Sigma Theory vs Red Fire
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Sigma Theory
Lead a covert agency in a futuristic global cold war. Recruit elite agents, use diplomacy and subterfuge to secure a world-changing scientific discovery for your nation. Engage in turn-based espionage, manage complex relationships, and direct field operations.
- Turn-based espionage gameplay
- Recruit and manage special agents
- Dynamic narrative with over 100 NPCs
- Field operations in global cities
- Diplomacy and subterfuge mechanics
- Futuristic global cold war setting
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Sigma Theory is a Turn-based Strategy game in a futuristic global cold war from the award-winning creators of Out There. Recruit a squad of special agents and run your intel agency to secure the control of the singularity. STORY In the near future, a paradigm-shifting scientific discovery looms over the world, promising radical new technologies. The world’s superpowers realize they could have the power to destroy the global financial system, wipe out entire countries or even gain access to immortality. However, this discovery — called “The Sigma Theory” — can only be harnessed by a handful of scientists. You are placed at the head of your country’s Sigma division. Your objective is to ensure that it is your nation that reaps the benefits of Sigma Theory before anyone else. To achieve this you will have powerful resources at your disposal: a cadre of the world’s most elite covert agents, advanced tactical drones and, of course, your own skills in diplomacy and subterfuge. It’s a cold war out there, one in which mankind must face up to its future. THE ULTIMATE ESPIONAGE SIMULATION Turn-based espionage: Use your special agents to dominate the world. Seduction, blackmail, manipulation, industrial espionage… Every low blow is both permitted and encouraged. Dynamic narrative: Develop and manage your relations with over 100 NPCs: lobbies, armed groups, politicians… Alliance, deception or assassination, you choose. Field operations: Direct the kidnapping of your targets during gripping pursuits through the world’s greatest cities. Discretion or direct confrontation, your agent’s life is in your hands.
Red Fire
Engage in turn-based strategic warfare across East Asia from 1950-1975. Command diverse land, air, and naval forces of numerous nations in historical and fictional conflicts. Experience realistic Cold War combat with intelligent AI and hotseat multiplayer.
- Turn-based strategy
- East Asian Cold War setting
- Land, air, and naval forces
- Dozens of nations
- Realistic combat simulation
- Intelligent adaptive AI
- Hotseat multiplayer
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Red Fire is a turn-based strategic wargame set in East Asia between the years 1950-1975. Take command of land, air, and naval forces of dozens of nations including the US, USSR, China, Taiwan, North and South Korea, North and South Vietnam, France, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Experience Korean War, Vietnam War, and many other conflicts - both historical and fictional. Command squadrons of more than 500 types of aircraft, from biplanes to multirole fighter jets. Control the seas with more than 500 types of warships including submarines, battleships and aircraft carriers. Leverage new tools like surface-air missiles, air-air refueling tankers, attack helicopters, and missile cruisers to dominate the battlefield. Red Fire is powered by a detailed and realistic simulation of Cold War-era air, naval, and ground combat. Fight against an intelligent AI which constantly adapts its strategy to ensure every game is challenging and unique. Challenge a friend in hotseat multiplayer (pass-and-play). Red Fire contains no in-app purchases or ads of any kind, and an internet connection is not required to play. Buy the game once and get access to all current and future content.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Red Fire at none against Sigma Theory's 7. Red Fire also leads on review sentiment (92% vs 58%) and rating (4.8 vs 4.5). Sigma Theory's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 6 weeks) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). On ads, 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
Sigma Theory costs $6.99 and Red Fire $5.99 up front. Sigma Theory sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. Red Fire asks for nothing beyond the download.
Red Fire holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Red Fire has 90 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 58% of Sigma Theory's written reviews are positive against 92% of Red Fire's.
Sigma Theory ships an update fortnightly, Red Fire every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 10, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Sigma Theory | Red Fire |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $6.99 | $5.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.5 (8 ratings) | 4.8 (90 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 58.3% of reviews | 92.2% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 8 | 90 — better |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 6 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | #139 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 388 MB | 166 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Plug In Digital | Geoffrey Ayre |
Customer experience
Sigma Theory
Red Fire
Bugs and requests
Sigma Theory
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Red Fire
Reported bugs
11 issues- Game crashes frequently
- Freezes on resolving conflicts preventing turn progression
- Aircraft auto-renew orders system malfunction
- Naval and land forces stuck on Guam island
- Ships unable to find routes from Guam
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- AI captures areas behind player lines unrealistically
- Carrier planes launch from destroyers instead of carriers
- Notch display compatibility issue
- Campaign Red Fire ends prematurely at March 26, 1969
- Nuclear war notifications trigger without player action
- Game lag with large unit concentrations (6.7M+ troops)
Requested features
20 requests- European theatre/Cold War Europe map
- Middle East and North Africa campaigns
- South America and Central America scenarios
- Modern era (1970s-2020s) game version
- Group land and air units like naval units
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- Artillery units with ranged mechanics
- Individual aircraft selection from squadrons
- WWI and Gulf War scenarios
- India and Pakistan as playable nations
- Mission editor for campaign customization
- Ability to disband units and ships
- Force allied AI to move troops
- More save slots
- PC/desktop port
- Star Wars version
- American Civil War scenario
- Cuban Missile Crisis campaign
- Diplomacy complexity improvements
- Vehicle variants expansion
- Reduced AA missile quantities
In-app purchases
Sigma Theory
- USA Pack$0.99
- China$0.99
- Germany$0.99
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- South Korea$0.99
- Nigeria$0.99
- Brazil$0.99
- Special Offer: All DLCs$3.99
Red Fire
No in-app purchases








