# DV Guide vs Sherlock・Merge Mystery

The clearest difference is review sentiment: DV Guide at 100% against Sherlock・Merge Mystery's 33%. DV Guide also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 14) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 4 months). Sherlock・Merge Mystery's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Sherlock・Merge Mystery sells 13 one-off in-app purchases. DV Guide asks for nothing beyond the download.

DV Guide ships an update every 3 weeks, Sherlock・Merge Mystery every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | DV Guide | Sherlock・Merge Mystery |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[4.7 (221 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sherlockmerge-mystery/id6449453087/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **221** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 33.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | **Ad-supported** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 45 MB | 85 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Wesley de Groot](https://appshunter.io/developer/602359900) | [Ilia Stepanov](https://appshunter.io/developer/907542403) |

## What reviewers say

### DV Guide

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dv-guide/id6446436161)

This app serves as a comprehensive guide for exploring a magical valley. It offers detailed information on activities like gardening, cooking, and fishing, as well as character quests and storyline progression. Find all necessary details about items, recipes, and more to enhance your in-game experience.

**Highlights:** Activity information (Gardening, Cooking, Fishing, Mining, Digging), Character levels and quests, Storyline quest details, Comprehensive item list (Vegetables, Recipes), Detailed item information (energy, price, location), User-friendly interface

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Sherlock・Merge Mystery

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sherlockmerge-mystery/id6449453087)

Embark on a detective adventure solving merge puzzles alongside Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. Unravel perplexing events, discover clues, and crack complex cases in this thrilling quest-based game.

**Highlights:** Merge hundreds of items, Complete riveting quests, Explore vibrant locations, Meet recognizable characters, Solve perplexing puzzles, Follow gripping storyline

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (13)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Rookie Detective kit | $0.99 | one-time |
| Merge Bundle Sale | $2.99 | one-time |
| Tiny Coin Pack | $2.99 | one-time |
| Super Bundle | $4.99 | one-time |
| Master Detective kit | $7.99 | one-time |
| Small Coin Pack | $7.99 | one-time |
| Mega Bundle | $9.99 | one-time |
| Merge Bundle | $9.99 | one-time |
| Large Coin Pack | $14.99 | one-time |
| Super Bundle | $19.99 | one-time |
| Gigantic Bundle Sale | $24.99 | one-time |
| Super Coin Pack | $29.99 | one-time |
| Mega Bundle | $39.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🆓 Free to play
- 👍 Pacing is enjoyable
- 💡 Cool premise merging merge with cases
- 👍 Easy to get into

**What reviewers complain about**

- ⭐ Difficulty earning Stars
- 📉 Lack of story substance
- ⏳ No new levels/content
- 💰 Spent money, left in limbo
- 📱 Update required but unavailable

**Reported bugs**

- Needs update but no update available
- Cannot advance due to update message
- Game stops updating at level 10
- No new levels

**Requested features**

- More content needed
- New levels needed
- Update with new content
- More than 9 levels
- Additional content


## Frequently asked questions

### Is DV Guide free?

DV Guide is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Sherlock・Merge Mystery free?

Sherlock・Merge Mystery is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do DV Guide or Sherlock・Merge Mystery have ads?

DV Guide shows ads; Sherlock・Merge Mystery does not.

### Which is updated more often, DV Guide or Sherlock・Merge Mystery?

DV Guide ships an update every 3 weeks, and Sherlock・Merge Mystery every 4 months. Most recently, DV Guide was updated on October 30, 2026 and Sherlock・Merge Mystery on October 26, 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.*