Comparison

GMToolkit vs Close Encounters RPG

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

Head to head
About

GMToolkit

Features
Read full description

This app generates randomized content for a Game Master (GM)/Dungeon Master (DM) to use during their game. It's designed to be easy to read and simple, making it perfect for using on-the-fly mid-game. As a GM/DM, your job is to fill in the gaps created by this app, or to use it for inspiration. For example, if you create a randomized City, it might give you descriptions like: - Theocracy - Egg Statues - Soot - Sacrifice - Rogue Knights So you might start describing the city as covered in soot with large stone egg statues. As your players start exploring the city, you can piece together in your head what's really going on: perhaps this is a dragon-worshipping city run by a cult. They have a yearly ritual where they hatch a dragon egg and sacrifice commoners to the newborn, however a group of defiant knights have started fighting back against this practice. This app is made of 75% human writing, then 25% AI writing based on that human writing (using Anthropic and self-improvement algorithms). If this app does well I'll come back and add an option to filter out the AI writing, but I made this app primarily for myself so I don't have a need for it personally. The writing is vetted and makes it less likely for content to run out.

About

Close Encounters RPG

Embark on a fantasy adventure that transforms your real-world surroundings into a game. Create a unique character, explore your local area for encounters, and engage in strategic combat. Collect gear, learn spells, and develop your adventurer through a rich progression system.

Highlights
  • Location-based exploration
  • Custom character creation
  • Strategic combat encounters
  • Weapon and armor collection
  • Magic and spell learning
  • Dynamic weather and time-of-day
Features
Read full description

Close Encounters RPG is a location-based fantasy role-playing game that turns the world around you into an adventure. Create a custom character by choosing a kindred and class, assigning attributes, and learning spells. Explore nearby locations, discover players, creatures, and loot, then enter strategic encounters. Equip weapons and armor, collect gold, learn magic, improve your attributes, and develop a unique adventurer over time. Features include: • Location-based exploration and nearby encounters • Multiple character kindreds and classes • Combat against players and fantasy creatures • Weapons, armor, spells, loot, and progression • Dynamic weather and time-of-day atmosphere • Optional consumable gold purchases Location access is used while playing to provide nearby game activity and encounters.

Screenshots

GMToolkit4 screens
Close Encounters RPG4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: GMToolkit at none against Close Encounters RPG's 3. Close Encounters RPG's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs fortnightly). On price, 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

Both are free to download. Close Encounters RPG sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. GMToolkit asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GMToolkit ships an update fortnightly, Close Encounters RPG every 2 days. Both last shipped on October 28, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
GMToolkit versus Close Encounters RPG: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGMToolkitClose Encounters RPG
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.7 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—3 — better
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.115.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB690 MB
Age rating12+9+
DeveloperDale LaPlanteEric Neumuller

In-app purchases

None

GMToolkit

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Close Encounters RPG

One-time3
  • 250 Gold$0.99
  • 600 Gold$1.99
  • 1500 Gold$3.99

Questions

Is GMToolkit free?
GMToolkit is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Close Encounters RPG free?
Close Encounters RPG is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do GMToolkit or Close Encounters RPG have ads?
Neither GMToolkit nor Close Encounters RPG shows ads.
Which is updated more often, GMToolkit or Close Encounters RPG?
GMToolkit ships an update fortnightly, and Close Encounters RPG every 2 days. Most recently, GMToolkit was updated on October 28, 2026 and Close Encounters RPG on October 28, 2026.

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