# Starbase Orion vs Crying Suns

The clearest difference is update cadence: Crying Suns at monthly against Starbase Orion's every 3 months. Crying Suns also leads on ratings volume (2.2K vs 329). Starbase Orion's advantage is review sentiment (81% vs 73%) and price ($7.99 vs $8.99). On rating, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Starbase Orion costs $7.99 and Crying Suns $8.99 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 — 4.7 for Starbase Orion against 4.8 for Crying Suns. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Crying Suns has 2.2K ratings behind it against 329, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 81% of Starbase Orion's written reviews are positive against 73% of Crying Suns's.

Starbase Orion ships an update every 3 months, Crying Suns monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Starbase Orion | Crying Suns |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$7.99** | $8.99 |
| Rating | [4.7 (329 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starbase-orion/id438375580/reviews) | **[4.8 (2.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crying-suns/id1511788295/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 329 | **2.2K** |
| Positive reviews | **81.3% of reviews** | 72.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #183 | **#102** |
| Size | 239 MB | 1014 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.2** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Chimera Software, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/347752625) | [Alternative Shift](https://appshunter.io/developer/394617049) |

## What reviewers say

### Starbase Orion

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starbase-orion/id438375580)

**Currently charting:** #183 Top Paid · Strategy (US App Store)

Engage in a deep 4X space strategy experience. Explore, expand, and conquer the galaxy by colonizing worlds, designing ships, and outmaneuvering opponents in turn-based combat. Features a robust AI and multiplayer options for galactic domination.

**Highlights:** Explore new worlds, Expand your empire, Exterminate rivals, Design custom ships, Engage in turn-based combat, Diplomacy and espionage, Multiplayer via GameCenter

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent 4x strategy game
- 👍 Faithful recreation of Master of Orion
- 🚀 Continuously updated with new features
- 👍 Vibrant player community
- 🚀 Smooth gameplay and intuitive controls

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and stability issues
- 🔍 Limited diplomacy and foreign relations
- 🔍 Automated combat lacks depth
- 🔍 Repetitive late-game experience
- 🔍 Outdated visuals

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes and save file corruption
- UI issues with overlapping text and unresponsive controls
- Multiplayer matchmaking and connectivity problems

**Requested features**

- More ship classes and customization options
- Expanded tech tree and research system
- Deeper diplomacy and espionage mechanics
- Manual control of ship combat
- Improved end-game content and victory conditions


### Crying Suns

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crying-suns/id1511788295)

**Currently charting:** #102 Top Paid · Role Playing, #170 Top Paid · Strategy (US App Store)

Command a space fleet in a tactical rogue-lite inspired by classic sci-fi. Explore a procedurally generated universe, engage in strategic ship battles, and uncover a deep storyline across six chapters. Experience a rich narrative and atmospheric gameplay designed for mobile.

**Highlights:** Procedurally-generated space exploration, Tactical battleship and squadron fleet combat, Over 300 story events, Deep, 6-chapter storyline, Mobile-optimized interface

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fun gameplay
- 🌟 Amazing atmosphere and story
- 👍 Engaging combat system
- 💎 Great value for money

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🔍 Small text and UI elements
- 🔁 Repetitive gameplay and missions

**Reported bugs**

- Game crashes when using certain ship abilities
- Crashes during end-of-chapter cutscenes
- Progression-blocking bugs preventing access to new content
- Inability to progress past specific story points due to crashes

**Requested features**

- Zoom functionality for combat screen
- Ability to play own music during gameplay
- Endless mode or sandbox option
- Improved tutorial to explain key mechanics


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Starbase Orion free?

Starbase Orion costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Crying Suns free?

Crying Suns costs $8.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Starbase Orion or Crying Suns?

Crying Suns is rated higher. Starbase Orion averages 4.7 out of 5 from 329 ratings, while Crying Suns averages 4.8 from 2.2K ratings.

### Do Starbase Orion or Crying Suns have ads?

Neither Starbase Orion nor Crying Suns shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Starbase Orion or Crying Suns?

Starbase Orion ships an update every 3 months, and Crying Suns monthly. Most recently, Starbase Orion was updated on October 24, 2026 and Crying Suns on October 25, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Starbase Orion or Crying Suns?

Starbase Orion currently peaks at #183 in the App Store charts, and Crying Suns at #102. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*