# The Controls Game vs Tiny Machinery

The clearest difference is rating: Tiny Machinery at 4.2 against The Controls Game's 3.6. Tiny Machinery also leads on update cadence (every 3 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.

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

Tiny Machinery holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 39 and 45 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 62% of The Controls Game's written reviews are positive against 54% of Tiny Machinery'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, Tiny Machinery every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | The Controls Game | Tiny Machinery |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.6 (39 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-controls-game/id1383958809/reviews) | **[4.2 (45 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tiny-machinery-lost-reality/id6480047939/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 39 | **45** |
| Positive reviews | **61.5% of reviews** | 54.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 44 months | **Every 3 months** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 14 MB | 142 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| 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


### Tiny Machinery

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tiny-machinery-lost-reality/id6480047939)

Immerse yourself in a virtual dimension to solve intricate puzzles and escape a mysterious experiment. Use your intellect to manipulate complex machinery and unlock the secrets of your confinement. Experience a unique escape room adventure with creative 3D graphics and atmospheric audio.

**Highlights:** Escape room-style puzzles, Creative 3D graphics, Intricate mechanisms, Atmospheric audio, Hint system, Unlockable story notes

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

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


## Frequently asked questions

### Is The Controls Game free?

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

### Is Tiny Machinery free?

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

### Which has better reviews, The Controls Game or Tiny Machinery?

Tiny Machinery is rated higher. The Controls Game averages 3.6 out of 5 from 39 ratings, while Tiny Machinery averages 4.2 from 45 ratings.

### Do The Controls Game or Tiny Machinery have ads?

Neither The Controls Game nor Tiny Machinery shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, The Controls Game or Tiny Machinery?

The Controls Game ships an update every 44 months, and Tiny Machinery every 3 months. Most recently, The Controls Game was updated on October 12, 2026 and Tiny Machinery on October 13, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*