Comparison

Cogs vs Brilliance

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Build complex machines with sliding tiles
  • 3D puzzle gameplay
  • Inventor Mode for learning
  • Time Challenge Mode
  • Move Challenge Mode
  • Remastered for modern devices
Features
Read full description

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.

About

Brilliance

Features
Read full description

Brilliance is a minimalist logic puzzle game built around lasers, light, reflection, and color mixing. Control beams of light, combine the right colors, and guide them to the target. The rules are easy to learn, but each puzzle will test your logic, creativity, and ability to plan ahead. Rotate lasers, reflect and refract light, block rays, create new colors, and move energy across the board to solve increasingly challenging levels. With multiple solutions in many stages, Brilliance rewards experimentation and imagination. Enter a futuristic puzzle world and discover a relaxing yet mind-bending challenge. Features: * Minimalist and satisfying puzzle gameplay * 100 challenging levels * Game Center achievements Like Sprightly Wolf on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sprightlywolfX/ Follow me on Twitter: https://x.com/sprightlywolfX/ Visit my website: https://www.sprightlywolf.com/

Screenshots

Cogs4 screens
Brilliance4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Brilliance at none against Cogs's 4. Brilliance also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). Cogs's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). 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

Cogs costs $4.99 and Brilliance $4.99 up front. Cogs sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Brilliance asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cogs ships an update every 2 months, Brilliance every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Cogs versus Brilliance: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCogsBrilliance
Price$4.99$4.99
Rating4.6 (33 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews54.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings33 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size93 MB135 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLazy 8 StudiosAniko Farkasne Bangha

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

Brilliance

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Cogs

One-time4
  • Cogs Puzzle Pack 2$0.99
  • Cogs Puzzle Pack 3$0.99
  • Cogs Puzzle Pack 4$0.99
Show 1 more
  • Cogs Puzzle Pack 5$0.99
None

Brilliance

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Cogs free?
Cogs costs $4.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Brilliance free?
Brilliance costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Cogs or Brilliance have ads?
Neither Cogs nor Brilliance shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Cogs or Brilliance?
Cogs ships an update every 2 months, and Brilliance every 2 weeks. Most recently, Cogs was updated on September 30, 2026 and Brilliance on September 18, 2026.

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