Comparison

Wuthering Waves vs Etheria

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

Head to head
About

Wuthering Waves

Embark on an open-world action RPG adventure as Rover, reclaiming lost memories and changing a post-apocalyptic world. Explore freely, engage in fast-paced combat, and uncover hidden truths with a cast of unique companions.

Highlights
  • Expansive open-world exploration
  • High-degree of freedom movement
  • Fast-paced combat system
  • Cinematic storytelling and animation
  • Companion system with unique abilities
  • High-mobility expedition motorbike
Features
Read full description

Wuthering Waves is a story-rich open-world action RPG with a high degree of freedom. You wake from your slumber as Rover, joined by a vibrant cast of Resonators on a journey to reclaim your lost memories and change the world. ◆Winner of Players' Voice at The Game Awards 2025◆ ◆Nominee of Best Mobile Game at The Game Awards 2025◆ ◆Nominee of Players' Voice at The Game Awards 2024◆ ◆Nominee of Best Mobile Game at The Game Awards 2024◆ ◆Introduction◆ Welcome aboard, roving voyager. Upon the shores lay the silent embers of a world during the Ebb Tide. Desolated by the Lament, the erstwhile creations and earthly beings are left static. But they strike back, strong enough to penetrate the silence. Humanity has risen anew from the ashes of the apocalypse. And you, Rover, are poised for an adventure of Awakening. Companions to meet, enemies to conquer, new powers to gain, hidden truths to unveil, and unseen spectacles to behold... A vast world of endless possibilities awaits. The choice rests in your hands. Be the answer, be the leader, and follow the sounds to arrive at a new future. As Wuthering Waves echo endlessly, mankind set sail on a new journey. Rise and embark on your odyssey, Rover. ◆Features◆ Delve into an expansive world / Desolated by the Lament, civilization is born anew Embrace high degrees of freedom in immersive overworld explorations. Free yourself from stamina limits, dash and parkour on walls, take Flight, and ride a high-mobility expedition motorbike to enjoy open-world exploration. As the world of Solaris-3 unfolds, your lost memory begins to see its recovery through this ceaseless quest. Enjoy extreme battle experience / Engage in smooth & fast-paced combat Avail against enemy attacks in smooth and fast-paced combat. Apply easy controls of Extreme Evasion, Dodge Counter, Echo Skill, and unique QTE mechanisms that allow the fullest possibility of battle experience. Immerse in breathtaking storytelling / Witness a delicate fusion of story, sound, and vision With cinematic narratives, rich music, and stunning animation, Solaris delivers a high-quality sensory journey that brings every story to life. Encounter Resonators / Forte awakened, journey alongside your companions Compose a harmonious battle concerto with Resonators of different abilities. Their unique Fortes revealing distinctive personalities will be your strong assets for the journey ahead. ◆Official Social Media◆ Official Website: https://wutheringwaves.kurogames.com/en/ X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/Wuthering_Waves Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WutheringWaves.Official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WutheringWaves Discord: https://discord.com/invite/wutheringwaves Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/WutheringWaves/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wuthering_waves Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wutheringwaves_official ※IGRS-certified and suitable for users aged 13 and above. 【App Permissions】 To provide the following services while you use this app, we may request certain permissions. 【Optional Permissions】 -Photos: Used for uploading, downloading, or sharing pictures, such as saving pictures to the photo library. -Microphone: Used for providing feedback through methods such as sending voice messages or recording videos. -Camera: Used for providing feedback through methods such as taking photos or recording videos, as well as for scanning QR codes. *For optional permissions, you can continue to use the app normally even if you deny them. 【How to Withdraw Permission Consent】 Settings → Privacy & Security → Select the relevant permission → Choose to allow or revoke access.

About

Etheria

Embark on an RPG adventure in a virtual world threatened by a corrupted force. Assemble a team of unique heroes, master strategic turn-based combat, and explore a visually stunning 3D world. Engage in thrilling PvP battles and challenging PvE content to save humanity.

