Equate 8 vs hocus GO
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Equate 8
This math puzzle game challenges players to rearrange numbers in a 3x3 grid to solve eight equations simultaneously. It offers escalating difficulty, medals for efficiency, and a daily puzzle for free play. The game also serves as an educational tool, with features for educators to design custom levels.
- Magic square reimagining
- Balance eight equations
- Multiple operators
- Escalating difficulty levels
- Medals for efficiency
- Daily puzzle
- Snap Mode for assistance
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Equate 8 is a bold reimagining of the classic magic square—an innovative, addictive math puzzle featured at New York City’s Museum of Mathematics. Players rearrange numbers in a 3×3 grid to balance eight equations at once (three rows, three columns, two diagonals), racing to solve the puzzle in the fewest moves. With multiple operators, escalating difficulty levels, and medals awarded for efficiency, Equate 8 is as rewarding as it is challenging. Equate 8 is the sequel to our Webby-nominated game The Devil’s Calculator, named one of PAX’s 10 Best Indie Games of 2019. Disguised as a casual mobile game, Equate 8 is a powerful interactive learning tool. Our talk will explore the sophisticated math behind the project and debut a new feature allowing educators to design levels aligned with their curricula. With its blend of pedagogical depth, intuitive design, and playful challenge, Equate 8 shows how games can transform math education. It empowers students, supports teachers, and makes math feel like play. Solving the grid in fewer moves will gain a silver or gold medal, but a bronze is awarded regardless, so don't stress. The daily puzzle gives players a free way to play and unlock content. Acquire “streaks” tokens by playing regularly. Exchange medals and streaks for Challenges, packs of themed puzzles. If the squares seem too complicated, open the menu to try Snap Mode. A number will automatically be locked (circled) when in the correct place. This mode can be played in a limited number of sequences before it reverts to the default. Donate to our nonprofit for access to unlimited difficulty levels.Equate 8 is a fun casual game for all ages, whether practicing math skills or engaging brainpower. Donations support the mission of Cinq-Mars Media, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to develop educational games, always provided free to teachers and students.
hocus GO
Design and build your own unique mazes with this app. Once created, watch as the app generates a solution for your custom puzzle.
- Build custom mazes
- Drag and create mazes
- Watch maze solutions
- New gameplay available
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hocus. is celebrating 10th year and hocus GO is ready. A new gameplay is live now. Just drag/create your own maze and watch the solution
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: Equate 8 at none against hocus GO's shown. Equate 8 also leads on review sentiment (75% vs 44%) and rating (5.0 vs 4.6). hocus GO's advantage is ratings volume (416 vs 12) and update cadence (every 3 days vs weekly). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model 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. Equate 8 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and hocus GO sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Equate 8 holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: hocus GO has 416 ratings behind it against 12, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 75% of Equate 8's written reviews are positive against 44% of hocus GO's.
Equate 8 ships an update weekly, hocus GO every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on June 3, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Equate 8 | hocus GO |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (12 ratings) — better | 4.6 (416 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 75.0% of reviews — better | 43.9% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 12 | 416 — better |
| Update frequency | Weekly | Every 3 days — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 — better | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 18 MB | 163 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Cinq-Mars Media | GAMEBRAIN YAZILIM TEKNOLOJILERI ANONIM SIRKETI |
Customer experience
Equate 8
hocus GO
Bugs and requests
Equate 8
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
hocus GO
Reported bugs
2 issues- Pieces overlap on the bottom
- Game doesn't register solution until entire maze is reassembled
Requested features
2 requests- Level replaying
- Cosmetics/skins to use stars on
In-app purchases
Equate 8
- Endless Levels!$2.99
hocus GO
- No Ads$4.99








