Save the Spaceman vs Reef Run
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Save the Spaceman
Protect an astronaut from falling debris by strategically hitting objects away. The longer you keep the astronaut safe, the higher your score. Customize your astronaut's appearance for a personal touch.
- Hit falling objects
- Save astronaut
- Score multiplier
- Astronaut customization
- Asteroid and rock debris
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Save the astronaut from falling obstacles by hitting them away. There are various types of objects falling from asteroids to falling rock debris. Object of the game is to save the astronaut for as long as possible, the more objects you hit the higher your score will be. You also have the ability to choose the style of your astronaut.
Reef Run
Experience a vibrant 3D arcade surfing game where you carve through water, jump waves, and dodge obstacles. Unlock new gear and customize your look as you progress through challenging coasts and levels. Play offline and chase high scores with optional in-app purchases.
- 3D arcade surfing gameplay
- Dodge reefs, sharks, and seabirds
- 35 unique coasts with fresh layouts
- Board powers for speed and score bonuses
- Unlockable boards, outfits, and characters
- 100 levels with rewards
- Offline play
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One more wave. One bigger jump. One new personal best. Carve through turquoise water, chase moving jump waves and dodge reefs, sharks and swooping seabirds. Reef Run is a colorful 3D arcade surfing game you can pick up in seconds: hold either side to turn and release to coast. 35 COASTS. YOUR KIND OF CHALLENGE. Choose relaxed water, fast runs or the new Breakwater Gauntlet: an expert coast with rock jetties across your path. Catch the approach wave to jump clear, or carry a reef shield through the barrier. Fresh layouts keep familiar coasts surprising. GO FASTER. CATCH MORE AIR. Longer runs build speed and pressure. Follow pearl trails around reefs, land automatic air tricks and thread flow gates for bonus points. Board powers add speed bursts, score bonuses, magnets and shields. FIND YOUR SURF STYLE. Start with either Coastal Surfer or Coastal Surfer - Nat, both free. Earn boards, outfits, hats, characters and bold trails through play. Mix your favorite look, from tropical colors to lightning, rainbows and comets. 100 LEVELS OF REWARDS. The permanent Wave Pass rewards surfing, collecting pearls and landing jumps. Earn XP, unlock gear, spend pearls and complete challenges. Optional paid level skips are available; every Wave Pass reward remains earnable through play. CHASE THE HIGH SCORE. Optional Game Center leaderboards have separate rankings for regular boards and purchased Overdrive boards. Set waves and sound effects to the volumes you like. PLAY FREE, EVEN OFFLINE. Core gameplay needs no game account or subscription. Ads may appear after every two completed runs; an optional rewarded ad offers one second chance per run when available. Ads, purchases, restores and Game Center require internet access. Six optional one-time packs each include a board with enhanced powers, top, shorts, hat, trail and character. Purchased Overdrive boards have the strongest powers. Restore purchased packs using the same Apple Account. Progress and purchased level skips are saved on this device and do not transfer or restore after deleting the app. Pick your coast. Find your line. Catch your wave.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Save the Spaceman at none against Reef Run's 7. Save the Spaceman also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.0). Reef Run's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs every 7 months). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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
Both are free to download. Reef Run sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. Save the Spaceman asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Save the Spaceman against 5.0 for Reef Run. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 2 respectively.
Save the Spaceman ships an update every 7 months, Reef Run every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Save the Spaceman | Reef Run |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (4 ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 4 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Ad-supported — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 44 MB | 15 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Whirl Click Inc. | Daybreak Energy LLC |
Customer experience
Save the Spaceman
Reef Run
In-app purchases
Save the Spaceman
No in-app purchases
Reef Run
- Wave Pass Level Skip$0.99
- Tideglass Pack$1.99
- Sunbreak Pack$1.99
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- Moonpool Pack$1.99
- Coral Carnival Pack$1.99
- Polar Glow Pack$1.99
- Starfall Pack$1.99
Questions
Is Save the Spaceman free?
Is Reef Run free?
Which has better reviews, Save the Spaceman or Reef Run?
Do Save the Spaceman or Reef Run have ads?
Which is updated more often, Save the Spaceman or Reef Run?
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