Comparison

Trace 2 vs Compulsive

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

Head to head
About

Trace 2

Draw platforms and navigate obstacles to reach the goal in this puzzle platformer. Explore eight new worlds with 160 challenging levels, featuring new gameplay mechanics and stunning artwork.

Highlights
  • Draw platforms
  • Navigate obstacles
  • 8 new worlds
  • 160 levels
  • New gameplay mechanics
  • Original music
  • Stunning artwork
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

The sequel to 2008's hit puzzle platformer is finally here! Trace 2 features eight brand new worlds to explore and tons of new gameplay mechanics to discover. Use the touch screen to draw platforms and navigate past obstacles to reach the goal at the end of each level. • 8 new worlds, with 160 levels • Brand new game engine • 30 minutes of original music • Stunning artwork by videogame artist Orioto (http://orioto.tumblr.com/) • Universal App

About

Compulsive

Organize a vibrant palette of colors in this addictive puzzle game. Match and clear tiles to score points, utilizing power-ups and strategic moves. Compete with friends and climb leaderboards in various game modes.

Highlights
  • Addictive color matching puzzle
  • Multiple game modes
  • Multiplayer on the same board
  • Strategic power-ups
  • Leaderboards and achievements
  • Modern, bright color themes
  • Game Center integration
Features
Read full description

A palette of beautiful colors needs your help to get organized. This quick color matching puzzle game is easy to learn and difficult to put down. Ready to get Compulsive? ■ FEATURES □ Addictive color matching puzzle game □ Multiple Game Modes: Arcade, Strategy, Zen, Challenge □ Multiplayer: Play friends on the same board □ Power-ups: Organizer, Cleaner, Duster □ Leaderboards & Achievements □ Beautiful bright candy-like colors with a modern theme □ Awesome animations, music, and sound □ Play games in 60 seconds, 30 moves, or unlimited □ Game Center integration for challenging friends and family □ Optimized for all iPhone and iPad Retina Displays ■ RULES □ Drag tiles anywhere on the board as long as the dropped tile joins another of same color □ Join four or more tiles of the same color to clear them off the board and score points. □ A Clean tile clears all tiles of a specific color off the board. □ Clear multiple groups of tiles in a single move for bonus points. ■ POWER-UPS □ Power-ups include Duster, Cleaner, Organizer, and Visionary to help improve your game! □ Duster removes a tile off the board and counts towards the combo. Use it to start your next combo and score bigger points. Limit 5 per game. □ The Cleaner power-up removes an entire color from the board. This is just like the white cleaner tile that appears on the board. Limit is 3 per game. □ The Organizer power-up gives you 10 seconds to arrange the board however you want without any tiles exploding. This allows you to create really big groups and and even bigger combos for a massive bonus. Limit is 1 per game. □ Visionary power-up is a one time purchase that provides color tile counts on the board on every game played. Helps you to focus on what color to use to build your next group. Also tells you the best time to use your Organizer power-up! ■ TIPS □ Create larger groups of tiles for bigger scores. □ Set up tiles on the game board so when one group clears others will follow. □ Bonus multiplier is given on the total number of groups you clean up in a single move. □ Use the white tiles or Cleaner power-up to wipe up a mess or score some quick points. □ Use the Duster tile to start off a killer combo. □ Buy plenty of Organizers from the Store to really run your score up high. □ Use the Visionary power-up as an indicator to use the Organizer power-up. □ Play everyday to earn 1,000 extra tiles. □ Connect the leaderboard to Game Center and Facebook to crush your friend's scores. ■ REVIEWS □ “Best New Games" — Apple App Store Feature □ "So minimal, so addictive" — LA Times □ "Its design is generous, both in aesthetic elegance and in play" — Kill Screen □ “Compulsive is a slick puzzler that lives up to its name” — GameZebo ■ CONTACT □ Problem? In the app please tap MORE, ABOUT, and SEND FEEDBACK to talk directly to our team. □ Like us at https://www.facebook.com/CompulsiveGame □ Follow us at https://twitter.com/tmsoft □ Visit us at https://www.tmsoft.com/compulsive/

Screenshots

Trace 24 screens
Compulsive4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Compulsive at Free against Trace 2's $2.99. Compulsive also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.1) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 48 months). Trace 2's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and ads (none vs shown). On device support and iOS requirement 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

Compulsive is free to download; Trace 2 costs $2.99 up front. Compulsive sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Trace 2 asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Compulsive holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 31 and 145 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 63% of Trace 2's written reviews are positive against 91% of Compulsive's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Trace 2 ships an update every 48 months, Compulsive every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 2 level
Trace 2 versus Compulsive: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTrace 2Compulsive
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating4.1 (31 ratings)4.7 (145 ratings) — better
Positive reviews63.3% of reviews91.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings31145 — better
Update frequencyEvery 48 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank#198 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size117 MB35 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKevin CalderoneTMSOFT

Customer experience

Trace 2

All ratings31 ratings
Positive74.2%
Neutral9.7%
Negative16.1%
Written reviews30 reviews
Positive63.3%
Neutral10.0%
Negative26.7%

Compulsive

All ratings145 ratings
Positive93.8%
Neutral3.4%
Negative2.8%
Written reviews180 reviews
Positive91.1%
Neutral4.4%
Negative4.4%

Bugs and requests

Trace 2

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Compulsive

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Slow server connection for score uploads
  • Inconsistent performance on older devices

Requested features

3 requests
  • Longer game modes
  • More customization options
  • Improved leaderboard and social features

In-app purchases

None

Trace 2

No in-app purchases

6 purchases

Compulsive

One-time6
  • Remove Ads$0.99
  • Visionary$0.99
  • Tidy Pack$0.99
Show 3 more
  • Fresh Pack$1.99
  • Spotless Pack$4.99
  • Perfect Pack$9.99

Questions

Is Trace 2 free?
Trace 2 costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Compulsive free?
Compulsive is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Trace 2 or Compulsive?
Compulsive is rated higher. Trace 2 averages 4.1 out of 5 from 31 ratings, while Compulsive averages 4.7 from 145 ratings.
Do Trace 2 or Compulsive have ads?
Compulsive shows ads; Trace 2 does not.
Which is updated more often, Trace 2 or Compulsive?
Trace 2 ships an update every 48 months, and Compulsive every 3 months. Most recently, Trace 2 was updated on September 26, 2026 and Compulsive on September 27, 2026.

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