Comparison

Return to Dark Tower Assistant vs Tabletop Codex

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

Head to head
About

Return to Dark Tower Assistant

This app helps manage your "Return to Dark Tower" board game experience by tracking phases, actions, and hero board elements. It calculates advantages and supports various expansions and heroes.

Highlights
  • Phase tracking
  • Hero board management
  • Action display
  • Advantages calculator
  • Expansion support
  • Multiple hero support
Features
Read full description

The all-in-one assistant for the "Return to Dark Tower" board game that tracks your phases, actions, cards, and Advantages. - Keep track of phases; never forget if you've already reinforced or cleansed this turn - Recreate your hero board including virtues, corruptions, treasures, companions, potions, gear, quest items, spells, and invocations - View all of the available actions from your cards whilst in a specific phase (i.e. "After you Cleanse, remove 1 skull from any building" if you have the Generous virtue) - Advantages calculator: easily see how many Advantages you have based on the cards on your hero board - Includes support for the Alliances Expansion and it's Guild mechanic as well as the Archwright and Haunted Recluse heroes that can be used with either the expansion or base game - Also includes support for the Covenant Expansion with all it's new treasure, corruption, spell, and invocation cards along with the Undaunted Aegis, Relentless Warden, Devious Swindler, and Reverent Astromancer heroes - Advanced "Disable Phase Tracker" mode which allows you to just update your hero boards and use the Advantages Calculator without tracking individual game phases This app has been designed to work perfectly in a Slide Over window on iPad so you can run it on top of the "Return to Dark Tower" app for easy access. However, it also works beautifully in full screen mode or on an iPhone. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Restoration Games or the "Return to Dark Tower" board game. Built by Ben Dodson, an independent developer. If you run into any problems or have any suggestions for improvements then let me know via support@dodoapps.io

About

Tabletop Codex

Access and master tabletop game rules with meticulously crafted summaries. Learn and play faster with clear, organized, and searchable rulebooks, including visual references and game insights. Offers a free selection of rulebooks with options to purchase individually or subscribe for full access.

Highlights
  • Comprehensive game rule summaries
  • Organized and searchable library
  • Visual references and icons
  • Logical rule layout
  • Smart search functionality
  • Game insights and reviews
  • Light/dark mode customization
Features
Read full description

It’s never been easier to learn and master your favorite tabletop games! Tabletop Codex is your essential tool for reading and referencing game rules, featuring meticulously crafted summaries by The Esoteric Order of Gamers. Learn and play games faster, never make a mistake, and and never get stuck looking for that crucial rule again. Since 2004, The Esoteric Order of Gamers has curated the largest collection of game rules summaries and reference sheets worldwide. Complex rulebooks are condensed into clear, succinct summaries that retain every crucial detail. Finally, this expertise is available in a portable, searchable app designed for ease of use. Unlike other tabletop game rulebook apps, Tabletop Codex utilizes bespoke summaries optimized specifically for this platform. Each game's rules are reorganized into logical and consistent formats, transforming chaotic manuals into digestible sections that enhance learning and gameplay clarity. Key Features: • Comprehensive Game Coverage: Over 200 popular board, card, and tabletop miniatures games at launch, with new games added all the time. • Organized and Searchable: Easily find games using the intuitive visual or text FIND section, then favourite your chosen games to move them to the LIBRARY tab. • Visual References: Game rules include essential icons and images directly from the game. Tap icons to view full-screen images for enhanced clarity. • Logical Layout: Rules are divided into clear sections and subsections, ensuring effortless navigation and quick reference during gameplay. • Smart Search: Instantly locate specific rules with our innovative search mode, pinpointing exact sections where your search term appears. • Game Insights: Each rulebook includes a box image, game basics, and a concise review by Esoteric Order of Gamers creator, Peter Gifford. • Customizable Interface: Switch between light and dark modes with a tap. On iPad, utilize fullscreen mode for an optimized viewing experience. • Device Compatibility: Supports portrait mode on iPhone and both portrait and landscape modes on iPad, with added functionality for even easier navigation on the iPad. • Free Access to 5 Rulebooks! Start your gaming journey with 5 complimentary rulebooks included when you download the app. Each rulebook provides essential game summaries to enhance your gameplay experience right away. • Flexible payment methods: You can choose to buy individual game rulebooks separately, or subscribe to unlock the entire app and get full access to all existing and future rulebooks. Subscribe per month or opt for the special discounted yearly rate. Tabletop Codex is free to download and use. Should you choose to upgrade to Tabletop Codex Premium, we offer two auto-renewing subscription option for $3.99USD/month, and $39.99USD/year: Payment will be charged to your credit card through your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription renews automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours prior to the end of the subscription period. There is no increase in price when renewing. Subscriptions can be managed and auto-renewal turned off in Account Settings in iTunes after purchase. Once purchased, refunds will not be provided for any unused portion of the term. Read our full Terms of Service and our Privacy Policy at https://www.orderofgamers.com/terms-and-conditions/ and https://www.orderofgamers.com/privacy-policy/.

Screenshots

Return to Dark Tower Assistant4 screens
Tabletop Codex4 screens

Verdict

The call

Return to Dark Tower Assistant and Tabletop Codex both sit at 5.0 stars, but that hides the real split: 95% of Tabletop Codex's written reviews are positive against 0% of Return to Dark Tower Assistant's. Tabletop Codex also leads on price (Free vs $0.99) and update cadence (every 11 days vs every 4 months). Return to Dark Tower Assistant's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 5). On rating, 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

Tabletop Codex is free to download; Return to Dark Tower Assistant costs $0.99 up front. Tabletop Codex sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Return to Dark Tower Assistant asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Return to Dark Tower Assistant against 4.9 for Tabletop Codex. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Tabletop Codex has 23 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 0% of Return to Dark Tower Assistant's written reviews are positive against 95% of Tabletop Codex's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Return to Dark Tower Assistant ships an update every 4 months, Tabletop Codex every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Return to Dark Tower Assistant versus Tabletop Codex: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterReturn to Dark Tower AssistantTabletop Codex
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating5.0 (3 ratings) — better4.9 (23 ratings)
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews95.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings323 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 11 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.013.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB19 MB
Age rating9+4+
DeveloperDodo AppsPeter Gifford

Customer experience

Return to Dark Tower Assistant

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%

Tabletop Codex

All ratings21 ratings
Positive95.2%
Neutral4.8%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews21 reviews
Positive95.2%
Neutral4.8%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Return to Dark Tower Assistant

No in-app purchases

5 purchases

Tabletop Codex

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Monthly$3.991 Month
  • Premium Yearly$39.991 Year
One-time3
  • Tier 1 Unlock$0.99
  • Tier 3 Unlock$2.99
  • Tier 2 Unlock$2.99

Questions

Is Return to Dark Tower Assistant free?
Return to Dark Tower Assistant costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Tabletop Codex free?
Tabletop Codex is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Return to Dark Tower Assistant or Tabletop Codex?
Return to Dark Tower Assistant is rated higher. Return to Dark Tower Assistant averages 5.0 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Tabletop Codex averages 4.9 from 23 ratings.
Do Return to Dark Tower Assistant or Tabletop Codex have ads?
Neither Return to Dark Tower Assistant nor Tabletop Codex shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Return to Dark Tower Assistant or Tabletop Codex?
Return to Dark Tower Assistant ships an update every 4 months, and Tabletop Codex every 11 days. Most recently, Return to Dark Tower Assistant was updated on September 23, 2026 and Tabletop Codex on October 1, 2026.

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