Comparison

Chain Descent vs Sortalis

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

Head to head
About

Chain Descent

Engage in a fast-paced, tactical puzzle battler where strategic matching is key to survival. Descend through dangerous runs, manage resources, and adapt your powers to overcome escalating enemy pressure. Each decision impacts your progression and the outcome of your run.

Highlights
  • Tactical match-based combat
  • Run-based progression
  • Build-defining upgrades
  • Increasing enemy pressure
  • Mobile-first controls
  • Replayable dungeon runs
Read full description

Chain Descent is a fast, tactical puzzle battler where every move matters. Descend into dangerous runs, chain matches to attack, and adapt your strategy as enemy pressure builds each turn. Manage health, armor, gold, and XP while choosing upgrades and powers that can completely change how your run plays. No two descents feel exactly the same. Smart choices, timing, and efficient chains decide whether you climb to a new best run or get overwhelmed by the next wave. FEATURES • Tactical match-based combat with meaningful turn-by-turn decisions • Run-based progression with level-up power choices • Build-defining upgrades that let you shape your strategy • Increasing enemy pressure that rewards planning and precision • Clean mobile-first controls built for quick sessions or long runs • Replayable dungeon runs designed for “one more try” gameplay Whether you play for five minutes or chase a new personal best, Chain Descent delivers tight puzzle combat with roguelite momentum in every run.

About

Sortalis

A dice-building roguelike where you roll, score, and strategically upgrade your dice. Push your luck to earn winnings, then spend them on Charms and abilities to create powerful builds and overcome unique challenges.

Highlights
  • Dice-building roguelike gameplay
  • Strategic upgrades and Charms
  • Endless challenges with increasing difficulty
  • Over 150 discoverable upgrades
  • Multiplayer draft mode
  • Boss encounters that alter rules
Features
Read full description

Sortalis is a dice-building roguelike inspired by Farkle. Roll, score, and decide how far you’re willing to push your luck—then spend your winnings on Charms and upgrades that transform your dice, strengthen your strategy, and rewrite the rules. Every run becomes a new engine to build, exploit, and inevitably push a little too far. **What’s in the game?** • Endless challenges that grow tougher and demand new strategies • Over 150 upgrades to discover and combine into powerful builds • Rewards, unlocks, achievements, Dice Bags, and challenges to master • Multiplayer draft mode! **Roll, Set, or Bank** Roll and select scoring combos carefully. Roll again to make it bigger—or Farkle and lose the lot. Bank before your luck runs out. **Spend It in The Shop** Between Bouts, spend your winnings on Charms, Packs, Action Cards, and other upgrades. Don’t like what’s on the shelf? Redraw it and hunt for the piece your build needs. **Face The House** Every night ends with a boss that changes the rules. THE MISER, for example, won’t let you Bank until your Pot reaches 500. **Then Do It All Again** Every Bank and Farkle adds to your final score. Unlock 14 Dice Bags, tabletops, discover new combinations, and see how far you can push your next run.

Screenshots

Chain Descent4 screens
Sortalis4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Chain Descent at none against Sortalis's 1. Chain Descent also leads on update cadence (daily vs fortnightly). Sortalis's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, rating, ratings volume 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. Sortalis sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Chain Descent asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Chain Descent against 5.0 for Sortalis. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 5 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Chain Descent ships an update daily, Sortalis fortnightly. Both last shipped on October 25, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 5 level
Chain Descent versus Sortalis: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChain DescentSortalis
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings)5.0 (5 ratings)
Number of ratings25 — better
Update frequencyDaily — betterFortnightly
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size133 MB43 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperOvertime Innovations LLCMichael Schmoyer

In-app purchases

None

Chain Descent

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Sortalis

One-time1
  • Sortalis Full Game Unlock$7.99

Questions

Is Chain Descent free?
Chain Descent is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Sortalis free?
Sortalis is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Chain Descent or Sortalis?
Chain Descent and Sortalis are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2 and 5 ratings respectively.
Do Chain Descent or Sortalis have ads?
Chain Descent shows ads; Sortalis does not.
Which is updated more often, Chain Descent or Sortalis?
Chain Descent ships an update daily, and Sortalis fortnightly. Most recently, Chain Descent was updated on October 25, 2026 and Sortalis on October 25, 2026.

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