Comparison

DEEMO II vs Sinclair's Notebook

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

DEEMO II

Embark on a musical fantasy adventure in a world threatened by destructive rain. Play rhythm-based music charts to clear the rain and uncover the secrets of a mysterious kingdom. Explore, interact with characters, and enjoy a captivating story with stunning visuals and voice acting.

Highlights
  • Emotional story exploration
  • Rhythm and adventure gameplay
  • 120+ songs including DLC
  • Interact with 50+ characters
  • Storybook graphics and artstyle
  • Movie-quality animated scenes
Currently charting
Read full description

Just in time for Rayark's 10th anniversary comes a sequel to their classic IP, DEEMO. A kingdom created through music faces an uncertain future after a monster called 'The Ancestor' plagues the land with a destructive 'Hollow Rain'. This dangerous rain causes anyone it touches to 'bloom', turning into a flurry of white flower petals and ultimately vanishing from existence. DEEMO II follows Echo, a girl who has bloomed but mysteriously re-appeared, and Deemo, an enigmatic station Guardian, as they journey through this rain-soaked world in hopes of finding a way to save it. Features: ▲A Mysterious and Emotional Story: Why did 'The Composer', the elusive being who created this world, suddenly abandon it? Why and how did Echo bloom and then come back to life? Accompany Echo as she uncovers the secrets behind these questions, journeying to uncover the truth and save the world. ▲A Combination of Rhythm and Adventure: Explore Central Station with Echo, interacting with your surroundings as you get to know the many station residents while discovering clues and 'Charts', magical pieces of music with the power to clear away Hollow Rain. As Deemo you'll play those Charts, putting your musical skills to the test in fun and challenging rhythm sections, ultimately moving the story forward. ▲30 Core Songs + DLC Song Packs for a Total of 120+ Tracks: Composers from around the world, including Japan, Korea, Europe and the Americas, have created an eclectic array of tracks for DEEMO II with an emphasis on acoustic instrumentation. Genres include Classical, Jazz, Chill Pop, J-Pop, and more. Infectious, emotive melodies will give music lovers dozens of fast favorites, and creative, syncopated rhythms will make sure rhythm-game aficionados have plenty to sink their teeth into. ▲Make Friends with Over 50 Station Residents: Central Station is full of characters with their own personalities and stories. As Echo, you can chat with them as they walk about Central Station, living their lives, opening paths to different topics depending on the situation. As you talk with them and get to know them, you'll start to feel like you're part of an eccentric new community. ▲Storybook Graphics and Artstyle: DEEMO II marries hand-drawn backgrounds with 3D models and a meticulous attention to detail that will make you feel like you're caught in a storybook, or an anime come to life. ▲Movie-Quality Animated Scenes: DEEMO II is full of high-quality anime cutscenes, fully voiced by professional Japanese voice actors. Pair that with music composed by DEEMO and Sdorica vets, and you've got an audio and visual treat. Rayark is well-versed in rhythm-game production, with popular titles like Cytus, DEEMO, Voez, and Cytus II under their belt. They are well-known for mixing fun and fluid rhythm gameplay with visual flair and deep storylines, providing full, rewarding experiences to get lost in. ***COMPATIBILITY*** Requires iOS 11.0 or later Compatible with Phone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPad Pro (2nd Generation) 12.9-inch, iPad Pro (2nd Generation) 10.5-inch, iPad Pro (3rd Generation) 11-inch, iPad Pro (3rd Generation) 12.9-inch, iPad Pro (4th Generation) 11-inch, iPad Pro (4th Generation) 12.9-inch, iPad Air (4th Generation), iPad mini (6th Generation)

About

Sinclair's Notebook

Embark on a literary mystery as Sinclair, seeking your friend Demian in a world consumed by chaos. Explore, gather clues in your notebook, and solve puzzles to uncover the truth behind the madness. This choice-driven narrative is inspired by Hermann Hesse's classic novel.

Highlights
  • Point-and-click gameplay
  • Visual novel narrative
  • Mystery thriller genre
  • Choice-driven story
  • Clue gathering and puzzle solving
  • Literary-inspired atmosphere
Features
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A literary mystery game where you become Sinclair. Sinclair and Demian are irreplaceable friends who understand each other like no one else. On the day Sinclair dreams of receiving Demian’s notebook, ominous dark clouds cover the sky, and people suddenly become impulsive and violent, their eyes stained a maddening red. In an instant, the world descends into complete chaos. Sinclair opens the strange notebook Demian once gave him. From within it, a glowing blue bird bursts forth and flies toward Demian’s house. Carrying only the notebook, Sinclair follows the blue bird—the beacon of light Demian left behind—and sets out on a perilous journey. About the Game Sinclair’s Notebook is a point-and-click mystery thriller visual novel that reinterprets Demian, Hermann Hesse’s coming-of-age classic. One day, the world of evil—filled with blood, darkness, and immorality—emerges with ominous storm clouds and begins to consume even the world of good. In this crisis, Demian, Sinclair’s one true confidant, has vanished. Your goal is to follow the beacon of light, find him, and uncover the truth behind what has happened. Set against the literary atmosphere of the 1910s, the game delivers poetic emotion and delicate portrayals of the inner self inspired by the original novel. Whether you have read Demian or not, you can enjoy the story through an immersive choice-driven narrative. Choose Sinclair’s words and actions yourself, and draw closer to the truth. Gameplay Ordinary life is gone. Explore the map to uncover clues that will lead you to Demian and gather the evidence needed to support them, recording everything in your notebook. Once you have collected enough clues and evidence, you must combine what you have gathered in the notebook and solve the situation at hand. In a world brought to a standstill, Sinclair is not simply trying to identify a criminal and bring them to justice. He must save those consumed by madness, resolve conflicts among the people entangled in each case, and investigate situations that defy all understanding. The game also features puzzles that are approachable even for players who are new to mystery games. Characters Meet a wide range of characters from the original novel, each reimagined with deeper stories and new narrative layers. Sinclair’s Notebook also features charming original characters who appear only in this game. [Sinclair] A growing boy who endlessly seeks to understand himself and the world [Demian] A mysterious friend who seems to see through everything in the world [Eden] A mystical blue bird made of light [Frau Eva] Demian’s mother, a prophet who can wield magic [Father Martin] A priest who knows an important truth about the past of the church on the outskirts Many more characters will join Sinclair’s journey throughout each chapter. Recommended For -Players who love classic literature -Players looking for story-driven games, visual novels, or mystery games -Players who enjoy dark fantasy that is intense yet meaningful -Players who love mystery adventures -Players who enjoy stories that are dark and lyrical, yet ultimately search for the light Players who want a game with a clear beginning, climax, and ending Players who enjoy a classic atmosphere Players who love escape-room style games

