Comparison

Don't Look Back vs DERE EVIL EXE

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

Head to head
About

Don't Look Back

Experience a critically acclaimed retro-style game that challenges players to confront their past. This short, narrative-driven experience explores themes of morality and personal growth through its unique gameplay mechanics.

Highlights
  • Retro graphics
  • Narrative-driven gameplay
  • Moral exploration
  • Short game experience
  • Critically acclaimed
Features
Read full description

Don't Look Back is a short game I made in 2009. Some reviews of the original version: "A perfect example of doing more with less" - The Escapist "Every game with a lead character necessarily has a moral. Every single one. It's just rare that the moral is so uplifting." - Jayisgames "It may be a pop song, but it´s like a Smashing Pumpkins single or something, from a concept album." - PlayThisThing

About

DERE EVIL EXE

This is a retro platformer with a gripping meta-horror story. Navigate a pixel art world, solve puzzles, and survive against creatures born from fear. Enjoy a unique blend of catchy chiptune and ominous orchestral music.

Highlights
  • Meta horror story
  • Retro pixel platformer
  • Unique puzzles and obstacles
  • Survive against corruptions
  • 80s/90s 16-bit aesthetics
  • Catchy retro chiptune music
  • Ominous orchestral music
Features
Read full description

DERE EVIL EXE is both a terrifying thriller with a gripping story and an unorthodox retro platformer with unique puzzles and obstacles. In DERE EVIL EXE, you step into the tiny shoes of a silent hero named 'Knightly'. Knightly must jump, run, and manipulate environments in order to survive the heart-racing journey through a stunning pixel art world. Within surreal structures lurk dangerous creatures known as 'corruptions'. They take the form of their creator's greatest fears. Their creepy creator, sporting a cunning visage of cheerfulness, hides in plain sight as she watches her prey fall deeper into her traps. Will Knightly be able to escape these pixelated nightmares? ===== “Take the challenge, and wade in, DERE EVIL EXE is unquestionably worth your time... 5/5” - Touch Arcade “An indie title that shifts from retro platformer to meta-horror, it pokes fun at and toys with its influences along the way.” - Rock Paper Shotgun “DERE EVIL EXE is yet another great game from AppSir we really enjoyed... 95/100” - Edamame Reviews ===== EERIE AND EXCEPTIONAL Finalist in the 15th annual International Mobile Gaming Awards and nominated for Best Storytelling in the 2019 Mobile Games Awards. A GAME LOST IN TIME Modern 2d side-scrolling horror game with levels inspired by the simplicity and aesthetics of 16-bit arcade classics of the 80s and 90s. MELODIC MADNESS The game plays either catchy retro chiptune music or ominous orchestral music, depending on the situation. IMMERSIVE TALE OF HORROR A completely new meta story that bends the creepypasta genre in ways unseen in the video game world. A STANDALONE SEQUEL Users do not need to play the prequel game to enjoy the story. NOT SO EVIL STICKER PACK Liven up your conversations with iMessage stickers featuring cute and quirky characters of DERE EVIL EXE! ===== This game contains one optional in-app purchase to permanently disable ads. We recommend that users purchase this feature for a truly immersive experience.

Screenshots

Don't Look Back4 screens
DERE EVIL EXE4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Don't Look Back at none against DERE EVIL EXE's 1. Don't Look Back also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (6.0 vs 13.0). DERE EVIL EXE's advantage is update cadence (every 4 months vs every 23 months) and rating (4.8 vs 4.5). On price, review sentiment 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

Both are free to download. DERE EVIL EXE sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Don't Look Back asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

DERE EVIL EXE holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: DERE EVIL EXE has 4.3K ratings behind it against 186, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 85% of Don't Look Back's written reviews are positive against 92% of DERE EVIL EXE's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Don't Look Back ships an update every 23 months, DERE EVIL EXE every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Don't Look Back versus DERE EVIL EXE: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDon't Look BackDERE EVIL EXE
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (186 ratings)4.8 (4.3K ratings) — better
Positive reviews85.0% of reviews91.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1864.3K — better
Update frequencyEvery 23 monthsEvery 4 months — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS6.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB133 MB
Age rating9+12+
DeveloperDistractionware LimitedDarius Immanuel Guerrero

Customer experience

Don't Look Back

All ratings186 ratings
Positive88.7%
Neutral1.6%
Negative9.7%
Written reviews692 reviews
Positive85.0%
Neutral6.4%
Negative8.7%

DERE EVIL EXE

All ratings4,290 ratings
Positive95.2%
Neutral1.7%
Negative3.2%
Written reviews1,178 reviews
Positive91.7%
Neutral3.7%
Negative4.7%

User reviews

Don't Look Back

From 186 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Minimalistic and atmospheric
  • 🎮 Challenging and addictive gameplay
  • 👍 Unique and engaging story
  • 🎨 Retro-inspired visuals
  • 🎵 Fitting soundtrack

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional control issues and unresponsiveness
  • 🕰 Short length of the game
  • 🔍 Lack of a save feature

DERE EVIL EXE

From 4.3K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Engaging story
  • 🚀 Challenging gameplay
  • 💡 Unique meta-narrative
  • 👍 Retro art style
  • 👍 Satisfying ending choices

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional control issues
  • 🐛 Glitches and bugs
  • 🔋 Frequent ads can disrupt experience
  • 🔍 Short length of the game

Bugs and requests

Don't Look Back

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Inconsistent boss behavior
  • Graphical glitches on some devices

Requested features

3 requests
  • Additional levels or a sequel
  • Controller support
  • Save/checkpoint system

DERE EVIL EXE

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Jump button not responding at times
  • Inconsistent collision detection
  • Freezing and unresponsiveness on certain levels

Requested features

4 requests
  • More levels and content
  • Controller support
  • Customizable controls
  • Difficulty settings

In-app purchases

None

Don't Look Back

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

DERE EVIL EXE

One-time1
  • Remove Ads for DERE EVIL EXE$1.99

Questions

Is Don't Look Back free?
Don't Look Back is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is DERE EVIL EXE free?
DERE EVIL EXE is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Don't Look Back or DERE EVIL EXE?
DERE EVIL EXE is rated higher. Don't Look Back averages 4.5 out of 5 from 186 ratings, while DERE EVIL EXE averages 4.8 from 4.3K ratings.
Do Don't Look Back or DERE EVIL EXE have ads?
DERE EVIL EXE shows ads; Don't Look Back does not.
Which is updated more often, Don't Look Back or DERE EVIL EXE?
Don't Look Back ships an update every 23 months, and DERE EVIL EXE every 4 months. Most recently, Don't Look Back was updated on October 20, 2026 and DERE EVIL EXE on October 23, 2026.

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