Exception; vs Vactics
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Exception;
Engage in a unique single-player game where you program AI units to overcome challenges and defeat enemies in a virtual world. Strategize and code different unit types to progress through levels and uncover the secrets of a seemingly perfect system.
- AI programming gameplay
- Strategic unit control
- Challenging single-player levels
- Virtual world exploration
- Uncover system secrets
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Exception is a game about AI programming. During the game, the player assists the units to defeat their enemies in the virtual world. However, the player needs to control the units by programming instead of controlling them directly. This is a challenging single-player game. In each level, the player needs to think about the strategy and program the units accordingly. The player needs to program different types of units to beat the level. ************************** In a virtual world where everything operates steadily under an omnipotent system, you will play the role of an operator named 159, who oversees and maintains the system. Nevertheless, there is no perfect system. You find an exception in the program one day. What is stranger is that the program made a request… You will discover the secret underneath this cyber world. ************************** [LEVEL SOLUTION] [WHEN] Success Rate = 100% [DO] Next level :D [WHEN] Success Rate ≠ 100% [DO] Optimize it :3 [/LEVEL SOLUTION] ************************** Contact us:support@kunpo.cc [Code monkeys change the world]
Vactics
Engage in tactical, chess-like combat by building powerful mechs to battle robotic enemies. Face randomly generated challenges and fight for a better future in this strategic warfare game.
- Mech building
- Tactical chess-like combat
- Randomly generated challenges
- Mech and tech upgrades
- Extended campaign
- Leaderboard competition
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Build the mech to fight against robotic Vactics in tactical chess-like combat. The war is already over and the heroes of the city have fallen. Take on a new randomly generated challenge every time you play and join with the citizens to fight for a better future. Vactics is designed to let you play as much as you like and upgrade to the full version at any time. Unlocking the pro version of the game provides: • Access to all 18 mech types and dozens of additional tech modifiers. • Access to the full 24 colour palettes to choose from with custom app icons each. • An extended campaign with additional enemy types and areas to fight through. • An additional phase to the campaign with the true ending and all the co-pilots. • The daily district challenge where you can compete with others on the leaderboards. • Much more to discover.... -- Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Vactics at Free against Exception;'s $2.99. Exception;'s advantage is rating (4.8 vs 4.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 2). On update cadence, ads 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
Vactics is free to download; Exception; costs $2.99 up front. Vactics sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 3 months. Exception; asks for nothing beyond the download.
Exception; holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Exception; has 2.7K ratings behind it against 56, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 82% of Exception;'s written reviews are positive against 71% of Vactics's.
Exception; ships an update fortnightly, Vactics every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Exception; | Vactics |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.8 (2.7K ratings) — better | 4.0 (56 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 82.1% of reviews — better | 70.9% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 2.7K — better | 56 |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 8.0 — better | 11.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 79 MB | 309 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | Kunpo | Gerard Delaney |
Customer experience
Exception;
Vactics
User reviews
Exception;
From 2.7K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Interesting and challenging gameplay
- 🚀 Smooth and fluid animations
- 💡 Unique programming-based mechanics
- 🤖 Good introduction to programming concepts
- 🎨 Visually appealing design
Room to improve
- 🔒 Most levels locked behind paywall
- 🐛 Inconsistent bot behavior
- 💰 Game feels like a demo with limited content
Vactics
From 56 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 💡 Innovative gameplay mechanics
- 👍 Deep tactical gameplay
- 🎨 Gorgeous art style
- 🎶 Excellent synthwave score
- ✨ Well-balanced gameplay
Room to improve
- 💰 High price for pro version
- 💸 Expensive subscription options
- 😩 Frustrating paywall
- ❓ Lacking tutorial explanations
- 🐌 Slow restart function
Bugs and requests
Exception;
Reported bugs
2 issues- Bots not responding to commands as expected
- Scripting errors when retreating
Requested features
4 requests- Sandbox mode to create custom levels
- Hint system for difficult levels
- Ability to sync progress across devices
- Multiplayer or co-op modes
Vactics
Reported bugs
6 issues- Combo attack bonus cancelled by heavy landing
- "Restore purchases" not working after update
- Cannot equip more than one ability
- Inconsistent combat: adjacent Vactic not hitting
- Cannot mount one tech in Chassis and one in Engine
Show 1 moreShow fewer
- Line-of-sight for ranged enemies unclear
Requested features
20 requests- Add more upgrades
- Add more game modes
- Add online co-op
- Add infinite wave competition
- Add diverging paths on map like FTL
Show 15 moreShow fewer
- Add small story elements at decisions
- Add new enemies and technologies
- Add a big boss
- Add Russian language support
- Improve tutorial clarity
- Faster restart function
- Option to confirm selection before moving
- More customization options for mechs
- Unlock more mechs for free
- Add wallpapers in the art style
- Support for lowercase game text
- Option to change palettes easily
- Save progress on runs
- Adjustable difficulty settings
- Add more content
In-app purchases
Exception;
No in-app purchases
Vactics
- Subscribe to Vactics Pro$2.993 Months
- Vactics Pro$8.99








