Comparison

PewPew vs Phoenix 2

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

Head to head
About

PewPew

Experience intense, retro-style multidirectional shooting with massive enemy counts and a high frame rate. Choose from five distinct game modes, including Pandemonium, Dodge This, Assault, Chromatic Conflict, and Asteroids. Compete on online leaderboards and unlock new ships.

Highlights
  • Multidirectional shooting
  • Retro graphics
  • High frame rate
  • Five game modes
  • Online leaderboards
  • Unlockable ships
  • Game controller support
Features
Read full description

PewPew is a multidirectional shoot them up akin to Geometry Wars. Expect retro graphics, megatons of enemies, and a frame rate rarely achieved by other games. On the other hand, don't expect a story: this game is for serious gamers. There are FIVE different game modes: • Pandemonium: Some enemies explode when they die, and the other spin maniacally everywhere. Hide from the explosions or deftly go through them. • Dodge this: As you collect boxes, there are more and more enemies moving around. Naturally, you have to dodge them all. • Assault: You fight against waves of enemies. Spoiler: at the end, they win and you die. • Chromatic Conflict (NSF color blinds): Enemies of different color appear. You can only destroy the ones that are the same color as your ship. • Asteroids: Need I say more? Features: ⁂ High frame-rate (honestly, this is what defines this game) ⁂ Finely tuned game-play (oh, and this too) ⁂ Online leader boards ⁂ Online replays ⁂ Some sweet music ⁂ Unlockable ships ⁂ Support Game Controller ⁂ No ads, no analytics. nada.

About

Phoenix 2

Blast through waves of alien invaders in this classic arcade space shooter. Collect and upgrade over 100 unique ships, complete exciting missions, and compete on global leaderboards. Enjoy short game sessions or an action-packed campaign with stunning graphics.

Highlights
  • Over 100 unique ships
  • Ship collection and upgrades
  • Action-packed campaign
  • Special abilities
  • Daily missions
  • Global leaderboards
  • Cross-platform play
Features
Read full description

Save the galaxy in this classic arcade shooter that everyone can enjoy! Blast wave after wave of menacing invaders in exciting missions to achieve glorious victory. Start playing Phoenix 2 right now with all these great features. * Blast invaders with over 100 unique ships. * Build your own ship collection and upgrade your favorites. * Experience an action packed campaign with 30 exciting story missions. * Discover special abilities like Mega Laser, Missile Swarm and Personal Shield. * Short game sessions: Launch whenever you have a minute to play. * Complete daily missions of different skill levels, from casual to bullet hell. * Get the high score on global leaderboards and show you are the best of the best. * Engage with an active community to help each other and discuss ship tactics. * New missions are generated every day. * Stunning and smooth 120FPS graphics powered by our custom game engine. * Create a group for your friends and play your own unique missions. * Cross-platform saving and cross-platform play. Phoenix 2 is developed by a passionate indie studio in The Netherlands and delivers the handcrafted experience of a retro space shoot’em up with modern gameplay. Phoenix 2 is your new daily visit to the arcade! Internet connection required to play.

Screenshots

PewPew4 screens
Phoenix 24 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: PewPew at none against Phoenix 2's 11. PewPew also leads on ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (91% vs 73%). Phoenix 2's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 5 months) and ratings volume (26K vs 67). On price 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

Both are free to download. Phoenix 2 sells 11 one-off in-app purchases. PewPew asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Phoenix 2 holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Phoenix 2 has 26K ratings behind it against 67, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 91% of PewPew's written reviews are positive against 73% of Phoenix 2's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PewPew ships an update every 5 months, Phoenix 2 every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 16, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
PewPew versus Phoenix 2: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPewPewPhoenix 2
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (67 ratings)4.7 (26K ratings) — better
Positive reviews91.3% of reviews — better73.3% of reviews
Number of ratings6726K — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS9.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB295 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJean-Francois GeyelinFiri Games

Customer experience

PewPew

All ratings67 ratings
Positive86.6%
Neutral7.5%
Negative6.0%
Written reviews289 reviews
Positive91.3%
Neutral5.5%
Negative3.1%

Phoenix 2

All ratings25,800 ratings
Positive93.7%
Neutral3.5%
Negative2.8%
Written reviews1,558 reviews
Positive73.3%
Neutral8.6%
Negative18.1%

User reviews

PewPew

From 67 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Smooth gameplay
  • 👍 Challenging and addictive
  • 🎮 Great retro-style controls
  • 💯 Excellent value (free app)

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes or performance issues
  • 🔊 Limited sound effects
  • 📱 Screen size/orientation issues on some devices

Phoenix 2

From 26K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fantastic mobile game
  • 🚀 Incredibly fun and addictive
  • 🚀 Best bullet hell game on the phone
  • 🚀 Easily the best bullet hell I've played
  • 🚀 Amazing game for on the go fun

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Great Gameplay Ruined by Frustrating Ad Experience
  • 💰 Supers aren't well implemented
  • 💰 Micro-transactions too much
  • 💰 Progression limited, hard to earn credits
  • 🐛 Terrible, uninspiring compared to original Phoenix HD

Bugs and requests

PewPew

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • High score data loss after updates
  • Unresponsive controls on certain devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • More game modes and enemy types
  • Multiplayer support
  • Ability to disable background music
  • Offline/campaign mode

Phoenix 2

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Warp gate charge time bug
  • Occasional crashes
  • Incompatible with older devices

Requested features

7 requests
  • Add haptic feedback
  • Implement an endless mode
  • Allow players to customize ships
  • Add a level creator
  • Provide an offline mode
Show 2 more
  • Improve ship ability descriptions
  • Add a replay feature

In-app purchases

None

PewPew

No in-app purchases

11 purchases

Phoenix 2

One-time11
  • 800 Credits$0.99
  • 5000 Credits$4.99
  • Special Offer$4.99
Show 8 more
  • VIP$4.99
  • 12000 Credits$9.99
  • Special Offer$9.99
  • 25000 Credits$19.99
  • Special Offer$19.99
  • 65000 Credits$49.99
  • Special Offer$49.99
  • 140K Credits$99.99

Questions

Is PewPew free?
PewPew is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Phoenix 2 free?
Phoenix 2 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PewPew or Phoenix 2?
Phoenix 2 is rated higher. PewPew averages 4.5 out of 5 from 67 ratings, while Phoenix 2 averages 4.7 from 26K ratings.
Do PewPew or Phoenix 2 have ads?
Phoenix 2 shows ads; PewPew does not.
Which is updated more often, PewPew or Phoenix 2?
PewPew ships an update every 5 months, and Phoenix 2 every 3 weeks. Most recently, PewPew was updated on September 16, 2026 and Phoenix 2 on September 30, 2026.

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