Highlights
  • Strategic turn-based combat
  • Limitless team compositions
  • Breathtaking 3D visuals
  • Cinematic battle spectacles
  • Strategic PvP Arena battles
  • Venture into the Threshold PvE
  • Forge unique combat styles
Read full description

Biggest rewards ever for the Anniversary Season! Claim your share of 100 Million Hydra Crystals — and pick your FREE Kinetic Animus SSR! The new Sprint Server supercharges your journey: 600 Summons, 70 Perfect Lattices, and 8 powerful Anima SSRs — all FREE, zero grind. Plus Xuan Li’s anniversary-exclusive Outfit! Fresh UI, revamped Main Quest, double drops — level up at lightning speed. The grand [Pyrite Plunder] event is live: rally your Consortium and fight for treasure. Restart Etheria. It all begins now. Etheria is an Ethereal Hero Collection RPG . When a devastating global freeze threatens to extinguish human civilization, humanity transfers their consciousness into "Etheria," a virtual world, to preserve their legacy. Within Etheria, humans coexist with beings known as the Animus, who wield mysterious Anima Powers. Their peaceful coexistence shatters when the "Genesis Virus" emerges, corrupting the Animus and driving them berserk, endangering humanity's survival. In response, the Hyperlinker Union forms to combat this threat. Take on the role of a Hyperlinker and begin your adventure in Etheria. [Strategic Combat & Limitless Team Compositions] Etheria evolves classic turn-based combat by incorporating diverse strategic mechanics and sandbox exploration, delivering a next-generation Team RPG experience! Create countless team combinations by synergizing Animus abilities, issue real-time combat commands, and freely control each Animus in battle. Master skill combinations and tactical setups to experience the thrill of overcoming powerful foes through superior strategy. [Breathtaking 3D Visuals & Cinematic Spectacle] Built in Unreal Engine, Etheria delivers cinematic immersion through lifelike lighting, detailed shadows, and fully rendered real-time scenes. Each character features unique combat animations enhanced by dynamic camera work and dazzling effects, creating spectacular battles without visual clutter or overwhelming effects. [Strategic PvP Arena Battles] Step into the Arena, where non-stop duels rage day and night! Engage in exhilarating PvP battles amid roaring crowds, showcase your unique strategies to fellow Hyperlinkers, and experience the pure thrill of tactical competition as you pursue your combat dreams! [Venture into the Threshold] Explore Etheria's rich PvE content, where formidable foes from the Main Quest return in the Threshold, GP Outposts, and Investigations. Team up with your Animus squad to tackle powerful bosses! For those seeking greater challenges, venture into the Ember ruins, where even deadlier and more mysterious adversaries await... [Forge Your Combat Style] Each Animus features a unique Prowess system with diverse progression paths. Customize their abilities through Shell equipment and nearly a hundred different Ether Module combinations to develop distinct fighting styles and combat approaches. Create specialized builds for your favorite Animus to tackle any battle scenario! [Discover Extraordinary Allies] Your journey through this virtual metropolis of danger and opportunity won't be lonely! Meet hundreds of unique Animus characters: a dual-wielding Reaper carrying a mighty coffin, a punk genius Hacker, a metropolitan Empress who manipulates Soul Flames... Join forces to confront unknown threats and unveil the mysteries of this futuristic city.

Screenshots

Wuthering Waves4 screens
Etheria4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Wuthering Waves at none against Etheria's shown. Wuthering Waves also leads on update cadence (every 10 days vs every 2 months) and review sentiment (65% vs 45%). On price, rating, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Wuthering Waves sells 18 one-off in-app purchases and Etheria sells 31 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Wuthering Waves against 4.7 for Etheria. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Wuthering Waves has 60K ratings behind it against 8.6K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 65% of Wuthering Waves's written reviews are positive against 45% of Etheria's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Wuthering Waves ships an update every 10 days, Etheria every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 26, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Wuthering Waves versus Etheria: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWuthering WavesEtheria
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (60K ratings)4.7 (8.6K ratings) — better
Positive reviews65.0% of reviews — better45.0% of reviews
Number of ratings60K — better8.6K
Update frequencyEvery 10 days — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#23 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size3.2 GB3.6 GB
Age rating12+12+
DeveloperKURO GAMESXD Entertainment Pte Ltd

Customer experience

Wuthering Waves

All ratings59,889 ratings
Positive91.0%
Neutral2.6%
Negative6.4%
Written reviews4,714 reviews
Positive65.0%
Neutral10.3%
Negative24.8%

