  • Cross-platform multiplayer
  • Episodic survival horror
  • Paranormal research devices
  • Smart AI creatures
  • Global leaderboards
  • High replayability
Features
Read full description

The Phenomenon is an episodic survival horror game with high replayability, supporting online co-op multiplayer and cross-platform play. First released in 2015 as a solo-developed game, it has grown over time with updates and new players. Play alone or with friends as Barry Nellan, a paranormal researcher whose work is known worldwide. He has investigated many cases connected with unexplained activity. Most gave no real results, but the last one… In Episode 1, you will explore a map of 3 square kilometers with over 500 spawns of objects, use devices for paranormal research, fight against creatures with smart and tricky AI, discover many other things that make each new game unique, and compete with other players to take first place in the global leaderboards.

About

Identity V

Experience a thrilling 1v4 asymmetrical horror game with a unique gothic art style and mysterious storylines. As a survivor, cooperate to escape or play as the hunter to track down your prey. Explore an abandoned manor and uncover dark secrets.

Highlights
  • 1v4 asymmetrical combats
  • Survivor cooperation and escape
  • Hunter gameplay
  • Gothic visual style
  • Mysterious storylines
  • Randomized map adjustments
  • Distinct character selection
Read full description

Identity V: 1 vs 4 Asymmetrical Horror Mobile Game Fear Always Springs from the Unknown. Game Introduction: Join the Thrilling Party! Welcome to Identity V, the first asymmetrical horror mobile game developed by NetEase. With a gothic art style, mysterious storylines and exciting 1vs4 gameplay, Identity V will bring you a breathtaking experience. Key Features: Intensive 1vs4 Asymmetrical Combats: Four Survivors: run from the ruthless hunter, cooperate with teammates, decode cipher machines, open the gate and escape; One Hunter: familiar yourself with all of your killing powers. Be ready to catch and torture your preys. Gothic Visual Style: Travel back to the Victorian era and have a taste of its unique style. Compelling Background Settings: You will first enter the game as a detective, who receives a mysterious letter inviting him to investigate an abandoned manor and search for a missing girl. And as you get closer and closer to the truth, you find something horrifying... Randomized Map Adjustments: Within every new game, map would be altered accordingly. You will never know what’s to expect. Select & Play Distinct Characters: Multiple characters to choose from, customized characters to fit your own personal strategy and get the final victory! Are you ready for it? More Informations: Website: www.identityvgame.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/IdentityV Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/identityVofficial/ Twitter: www.twitter.com/GameIdentityV YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/IdentityV Discord: https://discord.gg/FThHuCa4bn

Screenshots

The Phenomenon4 screens
Identity V4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Identity V at 4.7 against The Phenomenon's 4.0. Identity V also leads on ratings volume (133K vs 1.1K) and chart position (#53 vs unranked). The Phenomenon's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and review sentiment (55% vs 43%). 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. Identity V sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. The Phenomenon asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Identity V holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Identity V has 133K ratings behind it against 1.1K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 55% of The Phenomenon's written reviews are positive against 43% of Identity V's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

The Phenomenon ships an update every 5 weeks, Identity V every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
The Phenomenon versus Identity V: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThe PhenomenonIdentity V
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (1.1K ratings)4.7 (133K ratings) — better
Positive reviews55.3% of reviews — better43.4% of reviews
Number of ratings1.1K133K — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#53 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size340 MB3.5 GB
Age rating+1212+
DeveloperKokots LLCNetEase Games

Customer experience

The Phenomenon

All ratings1,115 ratings
Positive75.4%
Neutral5.6%
Negative19.0%
Written reviews302 reviews
Positive55.3%
Neutral9.6%
Negative35.1%

Identity V

All ratings132,496 ratings
Positive91.9%
Neutral2.2%
Negative5.9%
Written reviews3,732 reviews
Positive43.4%
Neutral7.9%
Negative48.7%

User reviews

The Phenomenon

From 1.1K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Realistic graphics
  • 🤩 Immersive horror experience
  • 💯 Excellent game quality
  • 🥰 Fun to play with friends

Room to improve

  • 🔇 Audio issues (can't hear audio)
  • 🌚 Game too dark/needs better lighting
  • 🕹️ Buggy controls and camera
  • ⏱️ Limited playtime due to in-game currency system

Identity V

From 133K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🎨 Excellent art style and design
  • 🕹️ Unique and engaging gameplay
  • 🕹️ Variety of game modes
  • 🕹️ Interesting character abilities
  • 💰 Reasonable pricing and monetization

Room to improve

  • 🔍 Imbalanced matchmaking and character power
  • 🔒 Lack of server stability and high ping issues
  • 🤖 Problematic camping behavior by hunters
  • 💰 Expensive in-app purchases for cosmetics
  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs

Bugs and requests

The Phenomenon

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Multiplayer mode not working properly
  • Inability to change language settings
  • Frequent crashes and freezes
  • Graphical glitches and visual bugs

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add 3-4 player multiplayer mode
  • Implement a save/checkpoint system
  • Improve tutorial and onboarding
  • Optimize performance on older devices

Identity V

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Frequent crashes and connection issues
  • Glitches with pallet/window interactions
  • Inconsistent hitboxes and abilities

Requested features

5 requests
  • Voice chat functionality
  • More diverse map selection
  • Improved character balancing
  • Penalties for hunter camping
  • Increased rewards for in-game progression

In-app purchases

None

The Phenomenon

No in-app purchases

10 purchases

Identity V

One-time10
  • 60Echoes$0.99
  • 185Echoes$2.99
  • 305Echoes$4.99
Show 7 more
  • 690Echoes$9.99
  • 2023 Lunar New Year Package 1$14.99
  • 2025 Echo Package 1$14.99
  • 1308 Echoes$19.99
  • 2025Echoes$29.99
  • 3330Echoes$49.99
  • 6590Echoes$99.99

Questions

Is The Phenomenon free?
The Phenomenon is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Identity V free?
Identity V is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, The Phenomenon or Identity V?
Identity V is rated higher. The Phenomenon averages 4.0 out of 5 from 1.1K ratings, while Identity V averages 4.7 from 133K ratings.
Do The Phenomenon or Identity V have ads?
Both The Phenomenon and Identity V show ads.
Which is updated more often, The Phenomenon or Identity V?
The Phenomenon ships an update every 5 weeks, and Identity V every 2 weeks. Most recently, The Phenomenon was updated on November 3, 2026 and Identity V on November 5, 2026.

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