# Extra Lives vs Ronin

The clearest difference is rating: Ronin at 4.7 against Extra Lives's 4.1. Extra Lives's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 8 days vs monthly). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Extra Lives sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Ronin sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Ronin holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.6K and 3.3K respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 72% and 71% positive.

Extra Lives ships an update every 8 days, Ronin monthly. Both last shipped on November 10, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Extra Lives | Ronin |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.1 (1.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/extra-lives/id1298487584/reviews) | **[4.7 (3.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ronin-the-last-samurai/id1534821475/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 1.6K | **3.3K** |
| Positive reviews | **71.8% of reviews** | 71.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 8 days** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 87 MB | 478 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | +17 | 12+ |
| Developer | [MDickie Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/498978165) | [Dreamotion Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1151708423) |

## What reviewers say

### Extra Lives

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/extra-lives/id1298487584)

Survive a zombie-infested world by developing relationships with characters and exploring diverse locations. Engage in satisfying combat and customize your experience with various gameplay options. Upgrade for enhanced features and enjoy a unique survival simulation.

**Highlights:** Zombie survival gameplay, Relationship development with 200 characters, Explore 50+ locations, Interactive objects, Above-average combat system, Character customization, Adjustable zombie population

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Infinite Lives | $2.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great game
- 👍 Fun to play
- 💡 Unique concept
- 👍 Lots of customization
- 👍 Realistic gore and dismemberment

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Clunky controls
- 🐛 Aggressive and unreasonable NPCs
- 🐛 Unfair combat mechanics
- 🐛 Slow character recovery time
- 🐛 Repetitive dialogue and quests

**Reported bugs**

- Game crashing after ads
- Disappearing character limbs
- Inability to restore purchases
- Automatic movement/actions
- Inconsistent NPC reactions

**Requested features**

- 3D version of the game
- More weapon and character variety
- Improved AI and NPC behavior
- Ability to skip dialogue
- Online/multiplayer mode


### Ronin

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ronin-the-last-samurai/id1534821475)

Embark on a revenge quest as a disgraced samurai in a war-torn Japan. Master a console-quality parry system, engage in tense, roguelike battles, and upgrade your character, pets, and weapons. Experience the beauty of ink wash-style graphics and face challenging bosses.

**Highlights:** Console-quality parry system, Roguelike action battles, Upgradable characters, pets, and weapons, Ink wash-style graphics, Challenging boss fights, Visceral sword combat

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Gem x120 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Gem x120 (Monthly Offer) | $0.99 | one-time |
| Magic Chest Bundle | $2.99 | one-time |
| Path of the Warrior | $4.99 | one-time |
| Guide's Gift | $4.99 | one-time |
| Gem x590 (Monthly Offer) | $4.99 | one-time |
| Merchant License | $5.99 | one-time |
| Path of the Warrior | $5.99 | one-time |
| Ronin’s Journey Backpack | $9.99 | one-time |
| Gem x1200 (Monthly Offer) | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🔥 Excellent combat system
- 🎨 Beautiful art style
- 🤖 Challenging but rewarding gameplay
- 💰 Generous free-to-play model
- 🕹️ Smooth and responsive controls

**What reviewers complain about**

- ⏱️ Difficult counter flash timing
- 🛒 Gear progression can feel grindy
- 💰 Fusion system is RNG-heavy
- 🔋 Energy system can limit playtime
- 🤖 Difficulty spike in later chapters

**Reported bugs**

- Stuck at 70% loading screen
- Losing progress after closing the app
- Wired sound effects that can't be turned off

**Requested features**

- Add more weapons, characters, and bosses
- Implement player-vs-player mode
- Introduce story mode or campaign
- Allow customization of control layout
- Add faction-based or guild-based content


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Extra Lives free?

Extra Lives is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Ronin free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Extra Lives or Ronin?

Ronin is rated higher. Extra Lives averages 4.1 out of 5 from 1.6K ratings, while Ronin averages 4.7 from 3.3K ratings.

### Do Extra Lives or Ronin have ads?

Ronin shows ads; Extra Lives does not.

### Which is updated more often, Extra Lives or Ronin?

Extra Lives ships an update every 8 days, and Ronin monthly. Most recently, Extra Lives was updated on November 10, 2026 and Ronin on November 10, 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.*