Duke Nukem vs Dread Encounter
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Duke Nukem
Duke Nukem battles Mech Morphix's mutant army in New York City. This action-platformer blends classic Duke Nukem 3D gameplay with 2D sidescrolling elements. Utilize a variety of weapons and Duke's signature wit to save the city.
- 9 brand new weapons
- 8 huge levels across NYC
- Over 25 enemy types
- Blend of 3D and 2D gameplay
- Classic Duke Nukem action
Read full descriptionHide full description
toucharcade.com - "Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project is still a kick-ass trip" 148apps.com - "After pulling off around half an hour of playtime, it comfortably becomes one of the most fast-paced enjoyable platforming games I’ve played in a while" appgefahren.de - "Duke Nukem - Manhattan Project will certainly not disappoint fans of the series" Total Mutant Mayhem on iOS! Duke Nukem takes his Mighty Boot to the Big Apple. Using G.L.O.P.P. (Gluon Liquid Omega-Phased Plasma), the maniacal Mech Morphix has transformed the creatures of New York City into an army of bloodthirsty mutants. In Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project, Duke must deploy W.I.N. (Weapons, Insults and Name-Calling) to rid the city of goo-based bad guys, and return peace and tranquility to The City That Never Sleeps. Originally released to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Duke Nukem in 2002, Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project blends together the best elements of Duke Nukem 3D and the best 2D sidescrolling of the first two games in the series, Duke Nukem and Duke Nukem II. From babes, bombs and Battlelords, to goggles, guns and Gargoyles, revisit Duke's dynasty with these re-released classics. Return to a time when the King Of Action didn't need regenerative health or auto-aim - a time when action games were actually about action, an era when heroes had the strength to carry as many guns as they wanted and use as many cheats as they needed. Celebrate Duke Nukem's 20th anniversary in sunshade-wearing, quick-quipping style with a title that - alongside the re-release of Duke's first two adventures - recognizes a series that's had a tremendous impact on an entire industry, and represents the best of Duke in a way that no other game could. *** Key Features: *** A Good Day To Duke: Rip 'em a new one with 9 brand new weapons, including the G.L.O.P.P. Ray, Pipe Bomb, Pulse Cannon and the almighty "press-to-kill-everything" X-3000. New York, New York: 8 huge levels across various regions of New York City: Rooftop Rebellion, Chinatown Chiller, Metro Madness, Unholy Underworld, Fearsome Factory, Tanker Trouble and Deviant Drilling. And the last level is, let's say, a little out of town. Evil Has A Snout: Blast, jump and smart-ass through more than 25 enemies, including Pig Cops, Gator Grunts, and Roachoids. What Are You Waitin' For?: A potent blend of old school gameplay and smooth 3D visuals, Duke Nukem: Manhattan Project brings together the best of both Dukes for the ultimate Duke Nukem experience. Let's rock!
Dread Encounter
Read full descriptionHide full description
Dread Encounter is a dark action adventure set in a world that slowly reshapes itself as you move forward. You run through side-view environments filled with traps, hazards, and sudden encounters, where progress depends on movement, timing, and careful decisions rather than constant pressure. The gameplay combines fast movement with deliberate combat choices. You can attack first, block incoming strikes, or risk a precise parry to gain the advantage. Different situations reward different approaches, allowing combat to feel reactive and tense rather than repetitive. Between intense runs, the pace slows. You trade with a mysterious merchant, acquire weapons and essential tools, solve environmental puzzles, and prepare for what lies ahead. Each successful path forward alters the world, opening new routes and encounters while closing others. As you progress, fragments of a hidden story begin to surface. The world offers brief, unsettling glimpses of something beyond the path you are running — moments that suggest this journey is more than a simple escape. These details never interrupt the action, but quietly change how the world is perceived. Key Features • Fast-paced action adventure focused on movement, timing, and momentum • Combat built around choice — attack, block, or parry at the right moment • Dangerous environments filled with traps, hazards, and collapsing paths • Ability upgrades that improve defense, strength, and survivability • Trading with a mysterious merchant for weapons and essential tools • Environmental puzzles that slow the pace and test awareness • Distinct locations, unsettling atmosphere, and collectible outfits
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Dread Encounter at Free against Duke Nukem's $1.99. Dread Encounter also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 10) and update cadence (every 6 days vs every 5 months). Duke Nukem's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On 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
Dread Encounter is free to download; Duke Nukem costs $1.99 up front. Duke Nukem sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Dread Encounter asks for nothing beyond the download.
Duke Nukem ships an update every 5 months, Dread Encounter every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Duke Nukem | Dread Encounter |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.1 (79 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 43.9% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 79 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | Every 6 days — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.5 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 236 MB | 472 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Spawn Studios, Lda | Maksim Guliaev |
Bugs and requests
Duke Nukem
Reported bugs
16 issues- Game crashes on launch or during gameplay
- Character floats/flies uncontrollably
- Save files corrupt or fail to load
- Crashes when loading saves from inside rooms
- Screen freezes at specific levels (Episode 5, Chinatown, Fearsome Factory)
Show 11 moreShow fewer
- Touch controls unresponsive or delayed
- Audio cuts out or doesn't play
- Incompatibility with iOS 8 and newer versions
- Screen cutoff on notched iPhones (iPhone X+)
- Jumping mechanics broken (character gets stuck)
- Weapon selection changes spontaneously
- Muzzle flash stays on screen
- Game incompatible with iPhone 6 and newer models
- Lag and frame rate drops on older devices
- Level loading causes crashes
- Character stuck in walls or unable to grab ledges
Requested features
11 requests- MFi controller support
- Russian language localization
- German language localization
- Full screen optimization for notched iPhones
- Improved save system with manual save button
Show 6 moreShow fewer
- Look and Zoom feature from original
- Better button layout customization
- Performance optimization for older devices
- Improved graphics quality
- Duke Nukem 3D port to iOS
- Additional Duke Nukem sequels (parts 2-4)
Dread Encounter
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Duke Nukem
- Pack of 50 'Force Field'$0.99
- Pack of 50 'Jet Pack'$0.99
- Pack of 50 "Mega Health"$0.99
Show 7 moreShow fewer
- Pain Killers$0.99
- Suck it Down$0.99
- Blow it Up$0.99
- Who Wants Some$0.99
- Skip Level$0.99
- Piece of Cake$1.99
- Balls of Steel$4.99
Dread Encounter
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Duke Nukem free?
Is Dread Encounter free?
Do Duke Nukem or Dread Encounter have ads?
Which is updated more often, Duke Nukem or Dread Encounter?
Other comparisons















