# Game Dev Story+ vs Cityscapes

Game Dev Story+ and Cityscapes both sit at 4.8 stars, but that hides the real split: 92% of Game Dev Story+'s written reviews are positive against 53% of Cityscapes's. Cityscapes's advantage is monetization model (free vs paid) and device support (6 vs 3). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Game Dev Story+ against 4.7 for Cityscapes. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 12K and 12K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 92% of Game Dev Story+'s written reviews are positive against 53% of Cityscapes's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly monthly. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Game Dev Story+ | Cityscapes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (12K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/game-dev-story-plus/id1557657042/reviews)** | [4.7 (12K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cityscapes-sim-builder/id1631153096/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 12K | **12K** |
| Positive reviews | **92.0% of reviews** | 52.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Monthly |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free** |
| Size | 268 MB | 588 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 13.5 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple TV, Vision Pro** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Kairosoft Co.,Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/381477233) | [Playstack Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1133080356) |

## What reviewers say

### Game Dev Story+

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/game-dev-story-plus/id1557657042)

Build your own game development studio from the ground up. Hire and train staff, develop new game consoles, and create hit games to conquer the industry. Compete globally on leaderboards and decorate your studio with unique pixel art.

**Highlights:** Manage game company, Develop own game console, Change staff professions, Hire and train staff, Unlock game genres, Compete on leaderboards, Decorate studio

**Features:** With Apple Arcade, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Addictive and fun gameplay
- 👍 Charming retro-inspired graphics
- 🕰 Easy to pick up and play
- 💰 No in-app purchases or ads
- 🤖 Satisfying progression and sense of accomplishment

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional save issues and data loss
- 🤔 Repetitive gameplay after a certain point
- 🤖 Limited options for expanding the business
- 🕰 Steep difficulty curve early on

**Reported bugs**

- Inconsistent save data
- Inability to hire certain key staff roles

**Requested features**

- More office/staff expansion options
- Ability to develop multiple games simultaneously
- Longer game timeline beyond 20 years
- More diverse game genres and themes
- Customization options for the company and characters


### Cityscapes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cityscapes-sim-builder/id1631153096)

Become a celebrated mayor in this sustainable city-building simulation. Make meaningful decisions to ensure citizen happiness and health by managing housing, jobs, utilities, and services. Strategize for environmental and social sustainability to develop a thriving metropolis.

**Highlights:** Sustainable city planning, Citizen needs management, Utility and service provision, Environmental impact strategy, Unlockable cities and landmarks, 3D architecture and vistas

**Features:** With Apple Arcade, Game Controller support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Smooth gameplay
- 👍 Charming graphics
- 💡 Challenging city management
- 🚀 No in-app purchases
- 👍 Reminiscent of classic city builders

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🔍 Unclear mechanics and instructions
- 🔍 Inconsistent building demands
- 🔍 Difficulty balancing city needs
- 🔍 Restrictive map layout

**Reported bugs**

- Buildings not recognizing nearby resources
- Timed challenges not registering completion
- Inconsistent save data across devices
- Overlapping UI elements and controls
- Persistent fire/pollution issues in cities

**Requested features**

- Sandbox mode for free-form building
- Improved zoom and camera controls
- Clearer feedback on building effects
- Ability to delete or move roads
- Streamlined UI for managing city services


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Game Dev Story+ free?

Game Dev Story+ is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Cityscapes free?

Cityscapes is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Game Dev Story+ or Cityscapes?

Game Dev Story+ is rated higher. Game Dev Story+ averages 4.8 out of 5 from 12K ratings, while Cityscapes averages 4.7 from 12K ratings.

### Do Game Dev Story+ or Cityscapes have ads?

Neither Game Dev Story+ nor Cityscapes shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Game Dev Story+ or Cityscapes?

Game Dev Story+ ships an update monthly, and Cityscapes monthly. Most recently, Game Dev Story+ was updated on October 31, 2026 and Cityscapes on October 31, 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.*