Comparison

Nodeshifter vs Dissolve

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

Head to head
About

Nodeshifter

Pilot a digital vessel in this roguelike arcade game to defend humanity from an alien invasion. Destroy enemies with a powerful orbiting Node, collect upgrades, and unlock permanent enhancements to customize your play style. Experience dynamically generated levels for endless replayability.

Highlights
  • Roguelike arcade gameplay
  • Orbital Node destruction
  • Acquire game-changing Enhancements
  • Permanent upgrades via Cassettes
  • Dynamically generated levels
  • Pixel art graphics
Features
Read full description

Nodeshifter is a modern, roguelike arcade game that pits you against an invading horde of Kryptorians in the single most deadly offensive launched against the forces of humankind — through the computer! So get your power gloves out because you’ve been approved to pilot a state-of-the-art Nodeshifter digital vessel. Each Nodeshifter comes fully equipped with a rapidly orbiting Node capable of summoning destruction at a scale the likes of which has been heretofore unseen. Ok so maybe the Nodeshifter isn't exactly that advanced… and yes maybe the weapon systems are a little crude but don’t worry along the way you will pick up a number of upgrades to make smashing aliens easier. Sure, it may be in pixels, but that doesn’t make it any less metal. To become a Star Defender pilot takes guts, skill, and bravery. But if you are selected to be a part of this elite alien fighting space force then your name will be etched in the stars of valor forever. Power-Up Your Play Style: Acquire unique and game-changing Enhancements for your Shifter that will dramatically alter your strategy and play style for the run. Try out new combinations for punishing results. Even Loss is Progress: Pick up Saalt from your fallen foes to purchase Cassettes that will give you a competitive advantage in future runs. These power-ups are permanent upgrades that can be chosen to better fit your uniquely preferred play style and preference. New Paths of Destruction Every Time: Every level of Nodeshifter is dynamically generated so that your pixel carnage is fresh every time you play. It’s so timeless, it’s practically undead! A Unique World to Explore: I mean, “explore” is a loaded word here, but there’s a story and everything. And it kinda rules? Think you have what it takes to beat the hardest game known to mankind? Join the journey of a galactic lifetime and download Nodeshifter today!

About

Dissolve

Engage in an endless arcade shooter where every hit transforms the vibrant background. Collect permanent power-ups and melt through waves of enemies with intuitive swipe controls. Unlock new ships and face diverse enemy types in this colorful, fast-paced experience.

Highlights
  • Infinite enemy waves
  • Permanent power-ups
  • Transforming background visuals
  • Single-finger swipe controls
  • Haptic feedback
  • Unlockable ships
  • Upgradeable power-up drops
Features
Read full description

In Dissolve, melt your way through infinite waves of enemies and bullets collecting never-expiring power-ups! Every shot that hits an enemy transforms the background, igniting dazzling bursts of color and warp-speed alterations all controlled with just a finger swipe. Get ready to melt through an endless torrent of vector foes! Features - Simple controls: Play with just moving your finger around the screen - Haptic feedback for key moments - 7 unlock-able ships - 14 Enemy Types and power-ups - Upgradeable power-up drop rates

Screenshots

Nodeshifter4 screens
Dissolve4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Nodeshifter at none against Dissolve's 2. Nodeshifter also leads on ads (none vs shown). Dissolve's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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. Dissolve sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Nodeshifter asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Nodeshifter against 4.5 for Dissolve. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 76 and 107 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 79% of Nodeshifter's written reviews are positive against 83% of Dissolve's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Nodeshifter ships an update every 2 months, Dissolve fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on July 5, 2026 and August 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Nodeshifter versus Dissolve: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNodeshifterDissolve
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (76 ratings)4.5 (107 ratings)
Positive reviews79.2% of reviews83.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings76107 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size167 MB400 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperBottled GalaxyBabyStar Games

Customer experience

Nodeshifter

All ratings76 ratings
Positive89.5%
Neutral2.6%
Negative7.9%
Written reviews24 reviews
Positive79.2%
Neutral8.3%
Negative12.5%

Dissolve

All ratings107 ratings
Positive86.9%
Neutral6.5%
Negative6.5%
Written reviews24 reviews
Positive83.3%
Neutral8.3%
Negative8.3%

In-app purchases

None

Nodeshifter

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Dissolve

One-time2
  • 5000 Diamonds$0.99
  • 30,000 Diamonds$4.99

Questions

Is Nodeshifter free?
Nodeshifter is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Dissolve free?
Dissolve is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Nodeshifter or Dissolve?
Nodeshifter and Dissolve are both rated 4.5 out of 5 on the App Store, from 76 and 107 ratings respectively.
Do Nodeshifter or Dissolve have ads?
Dissolve shows ads; Nodeshifter does not.
Which is updated more often, Nodeshifter or Dissolve?
Nodeshifter ships an update every 2 months, and Dissolve fortnightly. Most recently, Nodeshifter was updated on July 5, 2026 and Dissolve on August 7, 2026.

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