Comparison

Machine Yearning vs Phantolex

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Create custom languages
  • Memory recall challenges
  • Campaign, Timed, and Endless modes
  • Retro pixel art style
  • Unlockable hats and themes
  • Cognitive skill enhancement
Read full description

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).

About

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.

Highlights
  • Avoid spelling words
  • Turn-based letter adding
  • Strategic power-ups
  • Endless challenging levels
  • Unlock rewards
Features
Read full description

“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

Machine Yearning4 screens
Phantolex3 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Machine Yearning sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Phantolex asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Machine Yearning versus Phantolex: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMachine YearningPhantolex
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (53 ratings) — better4.7 (97 ratings)
Positive reviews89.5% of reviews — better84.0% of reviews
Number of ratings5397 — better
Update frequency—Every 2 days
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size166 MB85 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTiny Little Keys Inc.Tyler Green

Customer experience

Machine Yearning

All ratings53 ratings
Positive94.3%
Neutral1.9%
Negative3.8%
Written reviews19 reviews
Positive89.5%
Neutral5.3%
Negative5.3%

Phantolex

All ratings97 ratings
Positive95.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative4.1%
Written reviews25 reviews
Positive84.0%
Neutral4.0%
Negative12.0%

User reviews

Machine Yearning

From 53 App Store ratings

What 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 ratings

What 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
Show 2 more
  • Holiday themes for UI
  • Festive characters for holidays

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Machine Yearning

One-time1
  • Unlock Hats$1.99
None

Phantolex

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Machine Yearning free?
Machine Yearning is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Phantolex free?
Phantolex is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Machine Yearning or Phantolex?
Machine Yearning is rated higher. Machine Yearning averages 4.8 out of 5 from 53 ratings, while Phantolex averages 4.7 from 97 ratings.
Do Machine Yearning or Phantolex have ads?
Phantolex shows ads; Machine Yearning does not.

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