Comparison

Rogue Keys vs Hex by Hex

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

Head to head
About

Rogue Keys

A turn-based tactical puzzle game on a 5x5 grid where players manage limited turns and unlock powerful keyboard-key-themed Glyphs. Each run offers unique challenges with procedurally generated boards and randomized abilities.

Highlights
  • Turn-based tactical grid gameplay
  • Keyboard key-themed abilities
  • Unlockable Glyphs with game-changing effects
  • High score chasing with global leaderboards
  • Procedurally generated boards for replayability
  • Multi-run progression and seeded runs
  • Voiceover accessibility support
Features
Read full description

Rogue Keys is a turn-based, tactical puzzle/strategy game played on a 5×5 grid where every move counts. Survive enemies, manage your limited turns, and unlock mysterious Glyphs that bend the rules of the game in surprising ways. The twist in Rogue Keys is that your powers and upgrades (as well as enemy buffs) are represented by placed keyboard keys on the board tiles. Each run is a battle of wits against the board itself. You’ll need to balance survival, score-chasing, and risk-taking, all while planning around abilities that grow more powerful the longer you play. FEATURES: • Turn-Based Tactics: Every move consumes precious turns; every decision matters. • Keys of Power: Discover and equip 64 unique keys with over 100 game-changing effects and combos. • Stack & Shift Mechanics: Upgrade keys by using the ‘Shift’ key and chain key abilities for unique effects. • High Score Chasing: Bank points strategically or risk losing them forever. Global leaderboards through Game Center. • Endless Replayability: Procedurally generated boards and randomised keys keep every run unique. • Multi-Run: Extend your streak across multiple runs, earn Glyphs, and carry their powers forward until your streak ends. • Seeded Runs: Weekly seeded runs allow you to jump straight into a single run without the set up and test your skills against other players on the same board. • Accessibility: App and gameplay fully supported with Voiceover.

About

Hex by Hex

Features
Read full description

Hex by Hex is a tight five minute roguelite race on a small hex map. Claim adjacent tiles, build up a resource economy, and race the Tide clock before the AI boxes you in. Each run is a fresh map, a new AI faction, and a clean shot at a faster finish time. KEY FEATURES - Five minute runs. Win by domination or survive the Tide. - Small hex maps keep the pace tight, no idle waits. - Three resources (wood, iron, food) auto convert to coins each tick. - Three one shot Edicts (Conscript, Blitz, Sabotage) for swing moments. - Recipe based economy: balance your bundles to mint coins faster. - Prize tiles, chokepoint bonuses, and border raids reward aggression. - Daily Tide challenge with a global Game Center leaderboard. - Full Unlock adds all map sizes, Hard and Brutal difficulty, and every edict. DESIGNED FOR ONE MORE GAME No ads. No energy meters. No offline timers. Just fresh maps and a clock that never stops. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Rogue Keys4 screens
Hex by Hex4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Hex by Hex at Free against Rogue Keys's $2.99. Hex by Hex also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs monthly). Rogue Keys's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

Hex by Hex is free to download; Rogue Keys costs $2.99 up front. Hex by Hex sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Rogue Keys asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Rogue Keys ships an update monthly, Hex by Hex every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
Rogue Keys versus Hex by Hex: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRogue KeysHex by Hex
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size139 MB3 MB
Age rating9+9+
DeveloperKIERAN HARTNETTIndieCraft LLC

In-app purchases

None

Rogue Keys

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Hex by Hex

One-time1
  • Unlock Full Game$4.99

Questions

Is Rogue Keys free?
Rogue Keys costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Hex by Hex free?
Hex by Hex is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Rogue Keys or Hex by Hex have ads?
Neither Rogue Keys nor Hex by Hex shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Rogue Keys or Hex by Hex?
Rogue Keys ships an update monthly, and Hex by Hex every 2 days. Most recently, Rogue Keys was updated on October 8, 2026 and Hex by Hex on October 10, 2026.

Other comparisons