Comparison

Lab Junk vs sXiX

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

Head to head
About

Lab Junk

Embark on a Metroidvania-style adventure as BALL and PADDLE escape a derelict lab. Discover hidden items and unique abilities to overcome enemies and solve puzzles. This challenging game requires strategy and exploration, honoring the spirit of classic 80s and 90s gaming.

Highlights
  • Metroidvania-style gameplay
  • Challenging puzzles
  • Hidden items and abilities
  • Boss battles
  • Offline play
  • Retro gaming inspired
Features
Read full description

Breakout meets Metroidvania. Experience the adventures of BALL and PADDLE as they try to escape from an old, abandoned laboratory. Find lots of hidden items and mysterious SpinFlavors to make your way to freedom. Defeat spiders, robots and who knows what else without being destroyed. And whatever you do, make sure you stay away from the ominous VOiD, because there is (almost) no escape from it. This game is aimed at real players - not casual gamers. If you count yourself among them, please move on, don't stop and don't even try to master the game - you won't make it anyway. Because it honors the virtues of the golden gaming era of the 80s and 90s. Not every little step is chewed out for you, but you have to figure out a lot on your own, develop strategies to defeat bosses and solve the odd puzzle by finding hidden clues and applying the knowledge distilled from them. All things that are rarely required in today's games. And best of all: the game really is FREE. No in-app purchases, no pay-to-win, no free-to-play and no microtransactions. It doesn't annoy you with ads or unnecessary waiting time and can be played completely offline. Original Soundtrack available on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-803137355-375735371/sets/lab-junk-ost It would be nice if I could at least refinance the Apple developer account with my apps (let alone the expensive Macbook on which I developed Lab Junk), but that will probably always remain a dream as long as my apps only achieve download figures of 200 despite a price of 0.

About

sXiX

Features
Read full description

sXix is not ordinary runner. Born of shadow, shaped by silence, he moves through realms where each step is a trial โ€” and each trial a lesson. You do not control him with buttons or swipes. You guide him by tilting the world itself. Three elemental gates await: The Gate of Fire โ€“ Flames fall from the sky, unending. Weave between them. Each one you avoid strengthens your Echo. The Gate of Water โ€“ Ice forms in midair. Seek shelter, time your crossing, and flow without stopping. The Gate of Earth โ€“ Climb the mountain through falling stone and shifting sand. Caves will open only for those who endure. Each gate conquered grants a fragment of truth โ€” ancient lessons hidden in the elements themselves. But be warned: If you stand still, the world will leave you behind. Too many strikes, and the gate will close. Time is never on your side. Your journey is not measured in points, but in Echo โ€” the trace you leave behind when you pass through the impossible. Features Unique control โ€“ Move by tilting the world, not tapping or swiping. Elemental challenges โ€“ Fire, water, and earth each with their own rules and secrets. Mystical rewards โ€“ Uncover poetic life lessons after every victory. Atmospheric art & sound โ€“ Dark, surreal visuals and immersive audio. Replay for mastery โ€“ Grow your Echo and discover hidden depth in every level. Disclaimer: The journey of sXiX exists only in the realm of imagination. All characters, events, and places are fictional, and no part of this quest should be acted out in the waking world. The developer makes no warranties of any kind, express or implied, and accepts no responsibility for any consequence, damage, or loss arising from playing this game. sXiX is provided โ€œas isโ€, for entertainment purposes only. Play responsibly, take regular breaks, and remember โ€” the true quest is always within.

Screenshots

Lab Junk4 screens
sXiX4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Lab Junk at 16.0 against sXiX's 18.4. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Scorecard1 real difference ยท 7 level
Lab Junk versus sXiX: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLab JunksXiX
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews100.0% of reviewsโ€”
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsโ€”
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeโ€”
DevicesiPhone, iPad โ€” betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.0 โ€” better18.4
Further details โ€” not scored
Size108 MB105 MB
Age rating9+4+
DeveloperMartin RosenthalEyal Vardi

In-app purchases

None

Lab Junk

No in-app purchases

None

sXiX

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Lab Junk free?
Lab Junk is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is sXiX free?
sXiX is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Lab Junk or sXiX have ads?
Neither Lab Junk nor sXiX shows ads.

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