Comparison

Machine Yearning vs Rogue Words

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

Rogue Words

This word game blends classic word puzzle mechanics with roguelike strategy. Craft words to score points, collect power-ups, and overcome dynamic challenges across multiple levels. Adapt to unique playstyles and unlock abilities for endless replayability.

Highlights
  • Craft words for points
  • Collect boons and potions
  • Survive 10+ intense levels
  • 12 unique Aspects to choose from
  • Unlock powerful upgrades
  • Risk & reward challenges
  • Over 100 boons and potions
Features
Read full description

Unleash Your Vocabulary in the Ultimate Roguelike Word Game! Dive into the excitement of Rogue Words, where the classic fun of word games meets the unpredictable thrill of roguelike strategy! Test your skills, adapt to ever-changing challenges, and see how far your words can take you. 【 How to Play 】 • Craft words to score points and overcome unique challenges. • Collect and wield powerful boons and potions to shift the odds in your favor! • Survive 10 intense levels to claim Supreme Victory—or push beyond level 10 to see how far your mastery can go! 【 Key Features 】 • Dynamic Playstyles: Choose from 12 unique Aspects, each altering the game rules in both helpful and challenging ways. • Powerful Upgrades: Unlock abilities that let you upgrade tiles, earn bonuses, and discover dominant combos. • Risk & Reward Challenges: Take on special challenges to raise the stakes and earn greater rewards. • Roguelike Depth: Explore limitless possibilities with over 100 boons and potions for endlessly unique runs. • Daily Challenges offer unique rules and play styles to keep you on your toes. Whether you're a fan of word puzzles, strategy games, or fresh twists on beloved classics, Rogue Words has something for you.

Screenshots

Machine Yearning4 screens
Rogue Words4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Rogue Words at none against Machine Yearning's 1. Rogue Words also leads on ratings volume (1.6K vs 53). Machine Yearning's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 14.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads 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. Rogue Words 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 4.9 for Rogue Words. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Rogue Words has 1.6K ratings behind it against 53, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 89% of Machine Yearning's written reviews are positive against 95% of Rogue Words's.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Machine Yearning versus Rogue Words: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMachine YearningRogue Words
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (53 ratings)4.9 (1.6K ratings) — better
Positive reviews89.5% of reviews95.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings531.6K — better
Update frequency—Fortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better14.0
Further details — not scored
Size166 MB69 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTiny Little Keys Inc.Brian Lipkowitz

Customer experience

Machine Yearning

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

Rogue Words

All ratings1,636 ratings
Positive97.6%
Neutral1.2%
Negative1.3%
Written reviews673 reviews
Positive95.2%
Neutral2.1%
Negative2.7%

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

Rogue Words

From 1.6K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Incredible game
  • 🚀 Great gameplay
  • 🚀 Simple and fun
  • 🚀 Fun and addictive
  • 🚀 Worth playing

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crash on launch
  • 🐛 Sometimes says 'not a word' when it is

Bugs and requests

Machine Yearning

No bugs or feature requests surfaced in reviews.

Rogue Words

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crash on launch
  • Toggling vibrations doesn't disable haptics
  • Boon icon background too tall and off-screen

Requested features

6 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Background music and wallpaper
  • More varied sound effects
  • Mines on the board
  • Other extra features
Show 1 more
  • Tipping/donation system

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Machine Yearning

One-time1
  • Unlock Hats$1.99
None

Rogue Words

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Machine Yearning free?
Machine Yearning is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Rogue Words free?
Rogue Words is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Machine Yearning or Rogue Words?
Rogue Words is rated higher. Machine Yearning averages 4.8 out of 5 from 53 ratings, while Rogue Words averages 4.9 from 1.6K ratings.
Do Machine Yearning or Rogue Words have ads?
Neither Machine Yearning nor Rogue Words shows ads.

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