# Galaxy Genome vs Magic Research 2

The clearest difference is monetization model: Galaxy Genome at free against Magic Research 2's paid. Magic Research 2's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 5 weeks) and rating (4.7 vs 4.3). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Galaxy Genome costs $3.99 and Magic Research 2 $4.69 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Magic Research 2 holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 116 and 119 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 75% of Galaxy Genome's written reviews are positive against 82% of Magic Research 2's.

Galaxy Genome ships an update every 5 weeks, Magic Research 2 every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Galaxy Genome | Magic Research 2 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$3.99** | $4.69 |
| Rating | [4.3 (116 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/galaxy-genome/id1566857517/reviews) | **[4.7 (119 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/magic-research-2/id6478566840/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 116 | **119** |
| Positive reviews | 75.0% of reviews | **82.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #200 | **#25** |
| Size | 100 MB | 36 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.4 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Anton Skvortsov](https://appshunter.io/developer/1193056628) | [Matias Ezequiel Colotto](https://appshunter.io/developer/1669682477) |

## What reviewers say

### Galaxy Genome

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/galaxy-genome/id1566857517)

**Currently charting:** #200 Top Paid · Adventure (US App Store)

Embark on an open-world sci-fi adventure as a space pilot. Explore a vast, scientifically accurate Milky Way, customize your ship, and choose your path as a trader, pirate, or explorer. Engage in combat, smuggling, and mining while following a compelling story or undertaking side missions.

**Highlights:** Open-world sci-fi space simulator, Ship customization and upgrades, Explore a 1:1 scale Milky Way galaxy, Free-form play with multiple roles, Vibrant story and side quests, Surface vehicles for planet exploration

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Massive explorable galaxy with procedurally generated systems
- 💎 No pay-to-play mechanics or paywalls
- 🎮 Deep gameplay with trading, combat, mining, and exploration
- 📱 Excellent value for mobile space sim
- 🎯 Active developer with regular updates and community engagement

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes, especially when accessing mission menu
- 📚 Steep learning curve with minimal tutorial guidance
- 🐢 Tedious travel time through large spaces
- 🎮 Unintuitive flight controls and ship deceleration
- 🗺️ Confusing route mapping and pathfinding issues

**Reported bugs**

- Game crashes when accessing mission menu
- Game crashes when attempting warp jump with space station
- Chinese characters display as blocks
- Autopilot overshoots destinations
- Module list cannot be scrolled when modules are disabled

**Requested features**

- Controller support (Xbox, Backbone)
- Multiplayer or co-op gameplay
- Ability to build and control space stations
- Fleet management improvements
- Save editing or money cheats for progression


### Magic Research 2

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/magic-research-2/id6478566840)

**Currently charting:** #25 Top Paid · Role Playing, #66 Top Paid · Simulation (US App Store)

Embark on a magical quest as a rookie wizard to find or create the Philosopher's Stone. Utilize over 120 spells, transmute hundreds of items, and lead a team of wizards in a semi-automated combat system. Explore dozens of areas, uncover secrets, and experience over 60 hours of gameplay.

**Highlights:** Over 120 distinct spells, Transmute over 250 items, Control a team of wizards, Semi-automated combat system, Explore dozens of areas, Discover secrets and storylines, Retirement bonuses for faster progress

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fantastic sequel, better than the first
- 👍 Incredible sense of progression
- 💡 Fun build types, best in genre
- 👍 Incremental masterclass, gold standard
- 👍 True semi-idle masterpiece

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Extremely complicated, tedious timers
- 🐛 UI is absolutely atrocious
- 🐛 Time pieces cap out at 100k
- 🐛 UI issues, not easy to navigate
- 🐛 Sorting doesn't sort exactly as wanted

**Reported bugs**

- App instantly crashes on open
- Game crashes on startup
- App started rapidly pushing buttons on its own
- Overheating phone
- Lags and gets choppy in the late game

**Requested features**

- DLC or sequel news
- macOS version
- Better automation and convenience features
- Tweak familiar search time down
- Release the next one


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Galaxy Genome free?

Galaxy Genome costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Magic Research 2 free?

Magic Research 2 costs $4.69, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Galaxy Genome or Magic Research 2?

Magic Research 2 is rated higher. Galaxy Genome averages 4.3 out of 5 from 116 ratings, while Magic Research 2 averages 4.7 from 119 ratings.

### Do Galaxy Genome or Magic Research 2 have ads?

Neither Galaxy Genome nor Magic Research 2 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Galaxy Genome or Magic Research 2?

Galaxy Genome ships an update every 5 weeks, and Magic Research 2 every 3 days. Most recently, Galaxy Genome was updated on November 3, 2026 and Magic Research 2 on November 4, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Galaxy Genome or Magic Research 2?

Galaxy Genome currently peaks at #200 in the App Store charts, and Magic Research 2 at #25. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*