# Exception; vs Cracking the Cryptic

The clearest difference is price: Cracking the Cryptic at Free against Exception;'s $2.99. Exception;'s advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 13) and rating (4.8 vs 4.4). On update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Cracking the Cryptic is free to download; Exception; costs $2.99 up front. Cracking the Cryptic sells 13 one-off in-app purchases. Exception; asks for nothing beyond the download.

Exception; holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Exception; has 2.7K ratings behind it against 208, 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 72% of Cracking the Cryptic's.

Exception; ships an update fortnightly, Cracking the Cryptic every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Exception; | Cracking the Cryptic |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $2.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.8 (2.7K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/exception/id1439153819/reviews)** | [4.4 (208 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cracking-the-cryptic/id1629992934/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **2.7K** | 208 |
| Positive reviews | **82.1% of reviews** | 72.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 79 MB | 234 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Kunpo](https://appshunter.io/developer/767379940) | [Nick Carney](https://appshunter.io/developer/1434235673) |

## What reviewers say

### Exception;

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/exception/id1439153819)

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.

**Highlights:** AI programming gameplay, Strategic unit control, Challenging single-player levels, Virtual world exploration, Uncover system secrets

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Interesting and challenging gameplay
- 🚀 Smooth and fluid animations
- 💡 Unique programming-based mechanics
- 🤖 Good introduction to programming concepts
- 🎨 Visually appealing design

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔒 Most levels locked behind paywall
- 🐛 Inconsistent bot behavior
- 💰 Game feels like a demo with limited content

**Reported bugs**

- Bots not responding to commands as expected
- Scripting errors when retreating

**Requested features**

- Sandbox mode to create custom levels
- Hint system for difficult levels
- Ability to sync progress across devices
- Multiplayer or co-op modes


### Cracking the Cryptic

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cracking-the-cryptic/id1629992934)

This app offers a curated collection of handcrafted Sudoku puzzles from world-renowned constructors. Explore classic and unique variants, with new puzzle packs released regularly. A free introductory pack is included with download.

**Highlights:** Handcrafted Sudoku puzzles, Curated by expert constructors, Classic and unique variants, Regularly released puzzle packs, Free introductory puzzle pack

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

**In-app purchases (13)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| CTC Worms - James Sinclair | $0.99 | one-time |
| CTC Worms - Marty Sears | $0.99 | one-time |
| CTC Worms - Zetamath | $1.99 | one-time |
| CTC Worms - Blobz | $1.99 | one-time |
| CTC Worms - Michael Lefkowitz | $1.99 | one-time |
| CTC Worms - Phistomefel | $1.99 | one-time |
| GAS Volume #1 | $2.99 | one-time |
| GAS Volume #2 | $2.99 | one-time |
| CTC Approachable Sudoku #1 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Domino Sudoku Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Lines Variety Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Classic Volume #2 | $4.99 | one-time |
| CTC Fog Pack #1 | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Best sudoku app
- 👍 Great variety of puzzles
- 👍 Excellent user interface
- 👍 Challenging and fun puzzles
- 👍 Constant updates with new puzzles

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Hints are often incorrect or unhelpful
- 🐛 Bugs and crashes, especially after updates
- 🔋 Battery draining issues
- 🔒 Too many in-app purchases required to access content

**Reported bugs**

- Puzzle progress and purchases disappearing after updates
- Incorrect rules or hints in certain puzzles
- Crashes and freezes, especially on older devices or Macs
- Inconsistent behavior when switching between portrait and landscape modes

**Requested features**

- Add more color options for pencil marking and highlighting
- Implement a way to clear progress or start puzzles from scratch
- Integrate all CTC apps into a single app for better organization
- Add keyboard support, especially on Mac
- Improve the quality and clarity of hints


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Exception; free?

Exception; costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Cracking the Cryptic free?

Cracking the Cryptic is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Exception; or Cracking the Cryptic?

Exception; is rated higher. Exception; averages 4.8 out of 5 from 2.7K ratings, while Cracking the Cryptic averages 4.4 from 208 ratings.

### Do Exception; or Cracking the Cryptic have ads?

Neither Exception; nor Cracking the Cryptic shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Exception; or Cracking the Cryptic?

Exception; ships an update fortnightly, and Cracking the Cryptic every 3 weeks. Most recently, Exception; was updated on October 17, 2026 and Cracking the Cryptic on October 18, 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.*