Comparison

First Run vs CheckMate

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

Head to head
About

First Run

Embark on an interstellar journey with an astronaut collecting coins across diverse landscapes. Navigate challenges and transform collected coins into strategic assets for new opportunities.

Highlights
  • Interstellar odyssey
  • Coin collection
  • Traverse countries and cities
  • Navigate unique challenges
  • Transform coins into assets
  • Explore diverse landscapes
Features
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Embark on an exhilarating interstellar odyssey alongside Mr. First, Earth's esteemed chief astronaut, as he sets out on a legendary mission to a planet whispered to harbor an abundance of coins. Experience the anticipation building as Mr. First plants the flag, triggering a seismic event that transforms the terrain into a cascading shower of coins. Join the intrepid Mr. First in a swift and agile pursuit, traversing various countries and cities to collect every glittering coin in his path. Navigate through unique challenges and triumph over difficulties, making each destination a memorable chapter in this cosmic journey. As you accompany Mr. First, witness the captivating transformation of coins into strategic assets, unlocking new opportunities across diverse landscapes. Immerse yourself in the unfolding saga of exploration and wonder, fueled by the simple joy of coin collection.

About

CheckMate

Features
Read full description

Three ways to play chess, in one beautifully designed, focused game app. PLAY WITH AI Five levels of engine, from a beginner that overlooks things to a full-strength search that will outcalculate most club players. Each level is a genuinely different search depth and time budget, not the same engine with random blunders bolted on. Works completely offline. TWO PLAYERS (PASS & PLAY) Pass one phone back and forth for a game with whoever is sitting next to you. The board can turn around between turns so both players always see it the right way up. Also works 100% offline. ONLINE WITH FRIENDS Open Play Online, then sign in with Apple or Google, or continue as a Guest. Search for a quick match or create a private room, and send the five-character room code to a friend. They type it in and you are on the same board — moves appear on both devices instantly. Offer a draw or resign, and reconnect seamlessly if your network drops. EVERY RULE, PROPERLY IMPLEMENTED Castling on both kingside and queenside with all standard conditions checked. En passant captures. Promotion to queen, rook, bishop, or knight with an interactive selector. Stalemate, threefold repetition, fifty-move rule, and insufficient material are all automatically detected and clearly explained. BUILT TO HELP YOU IMPROVE • Tap any piece to see all legal moves — dots for quiet moves, rings for captures • Undo button to take back moves in AI and pass-and-play games • Hint system with minimax analysis in AI games • Live move list kept in official algebraic chess notation • Clear board coordinates, last-move highlighting, and check alerts MAKE IT YOURS Choose from 5 board themes: Classic, Emerald, Ocean, Midnight, and Rosewood. Optional chess clocks range from blitz (1 min, 3|2, 5 min) to rapid (10 min, 15|10), with your win/loss record stored on your device. ABOUT YOUR PRIVACY Playing against the AI and local two-player games requires no profile and works entirely on your device. Online play synchronizes the Apple, Google, or Guest identity you choose, your display name, and game moves through Firebase. Checkmate is supported by Google AdMob ads requested as non-personalized after any consent required in your region. The app does not request permission to track you across other companies' apps or websites. You can delete your account at any time from Settings > Account > Delete account. Free to play. Master your chess game today!

Screenshots

First Run4 screens
CheckMate4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: First Run at none against CheckMate's shown. First Run also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.1). On price, 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

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
First Run versus CheckMate: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFirst RunCheckMate
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (95 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews68.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings95 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 days—
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size398 MB32 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSOFT CONSTRUCT CJSCShruti Sonawane

Bugs and requests

First Run

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Points/coins not being added to user's balance
  • App crashing or freezing during gameplay
  • Login issues or accounts being blocked

Requested features

3 requests
  • Improve point/coin tracking and crediting
  • Optimize app performance to reduce crashes
  • Adjust token swap rates to be more reasonable

CheckMate

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

First Run

No in-app purchases

None

CheckMate

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is First Run free?
First Run is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is CheckMate free?
CheckMate is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do First Run or CheckMate have ads?
CheckMate shows ads; First Run does not.

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