Comparison

Case Files vs Asterlock Archives

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

Head to head
About

Case Files

Engage in interactive mystery stories set in Victorian London. Consult with legendary detectives through text-based conversations to solve classic cases. Prove your deduction skills by answering specific questions about each mystery.

Highlights
  • Interactive mystery stories
  • Conversational AI detectives
  • Text-based consultations
  • Classic literary depth
  • Two difficulty modes
  • Book club friendly
Read full description

Step into Victorian London and solve legendary mysteries alongside history's greatest detectives. Engage with detectives whose clever responses and surprising insights bring literary legends to life. REVOLUTIONARY MYSTERY EXPERIENCE Unlike any mystery game you've played. Read classic stories section by section, then consult with the detective via intimate text exchanges. Each detective's unique voice comes to brilliant life through carefully crafted conversational AI. It's like playing 20 Questions with Holmes himself! Ask questions, share theories, and feel the thrill when Holmes says "Precisely!" Your mission: prove you've cracked the case by answering the specific questions each mystery demands - whether it's unmasking the culprit, discovering a hidden location, or revealing the crucial piece of evidence. YOUR DETECTIVE CONSULTATION • Limited messages make every question count • Take notes that your detective references • Real literary depth, not just multiple choice • Two perfectly tuned modes: - Easy: Encouraging guidance as you discover these classics - Hard: For mystery veterans who want pure deduction PERFECT FOR BOOK CLUBS Transform your next meeting into a Victorian mystery salon! Members can play the same case individually, then compare notes and theories. Who spotted the crucial clue first? Whose deductions impressed Holmes the most? TIMELESS STORIES, MODERN MAGIC • FREE: "The Red-Headed League" - your first case with Holmes • Premium mysteries: $2.99 each or save with bundles • Beautiful period artwork brings each scene to life • Adjust fonts and reading speed to your preference • No ads, no energy timers, no pay-to-win mechanics LEGENDARY DETECTIVES AWAIT • Sherlock Holmes - The master of deduction • C. Auguste Dupin - The original analytical mind • Father Brown - The priest who sees into souls FEATURED CASES: The Red-Headed League • A Case of Identity • The Murders in the Rue Morgue • The Problem of Thor Bridge • The Invisible Man • The Hammer of God • The Purloined Letter JOIN THE INVESTIGATION Whether you're a mystery superfan, looking for your book club's next adventure, or simply love great stories told in innovative ways - your first case awaits. The game is afoot!

About

Asterlock Archives

Engage in a compact terminal investigation, searching archived files and decoding encrypted evidence to solve cases. The game offers a tutorial and a mystery inspired by classic detective fiction, with optional purchases for additional content. No account or online profile is needed to play.

Highlights
  • Terminal-based investigation
  • Archived file searching
  • Keyword collection
  • Evidence decoding
  • Case solving
  • Tutorial and mystery cases
Read full description

Asterlock Archives turns detective work into a compact terminal investigation. Search archived files, collect keywords, decode encrypted evidence, and close each case using only the clues you can prove. The starter archive includes a tutorial case and a larger mystery inspired by early public-domain detective fiction. Optional purchases add more archive cases and cosmetic extras. No account is required. No online profile. Just the files, the facts, and your own brain. Use the terminal directly or tap the active dossier to inspect evidence, open locks, and track your next lead.

Screenshots

Case Files4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Asterlock Archives at free against Case Files's free with in-app purchases. Case Files's advantage is device support and ratings volume (3 vs 1). On price, rating and in-app purchases 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. Case Files sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and Asterlock Archives sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Case Files against 5.0 for Asterlock Archives. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 1 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 5 level
Case Files versus Asterlock Archives: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCase FilesAsterlock Archives
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (3 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings3 — better1
AdsNo—
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — better—
Requires iOS15.6 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size65 MB19 MB
Age rating12+9+
DeveloperJames BorderJeffrey Munson

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Case Files

One-time10
  • Extended Inquiry$0.99
  • The Murders in the Rue Morgue$2.99
  • A Case of Identity$2.99
Show 7 more
  • The Hammer of God$2.99
  • The Purloined Letter$2.99
  • The Problem of Thor Bridge$2.99
  • The Invisible Man$2.99
  • The Red-Headed League$2.99
  • Triple Play Collection$5.99
  • Complete Vol 01 Collection$12.99
3 purchases

Asterlock Archives

One-time3
  • Operator Skin Pack$0.99
  • Founder Supporter File$1.99
  • Archive Pack Vol. 1$2.99

Questions

Is Case Files free?
Case Files is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Asterlock Archives free?
Asterlock Archives is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Case Files or Asterlock Archives?
Case Files and Asterlock Archives are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 3 and 1 ratings respectively.

Other comparisons