# The Controls Game vs Mystery Box 2

The clearest difference is rating: Mystery Box 2 at 4.3 against The Controls Game's 3.6. Mystery Box 2 also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 44 months) and ratings volume (190 vs 39). The Controls Game's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 15.0). On price, review sentiment, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Mystery Box 2 sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. The Controls Game asks for nothing beyond the download.

Mystery Box 2 holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 39 and 190 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 62% of The Controls Game's written reviews are positive against 58% of Mystery Box 2's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

The Controls Game ships an update every 44 months, Mystery Box 2 every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 20, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | The Controls Game | Mystery Box 2 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.6 (39 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-controls-game/id1383958809/reviews) | **[4.3 (190 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mystery-box-2-evolution/id1602469284/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 39 | **190** |
| Positive reviews | **61.5% of reviews** | 57.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 44 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 14 MB | 152 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Gregory Strigunov](https://appshunter.io/developer/1118406318) | [XSGames](https://appshunter.io/developer/1725979641) |

## What reviewers say

### The Controls Game

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-controls-game/id1383958809)

Engage in a unique puzzle experience using familiar device controls like switches and sliders.  Each level presents a challenge where logic is secondary to finding the correct solution to progress.

**Highlights:** Device control puzzles, Switch mechanics, Slider mechanics, Unique puzzle solving, Level progression

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Mystery Box 2

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mystery-box-2-evolution/id1602469284)

Engage your mind with a 3D escape room puzzle experience. Manipulate interactive boxes, discover hidden artifacts, and solve challenging riddles. Unlock bonus levels and enjoy immersive graphics and chilling music.

**Highlights:** Interactive 3D boxes, Hidden artifact discovery, Challenging riddles, Unlockable bonus levels, Realistic graphics, Hint system

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium | $3.99 | one-time |
| Premium + Coffee | $4.99 | one-time |
| Premium + Love | $7.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🧠 Mind stimulating game
- 💡 Out of the box thinking
- 😌 Relaxing and calming soundtrack
- ✨ Great graphics
- 👍 Good brain teasers

**What reviewers complain about**

- 😩 Too easy/boring
- 🐛 Glitches and bugs
- 💸 Paid for full game, not downloading
-  frustrating
- 😵 Puzzles are obscure/incomprehensible

**Reported bugs**

- Game not downloading after purchase
- Glitches preventing mini-game completion
- Artifacts not counting correctly (e.g., 15/16 instead of 16/16)
- Elements dislodged from the box, making them non-functional
- Elements not working initially, then working later

**Requested features**

- Fix bugs and glitches
- Improve tutorial functionality
- Ensure game progress is saved across devices
- Add more background clues
- Fix artifact counting issues


## Frequently asked questions

### Is The Controls Game free?

The Controls Game is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Mystery Box 2 free?

Mystery Box 2 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, The Controls Game or Mystery Box 2?

Mystery Box 2 is rated higher. The Controls Game averages 3.6 out of 5 from 39 ratings, while Mystery Box 2 averages 4.3 from 190 ratings.

### Do The Controls Game or Mystery Box 2 have ads?

Neither The Controls Game nor Mystery Box 2 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, The Controls Game or Mystery Box 2?

The Controls Game ships an update every 44 months, and Mystery Box 2 every 3 weeks. Most recently, The Controls Game was updated on October 20, 2026 and Mystery Box 2 on October 20, 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.*