Comparison

The Controls Game vs The Da Vinci Cryptex

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

Head to head
About

The Controls Game

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
Read full description

Didn't understand anything from the screenshots? The game is created from standard elements: • switches (those which enable / disable Wi-Fi) • sliders (those which adjust the brightness of the screen) • etc. This is a small set of puzzles ... Not so ... This is a smallest set of puzzles, where is no logic! You need to find a solution to open the next level.

About

The Da Vinci Cryptex

Solve 50 unique riddles and logical enigmas to escape a room and unlock the next challenge. Test your IQ with brain-teasing puzzles that increase in difficulty. Hints are available to help you crack the enigmas.

Highlights
  • 50 unique handcrafted puzzles
  • Logical enigmas
  • IQ skill testing
  • Hints available
  • Astonishing graphics
  • Captivating background music
Features
Read full description

Are you ready to solve 50 incredible riddles to gain your freedom? Test your IQ skills by playing The Da Vinci Cryptex and find out the genius you are! Trapped in a room, you need to think out of the box to solve logical enigmas written in a book and escape. Find the answers, unlock the Cryptex, and see what awaits you in the next room! "The Da Vinci Cryptex" is a brainteasing free game consisting of 50 unique riddles, the more you go on, the harder to solve the puzzles So, how many enigmas can you actually crack? Warning: this IQ game may be addictive! Features: - 50 unique handcrafted puzzles - Hints available (click the bulb button to get a hint) - Astonishing graphics - Captivating background music - Play 20 levels for free, unlock the full game with a single and cheap in-app purchase If you're a fan of puzzles, word games, brain thinking, mind games, logic riddles, and enigmas, The Da Vinci Cryptex is the game for you! _________________________________ XSGames is an independent solo startup from Italy. Find out more at xsgames.co Follow @xsgames_ on both X and Instagram

Screenshots

The Controls Game3 screens
The Da Vinci Cryptex4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: The Da Vinci Cryptex at 4.3 against The Controls Game's 3.6. The Da Vinci Cryptex also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 44 months). The Controls Game's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 15.0). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads 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. The Da Vinci Cryptex sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. The Controls Game asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

The Da Vinci Cryptex holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 38 and 43 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 62% and 63% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

The Controls Game ships an update every 44 months, The Da Vinci Cryptex every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
The Controls Game versus The Da Vinci Cryptex: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThe Controls GameThe Da Vinci Cryptex
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.6 (38 ratings)4.3 (43 ratings) — better
Positive reviews61.5% of reviews62.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings3843 — better
Update frequencyEvery 44 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS9.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size14 MB139 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGregory StrigunovXSGames

Customer experience

The Controls Game

All ratings39 ratings
Positive61.5%
Neutral12.8%
Negative25.6%
Written reviews26 reviews
Positive61.5%
Neutral11.5%
Negative26.9%

The Da Vinci Cryptex

All ratings43 ratings
Positive83.7%
Neutral7.0%
Negative9.3%
Written reviews40 reviews
Positive62.5%
Neutral10.0%
Negative27.5%

Bugs and requests

The Controls Game

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

The Da Vinci Cryptex

Reported bugs

10 issues
  • Cryptex wheels react unreliably
  • Solutions lack logical connection
  • Hints lead in the wrong direction
  • Level 16 not solvable
  • Ads don't provide hints
Show 5 more
  • First puzzle bugged
  • Level 32 stuck
  • Level 45 missing numbers, letters don't work
  • Game doesn't register correct solution
  • Ad reward not given for hints

In-app purchases

None

The Controls Game

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

The Da Vinci Cryptex

One-time3
  • Full Game$1.99
  • Full Game + Coffee$3.99
  • Full Game + Love$5.99

Questions

Is The Controls Game free?
The Controls Game is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is The Da Vinci Cryptex free?
The Da Vinci Cryptex is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, The Controls Game or The Da Vinci Cryptex?
The Da Vinci Cryptex is rated higher. The Controls Game averages 3.6 out of 5 from 38 ratings, while The Da Vinci Cryptex averages 4.3 from 43 ratings.
Do The Controls Game or The Da Vinci Cryptex have ads?
Neither The Controls Game nor The Da Vinci Cryptex shows ads.
Which is updated more often, The Controls Game or The Da Vinci Cryptex?
The Controls Game ships an update every 44 months, and The Da Vinci Cryptex every 2 months. Most recently, The Controls Game was updated on November 2, 2026 and The Da Vinci Cryptex on November 3, 2026.

Other comparisons