Comparison

Elemental World vs Ariana and the Elder Codex

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

Head to head
About

Elemental World

Embark on an action-adventure RPG with roguelike elements and pixel art. Explore randomized worlds, combine elements to cast spells, and battle monsters. Discover items, meet creatures, and play as unique classes in this quest to uncover world secrets.

Highlights
  • Randomized worlds and roguelike gameplay
  • Elemental spell combination system
  • Multiple unique character classes
  • Environmental interaction for combat
  • Co-op multiplayer adventures
  • Stunning pixel art graphics
Features
Read full description

In this fascinating action-adventure RPG with roguelike elements and beautiful pixel art graphics, you will explore randomized worlds by combining elements to cast powerful spells. Use your surroundings and improve your skills to defeat hordes of monsters hiding in dungeons. Find powerful items, meet strange creatures, and play as different unique classes on your quest to uncover the secrets of the Elemental World. Challenge your friends in thrilling battles or invite them to join your journey in co-op adventures. RANDOMIZED WORLDS & ROGUELIKE GAMEPLAY Every run is different thanks to randomized maps and enemies. Choose from multiple classes like Mage, Hunter, or Ronin and test your reflexes and tactics in dynamic battles. MASTER THE ELEMENTS Combine up to three of six powerful elements to unleash devastating spells. Discover new spell scrolls, and enjoy intuitive dual-joystick controls made for fast-paced action. SKILL & STRATEGY MATTER Turn the environment to your advantage—burn grass, freeze water, or detonate barrels. Find secret paths, rare loot, and magical treasures as you exploit enemy weaknesses and take down epic bosses. STUNNING PIXEL GRAPHICS & IMMERSIVE SOUND Vibrant pixel art and charming characters bring the world to life. Enjoy a memorable original soundtrack that enhances every moment of your adventure.

About

Ariana and the Elder Codex

Embark on a 2D action RPG adventure as a magical librarian who enters ancient books to restore lost magic. Battle monsters, master elemental spells, and customize your abilities to save the world.

Highlights
  • 2D side-scrolling action RPG
  • Dynamic anime action combat
  • Master elemental magic and transformations
  • Customize spellbook with 30+ spells
  • Craft magic items and accessories
  • Time attack and repair point challenges
  • Metroidvania exploration
Read full description

MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED - Exclusive to Crunchyroll Mega and Ultimate Fan Memberships STEP INTO A LIVING NOVEL AND RECLAIM THE WORLD'S LOST MAGIC! Dive into an enchanting fantasy world in Ariana and the Elder Codex, a gorgeous 2D side-scrolling action RPG. Take on the role of Ariana Virellis, a young, powerful magical librarian who protects a vast library and possesses the unique ability to venture inside the world’s ancient books. When the Seven Hero Codices are vandalized, magic vanishes from the realm. Now, Ariana must travel inside these corrupted tomes—experiencing their stories as a living fantasy novel brought to life. Defeat monsters, repair the damaged pages, and restore magic to civilization! DYNAMIC 2D ANIME ACTION & RPG COMBAT Enjoy a fast-paced 2D action platformer blending hack-and-slash combat with tactical JRPG depth. Explore beautiful worlds, exploit elemental weaknesses, and cast powerful spells to break enemy posture. Once they are stunned, unleash devastating combos for massive critical damage! MASTER ELEMENTAL MAGIC & TRANSFORMATIONS Master a deep magic system governed by opposing elements: Fire, Water, Earth, and Wind. As you restore each corrupted codex, you unlock the ability to trigger a stunning elemental form change. Transform Ariana by channeling a chosen element, dramatically boosting your spell power, unlocking new navigation skills, and causing explosive elemental bursts on impact. CUSTOMIZE YOUR SPELLBOOK With 30+ unlockable magic spells and abilities, you can completely customize your strategy. Mix, match, and equip your spells across six dynamic slots to build a loadout that perfectly suits your personal playstyle. Prefer a defensive tank build or an all-out elemental mage setup? The choice is yours. CRAFT POWERFUL MAGIC ITEMS & ACCESSORIES Mitigate environmental hazards and brutal challenges by unlocking, crafting, and equipping unique Magic Items. Equip up to five accessories within your equipment cost limit to gain crucial buffs like reduced knockback, enhanced critical hit rates, faster health recovery, and massive elemental stat boosts. THRILLING TIME ATTACK & REPAIR POINT CHALLENGES The adventure is about more than combat. Take on specialized platforming trials at Altered Points throughout the world. Sprint through tight, technical time attack platformer layouts, dodging traps and utilizing precision movement to reach the exit as quickly as possible. Clear these Repair Points efficiently to earn permanent HP upgrades and powerful rewards! KEY FEATURES: A Gorgeous Living Novel: Fall in love with an exquisite, hand-drawn art style that makes every stage feel like an illustration come to life. Intense Boss Battles: Face formidable guardians requiring sharp reflexes, smart spell timing, and quick dodging. Metroidvania Exploration: Revisit previously unreachable areas across interconnected side-scrolling worlds as you unlock new elemental mobility and librarian magic. Epic Story-Driven Adventure: Immerse yourself in rich fantasy library lore, deep NPC interactions, and an emotional tale of restoration. Are you ready to fix history and save magic? Download Ariana and the Elder Codex today and begin your magical librarian adventure! ---- Crunchyroll Premium members enjoy an ad-free experience, with full access to Crunchyroll's library of over 1,300 unique titles and 46,000 episodes, including simulcast series that premiere shortly after airing in Japan. In addition, membership offers special benefits including offline viewing access, discount code to Crunchyroll Store, Crunchyroll Game Vault access, streaming simultaneously on multiple devices, and more! https://www.crunchyroll.com/games/privacy/ https://www.crunchyroll.com/games/terms/

