Exploding 7's vs Runes of Ardun
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Exploding 7's
A straightforward card game designed for quick and enjoyable play. Test your luck and strategy in this simple yet engaging digital card experience.
- Simple card gameplay
- Quick play sessions
- Engaging card experience
- Digital card game
Read full descriptionHide full description
A fun and simple card game app.
Runes of Ardun
This strategy game reimagines a classic Japanese board game with ancient animal spirit runes. Outmaneuver your opponent by capturing their Lion, utilizing unique rune abilities and dynamic capture mechanics. Customize settings and enjoy stunning visuals for an immersive strategic duel.
- Unique rune movement abilities
- Ancient runes and animal spirits theme
- Intuitive move highlighting
- Dynamic capture and promotion system
- Customizable difficulty and settings
- Stunning graphics and sound effects
Read full descriptionHide full description
Awaken the Ancient Spirits of Strategy in Runes of Ardun! Embark on a journey to the forgotten lands of Ardun, where ancient runes hold the power of animals long revered and feared. "Runes of Ardun" reimagines the ancient Japanese strategy game Mini Shogi, transforming it into a strategic duel of wits and cunning on your iPhone and iPad. Each piece, an ancient rune, represents a mighty animal spirit. Your mission is to outmaneuver your opponent and capture their Lion. There can only be one king! Features: - Unique Gameplay: Dive into a rich strategy experience where each rune possesses unique movement abilities. From the wise Owl to the formidable Lion, learn the strengths and weaknesses of each to dominate the game board. - Ancient Runes Theme: Immerse yourself in an "ancient ruins" ambiance, where every piece is a beautifully crafted rune representing animal spirits. This thematic twist adds a layer of intrigue and mystique to the classic strategy game. - Intuitive Controls: Select a rune and instantly see your possible moves highlighted on the board. Whether you're a seasoned strategist or new to board games, "Runes of Ardun" offers a seamless and engaging gameplay experience. - Dynamic Capture and Promotion: Experience the thrill of capturing your opponent's runes, turning them to your side, and strategically placing them back on the board to secure victory. Watch as your runes achieve their full potential through promotion, gaining new abilities to turn the tide of battle. - Customizable Play Settings: Tailor your gameplay experience with adjustable difficulty levels and game settings. Whether you're looking for a casual game or a challenging puzzle, "Runes of Ardun" adapts to your preference. - Stunning Visuals and Sound: With breathtaking graphics and immersive sound effects, "Runes of Ardun" brings the ancient world to life. Each rune, board, and battleground is meticulously designed to enhance your gaming experience. How to Play: - Begin with six ancient runes: Owl, Lion, Bunny, Hedgehog, Elephant, and Rhino. Each rune's movement ability is inscribed upon it, guiding your strategy. - Move runes across the board, capturing opponent pieces by occupying their squares. Remember, the Lion is invincible but must be protected at all costs. - Capture runes switch allegiance, allowing you to place them strategically on the board. Beware of restrictions like the Owl's inability to be dropped on the back row. - Promote your runes by reaching or exiting the opponent's back row, unlocking their strengthened forms and enhancing your strategic options. - Victory is yours when you capture your opponent's Lion. Adjust the game's difficulty and settings to keep the challenge fresh and engaging. Are You Ready to Unleash the Power of the Runes? "Runes of Ardun" is a journey to strategic mastery. With its unique theme, intuitive gameplay, and endless strategic possibilities, this game is a must-have for all who love board games, strategy, and the mystique of ancient legends. Be among the first to play this unique new strategy game, with more features and themes coming soon!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Runes of Ardun at 5.0 against Exploding 7's's 4.2. Runes of Ardun also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and review sentiment (70% vs 50%). On price, update cadence, ads and iOS requirement 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
Both are free to download. Exploding 7's sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Runes of Ardun asks for nothing beyond the download.
Runes of Ardun holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Runes of Ardun has 45 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of Exploding 7's's written reviews are positive against 70% of Runes of Ardun's.
Exploding 7's ships an update every 4 days, Runes of Ardun every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Exploding 7's | Runes of Ardun |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.2 (6 ratings) | 5.0 (45 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | 70.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 6 | 45 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 4 days | Every 3 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 — better | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 14 MB | 18 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Jonathan Gerber | Symbolic Software |
Customer experience
Exploding 7's
Runes of Ardun
In-app purchases
Exploding 7's
- Remove ads$1.99
Runes of Ardun
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Exploding 7's free?
Is Runes of Ardun free?
Which has better reviews, Exploding 7's or Runes of Ardun?
Do Exploding 7's or Runes of Ardun have ads?
Which is updated more often, Exploding 7's or Runes of Ardun?
Other comparisons















