Machine Yearning vs Rogue Words
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).
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.
- 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
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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
Verdict
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
Both are free to download. Machine Yearning sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Rogue Words asks for nothing beyond the download.
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.
| Parameter | Machine Yearning | Rogue Words |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (53 ratings) | 4.9 (1.6K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 89.5% of reviews | 95.2% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 53 | 1.6K — better |
| Update frequency | — | Fortnightly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 14.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 166 MB | 69 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Tiny Little Keys Inc. | Brian Lipkowitz |
Customer experience
Machine Yearning
Rogue Words
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
Rogue Words
From 1.6K App Store ratingsWhat 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
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- Tipping/donation system
In-app purchases
Machine Yearning
- Unlock Hats$1.99
Rogue Words
No in-app purchases









