Comparison

Spell Runners vs Samurai Sam

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

Head to head
About

Spell Runners

Command numerous spell casters with a single finger in this retro action RPG shoot'em up. Enjoy hours of evolving gameplay across hundreds of levels, with multiple game-changing endings. Rebuild your town, farm, mine, and face epic bosses in this offline, free-to-play adventure.

Highlights
  • Single-finger spell caster control
  • Hundreds of levels
  • Multiple game-changing endings
  • Offline play
  • Town building and resource management
  • Casual and Hard modes
Features
Read full description

Dive into this uniquely satisfying retro action RPG shoot'em up with multiple game-changing endings. You'll get hours of ever-evolving gameplay through hundreds of levels in just minutes per session. With a single finger, command up to 24 spell casters at once. Navigate through dangerous terrain and face formidable enemies in a spectacular display of magical warfare. Spell Runners is fun to look at and even more fun to play. Install and check it out today! * Offline Play + Free to Play: Looking for free-to-play off-line games to play on a long car ride? You can play the full game without connecting to the internet. * Spellbound Combat: Witness screen-filling magical mayhem as you venture through hundreds of levels of escalating danger. * Loot & Conquer: Earn gems to enhance your spells and coins to recruit mystical allies. The more you slay, the mightier you become! * Vibrant Town Building: Beyond the battle, rebuild your town to engage in farming, mining, and hidden quests. Face dragons and relish the thrill of victory. * Diverse Outcomes: Overpower hordes of enemies and epic bosses to unlock multiple game-altering endings. * Casual or Hardcore: Dive into an easy-going adventure or challenge yourself in the Hard mode, catering to bullet hell shoot 'em up enthusiasts. An epic RPG shoot'em up awaits you. Join the magical warfare now and let the epic journey begin!

About

Samurai Sam

Read full description

Welcome to Samurai Sam - a fast, skill-based mobile action game where you slash through skeleton hordes and progress through objective-based maps with permanent upgrades. Every run has a goal. Every victory makes your Samurai stronger. *Combat that feels amazing* Combo slashes with punchy hit feedback Dash to dodge, reposition, and keep the pressure Ranged attacks when you need space Perfect Parry: time it right and send enemy damage back into the crowd Special Attack to wipe chaos when you’re surrounded Smooth animations, impactful sound, and satisfying effects make every hit count. *Maps + Objectives* Progress through maps with clear objectives and wave milestones Complete the mission to unlock the next area Face tougher enemies as you push deeper *Permanent Skill Points* Your progress doesn’t disappear after a run: Complete a map → earn a Skill Point Permanently upgrade what you choose: Basic Attack / Special Attack / Ranged Attack / Max Health Build your Samurai your way and feel stronger run after run. *Friendlier Revives* A bad moment doesn’t have to end a great run - revives are designed to keep you in the action. *Perfect for quick sessions* Jump in for a few minutes… or chase “one more run.” Download Samurai Sam now. How far can you progress?

Screenshots

Spell Runners4 screens
Samurai Sam4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Spell Runners at none against Samurai Sam's 9. Spell Runners also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 14.0). On price, update cadence, ads 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. Samurai Sam sells 9 one-off in-app purchases. Spell Runners asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Spell Runners ships an update weekly, Samurai Sam every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on June 1, 2026 and September 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Spell Runners versus Samurai Sam: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSpell RunnersSamurai Sam
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (6 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings6 — better—
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 5 days — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better14.0
Further details — not scored
Size268 MB393 MB
Age rating12+12+
DeveloperDog Media Solutions LLCOmer Nahum

In-app purchases

None

Spell Runners

No in-app purchases

9 purchases

Samurai Sam

One-time9
  • Pile of Gems$0.99
  • Gems Starter Pack$0.99
  • Gems Pro Pack$1.99
Show 6 more
  • Gems Champion Pack$3.99
  • Pouch of Gems$4.99
  • Box of Gems$9.99
  • Crate of Gems$19.99
  • Vault of Gems$49.99
  • Mountain of Gems$99.99

Questions

Is Spell Runners free?
Spell Runners is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Samurai Sam free?
Samurai Sam is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Spell Runners or Samurai Sam have ads?
Both Spell Runners and Samurai Sam show ads.
Which is updated more often, Spell Runners or Samurai Sam?
Spell Runners ships an update weekly, and Samurai Sam every 5 days. Most recently, Spell Runners was updated on June 1, 2026 and Samurai Sam on September 14, 2026.

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