Comparison

Machine Yearning vs Catagrams

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

Catagrams

Solve charming word puzzles in a cozy, hand-drawn game. Unlock unique accessories for your feline friends and enjoy relaxing gameplay. Customize your experience with adjustable difficulty and daily challenges.

Highlights
  • Hand-drawn illustrations
  • Relaxing gameplay
  • Customizable puzzles
  • Infinite play mode
  • Cat accessories
  • Daily puzzles
  • Support cat rescues
Read full description

What are these cats up to? Catagrams is a cozy, hand-drawn mobile game where players solve word puzzles to unlock whimsical accessories for their cats. • Hand-drawn Illustrations - Discover each cat's favorite activity! • Relaxing Gameplay - Match threads, unlock cats, and settle in for a good time • Curated Puzzles - Customize word length and difficulty to your taste • Infinite Play - Purchase endless mode for limitless puzzles • Adorable Accoutrements - Accessorize your cat companions! • Daily Puzzle - Scratch that word-puzzle itch with each new challenge • Support a Good Cause - 50% of the proceeds from the "Treat Package" in-app purchase go to a rotating cat rescue! About Us: We're two software developers with a love for coding, stories, puzzles, and art. So, we left our corporate jobs to make an indie game! Catagrams is our first game, and we sincerely hope you enjoy it. To learn more about Ponderosa Games, please visit www.ponderosagames.com.

Screenshots

Machine Yearning4 screens
Catagrams4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Machine Yearning at none against Catagrams's shown. Machine Yearning also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). 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 and Catagrams sells 7 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 — 4.8 for Machine Yearning against 4.9 for Catagrams. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 53 and 57 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 89% of Machine Yearning's written reviews are positive against 94% of Catagrams's.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Machine Yearning versus Catagrams: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMachine YearningCatagrams
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (53 ratings)4.9 (57 ratings) — better
Positive reviews89.5% of reviews94.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings5357 — better
Update frequency—Every 3 weeks
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size166 MB195 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTiny Little Keys Inc.Ponderosa Games, LLC

Customer experience

Machine Yearning

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

Catagrams

All ratings57 ratings
Positive96.5%
Neutral1.8%
Negative1.8%
Written reviews36 reviews
Positive94.4%
Neutral2.8%
Negative2.8%

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

Catagrams

From 57 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🥰 Cute and adorable art
  • 👍 Fun and addictive word game
  • 🧠 Mentally stimulating
  • 🧩 Unique puzzle mechanic
  • 🎨 Customizable difficulty and settings

Room to improve

  • 💰 Some features require payment or ads
  • 🤔 Hints not always free as initially stated

Bugs and requests

Machine Yearning

No bugs or feature requests surfaced in reviews.

Catagrams

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Login screen freezes
  • Incompatible with older devices

Requested features

2 requests
  • Free hints for all puzzles
  • Ability to slide tiles freely on the board

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Machine Yearning

One-time1
  • Unlock Hats$1.99
7 purchases

Catagrams

One-time7
  • Scientist Cat$1.99
  • Cozy Winter Night Cat$1.99
  • Desert Road Trip Cat$1.99
Show 4 more
  • Autumn Cat$1.99
  • Remove Ads$1.99
  • Unlimited Play Mode$2.99
  • Treat Package$9.99

Questions

Is Machine Yearning free?
Machine Yearning is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Catagrams free?
Catagrams is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Machine Yearning or Catagrams?
Catagrams is rated higher. Machine Yearning averages 4.8 out of 5 from 53 ratings, while Catagrams averages 4.9 from 57 ratings.
Do Machine Yearning or Catagrams have ads?
Catagrams shows ads; Machine Yearning does not.

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