Etheria

All ratings8,549 ratings
Positive94.5%
Neutral1.2%
Negative4.3%
Written reviews798 reviews
Positive45.0%
Neutral8.3%
Negative46.7%

User reviews

Wuthering Waves

From 60K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Smooth gameplay
  • 🎨 Beautiful graphics and character designs
  • 👍 Generous rewards and compensation
  • 💡 Unique combat system and echo system
  • 🤖 Expressive and detailed NPCs

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and performance issues
  • 🔌 Laggy and overheating on mobile devices
  • 🗣️ Inconsistent voice acting quality
  • 🤷‍♀️ Bland and disjointed story
  • 🤬 Lack of controller support on mobile

Etheria

From 8.6K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Fun gameplay
  • 🚀 Low data usage
  • 👍 Amazing animation and characters
  • 👍 Smooth performance
  • 👍 Enjoyable story

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Game still under maintenance
  • 🔊 No English voice acting

Bugs and requests

Wuthering Waves

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Dialogue and subtitle issues
  • Screen orientation problems
  • Enemies getting stuck in the environment
  • Inconsistent login and loading issues
  • Glitches during combat and cutscenes

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add controller support for mobile
  • Improve optimization and reduce crashes
  • Enhance story pacing and character development
  • Implement more customization options
  • Add co-op or multiplayer features

Etheria

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Game not starting despite user input
  • Download issues

Requested features

2 requests
  • English voice acting
  • More store accessibility

In-app purchases

18 purchases

Wuthering Waves

One-time18
  • 60 Lunites$0.99
  • Special Bundle07$0.99
  • Special Bundle11$1.99
Show 15 more
  • 300 Lunites$4.99
  • Lunite Subscription$4.99
  • Special Bundle08$9.99
  • Insider Channel$9.99
  • Special Bundle$9.99
  • Upgrade to Connoisseur Channel$10.00
  • Special Bundle40$14.99
  • 980 Lunites$14.99
  • Special Bundle$19.99
  • Connoisseur Channel$19.99
  • Special Bundle12$19.99
  • Special Bundle$29.99
  • 1980 Lunites$29.99
  • 3280 Lunites$49.99
  • 6480 Lunites$99.99
31 purchases

Etheria

One-time31
  • Beginner Pack: Anima$0.99
  • Level 10 Pack$0.99
  • Daily Special Pack$4.99
Show 28 more
  • Monthly Supply Card$4.99
  • Beginner Pack: Enhanced$4.99
  • Level 25 Pack$4.99
  • Level 15 Pack$4.99
  • Jazz Swing Bundle$4.99
  • Premium Pass$10.99
  • Module Essence Supply$10.99
  • Animus General Chest$10.99
  • Psyche Rock Bundle$10.99
  • Ultimate Pass$15.49
  • Beginner Pack: Apex$15.49
  • Apex Supply Chest$15.49
  • Animus Vanguard Chest$15.49
  • Digital Beat Bundle$15.49
  • Special Training Supply$30.99
  • Apex Recon Chest$30.99
  • Animus Rival Chest$30.99
  • Level 40 Pack$30.99
  • Beginner Pack IV$30.99
  • Pop Break Bundle$30.99
  • Apex Ascension Chest$50.99
  • Animus Peak Chest$50.99
  • Level 45 Pack$50.99
  • Beginner Pack V$50.99
  • Mambo Rush Bundle$50.99
  • Apex Premium Chest$99.99
  • Level 50 Pack$99.99
  • Classic Tale Bundle$99.99

Questions

Is Wuthering Waves free?
Wuthering Waves is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Etheria free?
Etheria is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Wuthering Waves or Etheria?
Etheria is rated higher. Wuthering Waves averages 4.6 out of 5 from 60K ratings, while Etheria averages 4.7 from 8.6K ratings.
Do Wuthering Waves or Etheria have ads?
Etheria shows ads; Wuthering Waves does not.
Which is updated more often, Wuthering Waves or Etheria?
Wuthering Waves ships an update every 10 days, and Etheria every 2 months. Most recently, Wuthering Waves was updated on October 26, 2026 and Etheria on October 26, 2026.

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