# Pasta Machine vs Game is Hard

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Game is Hard at 71% against Pasta Machine's 16%. Game is Hard also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.6) and chart position (#13 vs unranked). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Pasta Machine sells 22 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days and Game is Hard sells 11 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Game is Hard holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8.8K and 40K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 16% of Pasta Machine's written reviews are positive against 71% of Game is Hard's.

Pasta Machine ships an update fortnightly, Game is Hard weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Pasta Machine | Game is Hard |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (8.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pasta-machine/id1644846445/reviews) | **[4.8 (40K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/game-is-hard/id6748826648/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 8.8K | **40K** |
| Positive reviews | 15.7% of reviews | **71.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#13** |
| Size | 325 MB | 263 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Lumos Games Teknoloji Yazilim ve Pazarlama Anonim Sirketi](https://appshunter.io/developer/1546875451) | [UNICO STUDIO](https://appshunter.io/developer/1467451326) |

## What reviewers say

### Pasta Machine

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pasta-machine/id1644846445)

Engage in a relaxing ASMR idle and clicker game. Shape dough, slice with precision, and build your pasta production line. Enjoy satisfying animations and realistic sounds for endless fun.

**Highlights:** ASMR idle gameplay, Clicker mechanics, Dough shaping, Precision slicing, Production line growth, Satisfying animations, Realistic sounds

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

**In-app purchases (22)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ad Subscription | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| VIP Pass 1 Week | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Starter Bundle Subscription | $8.99 | per 7 days |
| VIP Pass 1 Month | $19.99 | per month |
| Speed Bundle Subscription | $19.99 | per 7 days |
| Endless Skip Subscription | $49.99 | per 7 days |
| Remove Ad Bundle Subscription | $54.99 | per 7 days |
| Skip-it 10 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Gem 2 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Skip-it 25 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Fusulli Pasta | $4.99 | one-time |
| Skip-it Pack | $5.99 | one-time |
| Gem 3 | $6.99 | one-time |
| Game Pass | $6.99 | one-time |
| Remove Ad | $6.99 | one-time |
| Special Offer 1 | $6.99 | one-time |
| Halloween Pack | $7.99 | one-time |
| Pack Starter | $8.99 | one-time |
| Skip-it 100 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Spaghetti Pasta | $9.99 | one-time |
| Gem 4 | $12.99 | one-time |
| Pasta Pack | $15.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Satisfying gameplay
- 👍 Relaxing experience
- 💡 Unique concept

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔍 Glitches and bugs
- 🤑 Excessive ads and monetization
- ⏱️ Slow progression and upgrades
- 🤯 Frustrating user experience

**Reported bugs**

- Game freezes after completing level 2
- Daily rewards not working as intended
- Progress resets when leveling up

**Requested features**

- More variety in pasta types and visuals
- Improved progression and leveling system
- Ability to play offline


### Game is Hard

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/game-is-hard/id6748826648)

**Currently charting:** #13 Top Free · Trivia, #85 Top Grossing · Trivia (US App Store)

This app offers a challenging, minimalist puzzle experience for players who enjoy deep thinking and unconventional problem-solving. It features unique levels that require logic, perception, and experimentation, with hints available for those who need them. Play offline without distractions or time pressure.

**Highlights:** Handcrafted brain puzzle levels, Clever, logical solutions, Available hints, Fully offline gameplay, Minimalist design, Touch, motion, and sound mechanics, No scores or timers

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

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| First Purchase Offer | $0.99 | one-time |
| Pack 2 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Pack 3 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Pack 21 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Remove Ads | $6.99 | one-time |
| Pack 1 | $6.99 | one-time |
| Pack 6 | $7.99 | one-time |
| Pack 13 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Pack 11 | $11.99 | one-time |
| Pack 11 New | $11.99 | one-time |
| Pack 4 | $14.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Awesome game
- 👍 Fun and challenging
- 👍 Relaxing and creative
- 👍 Satisfying puzzle-solving experience

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Progression issue after certain level
- 🕰️ Short game length

**Reported bugs**

- Progression issue after 'a star is calling' level

**Requested features**

- More levels
- Expanded gameplay


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Pasta Machine free?

Pasta Machine is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Game is Hard free?

Game is Hard is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Pasta Machine or Game is Hard?

Game is Hard is rated higher. Pasta Machine averages 4.6 out of 5 from 8.8K ratings, while Game is Hard averages 4.8 from 40K ratings.

### Do Pasta Machine or Game is Hard have ads?

Both Pasta Machine and Game is Hard show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Pasta Machine or Game is Hard?

Pasta Machine ships an update fortnightly, and Game is Hard weekly. Most recently, Pasta Machine was updated on October 20, 2026 and Game is Hard on October 21, 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.*