Comparison

Luminaria vs Matchlight

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

Head to head
About

Luminaria

Explore a deserted Earth in this 2D puzzle adventure. Manipulate shadows with intuitive touch controls to solve unconventional puzzles and uncover the poignant stories of humanity's final moments. Immerse yourself in a tranquil atmosphere and a minimal art style.

Highlights
  • Experimental shadow manipulation puzzles
  • Minimalist art style
  • Tranquil and meditative atmosphere
  • Unravel hidden memories and stories
  • Additional challenges for advanced players
Features
Read full description

Discover Luminaria: An Artful Puzzle Adventure Embark on a captivating journey through Luminaria, the 2D experimental puzzle game that beckons you to explore a mysterious, deserted Earth. Manipulate shadows with intuitive touch controls, crafting shapes and paths to solve uniquely unconventional puzzles. Delve into the poignant stories of humanity's final moments and unveil the emotions left behind. Features: Experimental Puzzles: Engage in mind-bending challenges as you manipulate shadows to create shapes and paths, delivering a fresh and innovative gameplay experience. Minimal Art Style: Immerse yourself in Luminaria's elegant and mysterious aesthetics, expertly blending elements of distant alien technology and familiar human civilization. Tranquil Atmosphere: Relish a calming and pressure-free adventure that captivates both your mind and senses, making Luminaria an aesthetic and meditative escape. Unravel Memories: Collect hidden mementos to reveal the emotions felt by vanished inhabitants, and use them to unlock new chapters in this touching odyssey. Extra Challenges: For those seeking more excitement, test your wit and agility with additional challenges that push the boundaries of conventional thinking. Uncover the secrets of a forgotten world and experience emotions that linger in the shadows. Download Luminaria today for an awe-inspiring puzzle adventure!

About

Matchlight

Features
Read full description

Move a match. Fix the puzzle. Matchlight is a beautifully dark, flame-lit collection of matchstick puzzles: 8 puzzle types and more than 1,300 puzzles. Move, add or remove the given number of matchsticks to make things right. 8 PUZZLE TYPES • Equations: fix the broken equation — the classic (380 puzzles) • Find Them All: equations with several answers. Can you find every one? • Multiply & Divide: × and ÷ join in, and the signs themselves can change • Roman Numerals: fix equations built from I, V and X • Max & Min: make the biggest (or smallest) number you can • Squares: move matches on a grid to make exactly N squares • Clock: turn the digital clock to the latest (or earliest) time • Inequality: make the < or > statement true CHECKED BY BRUTE FORCE Every puzzle was verified by trying every possible move: it solves in the stated number of moves, single-answer puzzles really have just one answer, and Find Them All lists every answer. No batches of near-identical puzzles. ALSO • Daily Puzzle — everyone solves the same one each day • Time Attack — how many can you solve in 60 seconds? • Simple tap controls, pinch to zoom, sound and haptics • Works offline, 11 languages, iPhone and iPad PREMIUM (one-time in-app purchase) • No ads • Unlimited hints, no videos • Pro pack: 180 extra-hard puzzles across 5 types • Explanations for Max & Min and Clock: why the answer really is the best • Every Clock and Inequality puzzle Buy once, keep it. Restore purchases is supported. Quick to pick up, hard to put down. Light a match and start solving.

Screenshots

Luminaria4 screens
Matchlight4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Matchlight at Free against Luminaria's $1.99. Matchlight also leads on update cadence (every 8 days vs every 2 months). Luminaria's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On 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

Matchlight is free to download; Luminaria costs $1.99 up front. Matchlight sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Luminaria asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Luminaria ships an update every 2 months, Matchlight every 8 days. Both last shipped on October 27, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Luminaria versus Matchlight: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLuminariaMatchlight
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating4.4 (21 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews71.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings21 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 8 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size331 MB52 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCrescent Moon Games LLCABOLAB SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

In-app purchases

None

Luminaria

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Matchlight

One-time1
  • Premium$3.99

Questions

Is Luminaria free?
Luminaria costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Matchlight free?
Matchlight is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Luminaria or Matchlight have ads?
Matchlight shows ads; Luminaria does not.
Which is updated more often, Luminaria or Matchlight?
Luminaria ships an update every 2 months, and Matchlight every 8 days. Most recently, Luminaria was updated on October 27, 2026 and Matchlight on October 27, 2026.

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