# CHRONO TRIGGER (Upgrade Ver.) vs Dawncaster

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: CHRONO TRIGGER (Upgrade Ver.) at none against Dawncaster's 14. CHRONO TRIGGER (Upgrade Ver.) also leads on iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). Dawncaster's advantage is update cadence (every 10 days vs every 10 months) and price ($4.99 vs $9.99). On ratings volume, ads, monetization model and chart position there is nothing between them.

CHRONO TRIGGER (Upgrade Ver.) costs $9.99 and Dawncaster $4.99 up front. Dawncaster sells 13 one-off in-app purchases. CHRONO TRIGGER (Upgrade Ver.) asks for nothing beyond the download.

Dawncaster holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.3K and 924 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 66% of CHRONO TRIGGER (Upgrade Ver.)'s written reviews are positive against 80% of Dawncaster's.

CHRONO TRIGGER (Upgrade Ver.) ships an update every 10 months, Dawncaster every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | CHRONO TRIGGER (Upgrade Ver.) | Dawncaster |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $9.99 | **$4.99** |
| Rating | [4.5 (1.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chrono-trigger-upgrade-ver/id479431697/reviews) | **[4.7 (924 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dawncaster-deckbuilding-rpg/id1555459868/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **1.3K** | 924 |
| Positive reviews | 66.3% of reviews | **80.2% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 10 months | **Every 10 days** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #10 | **#6** |
| Size | 532 MB | 1.4 GB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [SQUARE ENIX](https://appshunter.io/developer/300186801) | [Rick van der Wal](https://appshunter.io/developer/1534294329) |

## What reviewers say

### CHRONO TRIGGER (Upgrade Ver.)

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chrono-trigger-upgrade-ver/id479431697)

**Currently charting:** #10 Top Paid · Role Playing, #75 Top Paid · Games, #123 Top Paid (US App Store)

Embark on an epic role-playing adventure across different eras to save the planet. This definitive edition features updated graphics, sound, and new dungeons for an enhanced experience.

**Highlights:** Time travel across multiple eras, Active Time Battle Version 2, Over 50 character combos, Dimensional Vortex dungeon, Lost Sanctum dungeon, Updated graphics and sound

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great game, classic JRPG
- 👍 Faithful port of the original
- 👍 Runs well on iOS devices
- 👍 Supports controllers
- 👍 Cloud save functionality

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Graphical issues and glitches
- 🐛 Targeting and controls can be clunky
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 🔍 Lack of language/UI customization options

**Reported bugs**

- Graphical glitches on iPhone 5s and newer
- Crashes during certain boss battles
- Inability to transfer save data across devices

**Requested features**

- Add option to disable graphical filters
- Improve touch controls and targeting
- Add support for Apple Silicon Macs
- Include more content from DS/PS1 versions
- Implement volume/sound controls


### Dawncaster

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dawncaster-deckbuilding-rpg/id1555459868)

**Currently charting:** #6 Top Paid · Card, #9 Top Paid · Role Playing, #71 Top Paid · Games, #116 Top Paid (US App Store)

Embark on a tactical deck-building adventure with over 900 illustrated cards. Explore a mysterious world, master unique class abilities, and forge your own path through a rich narrative. Enjoy a complete premium experience with no ads or microtransactions.

**Highlights:** Over 900 hand-illustrated cards, Unique class abilities, Innovative energy system, Richly illustrated world, Randomized encounters, Unlockable content

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (13)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Vaul of the Void Promo Pack | Free | one-time |
| Synthesis Support Pack | $3.99 | one-time |
| Infinitum Support Banner | $3.99 | one-time |
| Eclypse Supporter Pack | $3.99 | one-time |
| Buy the devs a coffee | $4.99 | one-time |
| Tribes of Twilight | $4.99 | one-time |
| Death of Divinity | $4.99 | one-time |
| Masks of Misery | $4.99 | one-time |
| Siege of Shadows | $4.99 | one-time |
| Dawncaster Origins Bundle | $4.99 | one-time |
| Nexus of Nightmares | $5.99 | one-time |
| Infernal Invasions | $5.99 | one-time |
| Dawncaster Mega Bundle | $12.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Constant updates
- 🔥 Addictive gameplay loop
- 🔍 Discovering new secrets
- 💎 Excellent value for money
- 🎨 Beautiful art and visuals

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional bugs and glitches
- 🔍 Steep learning curve
- 🔁 Repetitive enemy and boss encounters
- 🕰️ Slow progression and unlock system
- 🔧 Unbalanced difficulty spikes

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes after certain card interactions
- Incorrect card behavior or descriptions
- Progression loss after updates
- Compatibility issues on newer devices

**Requested features**

- Endless or challenge mode
- More language support (e.g. Chinese, Spanish, Russian)
- Improved tutorial and onboarding
- Ability to toggle DLC content on/off
- Checkpoints or save states during runs


## Frequently asked questions

### Is CHRONO TRIGGER (Upgrade Ver.) free?

CHRONO TRIGGER (Upgrade Ver.) costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Dawncaster free?

Dawncaster costs $4.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, CHRONO TRIGGER (Upgrade Ver.) or Dawncaster?

Dawncaster is rated higher. CHRONO TRIGGER (Upgrade Ver.) averages 4.5 out of 5 from 1.3K ratings, while Dawncaster averages 4.7 from 924 ratings.

### Do CHRONO TRIGGER (Upgrade Ver.) or Dawncaster have ads?

Neither CHRONO TRIGGER (Upgrade Ver.) nor Dawncaster shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, CHRONO TRIGGER (Upgrade Ver.) or Dawncaster?

CHRONO TRIGGER (Upgrade Ver.) ships an update every 10 months, and Dawncaster every 10 days. Most recently, CHRONO TRIGGER (Upgrade Ver.) was updated on September 24, 2026 and Dawncaster on September 23, 2026.

### Which is more popular, CHRONO TRIGGER (Upgrade Ver.) or Dawncaster?

CHRONO TRIGGER (Upgrade Ver.) currently peaks at #10 in the App Store charts, and Dawncaster at #6. 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.*