# MicroWars vs Empire Takeover

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Empire Takeover at 72% against MicroWars's 34%. Empire Takeover also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 10 days vs every 2 months). MicroWars's advantage is ratings volume (10K vs 3.2K). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. MicroWars sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Empire Takeover sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Empire Takeover holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 10K and 3.2K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 34% of MicroWars's written reviews are positive against 72% of Empire Takeover's.

MicroWars ships an update every 2 months, Empire Takeover every 10 days. Both last shipped on October 17, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | MicroWars | Empire Takeover |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (10K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microwars/id1471317275/reviews) | **[4.9 (3.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/empire-takeover/id1584093266/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **10K** | 3.2K |
| Positive reviews | 34.0% of reviews | **72.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 10 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 94 MB | 520 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Benoit Freslon](https://appshunter.io/developer/428781119) | [HONGKONG HERONOW LIMITED](https://appshunter.io/developer/1869211264) |

## What reviewers say

### MicroWars

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/microwars/id1471317275)

Engage in strategic microscopic battles where you command cells to conquer opponents. Collect resources, upgrade your units, and devise invasion plans to capture enemy bases and expand your territory. Outwit your rivals by building defenses and launching timely offensives.

**Highlights:** Microscopic battleground gameplay, Command and conquer cells, Resource collection and upgrades, Strategic invasion planning, Defensive and offensive tactics, Board-based conquest

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| No ads | $3.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Fun and addictive gameplay
- 💡 Customizable characters
- 🚀 Quick game sessions

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔍 Repetitive levels
- 🔋 Excessive ads
- 🐛 Bugs and crashes
- 💰 Paid features don't work as expected

**Reported bugs**

- Game resets progress on restart
- Impossible level 40 and 130
- Ads play over gameplay

**Requested features**

- More challenging AI opponents
- Ability to reinforce controlled cells
- Disable timer option
- More unique levels and characters
- Improved memory mini-game


### Empire Takeover

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/empire-takeover/id1584093266)

Build and expand your empire by connecting buildings to grow them taller. Recruit legendary heroes and crush opponents with simple drag controls. Enjoy various game modes, including a level editor and offline play.

**Highlights:** Connect and grow buildings, Drag controls for building takeover, Build and occupy territory, Recruit legendary heroes, Stage Maker Mode for level design, Peace Mode for solo play, Offline Mode for network-free play

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| prefered Giftpack 1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| prefered Giftpack 2 | $1.99 | one-time |
| prefered Giftpack 3 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Monthly Card_2 | $9.99 | one-time |
| prefered Giftpack 4 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Monthly Card_4 | $14.99 | one-time |
| Monthly Card_3 | $19.99 | one-time |
| prefered Giftpack 5 | $19.99 | one-time |
| prefered Giftpack 7 | $49.99 | one-time |
| prefered Giftpack 8 | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Addictive gameplay
- 👍 Fun community
- 🚀 Lots of content to keep you engaged

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy and crashes frequently
- 🤯 Confusing user interface and menus
- 💰 Overly monetized with expensive in-app purchases
- 🤔 Unclear game mechanics and progression

**Reported bugs**

- Login issues and server instability
- Graphical glitches and performance problems
- Lost progress and rewards due to bugs

**Requested features**

- Better tutorial and in-game help
- Ability to play with friends
- More focus on the core tower defense gameplay


## Frequently asked questions

### Is MicroWars free?

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

### Is Empire Takeover free?

Empire Takeover is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, MicroWars or Empire Takeover?

Empire Takeover is rated higher. MicroWars averages 4.6 out of 5 from 10K ratings, while Empire Takeover averages 4.9 from 3.2K ratings.

### Do MicroWars or Empire Takeover have ads?

MicroWars shows ads; Empire Takeover does not.

### Which is updated more often, MicroWars or Empire Takeover?

MicroWars ships an update every 2 months, and Empire Takeover every 10 days. Most recently, MicroWars was updated on October 17, 2026 and Empire Takeover on October 17, 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.*