Comparison

Area 52 Escape vs BubbleShot

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

Head to head
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

About

BubbleShot

A classic puzzle game where players aim and shoot bubbles to match three or more of the same color, causing them to disappear. Clear all bubbles before the ceiling falls to advance to the next level and achieve high scores by clearing multiple bubbles at once.

Highlights
  • Match-three bubble clearing
  • Level-based progression
  • High score challenges
  • Strategic bubble popping
  • Offline gameplay
Features
Read full description

It is a puzzle game which erases a bubble. The bubble which discharged the bubble and adjoined three or more pieces disappears. The bubble which had hung and fallen in the bubble which disappeared also disappears. It is a high score when many bubbles are erased at a stretch. If all the bubbles are erased before the ceiling has fallen, it will advance to the next stage.

Screenshots

Area 52 Escape4 screens
BubbleShot1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Area 52 Escape at 67% against BubbleShot's 0%. BubbleShot's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (every 6 days vs monthly). 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. BubbleShot asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Area 52 Escape ships an update monthly, BubbleShot every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Area 52 Escape versus BubbleShot: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterArea 52 EscapeBubbleShot
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (30 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings30 — better—
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 6 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS14.04.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size32 MB3 MB
Age rating9+4+
DeveloperGameMonger LLCmasimaro

Customer experience

Area 52 Escape

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

BubbleShot

Written reviews7 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Area 52 Escape

One-time1
  • RemoveAds$1.99
None

BubbleShot

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Area 52 Escape free?
Area 52 Escape is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is BubbleShot free?
BubbleShot is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Area 52 Escape or BubbleShot have ads?
Neither Area 52 Escape nor BubbleShot shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Area 52 Escape or BubbleShot?
Area 52 Escape ships an update monthly, and BubbleShot every 6 days. Most recently, Area 52 Escape was updated on October 6, 2026 and BubbleShot on September 24, 2026.

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