# Magic and Machines vs ABEND

The clearest difference is rating: Magic and Machines at 4.5 against ABEND's 3.7. Magic and Machines also leads on review sentiment (78% vs 50%) and price ($1.99 vs $4.99). ABEND's advantage is update cadence (every 6 days vs every 2 months). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Magic and Machines costs $1.99 and ABEND $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Magic and Machines holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Magic and Machines has 17 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 78% of Magic and Machines's written reviews are positive against 50% of ABEND's.

Magic and Machines ships an update every 2 months, ABEND every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Magic and Machines | ABEND |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$1.99** | $4.99 |
| Rating | **[4.5 (17 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/magic-and-machines/id6446097904/reviews)** | [3.7 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/abend-meltdown/id6737458201/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **17** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | **77.8% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 6 days** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 331 MB | 155 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 16.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 9+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Little Bear Studios](https://appshunter.io/developer/1675350663) | [Laszlo Pinter](https://appshunter.io/developer/1362589788) |

## What reviewers say

### Magic and Machines

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/magic-and-machines/id6446097904)

Embark on a retro fantasy adventure with a customizable party of six. Explore a decaying world, solve puzzles, and master a strategic turn-based combat system with a unique Overload mechanic. This game offers a nostalgic yet accessible RPG experience.

**Highlights:** Turn-based combat system, Overload mechanic for supercharged moves, Party customization with six unique characters, World exploration with elemental abilities, Puzzle-solving for secret buffs, Discover legendary items and hidden bosses

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### ABEND

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/abend-meltdown/id6737458201)

Engage in a puzzle roguelite where you play as a rogue AI escaping a government mainframe. Clear rows to attack enemies, chain combos for devastating effects, and collect upgrades to survive escalating dangers across procedurally generated floors. Your choices determine the AI's fate and the narrative's outcome.

**Highlights:** Tetromino-based combat system, 24 enemy programs with unique attacks, 5 playable AI characters with unique abilities, Procedurally generated floors with branching paths, Branching narrative with 4 endings, 10 Ascension levels for endless replayability, Authentic retro terminal aesthetic

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Magic and Machines free?

Magic and Machines costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is ABEND free?

ABEND costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Magic and Machines or ABEND?

Magic and Machines is rated higher. Magic and Machines averages 4.5 out of 5 from 17 ratings, while ABEND averages 3.7 from 3 ratings.

### Do Magic and Machines or ABEND have ads?

Neither Magic and Machines nor ABEND shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Magic and Machines or ABEND?

Magic and Machines ships an update every 2 months, and ABEND every 6 days. Most recently, Magic and Machines was updated on November 3, 2026 and ABEND on October 30, 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.*