Comparison

Auralux vs Vactics

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

Head to head
About

Auralux

This abstract real-time strategy game offers a minimalist experience with a focus on clever tactics over reflexes. Command a single unit type with simple orders, starting on equal footing with opponents. Enjoy a relaxing, cerebral challenge with a vibrant aesthetic and ambient soundtrack.

Highlights
  • Abstract real-time strategy gameplay
  • Minimalist graphics and ambient soundtrack
  • Simple unit command and orders
  • Equal starting resources for all players
  • Multiple game modes (Normal, Speed, Secret)
  • Optimized for touch screen devices
Features
Read full description

The sequel, Auralux: Constellations, is available now! Click on War Drum Studios above to download. New features include leaderboards, achievements, and cloud saves! Auralux is an abstract, essentialized, and simplified real-time strategy game. You command only one type of unit and have only one type of order to give those units. You and your opponents start the game with precisely equal resources. Quick reflexes will get you nowhere. The only path to victory is through clever strategy. Auralux features a slow, floating feel and vibrant minimalistic graphics. The entire game pulses to the rhythm of ambient music, and the player's actions evoke sounds that smoothly coalesce into melody. This game is designed to provide a relaxing, cerebral experience. Every choice matters, and only the best strategies will succeed. Features: -Includes every feature and more from the renowned PC game. -Free to try for as long as you like! Simply purchase additional levels for a very low price if you enjoy the game and want more challenges. -Gameplay optimized for touch screen devices. -Countless hours of gameplay -Two available game modes : Normal and Speed Mode, with a secret mode for expert players to unlock! -Relaxing, ambient soundtrack brings you into a rhythm and meditative state. Game by E McNeill Ported by War Drum Studios www.wardrumstudios.com

About

Vactics

Engage in tactical, chess-like combat by building powerful mechs to battle robotic enemies. Face randomly generated challenges and fight for a better future in this strategic warfare game.

Highlights
  • Mech building
  • Tactical chess-like combat
  • Randomly generated challenges
  • Mech and tech upgrades
  • Extended campaign
  • Leaderboard competition
Features
Read full description

Build the mech to fight against robotic Vactics in tactical chess-like combat. The war is already over and the heroes of the city have fallen. Take on a new randomly generated challenge every time you play and join with the citizens to fight for a better future. Vactics is designed to let you play as much as you like and upgrade to the full version at any time. Unlocking the pro version of the game provides: • Access to all 18 mech types and dozens of additional tech modifiers. • Access to the full 24 colour palettes to choose from with custom app icons each. • An extended campaign with additional enemy types and areas to fight through. • An additional phase to the campaign with the true ending and all the co-pilots. • The daily district challenge where you can compete with others on the leaderboards. • Much more to discover.... -- Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Auralux1 screens
Vactics4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Auralux at 4.6 against Vactics's 4.0. Auralux also leads on ratings volume (2.2K vs 56) and review sentiment (85% vs 71%). Vactics's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Auralux sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and Vactics sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 3 months. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Auralux holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Auralux has 2.2K ratings behind it against 56, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 85% of Auralux's written reviews are positive against 71% of Vactics's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Auralux ships an update every 3 months, Vactics every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Auralux versus Vactics: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAuraluxVactics
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (2.2K ratings) — better4.0 (56 ratings)
Positive reviews85.3% of reviews — better70.9% of reviews
Number of ratings2.2K — better56
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS8.0 — better11.0
Further details — not scored
Size52 MB309 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperWar Drum Studios LLCGerard Delaney

Customer experience

Auralux

All ratings2,198 ratings
Positive91.1%
Neutral2.5%
Negative6.5%
Written reviews1,007 reviews
Positive85.3%
Neutral5.3%
Negative9.4%

Vactics

All ratings56 ratings
Positive73.2%
Neutral8.9%
Negative17.9%
Written reviews55 reviews
Positive70.9%
Neutral12.7%
Negative16.4%

User reviews

Auralux

From 2.2K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast-paced gameplay
  • 🎨 Beautiful visuals and audio
  • 🧠 Challenging and strategic
  • 👍 Relaxing and addictive
  • 🔒 No ads or in-app purchases

Room to improve

  • 🐢 Slow gameplay without speed mode
  • 🤖 AI can be overly aggressive
  • 🔢 Limited number of free levels
  • 🔀 Predictable enemy behavior
  • 🔄 Repetitive map layouts

Vactics

From 56 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 💡 Innovative gameplay mechanics
  • 👍 Deep tactical gameplay
  • 🎨 Gorgeous art style
  • 🎶 Excellent synthwave score
  • ✨ Well-balanced gameplay

Room to improve

  • 💰 High price for pro version
  • 💸 Expensive subscription options
  • 😩 Frustrating paywall
  • ❓ Lacking tutorial explanations
  • 🐌 Slow restart function

Bugs and requests

Auralux

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
  • Occasional crashes or freezes

Requested features

5 requests
  • Multiplayer mode
  • Customizable unit colors
  • Random map generator
  • More free levels
  • Ability to adjust gameplay speed

Vactics

Reported bugs

6 issues
  • Combo attack bonus cancelled by heavy landing
  • "Restore purchases" not working after update
  • Cannot equip more than one ability
  • Inconsistent combat: adjacent Vactic not hitting
  • Cannot mount one tech in Chassis and one in Engine
Show 1 more
  • Line-of-sight for ranged enemies unclear

Requested features

20 requests
  • Add more upgrades
  • Add more game modes
  • Add online co-op
  • Add infinite wave competition
  • Add diverging paths on map like FTL
Show 15 more
  • Add small story elements at decisions
  • Add new enemies and technologies
  • Add a big boss
  • Add Russian language support
  • Improve tutorial clarity
  • Faster restart function
  • Option to confirm selection before moving
  • More customization options for mechs
  • Unlock more mechs for free
  • Add wallpapers in the art style
  • Support for lowercase game text
  • Option to change palettes easily
  • Save progress on runs
  • Adjustable difficulty settings
  • Add more content

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Auralux

One-time10
  • Lyra Pack$0.99
  • Orion Pack$0.99
  • Speed Mode$0.99
Show 7 more
  • Vela Pack$0.99
  • Hydrus Pack$1.99
  • Caelum Pack$1.99
  • Aries Pack$1.99
  • Andromeda Pack$1.99
  • Aurora Pack$1.99
  • Combo Pack$2.99
2 purchases

Vactics

Subscriptions1
  • Subscribe to Vactics Pro$2.993 Months
One-time1
  • Vactics Pro$8.99

Questions

Is Auralux free?
Auralux is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Vactics free?
Vactics is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Auralux or Vactics?
Auralux is rated higher. Auralux averages 4.6 out of 5 from 2.2K ratings, while Vactics averages 4.0 from 56 ratings.
Do Auralux or Vactics have ads?
Neither Auralux nor Vactics shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Auralux or Vactics?
Auralux ships an update every 3 months, and Vactics every 3 weeks. Most recently, Auralux was updated on November 1, 2026 and Vactics on October 24, 2026.

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