Osmos for iPad vs Game Dev Tycoon
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Osmos for iPad
Navigate a cosmic world as a galactic mote, absorbing smaller organisms to grow while avoiding larger predators. This physics-based survival game features stunning graphics and an ambient soundtrack, offering a unique and challenging experience.
- Physics-based gameplay
- Absorb and grow mechanics
- Stellar graphics
- Ambient soundtrack
- 72 levels across 8 worlds
- Multiplayer mode
- Arcade mode for replayability
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** Apple Design Award winner and iPad Game of the Year! ** Enter the Darwinian world of a galactic mote. To survive, absorb smaller organisms and grow—but beware of larger predators. Osmos features unique physics-based play, stellar graphics, and a hypnotic ambient soundtrack. Absorb or be absorbed! “The ultimate ambient experience” — Gizmodo “The best iPad game yet.” — IGN THE CRUX: you must grow by absorbing smaller motes, but to propel yourself you must eject matter behind you, causing you to shrink. From this delicate balance, Osmos leads the player through floating playgrounds, competitive petri dishes, deep solar systems, and more. “Named as iPad Game of the Year for a reason, Osmos is a fantastic game. A combination of physics, survival and classic eat em up” — WeDoCode “Whether you're a child at heart who likes mucking about with single-cell organisms, or a strategist with a physics degree, this game will appeal to everyone.” — App Store review AWARDS / recognition: * "iPad Game of the Year" and "App of the Week" — Apple * Apple Design Award winner * #1 Top iPhone Game — IGN * iPad Game of the Year — TUAW * Game of the Year — Create Digital Music * Editor's Choice — Wired, Macworld, IGN, GameTunnel, and more... * Best in Show — IndieCade * Vision Award — Independent Games Festival * Coolest Atmosphere — IGN * Best Soundtrack — IGN * Most Innovative Game — Best App Ever Awards, Pocket Gamer * Many top lists including Kotaku, PAX, TouchArcade, iLounge, APPera, IFC, and more... FEATURES: * 72 levels spanning 8 distinct worlds: Ambient, Antimatter, Solar, Sentient, Repulsor, Impasse, Warped Chaos, and Epicycles. * Multiplayer! (more info below.) * Endless replay value: play random versions of any level in Arcade mode. * Award-winning electronic soundtrack by Loscil, Gas, High Skies, Biosphere, Julien Neto, and more. * Seamlesss multitouch controls: swipe to warp time, tap anywhere to eject mass, pinch to zoom… * Time-warping: slow down the flow of time to outmaneuver agile opponents; speed it up to raise the challenge. * Confront four distinct AI opponents: the Ovarium, the Biophobe, the Nemocyte… and the deadly Ferax. * 13 single-player and 15 multiplayer achievements. * Progress synced via iCloud. MULTIPLAYER * Play against your friends and enemies, locally (via wi-fi), or over the Internet! * 6 distinct Arenas: Ambient, Impasse, Solar, Warped Chaos, Epicycles, and introducing… Antimatter Impasse. * iPad vs. iPhone play supported. “a beautiful, absorbing experience." — IGN “What iPad Gaming Should Be All About” — Gizmodo 5/5 - Macworld Editor’s Choice - “One of the best games we’ve played so far this year. An utterly serene, yet fiendishly complicated game that deserves a place in every iPad owners collection.” — MacWorld 4/4, Must Have - “We are more than overwhelmed by Osmos for iPad… The game design is thoughtful and intuitive, new level structures are flawless, and the visuals are stunning yet simplistic… every iPad owner should have Osmos on their device. You just won’t find another experience quite like it.” — Slide To Play “Osmos HD is THE game for the iPad.” — Pocket Lint “It’s the best iPad game on the App Store” — MTV Multiplayer “The first proper breakout hit for the iPad. Osmos feels so natural and enjoyable to play, even when the difficulty ramps up and you find yourself repeatedly careening into a giant gaseous enemy.” — Wired 5/5 - “Osmos is an absolute must that will change the way you think of games, and what you expect from them.” — AppAdvice “Beyond doubt, a work of genius... a relaxing, meditative experience about going with the flow... It all adds up to something otherworldly and just . . . incredible.” — GameAndPlayer.net
Game Dev Tycoon
Build your own game development company from the 1980s to the present. Design and create your own games, research new technologies, and manage a team to become a market leader. Enjoy a full simulation experience without ads or in-app purchases.
