Comparison

Machines at War 3 RTS vs Parabellum

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

Head to head
About

Machines at War 3 RTS

Engage in real-time strategy with a compelling 21-mission campaign and unlimited skirmishes. Build over 130 unit types, deploy diverse forces, and battle friends in online multiplayer. Experience a story of missing scientists and secret technology.

Highlights
  • Build over 130 unit types
  • 21 campaign missions
  • Unlimited random map skirmishes
  • Online multiplayer combat
  • Seven RTS mega units
  • Infantry, aircraft, naval, and ground forces
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

"This game is epic" - iDownloadBlog "Easily one of the smoothest playing RTS experiences that can be had on the iPhone" - 148Apps Play 21 campaign missions with an intriguing story in this real time strategy game, build over 130 different types of units and technologies, enjoy unlimited random map skirmishes with many customizable settings, dominate in network multiplayer with friends! "This control scheme really shines" - Pocket Tactics "Machines at War 3 is all about the action, and the game coats it in an engaging 21-mission campaign with unique objectives." - Mac|Life "Machines at War 3 is an example of how to make touch screen controls work for an RTS game." - 148Apps "Every fibre screams homage to the retro RTS games we grew up on" - Gamegrin "Normally you can't access beard tech like that until the end of the the tree." - Pocket Tactics Features: • Build over 130 different types of units and technologies • Rescue the Omicron Initiative in 21 missions • Play unlimited random map skirmishes • Conquer four friends in online multiplayer combat • Dominate with seven awesome RTS mega units • Deploy a full arsenal of infantry, aircraft, naval, and ground forces The story: You investigate a secluded military lab and find something horribly wrong! All of the scientists are missing and the facility is ransacked. Years of research and top secret classified experiments are no where to be found. The missing scientists, known as the Omicron Initiative, are responsible for developing new technologies. The only clue to their disappearance is a mysterious text message reading "we were forced to do it". The team's disappearance threatens the secrecy of it's research, which could potentially put your country into a chaotic panic. Now there's only one person who can rescue the Omicron Initiative and protect its secret technology from falling into the wrong hands. In 21 real time strategy missions you'll race across the world to find out who, or what, is responsible for the team's disappearance. You'll command and conquer over 130 different types of RTS units ranging from infantry and ships to giant modern mega units. After honing your skills in the campaign, fire up a random map and experience insane real time strategy battles! Choose your nation and test your mettle in online multiplayer or conquer some AI opponents offline. Many adjustable options ensure every game is unique. Want to play with only ground units? Make the victory condition the death of a specific unit? The options are limitless! It's time to arm up and get in the war! Behind the Game: Hello, my name is James, I'm an indie developer and programmed 100% of Machines at War 3 over the last two and a half years! It was quite the undertaking and I almost gave up several times, but through bad times and good, I'm excited this real time strategy game is done! I hope you enjoy it and if so please let me know, sometimes when things are tough an email or review from a customer really helps. Game on! It reminds many real time strategy gamers of command and conquer, starfront, and similar RTS elements as modern war, and war of nations. Press Reviews: "Machines at War 3 has a variety unmatched by other RTS titles." - Nizulo "The number of units that can be created is staggering" - Armchair General "It's incredibly easy to get into, thanks to easy to set up games and straightforward gameplay." - Joyviews "An assault helicopter above, exploding, and a little trooper in a teal jumpsuit parachuting out. Maybe a nice visual touch in another game. Here? Well, shucks to that 'copter. You've got another pair of boots on the ground and a forward position to secure." - Pocket Tactics

About

Parabellum

Build a city, manage resources, and raise a powerful army to defend your kingdom and attack enemies. Engage in strategic battles, explore a rich story with multiple heroes, and experience a unique artistic direction.

Highlights
  • Play as multiple heroes
  • Build and expand city
  • Develop economy and manage resources
  • Form and lead large armies
  • Engage in strategic battles
  • Complete varied missions
  • Unique artistic direction and soundtrack
Features
Read full description

