Comparison

PROTOCOL vs The First Ascent

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

Head to head
About

PROTOCOL

Features
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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

About

The First Ascent

Features
Read full description

“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

PROTOCOL4 screens
The First Ascent4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. PROTOCOL sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. The First Ascent asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard4 real differences · 2 level
PROTOCOL versus The First Ascent: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPROTOCOLThe First Ascent
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterEvery 5 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size259 MB134 MB
Age rating9+4+
DeveloperSungGwon HanChi Nguyen

In-app purchases

10 purchases

PROTOCOL

One-time10
  • Beginner Package 1$0.99
  • Sale Package 3$1.99
  • Sale Package 1$2.99
Show 7 more
  • 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
None

The First Ascent

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PROTOCOL free?
PROTOCOL is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is The First Ascent free?
The First Ascent is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do PROTOCOL or The First Ascent have ads?
PROTOCOL shows ads; The First Ascent does not.
Which is updated more often, PROTOCOL or The First Ascent?
PROTOCOL ships an update every 3 days, and The First Ascent every 5 months. Most recently, PROTOCOL was updated on October 30, 2026 and The First Ascent on October 25, 2026.

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