- Start a game development company
- Design and create your own games
- Research new technologies
- Hire and manage a development team
- Replay gaming history
- Built-in screen recording and streaming
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"It’s the perfect sort of game for mobile devices and there’s so much to do here [...]" - 5/5 - Toucharcade Game Dev Tycoon is a casual business simulation game where your success depends on your creativity and willingness to experiment. The game does *not* contain any in-app purchases or ads. Slip into the role of a game developer: start your own company, design your own games and make your way to the top to become a Game Dev Tycoon. - Start your own game development company in the 80s - Replay gaming history - Design and create your own games - Hold your breath and wait for reviews to come in - Research new technologies - Hire and manage a world-leading development team - Become the leader of the market - Gain worldwide fans Game Dev Tycoon for iPhone and iPad introduces: - An updated story line - New topics to enable even more varied games - A challenging (but optional) ‘pirate mode’ - Built-in screen recording and streaming support Game Dev Tycoon does not require an internet connection so go ahead and build your gaming empire in Airplane Mode.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ratings volume: Game Dev Tycoon at 24K against Osmos for iPad's 499. Game Dev Tycoon also leads on update cadence (every 3 months vs every 6 months) and chart position (#51 vs unranked). Osmos for iPad's advantage is device support (4 vs 2) and price ($3.99 vs $4.99). On rating, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases 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
Osmos for iPad costs $3.99 and Game Dev Tycoon $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Osmos for iPad against 4.9 for Game Dev Tycoon. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Game Dev Tycoon has 24K ratings behind it against 499, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 91% and 91% positive.
Osmos for iPad ships an update every 6 months, Game Dev Tycoon every 3 months. Both last shipped on October 21, 2026.
| Parameter | Osmos for iPad | Game Dev Tycoon |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3.99 — better | $4.99 |
| Rating | 4.8 (499 ratings) | 4.9 (24K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 91.2% of reviews — better | 91.1% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 499 | 24K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | Every 3 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | #51 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 48 MB | 204 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Hemisphere Games | Greenheart Games Pty. Ltd. |
Customer experience
Osmos for iPad
Game Dev Tycoon
User reviews
Osmos for iPad
From 499 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🌟 Timeless and well-designed
- 🎨 Beautiful visuals and ambient soundtrack
- 🧠 Challenging yet relaxing gameplay
- 👍 Addictive and immersive experience
- 🔍 Unique and innovative concept
Room to improve
- 🔇 No sound or audio issues
- 🚫 Lack of support for newer devices/platforms
- 💰 Perceived as overpriced for the content
Game Dev Tycoon
From 24K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Cheap price
- 👍 No in-app purchases or ads
- 👍 Addictive and fun gameplay
- 👍 Realistic game development simulation
- 👍 Detailed and complex mechanics
Room to improve
- 🐛 Game crashes on launch for some users
- 🐛 Orientation issues on iPhone X
- 🐛 Difficulty remembering research and specialist information
- 🔋 Game can be very time-consuming
- 🤔 Lack of difficulty options or sandbox mode
Bugs and requests
Osmos for iPad
Reported bugs
2 issues- Disappearing motes making levels unwinnable
- Compatibility issues on newer devices
Requested features
2 requests- Sandbox mode to create custom levels
- More levels and content updates
Game Dev Tycoon
Reported bugs
2 issues- Loan payback amount inconsistency
- Game reports not carrying over knowledge
Requested features
6 requests- Add more console and game genre options
- Implement employee personalities and interactions
- Provide more detailed game performance history
- Allow simultaneous game development
- Add difficulty settings and sandbox mode
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- Implement mod support and custom content
In-app purchases
Osmos for iPad
No in-app purchases
Game Dev Tycoon
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Osmos for iPad free?
Is Game Dev Tycoon free?
Which has better reviews, Osmos for iPad or Game Dev Tycoon?
Do Osmos for iPad or Game Dev Tycoon have ads?
Which is updated more often, Osmos for iPad or Game Dev Tycoon?
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