Play as a hero who must build a city, become the guardian of its riches and attack your enemies. Key features: - Play as multiple heroes - Build buildings - Develop your economy and expand your city - Form a large army to defend your borders - Go through more than 10 varied missions - Attack your enemies - Contemplate unique sets and artistic direction. - Incredible soundtrack Develop a thriving economy: Around your dungeon, build fields, mills and shops, always extend the borders of your city further to produce more resources. Carefully managing your finances will be crucial to avoiding starvation and bankruptcy. Prepare your defenses carefully: Enemies lurk in every corner of your kingdom, ready to take advantage of the slightest gap. Build imposing walls and watchtowers to protect your city from invasions. Plan your defenses strategically, anticipating attacks and adapting your fortifications to your opponents' tactics. Each defensive battle will be a test of your ability to keep your lands secure. Build legendary armies: Recruit and train a variety of troops, from elite infantry to razor-sharp archers. Every soldier can turn the tide of war. Train and upgrade your warriors to forge a military power capable of overthrowing entire kingdoms. With your hero, lead your troops into epic battles where every tactical move, formation and ambush can determine the outcome of the fight. Show your bravery and strategic sense to crush your enemies. Story and narration: You will play several characters in a story where the quest for power and betrayal combine. Three imposing nations coexist on the great continent. In the Highlands, a very religious and powerful empire was built, thanks to its fertile lands of Champvert. To the south, the Sultanate of Basse-Terre has established a brilliant civilization with its iron mines, in the heart of the desert. Finally, in the north, the Ice Lands are populated by warriors who have always waged war against each other. It is in these lands, which know only tears and blood, that a rumor carried by the winds claims that a woman will rise to become queen and unify all these clans...

Screenshots

Machines at War 3 RTS4 screens
Parabellum4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Machines at War 3 RTS at 89% against Parabellum's 24%. Machines at War 3 RTS also leads on rating (4.7 vs 2.3) and ratings volume (666 vs 7). Parabellum's advantage is price ($2.99 vs $6.99). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases 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

Machines at War 3 RTS costs $6.99 and Parabellum $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Machines at War 3 RTS holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Machines at War 3 RTS has 666 ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 89% of Machines at War 3 RTS's written reviews are positive against 24% of Parabellum's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Machines at War 3 RTS ships an update every 4 months, Parabellum daily. Both last shipped on September 21, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Machines at War 3 RTS versus Parabellum: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMachines at War 3 RTSParabellum
Price$6.99$2.99 — better
Rating4.7 (666 ratings) — better2.3 (7 ratings)
Positive reviews89.2% of reviews — better23.8% of reviews
Number of ratings666 — better7
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
Best chart rank#194 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS8.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size187 MB459 MB
Age rating+1717+
DeveloperIsotope 244Plug In Digital

Customer experience

Machines at War 3 RTS

All ratings666 ratings
Positive94.6%
Neutral1.8%
Negative3.6%
Written reviews212 reviews
Positive89.2%
Neutral2.4%
Negative8.5%

Parabellum

All ratings7 ratings
Positive28.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative71.4%
Written reviews42 reviews
Positive23.8%
Neutral4.8%
Negative71.4%

User reviews

Machines at War 3 RTS

From 666 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Simple to learn and get right to the strategy
  • 👍 Flexible for experience
  • 👍 Tons of fun
  • 👍 Addictive gameplay
  • 👍 Great strategy and tactics

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional bugs and glitches
  • 🐛 AI could be more challenging
  • 🐛 Unit control and formation issues
  • 🐛 Compatibility issues on newer devices
  • 🐛 Multiplayer not working for some users

Parabellum

From 7 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 💖 Passion
  • 🎨 Great art style

Room to improve

  • 🕹️ Awful controls
  • 🤯 Unplayable due to glitches
  • 🤔 Uninspired story and dialogue
  • 🔢 Unbalanced units

Bugs and requests

Machines at War 3 RTS

Reported bugs

7 issues
  • Game crashes on startup
  • Submarines moving onto land
  • Berthas obsessively attacking shields
  • Units not obeying attack orders
  • AI building walls for no reason
Show 2 more
  • Email/login screen issues
  • Compatibility problems on iPhone X

Requested features

8 requests
  • Add more units and factions
  • Improve AI difficulty
  • Implement a map creator mode
  • Add zoom functionality
  • Introduce a sandbox mode
Show 3 more
  • Expand the campaign mode
  • Add local multiplayer support
  • Improve unit control and formation

Parabellum

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Units not responding properly
  • Camera scrolling issues
  • Incorrect battle results

Requested features

2 requests
  • Save progress during levels
  • Endless mode

In-app purchases

None

Machines at War 3 RTS

No in-app purchases

None

Parabellum

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Machines at War 3 RTS free?
Machines at War 3 RTS costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Parabellum free?
Parabellum costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Machines at War 3 RTS or Parabellum?
Machines at War 3 RTS is rated higher. Machines at War 3 RTS averages 4.7 out of 5 from 666 ratings, while Parabellum averages 2.3 from 7 ratings.
Do Machines at War 3 RTS or Parabellum have ads?
Neither Machines at War 3 RTS nor Parabellum shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Machines at War 3 RTS or Parabellum?
Machines at War 3 RTS ships an update every 4 months, and Parabellum daily. Most recently, Machines at War 3 RTS was updated on September 21, 2026 and Parabellum on September 21, 2026.

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