Into the Loop vs Shadow Merge
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Into the Loop
A minimalist physics-based platformer where players use loops to build momentum and navigate challenging levels. It features over 100 handcrafted stages, exclusive mechanics, and an endless mode for continuous play. Enjoy engaging gameplay with frequent updates.
- Physics-based platforming
- Momentum building with loops
- 100+ handcrafted levels
- 6 exclusive mechanics
- Infinite Mode
- No ads
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Into the Loop is a minimalist physics-based platformer about momentum. Use loops to create momentum and traverse levels. [Premium Features] * 100+ hand crafted Levels. * 6 exclusive mechanics. * Infinite Mode with a never ending amount of Levels and all mechanics unlocked. * No Ads. * Engaging mechanics. * Perfect for long sessions or short ones. * Constant updates. (I will keep working on the game for a long time, so expect new cool things to do often). I hope you had fun with it :)
Shadow Merge
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Match 3 stones. Summon an army. Watch the shadows burn. Shadow Merge: Tactics is a dark fantasy match 3 auto battler roguelite. Plan your moves on a 6x6 stone board, raise a swarm of warriors and archers, and send them into an endless siege against monsters, elite fiends and towering bosses. There is no castle to defend: your army is your only life. Lose it and the run is over. HOW IT WORKS - PREPARE: every round you get action points (AP) to swap stones. Match 3 or more to spawn units. Bigger matches call bigger armies. - COMBAT: the grid locks and your army fights automatically in a fast, smooth pixel battle. No pausing, no micromanaging: your planning wins the war. - SURVIVE: clear the wave, keep your survivors and prepare for something worse. Mini-bosses arrive every 5th wave, the Dark Lord every 10th. SEVEN STONES, SEVEN CHOICES - Dark Wood spawns archers for ranged damage. - Metal spawns warriors for the front line. - Water wraps your units in a defensive shield aura. - Demon's Blood sends them into a frenzy. - Berserk and Wizard Stones summon elite fighters. - Soul Crystals refund AP and fuel your permanent upgrades. ROGUELITE DEPTH - Choose a Rite after big fights: pick one blessing to shape the run, from Iron Front to Rain of Bolts and Soul Broker. - Spend Soul Crystals in the Meta-Shop on permanent upgrades: Vanguard Training, Strategic Reserve and Alchemical Insight. - No two runs feel the same. Chain combos, plan AP and decide what to buff. BUILT FOR MOBILE - Fast 2x battle speed toggle when you want the action quicker. - Play offline. No internet needed to fight. - Global leaderboards for Max Wave and Max Power with Sign in with Apple. - Haptics, atmospheric dark fantasy music and a hand-crafted gothic interface. - Available in English, Turkish, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian and Swedish. FAIR MONETIZATION - Free to play with 4 free runs every day. Watch a short ad for a bonus run or to revive your fallen army once per run. - Shadow Merge Pro is a one-time purchase: unlimited daily runs, a free revive every run and no banner ads. No subscription, no tricks. If you love puzzle strategy, auto battlers, roguelike runs, army builders and dark fantasy tactics, this one is for you. Match, merge and conquer the shadows. Support: https://shadowmerge.netlify.app/support Privacy Policy: https://shadowmerge.netlify.app/privacy Terms of Use: https://shadowmerge.netlify.app/terms
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Shadow Merge at Free against Into the Loop's $3.99. Shadow Merge also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 10 months). Into the Loop's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On 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
Shadow Merge is free to download; Into the Loop costs $3.99 up front. Shadow Merge sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Into the Loop asks for nothing beyond the download.
Into the Loop ships an update every 10 months, Shadow Merge every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 14, 2026 and November 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Into the Loop | Shadow Merge |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 5.0 (7 ratings) — better | — |
| Number of ratings | 7 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 10 months | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 16.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 327 MB | 73 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Creational Labs | Ozan Can OCAK |
In-app purchases
Into the Loop
No in-app purchases
Shadow Merge
- Shadow Merge Pro$1.99
Questions
Is Into the Loop free?
Is Shadow Merge free?
Do Into the Loop or Shadow Merge have ads?
Which is updated more often, Into the Loop or Shadow Merge?
Other comparisons
