Comparison

Shadow Quest vs Elf Tiles

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

Head to head
About

Shadow Quest

Features
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In Shadow Quest, three little witches lived happily together until a monster appeared and tried to take their power. When they refused, the monster took one of the witches away. Determined to rescue their friend, one little witch sets out on a journey. The main objective in this game is to complete each level by finding the door to the next level, located at the end of the stage. Along the way, players will face various obstacles such as spikes, automatic cannons, and other creatures.

About

Elf Tiles

This holiday-themed puzzle game challenges players to strategically stack and match Christmas tiles to clear the board. With hundreds of levels, powerful boosters, and beautiful visuals, it offers a fresh take on match-3 gameplay.

Highlights
  • Stack-based tile matching
  • 40+ Christmas-themed tiles
  • Powerful boosters (Hint, Shuffle, Undo)
  • Progressive difficulty levels
  • Stunning Christmas visuals
  • Immersive audio and haptics
  • Multi-language support
Features
Read full description

Join the elves in their workshop and master the most addictive match-3 puzzle game this holiday season! Elf Tiles combines classic matching mechanics with innovative stack-based gameplay that will challenge your strategic thinking and keep you coming back for more. HOW TO PLAY: Tap visible tiles on the board to add them to your stack. Match 3 tiles of the same type in your stack to clear them and make room for more! Your goal is simple: clear ALL tiles from the board to win. But be careful - if your stack fills up completely, it's game over! Plan your moves strategically, as tiles are layered - only fully visible tiles can be tapped. Remove top tiles to reveal hidden treasures underneath! KEY FEATURES: 40+ Beautiful Christmas Tiles Collect and match adorable holiday-themed tiles including gingerbread men, candy canes, ornaments, snowflakes, Christmas trees, stockings, wreaths, presents, bells, stars, reindeer, Santa hats, snowmen, nutcrackers, and so much more! Each tile is beautifully designed to bring the magic of Christmas to your screen. Innovative Stack-Based Matching Unlike traditional match-3 games, Elf Tiles uses a unique stack mechanic. Strategically build your stack by matching tiles of the same type together. When you collect 3 matching tiles, they automatically clear, making space for more tiles. This fresh take on puzzle gameplay adds a new layer of strategy and excitement! Powerful Boosters & Effects • Hint - Find the most common tile type and clear 3 tiles automatically • Shuffle - Mix up all tiles on the board for a fresh perspective • Undo - Reverse your last move and fix mistakes • Extra Slot - Expand your stack capacity (one-time use) • Continue - When you're about to lose, clear 2 tile types to keep playing Progressive Difficulty Start with simple puzzles and work your way through hundreds of challenging stages. Each level introduces new tile combinations, larger boards, and more complex layouts. The difficulty scales perfectly to keep you engaged from beginner to expert! Stunning Visuals & Environments Immerse yourself in beautiful Christmas-themed environments with charming graphics and smooth animations. Every tile, every effect, and every stage is crafted with care to create a magical holiday experience. Immersive Audio & Haptics Feel every match with satisfying haptic feedback. Enjoy festive sound effects and music that enhance the holiday atmosphere. Customize your experience with adjustable audio settings. Multi-Language Support Play in your preferred language! Elf Tiles supports English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Korean, Portuguese, and Russian. Shop & Progression Earn rewards, unlock new stages, and progress through an engaging progression system. Collect currencies and use them strategically to enhance your gameplay experience. PERFECT FOR: • Puzzle game enthusiasts looking for something fresh • Match-3 fans who want a new challenge • Casual gamers seeking relaxing gameplay • Strategy lovers who enjoy planning ahead • Christmas and holiday game collectors • Anyone who loves brain teasers and puzzle games WHY PLAYERS LOVE ELF TILES: • Unique stack-based matching mechanic you won't find elsewhere • Beautiful Christmas theme that brings holiday cheer year-round • Free to play with rewarding progression system • Satisfying progression through hundreds of levels • Strategic depth that rewards careful planning • Perfect for quick sessions or extended play • Family-friendly fun for all ages DOWNLOAD NOW AND START YOUR ELF ADVENTURE! Whether you're a puzzle game veteran or new to match-3 games, Elf Tiles offers the perfect blend of familiar mechanics and innovative gameplay. Challenge yourself to clear every stage, master the stack mechanics, and experience the magic of Christmas with every match! Join thousands of players who have discovered their new favorite puzzle game. Download Elf Tiles today and let the matching begin!

Screenshots

Shadow Quest4 screens
Elf Tiles4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Shadow Quest at none against Elf Tiles's 7. Shadow Quest also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On price, update cadence 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. Elf Tiles sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. Shadow Quest asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Shadow Quest ships an update every 11 days, Elf Tiles every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
Shadow Quest versus Elf Tiles: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterShadow QuestElf Tiles
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 11 daysEvery 10 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size114 MB257 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer玥 高Poolhouse Games

In-app purchases

None

Shadow Quest

No in-app purchases

7 purchases

Elf Tiles

One-time7
  • 400 Coins$0.99
  • 800 Coins$1.99
  • 1,600 Coins$3.99
Show 4 more
  • 3,360 Coins$7.99
  • No Forced Ads$9.99
  • 7,040 Coins$15.99
  • 14,720 Coins$31.99

Questions

Is Shadow Quest free?
Shadow Quest is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Elf Tiles free?
Elf Tiles is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Shadow Quest or Elf Tiles have ads?
Elf Tiles shows ads; Shadow Quest does not.
Which is updated more often, Shadow Quest or Elf Tiles?
Shadow Quest ships an update every 11 days, and Elf Tiles every 10 days. Most recently, Shadow Quest was updated on November 8, 2026 and Elf Tiles on November 5, 2026.

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