Comparison

Rusty Sword vs Mathonaut

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

Head to head
About

Rusty Sword

Embark on a nostalgic top-down adventure across a small island and a sprawling dungeon. Battle monsters, uncover secrets, and quest for a hidden relic with intuitive controls and classic 16-bit inspired graphics and music. Enjoy single-player or two-player co-op.

Highlights
  • Non-linear adventure structure
  • Intuitive touch or controller support
  • Secrets and Easter eggs
  • Two-player co-op mode
  • Nostalgic 16-bit graphics and music
  • Multiple display options
  • Multilingual support
Features
Read full description

Now includes a second island and dungeon, along with new enemies and equipment! The Rusty Sword: Vanguard Island is a short, top-down adventure game inspired by several 16-bit games you know and love. It features a small island overworld, a large non-linear dungeon, countless monsters to battle, classic art that takes you back through time, and a nostalgic soundtrack. In the game, you venture on a quest to find the hidden Vanguard Relic. Features: Non-linear adventure structure with multiple ways to get to most places. Simple, intuitive controls. Use the touch screen or connect a controller. *Display of touch controls can be hidden in the Settings menu in-game. Tons of secrets and Easter eggs. Designed around single-player, but even more fun with two-player co-op *You will need two connected/paired, compatible controllers to play co-op. Nostalgic graphics and music inspired by many 16-bit classics. Several display options, including widescreen and classic aspect ratios. Language support for English, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Portuguese, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese.

About

Mathonaut

Embark on a retro 2D platformer adventure where math meets space exploration. Solve equations to navigate treacherous caverns, manage oxygen, and uncover the secrets of a mysterious planet. Choose from unique characters and customize your challenge.

Highlights
  • Retro 2D platformer gameplay
  • Solve deadly equations
  • Space exploration theme
  • 20 challenging levels
  • Hardcore mode
  • Customizable characters and oxygen duration
Read full description

A RETRO 2D-PLATFORMER IN WHICH MATH MEETS SPACE Embark on a space adventure as an astronaut exploring the mysterious planet, Planeq. Navigate treacherous caverns filled with deadly equations, where every step could be your last. But don't worry, you're equipped with the latest oxygen tech and a brainpower to match ! Think fast and pick the right numbers to stay alive, because oxygen is scarce and time is running out. With each correct equation, you'll uncover the secrets of this world and bring yourself one step closer to salvation. But beware, one false move could leave you gasping for air. So, will you have the wit and the will to find your way through this strange planet and escape with your life ? FEATURES • 20 LEVELS - 20 challenging levels filled with deadly equations. • RETRO AMBIANCE - Old-school visuals and sound effects. • FUN AND CHALLENGING - Designed to be hard, fast, but fun. • HARDOCRE MODE - For the most daring players. • CUSTOMIZABLE PARTIES - Unique playable characters to choose from and configurable oxygen duration for an extra challenge. LINKS • Website : https://mathonaut.skyost.eu/en/. • Suggestions & bug reports : https://mathonaut.skyost.eu/en/contact/. If you have enjoyed this app, feel free to leave a rating on the App Store page of this application.

Screenshots

Rusty Sword4 screens
Mathonaut4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Rusty Sword at 75% against Mathonaut's 0%. Rusty Sword also leads on rating (4.5 vs 3.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). Mathonaut's advantage is price (Free vs $0.99). On update cadence, ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Mathonaut is free to download; Rusty Sword costs $0.99 up front. Mathonaut sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Rusty Sword asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Rusty Sword holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 2 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 75% of Rusty Sword's written reviews are positive against 0% of Mathonaut's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Rusty Sword ships an update every 2 months, Mathonaut every 3 months. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Rusty Sword versus Mathonaut: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRusty SwordMathonaut
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating4.5 (8 ratings) — better3.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings8 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS11.0 — better14.0
Further details — not scored
Size90 MB46 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperPLOW DIGITAL, LLCHugo Delaunay

Customer experience

Rusty Sword

All ratings8 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

Mathonaut

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

None

Rusty Sword

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Mathonaut

One-time1
  • Unlock new characters and more$0.99

Questions

Is Rusty Sword free?
Rusty Sword costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Mathonaut free?
Mathonaut is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Rusty Sword or Mathonaut?
Rusty Sword is rated higher. Rusty Sword averages 4.5 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while Mathonaut averages 3.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Rusty Sword or Mathonaut have ads?
Neither Rusty Sword nor Mathonaut shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Rusty Sword or Mathonaut?
Rusty Sword ships an update every 2 months, and Mathonaut every 3 months. Most recently, Rusty Sword was updated on November 3, 2026 and Mathonaut on November 3, 2026.

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