Screenshots

Elemental World4 screens
Ariana and the Elder Codex4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Elemental World at 4.8 against Ariana and the Elder Codex's 3.0. Elemental World also leads on review sentiment (61% vs 50%) and ratings volume (20 vs 6). Ariana and the Elder Codex's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and ads (none vs shown). 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. Elemental World sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Ariana and the Elder Codex asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Elemental World holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 20 and 6 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 61% of Elemental World's written reviews are positive against 50% of Ariana and the Elder Codex's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Elemental World ships an update every 2 days, Ariana and the Elder Codex every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Elemental World versus Ariana and the Elder Codex: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterElemental WorldAriana and the Elder Codex
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (20 ratings) — better3.0 (6 ratings)
Positive reviews60.9% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings20 — better6
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterEvery 3 days
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size230 MB1.2 GB
Age rating4+12+
Developer春阳 曹Crunchyroll, LLC

Customer experience

Elemental World

All ratings19 ratings
Positive94.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative5.3%
Written reviews23 reviews
Positive60.9%
Neutral21.7%
Negative17.4%

Ariana and the Elder Codex

All ratings5 ratings
Positive40.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative60.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Elemental World

One-time10
  • Fistful of Gems$1.99
  • Premium Little Pack 1$1.99
  • Pouch of Gems$4.99
Show 7 more
  • Warlock$4.99
  • Shield Knight$4.99
  • Kitty$4.99
  • Premium Pack 1$6.99
  • Bucket of Gems$9.99
  • Premium Pack 2$9.99
  • Premium Pack 3$9.99
None

Ariana and the Elder Codex

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Elemental World free?
Elemental World is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Ariana and the Elder Codex free?
Ariana and the Elder Codex is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Elemental World or Ariana and the Elder Codex?
Elemental World is rated higher. Elemental World averages 4.8 out of 5 from 20 ratings, while Ariana and the Elder Codex averages 3.0 from 6 ratings.
Do Elemental World or Ariana and the Elder Codex have ads?
Elemental World shows ads; Ariana and the Elder Codex does not.
Which is updated more often, Elemental World or Ariana and the Elder Codex?
Elemental World ships an update every 2 days, and Ariana and the Elder Codex every 3 days. Most recently, Elemental World was updated on October 30, 2026 and Ariana and the Elder Codex on October 31, 2026.

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