Comparison

Synthwave Escape vs ELLIA

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

Head to head
About

Synthwave Escape

Embark on a retro rhythm puzzle platformer adventure with an 80s synthwave aesthetic. Guide a team of robots with unique physics to escape a neon bunker and defeat an antagonist. Solve challenges through 60 stages with an original soundtrack and a humorous storyline.

Highlights
  • 60 Retro Rhythm Puzzle Platformer Stages
  • 8 All-New Synthwave Tracks
  • 4 Escaping Robots with Super Duper Physics
  • Robot Storyline
  • Dad Jokes
Features
Read full description

Synthwave Escape is a Retro Rhythm Puzzle Platformer game with an 80s inspired Synthwave Soundtrack & Aesthetic. Join Doc Grits' team of robots as they attempt to escape the Neon Bunker and defeat the heinously infamous Red Hawk. Use the Escape Bots' skills together to overcome challenges and make it safely to safety! Features • 60 Retro Rhythm Puzzle Platformer Stages • 8 All-New Synthwave Tracks • 4 Escaping Robots with Super Duper Physics • 1 Most Triumphant Robot Storyline • A Plethora of Dad Jokes Oh, you're still reading! Alright, I'll continue. Here's the situation: this dude Grits is locked away in a Neon Bunker by this other bogus dude named Red Hawk. Grits is forced to make deadly contraptions, but manages to build a robot team to help him escape. They almost make it, but then they get caught. Then they get away. Yada, yada - just play the game already! If you enjoy the game please consider leaving a review. And if you really, really enjoy it, tell a friend. Then next time you see that friend, the two of you can do a jumping high five. Thanks for playing! Your Friend, Nick Culbertson Moby Pixel http://www.mobypixel.com

About

ELLIA

Embark on a rhythm-based adventure to help a girl recover her lost memories and emotions. Engage with captivating stories, stunning visuals, and a curated soundtrack of original music. Explore a unique journey with the Beatravel System, extracting emotion pieces from music to unlock the past.

Highlights
  • Original music collection
  • Intricately designed rhythm patterns
  • Seasonal content updates
  • Regularly updated free content
  • Accessible gameplay for all levels
  • Detailed settings for hardcore players
  • Multiple difficulty levels
  • Exceptional graphics and effects
Read full description

Journey to find emotions "ELLIA" is a premium rhythm game that weaves captivating stories into its gameplay. Experience breathtaking visuals and superb UI/UX, complemented by a carefully curated soundtrack of original music from Arcstar. Dive into the rhythm and play today! [Story] When Ellia, a girl who has lost her memories and emotions, comes under the care of the protagonist at the request of a familiar doctor, a unique journey unfolds. Using the Beatravel System, they extract "Emotion Pieces" from music to help Ellia recover her feelings and past. With assistance from androids Io and Dione, they uncover the shocking truths of Ellia's history. [Features] - A vast collection of original music tracks, rigorously vetted for quality - Intricately designed patterns crafted by a dedicated content production team - Original content delivered in seasonal updates - Regularly updated free content for continuous enjoyment - Accessible gameplay for both newcomers and rhythm game enthusiasts - A variety of detailed settings tailored for hardcore gamers - Multiple difficulty levels to ensure everyone has a challenging and enjoyable experience - Exceptional graphics and effects that enhance the gameplay [Community] Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ELLIA_Official Join our Discord: https://discord.com/invite/y28EywME9U

Screenshots

Synthwave Escape4 screens
ELLIA4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Synthwave Escape at 4.6 against ELLIA's 3.9. Synthwave Escape also leads on review sentiment (83% vs 66%) and ratings volume (219 vs 27). ELLIA's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 6 months). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model 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. Synthwave Escape sells 4 one-off in-app purchases and ELLIA sells 11 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Synthwave Escape holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Synthwave Escape has 219 ratings behind it against 27, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 83% of Synthwave Escape's written reviews are positive against 66% of ELLIA's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Synthwave Escape ships an update every 6 months, ELLIA every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Synthwave Escape versus ELLIA: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSynthwave EscapeELLIA
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (219 ratings) — better3.9 (27 ratings)
Positive reviews83.3% of reviews — better66.0% of reviews
Number of ratings219 — better27
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size152 MB546 MB
Age rating9+4+
DeveloperMoby PixelArcstar Co.,Ltd

Customer experience

Synthwave Escape

All ratings219 ratings
Positive92.7%
Neutral3.7%
Negative3.7%
Written reviews30 reviews
Positive83.3%
Neutral3.3%
Negative13.3%

ELLIA

All ratings27 ratings
Positive70.4%
Neutral14.8%
Negative14.8%
Written reviews50 reviews
Positive66.0%
Neutral16.0%
Negative18.0%

Bugs and requests

Synthwave Escape

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Audio option doesn't work
  • No invincibility stage after getting hit
  • Game won't download

Requested features

5 requests
  • Longer game or sequel
  • More levels
  • New music
  • PC version
  • More cutscenes

ELLIA

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Synthwave Escape

One-time4
  • 20 Coins$0.99
  • 50 Coins$1.99
  • Unlimited Coins$4.99
Show 1 more
  • Unlimited Coins Deal$4.99
11 purchases

ELLIA

One-time11
  • CORE Collection Vol. 1$4.99
  • Variety Collection Vol. 1$4.99
  • STRLabel Collection Vol. 1$4.99
Show 8 more
  • OverRapid Collection Vol. 1$4.99
  • Arcstar Collection Vol. 1$4.99
  • Variety Collection Vol. 2$4.99
  • Arcstar Collection Vol. 2$4.99
  • Variety Collection Vol. 3$4.99
  • Morimori Atushi Collection 1$4.99
  • memex Collection Vol. 1$4.99
  • Season 1 Pass$7.99

Questions

Is Synthwave Escape free?
Synthwave Escape is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ELLIA free?
ELLIA is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Synthwave Escape or ELLIA?
Synthwave Escape is rated higher. Synthwave Escape averages 4.6 out of 5 from 219 ratings, while ELLIA averages 3.9 from 27 ratings.
Do Synthwave Escape or ELLIA have ads?
Synthwave Escape shows ads; ELLIA does not.
Which is updated more often, Synthwave Escape or ELLIA?
Synthwave Escape ships an update every 6 months, and ELLIA every 2 weeks. Most recently, Synthwave Escape was updated on October 20, 2026 and ELLIA on October 21, 2026.

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