Shells vs square
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Shells
A geometry puzzle game where you slide blocks into larger shells to rearrange the board and solve challenges. It offers over 360 levels across 8 worlds with a focus on spatial reasoning and problem-solving. Enjoy a relaxing experience with a soothing soundtrack.
- Nested block sliding mechanics
- Over 360 original levels
- 8 distinct game worlds
- Optional hint system
- Soothing piano soundtrack
- Compact 4x4 grid gameplay
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Shells is a geometry puzzle game about the elegance of nested pieces on a tiny board. Slide your block into larger shells to rearrange the board and find your way out! Features: - Simple core mechanics and deep emergent complexity packed into a compact 4x4 grid. Train your brain by challenging your problem solving and spatial reasoning skills! - Gradual difficulty curve featuring over 360 original levels spread across 8 distinct worlds. - Flexible progression structure with multiple levels to choose from at any given point. - Adjust the difficulty to your liking with the optional hint system! - Soothing piano soundtrack accompanied by relaxing sound effects and backgrounds.
square
Engage your mind in a unique puzzle game where the objective is to form perfect squares. Explore increasingly complex challenges that test your logic, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Immerse yourself in vibrant visuals and a relaxing soundtrack as you boost your brainpower.
- Unique square-themed puzzles
- Challenging gameplay mechanics
- Vibrant geometric visuals
- Relaxing brain-boosting soundtrack
- Adaptive difficulty levels
- Progressive learning experience
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Step into a world where your IQ and brain are put to the ultimate test in a thrilling journey to uncover the hidden secrets of the square. In this mind-bending puzzle game, your objective is clear: form the perfect square in every level. But the path to success is far from simple. Each stage introduces unique challenges that will push the boundaries of your problem-solving skills, logic, and creativity. Can your brain rise to the challenge? As you progress through the game, the square becomes more than just a shape - it becomes the key to unlocking increasingly complex puzzles. Your IQ will be tested as each level grows more intricate, requiring deep thinking and sharp intuition. From basic squares to complex geometric forms, the game constantly challenges your brainpower, forcing you to think outside the box and discover new ways to solve puzzles. - Unique Square-Themed Puzzles: Every level revolves around the concept of the square, but no two puzzles are alike. Some require precision, others demand abstract thinking, but all will challenge your IQ and brain in ways you've never imagined. Whether you're connecting points, rotating shapes, or combining elements, every stage offers a new and engaging take on the square. - Challenging Gameplay Mechanics: Put your brain to work as you explore diverse mechanics. The game plays with geometry and logic, pushing your IQ to its limits as you figure out how to create the elusive square. Each puzzle is a test of both intelligence and creativity, making every win feel like a true brainpower achievement. - Vibrant Visuals: The minimalist, geometric art style sharpens your focus on the puzzles while delivering visually striking levels filled with vibrant, contrasting colors. The visual design highlights the beauty of squares and the symmetry of shapes, while also engaging your mind to look for solutions in every angle and line. - Relaxing Brain-Boosting Soundtrack: Boost your concentration with the soothing background music, designed to help your brain relax even as you take on increasingly tough challenges. The calming soundtrack keeps your mind sharp, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the game’s IQ-boosting puzzles. - Adaptive Difficulty Levels: The game’s difficulty curve adapts to challenge your growing IQ and puzzle-solving abilities. As you progress, you’ll find puzzles that are more challenging, requiring you to use every ounce of brainpower and ingenuity. The variety of puzzles ensures that no level feels repetitive, keeping your mind constantly engaged. - Progressive Learning Experience: As the levels get more complex, the game’s intelligent learning system helps you adapt to new mechanics with ease. You’ll gradually unlock advanced strategies and new ways to solve puzzles, training your brain to see squares in more dynamic and inventive ways. By the end, you’ll be a master of both geometry and logic. - Language Support: Available in multiple languages, this puzzle game is designed to challenge players from around the world. Are you smart enough to solve every square puzzle? Will your IQ and brainpower be enough to master the ultimate challenge without any hints? Are you prepared to unlock the secrets of squares and boost your intelligence with every puzzle? The journey to square mastery starts here. Strengthen your brain, sharpen your IQ. Let the quest for square begin now!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: square at none against Shells's 4. square also leads on ratings volume (283 vs 22). Shells's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.7) and review sentiment (100% vs 79%). On price, update cadence, ads 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
Both are free to download. Shells sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. square asks for nothing beyond the download.
Shells holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: square has 283 ratings behind it against 22, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of Shells's written reviews are positive against 79% of square's.
Shells ships an update weekly, square every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 11, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Shells | square |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (22 ratings) — better | 4.7 (283 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 78.8% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 22 | 283 — better |
| Update frequency | Weekly | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Ad-supported — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 102 MB | 152 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | arlybird games LLC | Raul Davrishev |
Customer experience
Shells
square
Bugs and requests
Shells
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
square
Reported bugs
4 issues- Level 30 has a glitch, nothing moves
- Stuck on level 30, can't move or change anything
- Bug on level 27 makes it impossible to 100%
- Ad for Royal Match doesn't stop and prevents gameplay
Requested features
5 requests- Add more levels
- More challenging puzzles
- Add an expansion or more content
- Provide clearer directions/tutorials
- Implement a way to replay levels with different solutions
In-app purchases
Shells
- Small Bundle$0.99
- Medium Bundle$1.99
- Large Bundle$3.99
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- Unlimited Bundle$8.99
square
No in-app purchases









