PROTOCOL vs The First Ascent
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
PROTOCOL
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The day dimensional rifts opened, monsters and the Dimension Awakened appeared at the same time. As monsters spread across the world, the government gathered students with dimensional powers and established the Tactical Academy. Become its commander, train your students, and deploy to a city under threat. Control the leader directly and give orders to two fellow agents. Combine their abilities, weapons, and parts to lead a three-person squad. • Survive the waves of monsters. • Train distinctive students and build your squad. • Find powerful combinations, overcome each battle, and protect the city. A two-person indie game. PROTOCOL: Zero Rift
The First Ascent
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“The first ascent” is an immersive climbing adventure where players scale treacherous mountains, sheer cliff faces, and mysterious vertical landscapes in their quest to reach the top. From dark caves to outer space, each level introduces new challenges and environmental hazards like hotwind, falling blizzards, mostly unstable obstacles. Strategic planning, quick reflexes, and precision are the keys to reaching the summit. Upgrade your character and unlock new climbers with unique skills, and collect the useful items along your route. Whether you're racing the clock or exploring at your own pace, "The first ascent" promises a vertical adventure like no other.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: The First Ascent at none against PROTOCOL's 10. The First Ascent also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). PROTOCOL's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 5 months). On price 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. PROTOCOL sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. The First Ascent asks for nothing beyond the download.
PROTOCOL ships an update every 3 days, The First Ascent every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | PROTOCOL | The First Ascent |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Every 3 days — better | Every 5 months |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 259 MB | 134 MB |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | SungGwon Han | Chi Nguyen |
In-app purchases
PROTOCOL
- Beginner Package 1$0.99
- Sale Package 3$1.99
- Sale Package 1$2.99
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- Sale Package 2$4.99
- Beginner Package 2$4.99
- Remove Ad$5.99
- Daily Special Mission Ticket$7.99
- Mission Energy Booster (30 Days)$9.99
- Stage Pass$9.99
- Beginner Package 3$14.99
The First Ascent
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is PROTOCOL free?
Is The First Ascent free?
Do PROTOCOL or The First Ascent have ads?
Which is updated more often, PROTOCOL or The First Ascent?
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