Comparison

Sublight Empire vs GridLinx

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

Head to head
About

Sublight Empire

Experience a unique 4X space strategy game where actions and events unfold over years due to the speed of light limitations. Explore, colonize, and conquer star systems to achieve galactic dominance.

Highlights
  • Relativistic speed of light mechanics
  • Real-time command propagation delays
  • Explore and colonize star systems
  • Defend and conquer colonies
  • Classic 4X gameplay
  • Galactic conquest objective
Features
Read full description

Einstein's theory of relativity states that nothing is faster than light. This also applies to this game. Information is radio signals propagating at the speed of light. These radio signals transmit your commands and the events you receive. Spaceships move at a fraction of the speed of light. So it takes years for a command or a spaceship to reach its destination. When a battle takes place, you won't know about it until years later. Apart from this, it is a classic 4X game. In the beginning you rule a single star system and you are exploring and colonizing the surrounding systems. Later on you will meet your opponents and you will have to defend and conquer colonies. To win the game, you must conquer 2/3 of all stars.

About

GridLinx

Features
Read full description

GridLinx is a "connect" game that demands careful but quick thought in placing tiles together to build the largest connected structures. The more tiles you connect together, the higher the score. Stay alert though, there is a time limit on each round. So if your not quick enough you'll run out of time. When you build a connected structure you are credited both with game points and with more play time. So look for every chance to link your tiles. As you climb higher in levels you will notice that later levels require higher scores to advance. You will also notice new challenges that will keep you on your toes. So, get in the zone and put your puzzle brains on blast!

Screenshots

Sublight Empire4 screens
GridLinx4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Sublight Empire at none against GridLinx's 6. Sublight Empire also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 6 months vs every 16 months). GridLinx's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On price 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. GridLinx sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Sublight Empire asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Sublight Empire ships an update every 6 months, GridLinx every 16 months. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 5 level
Sublight Empire versus GridLinx: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSublight EmpireGridLinx
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 months — betterEvery 16 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB159 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEnrico UngerPlayer1games Inc.

In-app purchases

None

Sublight Empire

No in-app purchases

6 purchases

GridLinx

One-time6
  • Gridlinx Skins$0.99
  • Buy 10 time tokens$0.99
  • Buy 30 tokens special price$0.99
Show 3 more
  • Gridlinx - No more ads special$0.99
  • No More Ads$1.99
  • Buy 30 time tokens$1.99

Questions

Is Sublight Empire free?
Sublight Empire is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is GridLinx free?
GridLinx is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Sublight Empire or GridLinx have ads?
GridLinx shows ads; Sublight Empire does not.
Which is updated more often, Sublight Empire or GridLinx?
Sublight Empire ships an update every 6 months, and GridLinx every 16 months. Most recently, Sublight Empire was updated on October 7, 2026 and GridLinx on October 12, 2026.

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