Cogs vs Mirage
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Cogs
A remastered 3D puzzle game where you construct intricate machines using sliding tiles. Explore various game modes, from building step-by-step to timed challenges and move-limited puzzles.
- Build complex machines with sliding tiles
- 3D puzzle gameplay
- Inventor Mode for learning
- Time Challenge Mode
- Move Challenge Mode
- Remastered for modern devices
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Cogs is a multi-award-winning puzzle game where players build increasingly complex machines using sliding tiles 3D. Originally launched in 2009, we completely remastered Cogs from the ground up in 2025 to look beautiful on modern phones and tablets. "One of the highest quality puzzle games we've seen." – PocketGamer "The visual design and imagination of the game are stunning, with great attention to detail, and the sound effects are downright enticing." – Adrenaline Vault "A masterpiece visually, as well with the actual gameplay." – AppAdvice INVENTOR MODE Starting with simple puzzles, players are introduced to the widgets that are used to build machines — gears, pipes, balloons, chimes, hammers, wheels, props, and more. TIME CHALLENGE MODE If you finish a puzzle in Inventor Mode, it will be unlocked here. This time, it will take fewer moves to reach a solution, but you only have 30 seconds to find it. MOVE CHALLENGE MODE Take your time and plan ahead. Every tap counts when you only get ten moves to find a solution.
Mirage
Experience a unique spatial puzzle game where your perception alters the world's physics. Solve 40 mind-bending challenges across multiple game modes, including secret levels and time trials.
- 40 mind-bending puzzles
- Relaxation mode
- Endurance mode
- Time Trials mode
- Unlockable secret levels
- Compete for best times
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What would it be like if the physics of the world went about how you perceived things? Find out in this unusual spatial puzzle! Features: • 40 mind-bending puzzles for you to take on! • 3 modes to play in: Relaxation - where you can explore levels, Endurance - to finish the game within the time limit and Time Trials - get as many medals as possible! • Secret levels to unlock! • Compete for the best times!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Mirage at none against Cogs's 4. Mirage also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.6) and review sentiment (75% vs 55%). Cogs's advantage is chart position (#140 vs unranked) and ratings volume (33 vs 5). On update cadence, ads, monetization model 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
Cogs costs $4.99 and Mirage $1.99 up front. Cogs sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Mirage asks for nothing beyond the download.
Mirage holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Cogs has 33 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 55% of Cogs's written reviews are positive against 75% of Mirage's.
Cogs ships an update every 2 months, Mirage every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Cogs | Mirage |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99 | $1.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.6 (33 ratings) | 5.0 (5 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 54.6% of reviews | 75.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 33 — better | 5 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 6 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #140 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 93 MB | 91 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Lazy 8 Studios | Illam Software Entertainment |
Customer experience
Cogs
Mirage
Bugs and requests
Cogs
Reported bugs
2 issues- Game crashes on some devices
- Levels don't load properly
Requested features
3 requests- Add a reset option
- Provide more free levels
- Improve restore purchase functionality
Mirage
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Cogs
- Cogs Puzzle Pack 2$0.99
- Cogs Puzzle Pack 3$0.99
- Cogs Puzzle Pack 4$0.99
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- Cogs Puzzle Pack 5$0.99
Mirage
No in-app purchases
