Comparison

Magic Research 2 vs Minimal Life

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

Head to head
About

Magic Research 2

Embark on a magical quest as a rookie wizard to find or create the Philosopher's Stone. Utilize over 120 spells, transmute hundreds of items, and lead a team of wizards in a semi-automated combat system. Explore dozens of areas, uncover secrets, and experience over 60 hours of gameplay.

Highlights
  • Over 120 distinct spells
  • Transmute over 250 items
  • Control a team of wizards
  • Semi-automated combat system
  • Explore dozens of areas
  • Discover secrets and storylines
  • Retirement bonuses for faster progress
Features
Read full description

Experience the long-awaited sequel to Magic Research! In Magic Research 2, you are a rookie wizard with a single ambition: to find or create the Philosopher's Stone, a legendary magical item that is said to be able to cure any illness. As you do so, you will learn more than you ever imagined about Magic and about the world around you. What kinds of adventures await you? * Use your arsenal of more than 120 distinct spells to make progress * Study the Elements! Learn new ways to use Magic in your path to mastery * Transmute (magically craft) over 250 different items to help you on your journey * Control a team of Wizards that will cast Spells for you * Enjoy a deep, semi-automated combat system as you make your way through dozens of areas to explore * Discover tons of secrets - many of which will change the way you play the game! * Encounter over a hundred distinct Storylines with powerful bonuses along your journey * Restart the game and make progress faster each time with retirement bonuses * Over 60 hours of addictive gameplay - with a clear ending! (Or perhaps more than one...?) * Optimized both for phones and tablet devices You do not need to have played Magic Research in order to enjoy Magic Research 2!

About

Minimal Life

Features
Read full description

A cellular automata simulation experience! A zero-person game! Enjoy a simple and minimal implementation of Conway's Game of Life, with a small 16x16 grid to pass the time.

Screenshots

Magic Research 24 screens
Minimal Life4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Minimal Life at Free against Magic Research 2's $4.69. Magic Research 2's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 3 months) and chart position (#24 vs unranked). On ads, in-app purchases 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

Minimal Life is free to download; Magic Research 2 costs $4.69 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Magic Research 2 ships an update every 3 days, Minimal Life every 3 months. Both last shipped on November 8, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Magic Research 2 versus Minimal Life: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMagic Research 2Minimal Life
Price$4.69Free — better
Rating4.7 (120 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews82.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings120 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
Best chart rank#24 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size36 MB0 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperMatias Ezequiel ColottoFrancisco Silva Neto

Bugs and requests

Magic Research 2

Reported bugs

6 issues
  • App instantly crashes on open
  • Game crashes on startup
  • App started rapidly pushing buttons on its own
  • Overheating phone
  • Lags and gets choppy in the late game
Show 1 more
  • Compendium doesn't unlock for bosses unless already beat

Requested features

9 requests
  • DLC or sequel news
  • macOS version
  • Better automation and convenience features
  • Tweak familiar search time down
  • Release the next one
Show 4 more
  • More Please
  • Auto fight boss button
  • Compendium unlocks bosses before beating them
  • Less dialogue and descriptions, more functional text

Minimal Life

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Magic Research 2

No in-app purchases

None

Minimal Life

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Magic Research 2 free?
Magic Research 2 costs $4.69, with no in-app purchases.
Is Minimal Life free?
Minimal Life is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Magic Research 2 or Minimal Life have ads?
Neither Magic Research 2 nor Minimal Life shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Magic Research 2 or Minimal Life?
Magic Research 2 ships an update every 3 days, and Minimal Life every 3 months. Most recently, Magic Research 2 was updated on November 8, 2026 and Minimal Life on November 8, 2026.

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