Comparison

Reverse vs Arknights

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

Head to head
About

Reverse

Embark on a time-traveling adventure as the Timekeeper to save history from a mysterious "Storm." Collect and utilize powerful Arcanists, cast spells, and battle through different eras of the 20th century with stunning visuals and full English voice acting.

Highlights
  • Time-traveling narrative
  • Strategic RPG combat
  • Collectible Arcanists
  • Arcane spellcasting
  • Stunning retro-modern visuals
  • Full English voice acting
  • Cinematic adventure
Features
Read full description

Reverse: 1999 is a 20th Century Time-Travel Strategic RPG developed by Bluepoch. On the last day of 1999, the "Storm" fell upon the world. You witnessed an era reversed beneath the rising raindrops. Defying all reasons, what unfolds in front of you is the world of an era long past. As the Timekeeper, observer of eras, you are free to travel through these eras after each "Storm." With the aid of Sonetto, a powerful Arcanist and ally from the Foundation, your mission is to travel through eras to where the "Storm" is most active, find other Arcanists who can sense the coming "Storm," and save them from being "sifted out" of the timeline. ▶▶Stunning Visuals Blending Retro and Modern Aesthetics◀◀ Step into the mysterious alt-history animated by unique visual elements that blend Pop Art, classical oil painting, and more art styles in history. ▶▶A Cinematic Adventure across the 20th Century◀◀ From the Roaring '20s to the turn of the millennium, you will embark on a journey across time and space, and uncover the truth about the "Storm" and the mystery of the year 1999. ▶▶Full English Voice Acting with Authentic Accents◀◀ Immerse yourself in ages past. Enjoy a story performed by diverse cast of voice actors with British, Italian, French, and other accents. ▶▶Fantastic Arcanists from Different Times and Regions◀◀ People once called them "mages," "wizards," and "freaks." Now they live in uneasy coexistence with regular humans … But who are the Arcanists, really? ▶▶Weave Arcane Incantations to Attain Glorious Victories◀◀ Build your team, cast spells, and use gorgeous arcane skills to defeat your enemies. Begin your exciting adventure through time in this all-new RPG. Official Website: https://re1999.bluepoch.com/en/home Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reverse1999global Twitter: https://twitter.com/Reverse1999_GL YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Reverse1999 Discord: https://discord.com/invite/reverse1999

About

Arknights

Explore the untamed world of Talos-II as the Endministrator of Endfield Industries. Lead your operators to defend and expand humanity's frontiers, gather resources, and build a new homeland. A new era of change awaits your choice.

Highlights
  • World exploration
  • Resource gathering
  • Base building
  • Operator management
  • Strategic defense
  • Story-driven progression
Features
Read full description

Welcome to Talos-II, a world of breathtaking beauty and constant danger. The earliest settlers braved wars and disasters, and through more than 150 years of relentless effort, they carved out a foothold and laid out a new foundation for humanity — the Civilization Band. Yet most of this world remains untamed. Vast wildlands and uninhabited territories stretching toward the horizon still await exploration. Every step forward is shadowed by threats — whether remnants of the past or dangers never before seen. Expansion and exploration, as well as continuity and progression, are the eternal themes throughout the evolution of civilization, and the ultimate pursuit of every life that constitutes it. As the Endministrator of Endfield Industries, you will lead your operators to defend and expand the frontiers of humanity. Your Originium engines rumble in the wildlands while production machinery works around the clock to deploy new AIC Factory production lines. Explore the world of Talos-II and gather various resources. Use the AIC Factory to overcome dangers and work with the operators to build a better homeland for humanity. A new era of change has dawned upon this ancient world. Time to make your choice, Endministrator. ※ The app is free to download, but it offers in-app purchases for certain items (including random items).

Screenshots

Reverse4 screens
Arknights4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Reverse at 4.8 against Arknights's 4.5. Reverse also leads on review sentiment (81% vs 64%) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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

Both are free to download. Reverse sells 31 one-off in-app purchases and Arknights sells 21 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Reverse holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 10K and 6.5K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 81% of Reverse's written reviews are positive against 64% of Arknights's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Reverse ships an update every 5 weeks, Arknights every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on September 25, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
Reverse versus Arknights: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterReverseArknights
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (10K ratings) — better4.5 (6.5K ratings)
Positive reviews80.8% of reviews — better64.2% of reviews
Number of ratings10K — better6.5K
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeks — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#48 — better#127
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size3.6 GB3.4 GB
Age rating12+12+
DeveloperBluepoch Co.,Ltd.GRYPH FRONTIER PTE.LTD.

