Comparison

NetHack vs Area 52 Escape

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

Head to head
About

NetHack

Embark on a legendary dungeon-crawling adventure with this classic roguelike game. Explore vast levels, battle monsters, and uncover hidden secrets. Enjoy a faithful port with modern touch controls and graphical options.

Highlights
  • ASCII or graphics mode
  • Touch-based movement and commands
  • Gesture-based command system
  • Pinch-to-zoom graphics
  • Faithful NetHack experience
  • Multiple tile sets
Features
Read full description

One of the deepest, richest gameplay found in any game on any platform, NetHack is a cult classic since its release in 1987, and has since spawned many descendants (including Diablo). gandreas software now presents this classic for the iPhone/iPod Touch: - Playable in either "ASCII" mode, or graphics mode (just rotate the device to switch) - Obscure keyboard commands replaced with a simple taps for movement, or a handy command picker. - Commands can also be activated by a unique gesture based command - want to search for a secret door? Swipe across the top of the play area (all the gestures are shown on the command picker for easy reference) - Graphics can be zoomed in/out via pinch - Completely faithful NetHack experience (all the levels, monsters, potions, scrolls, etc...) - iPhone UI - standard scrolling lists, pickers, etc... - Multiple tiles sets, from the classic to the sublime - Never see a keyboard unless you are doing something like typing in a name! Can you retrieve the Amulet of Yendor and return to the surface?

About

Area 52 Escape

Experience a retro first-person shooter inspired by classic FPS games. Battle aliens with a variety of weapons and power-ups in a humorous, fast-paced adventure. Explore new levels and content through free updates.

Highlights
  • Retro first-person shooter gameplay
  • Fast-paced action
  • Multiple alien enemies
  • Arsenal of weapons
  • Unique power-ups
  • Chapter-based levels with secret areas
  • Free updates with new content
Features
Read full description

Retro first person shooter! This app is based on the original Wolf3D code by the godfather of FPS John Carmack (id). If you long for a game that brings that retro feel, this is it. Originally published in 2009 which was derived from the game that started the FPS genre Wolfentein 3D. This was based on a pet project to bring it to the iphone. Our team had lovingly created all new art, animations, levels, weapons, sounds while painstakingly keeping with the original style and capabilities. If you're looking for a game that brings the classic retro feel, this is it! Backstory: Area 52 is a humorous first person shooter (FPS) in a classic retro graphic style and feel that runs FAST and SMOOTH. You are a janitor at a super secret government research facility and something has gone very wrong! Aliens are running rampant throughout the facility - can you stop them before it's too late? Make BJ proud and kick some alien butt! Start off with just your Mop and save the world! Area 52 Game features: -Fast paced first person action! -Intuitive and fluid controls so you can focus on the FUN! -Multiple alien enemies each with their own personalities! -An arsenal of weapons to find including your trusty janitor mop! -Unique experimental and alien artifact power-ups! Chapter 1 - A ten (10) level adventure into Area 52! - 8 Challenging primary levels to kick alien butt! - 1 Super Secret Level to seek out for the ultimate rewards! - 1 Big Boss Level to put you to the test with an Alien Boss! - More bosses, weapons, and aliens released in free updates - Future chapters will include new levels and other additional content Join the GameMonger community at www.GameMonger.com - Discuss and contribute ideas to future updates - Enter contests to win a place in our games and gaming history! Check out more games at www.GameMonger.com

Screenshots

NetHack4 screens
Area 52 Escape4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Area 52 Escape at 4.0 against NetHack's 2.8. Area 52 Escape also leads on review sentiment (67% vs 25%). NetHack's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ratings volume (1K vs 32). On price, 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

Both are free to download. Area 52 Escape sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. NetHack asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Area 52 Escape holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 2.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NetHack has 1K ratings behind it against 32, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 25% of NetHack's written reviews are positive against 67% of Area 52 Escape's.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
NetHack versus Area 52 Escape: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNetHackArea 52 Escape
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.8 (1K ratings)4.0 (32 ratings) — better
Positive reviews25.0% of reviews66.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1K — better32
Update frequency—Monthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS2.2 — better14.0
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB32 MB
Age rating9+9+
Developergandreas softwareGameMonger LLC

Customer experience

NetHack

All ratings1,005 ratings
Positive34.9%
Neutral17.5%
Negative47.6%
Written reviews124 reviews
Positive25.0%
Neutral9.7%
Negative65.3%

Area 52 Escape

All ratings30 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral16.7%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews24 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral12.5%
Negative20.8%

Bugs and requests

NetHack

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Crashes on call/exit
  • Unable to recover from crashes
  • Freezes on character creation
  • Compatibility problems with iPhone 6 and iOS 8+

Requested features

4 requests
  • Update to support latest iOS versions
  • Add option to edit configuration files
  • Implement multiple character support
  • Improve stability and save functionality

Area 52 Escape

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

NetHack

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Area 52 Escape

One-time1
  • RemoveAds$1.99

Questions

Is NetHack free?
NetHack is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Area 52 Escape free?
Area 52 Escape is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, NetHack or Area 52 Escape?
Area 52 Escape is rated higher. NetHack averages 2.8 out of 5 from 1K ratings, while Area 52 Escape averages 4.0 from 32 ratings.
Do NetHack or Area 52 Escape have ads?
Neither NetHack nor Area 52 Escape shows ads.

Other comparisons