Comparison

Don't Let It Die vs Heliopoly

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

Head to head
About

Don't Let It Die

Lead a Neanderthal tribe to survival in a prehistoric world. Manage characters, gather resources, and unlock the secrets of fire before a catastrophic flood arrives. Craft tools and shelters to overcome the dangers of the wilderness.

Highlights
  • Solo tribe management
  • 17+ unique characters
  • Resource gathering
  • Fire knowledge discovery
  • Crafting system
  • Prehistoric survival challenges
Features
Read full description

Embark on a Thrilling Journey Back to the Dawn of Humanity! Don't Let It Die is now digitally reimagined for your mobile device! Step into the role of a Neanderthal tribe leader in this gripping solo survival game. With a catastrophic flood on the horizon, your mission is to unlock the secrets of fire and secure your tribe's survival in a prehistoric world teetering on the edge of extinction. KEY FEATURES Solo Management Experience Take full control of your tribe's fate. Strategically manage four unique characters, balancing their synergies, strengths, and weaknesses to master the element of fire. 17+ Unique Characters Choose from a diverse roster of characters, each offering distinct abilities and strategies. Experiment with powerful tribe combinations to discover the ultimate survival tactics. Resource Management Gather wood, meat, and berries to sustain your tribe. Efficiently allocate these resources to survive the harsh prehistoric environment. Fire Discoveries Unlock four unique Fire Knowledge Trees. Plan your tribe's daily activities wisely to earn Fire Knowledge Points (FKP) and achieve the ultimate discovery: Fire Starter. Crafting System Create tools, weapons, and shelters to enhance your tribe’s survival. Every crafted item plays a critical role in protecting your tribe from the dangers of the wilderness. About the Game Designed by Dustin Hendrickson, Don't Let It Die is a captivating blend of strategy, resource management, and luck mitigation. The journey begins with a serendipitous lightning strike that ignites a burning tree, offering your tribe a fleeting chance at survival. With only 14 days to unlock the mysteries of fire, every decision matters. Immerse yourself in the challenge of prehistoric survival and prove your skills as a leader. Can you navigate the perils of a world without fire and shape the future of humanity?

About

Heliopoly

Features
Read full description

Heliopoly is orbital economics on the Mainline of our solar system (Helios): buy claims, burn propellant, duel rivals, and try not to go broke. Currency is Angzarr (⍼). Every buy, rent, and duel hits the Automated Interplanetary Asset Ledger. Last rocket flying wins — no timer, no “enough Angzarr.” THREE DOORS The first screen is three doors: • Arcade — the big door. One-minute play: Bot Evolution, Backup Fuel, and Hull Panel. Arcade never moves a charter you already started. • Journey — the full charter. Name a rocket, pick methane or hydrogen, and Launch against AI pilots from Mercury to the Saturn moons. • Lab — experiments. Gravity Duel practice, Deseret Letters, Urinal-rule Parking, and more. Lab unlocks after you finish one Arcade toy. Home brings you back to the doors without quitting a flight. In Journey, own systems, plant fuel depots, and stay solvent long enough for the ledger to write your name. ONLY ON THE MAINLINE • As of 2026, the only space game where a rogue Tesla can trash your fuel pods • Trade in Angzarr (⍼) — the ledger remembers every bad decision • Bring enough propellant, or become a very expensive monument • The only space game where “feral” doesn’t just apply to cats • Blank lane? Gravity Duel. Smile for the 2d6. • Last rocket flying. No timer. The cosmos does not care about your schedule. Got ideas? Contribute on GitHub: https://github.com/diagonalcounty/heliopoly — issues welcome, MIT, same engine as heliopoly.live. HOW AN EXPEDITION FEELS • Path — One circuit: Earth → Venus → Mercury → Mars → belt → Jupiter → Saturn → home • Claims — Buy planets and moons; own a full system and rent doubles • Stations — Trade hubs that get meaner as you collect more of them • Fuel — Landing is free; leaving a gravity well costs propellant • Parking — Sit still too often and claims can go feral back to the bank • Gravity Duel — Meet another rocket on a blank lane: secret Low/High, 2d6 PLAY YOUR WAY • 2–6 pilots (you plus AI, or full self-play) • Easy through Expert AI packs • Full Helios Ops Manual in-app: rules, glossary, rival-rocket civilopedia • iPhone and iPad NO WI‑FI NEEDED Heliopoly ships the complete game in the app package. Open the app and play — no account, no network required. Also free in the browser at heliopoly.live — same rules engine, open source (MIT). Not affiliated with Solarquest or any commercial board game.

Screenshots

Don't Let It Die4 screens
Heliopoly4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Don't Let It Die at every 3 days against Heliopoly's every 9 days. Don't Let It Die also leads on price ($0.99 vs $3.99) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). 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

Don't Let It Die costs $0.99 and Heliopoly $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Don't Let It Die ships an update every 3 days, Heliopoly every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Don't Let It Die versus Heliopoly: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDon't Let It DieHeliopoly
Price$0.99 — better$3.99
Rating4.3 (3 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterEvery 9 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size205 MB12 MB
Age rating9+4+
DeveloperDustin HendricksonJacob Roecker

In-app purchases

None

Don't Let It Die

No in-app purchases

None

Heliopoly

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Don't Let It Die free?
Don't Let It Die costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Heliopoly free?
Heliopoly costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Don't Let It Die or Heliopoly have ads?
Neither Don't Let It Die nor Heliopoly shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Don't Let It Die or Heliopoly?
Don't Let It Die ships an update every 3 days, and Heliopoly every 9 days. Most recently, Don't Let It Die was updated on November 4, 2026 and Heliopoly on October 31, 2026.

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