Customer experience

Reverse

All ratings10,155 ratings
Positive95.1%
Neutral1.4%
Negative3.5%
Written reviews713 reviews
Positive80.8%
Neutral6.6%
Negative12.6%

Arknights

All ratings6,455 ratings
Positive86.2%
Neutral2.1%
Negative11.7%
Written reviews720 reviews
Positive64.2%
Neutral6.3%
Negative29.6%

Bugs and requests

Reverse

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Crashes and decompression issues on launch
  • Inconsistencies between voice lines and subtitles

Requested features

4 requests
  • Multiplayer and PvP modes
  • More frequent story updates
  • Improved character progression and customization
  • Account transfer and merging functionality

Arknights

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

31 purchases

Reverse

One-time31
  • Rookie Shopping Day$0.99
  • Special Pack Ⅹ$0.99
  • Gold Collection$0.99
Show 28 more
  • Rookie Shopping Day II$0.99
  • Rookie Special$1.99
  • Version Pack Ⅰ2 variants$1.99
  • Special Pack Ⅰ2 variants$2.99
  • The Shimmering Feast$3.99
  • Version Pack Ⅱ2 variants$4.99
  • 300 Crystal Drops$4.99
  • Roaring Month$4.99
  • With the Shadows I$6.99
  • Garment XVIII$6.99
  • Garment Pack Ⅶ$6.99
  • Special Pack Ⅳ$8.99
  • Rookie Offer$9.99
  • COLLECTOR'S EDITION$9.99
  • Summon Sale Pack$9.99
  • Roaring Season$9.99
  • Garment XIX$9.99
  • Garment XVII$9.99
  • Decatone - Conduit of the Unseen$10.99
  • Promise of Anniversary$10.99
  • Souvenir of the Snow$14.99
  • 980 Crystal Drops$14.99
  • COLLECTOR'S EDITION DELUXE$14.99
  • Initial Summon Pack$19.99
  • Offer of the Month$24.99
  • Special Pack 12$29.99
  • Souvenir of the Carnival$29.99
  • 6480 Crystal Drops$99.99
21 purchases

Arknights

One-time21
  • Homecoming Curios Collection Pack$0.99
  • Grand Vision Arsenal Bundle$0.99
  • Mine bits of Origeometry$1.99
Show 18 more
  • Monthly Pass$4.99
  • Mine a set of Origeometry$8.99
  • Protocol Customized$9.99
  • Mine a pile of Origeometry$12.99
  • Value Arsenal Ticket Pack$13.99
  • Winter Hunt HH Bundle$14.99
  • Dawnstar HH Bundle$14.99
  • Rift Vigile HH Bundle$14.99
  • Expurgatory HH Bundle$14.99
  • Pugilistic HH Bundle$14.99
  • Spectral Splendor HH Bundle$14.99
  • Discount Arsenal Bundle$16.99
  • All Rounder Bundle$19.99
  • Standard Arsenal Bundle$19.99
  • Mine a bag of Origeometry$20.99
  • Protocol Flow Bundle$29.99
  • Mine a box of Origeometry$33.99
  • Mine a crate of Origeometry$69.99

Questions

Is Reverse free?
Reverse is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Arknights free?
Arknights is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Reverse or Arknights?
Reverse is rated higher. Reverse averages 4.8 out of 5 from 10K ratings, while Arknights averages 4.5 from 6.5K ratings.
Do Reverse or Arknights have ads?
Neither Reverse nor Arknights shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Reverse or Arknights?
Reverse ships an update every 5 weeks, and Arknights every 6 weeks. Most recently, Reverse was updated on September 25, 2026 and Arknights on September 25, 2026.
Which is more popular, Reverse or Arknights?
Reverse currently peaks at #48 in the App Store charts, and Arknights at #127. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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