Machine Yearning vs Phantolex
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Machine Yearning
Create your own language and test your memory in this unique word game. Solve puzzles by inventing definitions and recalling them to prove your authenticity. Features retro pixel art, multiple game modes, and unlockable content.
- Create custom languages
- Memory recall challenges
- Campaign, Timed, and Endless modes
- Retro pixel art style
- Unlockable hats and themes
- Cognitive skill enhancement
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Machine Yearning is a word and memory game where you create your own language and test your ability to remember it. Premise: You're a human masquerading as a robot to land a job meant only for mechanical minds. Your challenge? Solve captchas like never before—by inventing definitions on the fly! But remember: consistency is key, as you'll need to recall your invented words to prove your robotic authenticity. Accolades: Proud winner of the Ludum Dare game jam's "#1 Most Fun" and "#1 Most Innovative"! Game Modes: Dive into three thrilling modes: * Campaign: Follow the story, from simple beginnings to complex linguistic challenges. * Timed: Race against the clock for high scores. * Endless: Keep playing and see how far your memory can take you! Features: * Cute, Retro-Style Pixel Art: Immerse yourself in charming visuals that transport you to a playful digital world. * Unlockables Galore: Earn stylish hats, helpful power-ups, and delightful themes as you advance. * Mind-Sharpening Fun: This game not only tests your memory but also enhances your cognitive skills. * Free to Play: Jump right in—no ads, no junkware, and no annoying push notifications. * Support the Developer: Love the game? Consider unlocking extra hats to both style your gameplay and support the developer (me, Daniel)! * Challenge Yourself: Starting easy, the game intensifies as you progress, perfect for fans of language, word, memory, and puzzle games. Step into the world of "Machine Yearning," where your mind's agility and creativity meet endless fun and challenges. Ready to prove you're the smartest "robot" around? Download now and let the games begin! Special thanks to Wildan Rahmat R for logo, powerup, and hat designs. Fonts used: early gameboy, pixel operator, retro computer, dogica, pressstart2p, and aseprite (https://github.com/aseprite/aseprite/blob/fea3f5fceeab027ee3f5402272b94569c7a0daa9/data/fonts/LICENSE.txt).
Phantolex
A unique word game where the objective is to avoid spelling a complete word. Players take turns adding letters, strategically using powers to outmaneuver opponents and progress through challenging, endless levels. Lose, and it's game over.
- Avoid spelling words
- Turn-based letter adding
- Strategic power-ups
- Endless challenging levels
- Unlock rewards
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“Top 5 Games of the Week” – Pocket Gamer “Phantolex is smart, brain-teasing, [and] throws surprises” – Metro.co.uk "Best and freshest [word game] on iPhone” – Stuff.tv Phantolex is a rogue-like word game with a twist: the goal is to avoid spelling the word. Think of it like hot potato - you'll take turns adding letters, but don't be the one to finish the word. As you progress, you'll use powers and face tougher levels, but if you lose, it's game over! How to Play: - Build Words: Take turns against Casp adding letters and avoid being the one to complete a word. - Strategic Powers: Use powers like Letter Rewind, Bluff Stopper, and Word Connoisseur to gain an edge. - Endless Levels: Progress through increasingly challenging levels, unlock rewards, and win a run!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Phantolex at none against Machine Yearning's 1. Machine Yearning's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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. Machine Yearning sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Phantolex asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Machine Yearning against 4.7 for Phantolex. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 53 and 97 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 89% of Machine Yearning's written reviews are positive against 84% of Phantolex's.
| Parameter | Machine Yearning | Phantolex |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (53 ratings) — better | 4.7 (97 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 89.5% of reviews — better | 84.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 53 | 97 — better |
| Update frequency | — | Every 2 days |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Ad-supported — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 166 MB | 85 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Tiny Little Keys Inc. | Tyler Green |
Customer experience
Machine Yearning
Phantolex
User reviews
Machine Yearning
From 53 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 💡 Enjoyable and quick game
- 👍 Easy to understand
- 👍 Super cool art style and gameplay
- 🚀 No ads
- 👍 Challenging and fun
Room to improve
- 🐛 Can't turn off haptics
Phantolex
From 97 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 💡 Innovative word game concept
- 👍 Engaging and fun gameplay
- 🧠 Challenging and makes you think
- ✨ Unique twist on word games
- 🎨 Cool sound and kid-friendly
Room to improve
- 🔋 Seriously heats up phone
- 🔋 Big battery drain
- ❓ Inconsistent dictionary
- ❌ Words not accepted
- ❌ Words accepted that shouldn't be
Bugs and requests
Machine Yearning
No bugs or feature requests surfaced in reviews.
Phantolex
Reported bugs
4 issues- Invalid word flagged as completed
- False positive for invalid words
- Win/Defeat bug on run completion
- Ad not working to continue game
Requested features
7 requests- Multiplayer option (1v1)
- Definitions for words
- Portuguese version
- Overrule game's word errors
- More facial expressions for Casp
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- Holiday themes for UI
- Festive characters for holidays
In-app purchases
Machine Yearning
- Unlock Hats$1.99
Phantolex
No in-app purchases