Screenshots

DEEMO II4 screens
Sinclair's Notebook4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Sinclair's Notebook at none against DEEMO II's 43. Sinclair's Notebook also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 68%) and update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 months). DEEMO II's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (3.7K vs 16). On price, device support and iOS requirement 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. DEEMO II sells 43 one-off in-app purchases. Sinclair's Notebook asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Sinclair's Notebook holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: DEEMO II has 3.7K ratings behind it against 16, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 68% of DEEMO II's written reviews are positive against 100% of Sinclair's Notebook's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DEEMO II ships an update every 2 months, Sinclair's Notebook every 4 days. Both last shipped on October 16, 2026.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
DEEMO II versus Sinclair's Notebook: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDEEMO IISinclair's Notebook
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (3.7K ratings)5.0 (16 ratings) — better
Positive reviews67.7% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings3.7K — better16
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 4 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
Best chart rank#169 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.215.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size3.5 GB481 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperRayark International LimitedPuffything Games Inc.

Customer experience

DEEMO II

All ratings3,740 ratings
Positive95.7%
Neutral1.8%
Negative2.5%
Written reviews659 reviews
Positive67.7%
Neutral10.8%
Negative21.5%

Sinclair's Notebook

All ratings16 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews15 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

DEEMO II

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Frequent crashes and white screen issues
  • Touch input not always recognized
  • Compatibility problems on newer devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • More free songs and content
  • Improved event system and rewards
  • Better camera controls and navigation
  • Optimization for older devices

Sinclair's Notebook

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

43 purchases

DEEMO II

One-time43
  • Event Bundle E$1.99
  • Event Bundle AZ$2.99
  • Event Bundle CT01$3.99
Show 40 more
  • Event Bundle DT01$3.99
  • Event Bundle IT$4.99
  • Event Bundle IU$4.99
  • Event Bundle IV$4.99
  • Event Bundle ET01$4.99
  • Crystal x 600$5.99
  • Event Bundle CL01$5.99
  • Event Bundle CQ01$5.99
  • Event Bundle IS01$5.99
  • Event Bundle IS02$5.99
  • Event Bundle ITa$5.99
  • Event Bundle IUa$5.99
  • Event Bundle IVa$5.99
  • Event Bundle IC01$5.99
  • Event Bundle HW012$5.99
  • Event Bundle GJ01$5.99
  • Event Bundle FO012$5.99
  • Event Bundle FI012$5.99
  • Event Bundle FD01$5.99
  • Event Bundle EY01$5.99
  • Event Bundle EQ01$5.99
  • Event Bundle EL01$5.99
  • Event Bundle EH01$5.99
  • Event Bundle EB01$5.99
  • Event Bundle DI01$5.99
  • Event Bundle DN01$5.99
  • Event Bundle A$9.99
  • Crystal x 1200$11.99
  • Event Bundle CB08$11.99
  • Event Bundle CC01$11.99
  • Event Bundle CF15$11.99
  • Mountain Arcanum$14.99
  • Soaring Arcanum$14.99
  • Devotion Arcanum$14.99
  • Echo Pass$19.99
  • Crystal x 2400$23.99
  • Event Bundle IS01a$25.99
  • Event Bundle IS02a$25.99
  • Event Bundle U$29.99
  • Crystal x 6000$59.99
None

Sinclair's Notebook

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is DEEMO II free?
DEEMO II is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Sinclair's Notebook free?
Sinclair's Notebook is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, DEEMO II or Sinclair's Notebook?
Sinclair's Notebook is rated higher. DEEMO II averages 4.8 out of 5 from 3.7K ratings, while Sinclair's Notebook averages 5.0 from 16 ratings.
Do DEEMO II or Sinclair's Notebook have ads?
Sinclair's Notebook shows ads; DEEMO II does not.
Which is updated more often, DEEMO II or Sinclair's Notebook?
DEEMO II ships an update every 2 months, and Sinclair's Notebook every 4 days. Most recently, DEEMO II was updated on October 16, 2026 and Sinclair's Notebook on October 16, 2026.

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