Comparison

Duke Nukem vs Dread Encounter

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 9 brand new weapons
  • 8 huge levels across NYC
  • Over 25 enemy types
  • Blend of 3D and 2D gameplay
  • Classic Duke Nukem action
Features
Read 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!

About

Dread Encounter

Features
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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

Duke Nukem4 screens
Dread Encounter4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Duke Nukem versus Dread Encounter: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDuke NukemDread Encounter
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating4.1 (79 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews43.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings79 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 6 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.515.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size236 MB472 MB
Age rating12+12+
DeveloperSpawn Studios, LdaMaksim 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 more
  • 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 more
  • 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

10 purchases

Duke Nukem

One-time10
  • Pack of 50 'Force Field'$0.99
  • Pack of 50 'Jet Pack'$0.99
  • Pack of 50 "Mega Health"$0.99
Show 7 more
  • 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
None

Dread Encounter

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Duke Nukem free?
Duke Nukem costs $1.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Dread Encounter free?
Dread Encounter is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Duke Nukem or Dread Encounter have ads?
Dread Encounter shows ads; Duke Nukem does not.
Which is updated more often, Duke Nukem or Dread Encounter?
Duke Nukem ships an update every 5 months, and Dread Encounter every 6 days. Most recently, Duke Nukem was updated on October 13, 2026 and Dread Encounter on October 2, 2026.

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