# Epic Astro Story vs Game Dev Tycoon

The clearest difference is rating: Game Dev Tycoon at 4.9 against Epic Astro Story's 4.3. Game Dev Tycoon also leads on ratings volume (24K vs 27) and review sentiment (91% vs 79%). Epic Astro Story's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Epic Astro Story costs $4.99 and Game Dev Tycoon $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Game Dev Tycoon holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Game Dev Tycoon has 24K ratings behind it against 27, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 79% of Epic Astro Story's written reviews are positive against 91% of Game Dev Tycoon's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Epic Astro Story | Game Dev Tycoon |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | $4.99 |
| Rating | [4.3 (27 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/epic-astro-story/id507409247/reviews) | **[4.9 (24K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/game-dev-tycoon/id1162580001/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 27 | **24K** |
| Positive reviews | 78.8% of reviews | **91.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#45** |
| Size | 48 MB | 204 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Kairosoft Co.,Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/381477233) | [Greenheart Games Pty. Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/877999140) |

## What reviewers say

### Epic Astro Story

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/epic-astro-story/id507409247)

Build a thriving space colony on an alien planet, managing resources and constructing buildings. Defend your settlement from hostile alien creatures in exciting battles. Expand your influence and attract intergalactic tourists to your growing space citadel.

**Highlights:** Build roads and houses, Cultivate a space citadel, Attract alien tourists, Engage in cosmic creature battles, Resource management, Colony expansion

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Lightning-fast gameplay
- 👍 Addictive and engaging
- 🌟 Excellent value for money
- 🔍 Interesting exploration and RPG elements
- 💡 Unique blend of simulation and combat

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and bugs, especially in later game
- 📖 Incomplete or cut-off text descriptions
- 🔍 Lack of map/world randomization and replayability
- 🤔 Some features feel underdeveloped or repetitive

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes during battles or at later game stages
- Screen going black after reaching year 100
- Residents not working or staying in houses
- Building costs not fully displayed

**Requested features**

- More map/world variety and randomization
- Improved text display and scrolling
- Ability to rearrange/reorganize the colony
- Deeper RPG mechanics and character customization
- Expanded end-game content and challenges


### Game Dev Tycoon

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/game-dev-tycoon/id1162580001)

**Currently charting:** #45 Top Paid · Strategy, #46 Top Paid · Simulation, #118 Top Paid · Games, #195 Top Paid (US App Store)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Cheap price
- 👍 No in-app purchases or ads
- 👍 Addictive and fun gameplay
- 👍 Realistic game development simulation
- 👍 Detailed and complex mechanics

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 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

**Reported bugs**

- Loan payback amount inconsistency
- Game reports not carrying over knowledge

**Requested features**

- 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


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Epic Astro Story free?

Epic Astro Story costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Game Dev Tycoon free?

Game Dev Tycoon costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Epic Astro Story or Game Dev Tycoon?

Game Dev Tycoon is rated higher. Epic Astro Story averages 4.3 out of 5 from 27 ratings, while Game Dev Tycoon averages 4.9 from 24K ratings.

### Do Epic Astro Story or Game Dev Tycoon have ads?

Neither Epic Astro Story nor Game Dev Tycoon shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Epic Astro Story or Game Dev Tycoon?

Epic Astro Story ships an update every 3 months, and Game Dev Tycoon every 3 months. Most recently, Epic Astro Story was updated on November 1, 2026 and Game Dev Tycoon on November 3, 2026.

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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.*