Comparison

Machine Yearning vs Riddle Zen

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

Riddle Zen

Engage your mind with hundreds of unique riddles and brain teasers. Progress through different difficulty levels, unlock plants for your Zen garden, and enjoy a peaceful gameplay experience. Test your knowledge in a timed challenge mode.

Highlights
  • Hundreds of unique riddles
  • Multiple difficulty modes
  • Zen garden with plant collection
  • Detailed riddle explanations
  • Timed 'Quick Play' mode
  • Peaceful and relaxing theme
Read full description

Ready to become the next riddle master? Join Neve in solving a game of riddles and brain teasers. There are hundreds of unique and challenging riddles. It is a good word guessing game for every age group. Features of Riddle Zen: One of nine: - Each riddle comes with 9 possible options with their respective image. - Only 1 of them is correct - After each riddle you get Zen necessary for upgrades Explanations: - Got an answer but unsure why it is that one? - An explanation for all the riddles is provided - At the end of a riddle you have an option to understand why! Modes for everyone: - If you are a veteran with riddles, then there are different options for you. - Each difficulty will affect the way the game is played (Easy, Medium, Hard). Zen garden: - As you progress you will unlock plants that will be required to complete various collections. - Rewards are granted as you get more plants and upgrade them with Zen. Peaceful theme: - The game focuses on peaceful and relaxing tasks like solving riddles and collecting plants. - There's no competition, it's all about savoring the process and finding your own state of Zen while keeping your brain active. Quick Play: - Answer as many riddles as you can within the time limit. - Each correct answer gets you extra time! - One wrong answer and you are done! - Unlocked after solving riddle 40! Additional information: - The game is free to play; however, in-app purchases are available for additional content and in-game currency. - Other than watching rewarded videos no internet or logins are necessary to play the game.

Screenshots

Machine Yearning4 screens
Riddle Zen4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Machine Yearning at none against Riddle Zen's shown. Machine Yearning also leads on ratings volume (53 vs 3). Riddle Zen's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.8) and review sentiment (100% vs 89%). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model 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. Machine Yearning sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Riddle Zen sells 11 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Riddle Zen holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Machine Yearning has 53 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 89% of Machine Yearning's written reviews are positive against 100% of Riddle Zen's.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Machine Yearning versus Riddle Zen: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMachine YearningRiddle Zen
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (53 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews89.5% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings53 — better3
Update frequency—Weekly
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size166 MB249 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTiny Little Keys Inc.Admurin Arts

Customer experience

Machine Yearning

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

Riddle Zen

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Machine Yearning

One-time1
  • Unlock Hats$1.99
11 purchases

Riddle Zen

One-time11
  • 10 Hearts$0.99
  • Bamboo Plant$0.99
  • Helpful Bundle$1.99
Show 8 more
  • No ads$2.99
  • Ario's Mushy$4.99
  • Calming Bundle$4.99
  • Focused Bundle$9.99
  • Mindful Bundle$19.99
  • Neve's Bundle$19.99
  • Sensei Bundle$39.99
  • Enlightened Bundle$49.99

Questions

Is Machine Yearning free?
Machine Yearning is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Riddle Zen free?
Riddle Zen is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Machine Yearning or Riddle Zen?
Riddle Zen is rated higher. Machine Yearning averages 4.8 out of 5 from 53 ratings, while Riddle Zen averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do Machine Yearning or Riddle Zen have ads?
Riddle Zen shows ads; Machine Yearning does not.

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