Comparison

Trenches vs Cold War Chess

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

Head to head
About

Trenches

Engage in turn-based tactical strategy set in World War I. Command diverse units through historically inspired missions, utilizing authentic WWI tactics like trench warfare and gas attacks. Experience dynamic weather and realistic terrain as you fight for victory.

Highlights
  • 25 historically-inspired missions
  • 10 unique unit types
  • Authentic WWI tactics
  • Multiple victory conditions
  • Playable factions: British, French, German, American
  • Realistic terrain and dynamic weather
  • Offline play
Features
Read full description

Command your troops through the trenches of World War I in this authentic turn-based tactical strategy game. FEATURES: • 25 historically-inspired missions spanning 1914-1918 • 10 unique unit types: Infantry, Cavalry, Tanks, Artillery, Snipers, and more • Authentic WWI tactics: trench warfare, gas attacks, tank assaults • Multiple victory conditions: elimination, survival, capture objectives • Play as British, French, German, or American forces • Realistic terrain: trenches, mud, barbed wire, craters • Dynamic weather: rain, snow, fog affecting combat • Soldier's diary entries bring history to life • Quick Battle mode for instant action • Completely offline - no internet required From the opening shots of 1914 to the Armistice of 1918, experience the war that changed the world. Every decision matters. Every soldier counts. No ads. No in-app purchases. No internet required.

About

Cold War Chess

Experience chess with a twist in a fog of war setting. Strategize by building your army, concealing your intentions, and uncovering your opponent's hidden forces. Engage in 63 missions inspired by the Cold War era across six unique factions.

Highlights
  • Fog of war gameplay
  • Army building and customization
  • Six distinct factions
  • 63 strategic missions
  • Story campaign inspired by Cold War
  • Hidden enemy back rows
Features
Read full description

The board is set. But half of it is hidden. Cold War Chess takes the strategy of chess and throws it into the fog of war. The enemy's back two rows are concealed until your pieces are close enough to see them. You don't know what's coming. Neither does your opponent. Before the first move, you build your army. Spend your resources, place your pieces where you choose, keep your intentions secret. Misdirection is a weapon. Sometimes fewer pieces are more powerful. This isn't checkmate chess. Reduce the enemy to a lone king and the war is over. Any piece — including your own king — can walk into danger without knowing it. The Cold War plays by different rules. PICK YOUR SIDE USA. USSR. The Alliance. Iron Curtain. Third Way. Dead Hand. Six factions, each with distinct resource budgets and initiative traits. Your faction shapes how you fight before a single piece moves. 63 STRATEGIC MISSIONS Berlin. Cuba. The Pacific. Southeast Asia. Central Asia. Play through fictional flashpoints across a full story campaign inspired by the Cold War era. FOG OF WAR Scout your enemy. Find, fix, and finish their king. The fog lifts only when you're close enough to act. BUILD YOUR ARMY No fixed positions. Spend your budget. Set your trap. Surprise them before the opening move. Start free. Berlin is on us. Unlock the full Cold War when you're ready. Cold War Chess is inspired by historical events. Characters, factions, and dramatized scenarios are fictional. The game does not represent the views of any government, organization, or individual.

Screenshots

Trenches4 screens
Cold War Chess4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Cold War Chess at 5.0 against Trenches's 3.0. Cold War Chess also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (6 vs 2). Trenches's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.0). On price, ads 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. Cold War Chess sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Trenches asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Cold War Chess holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 6 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Trenches ships an update every 4 months, Cold War Chess weekly. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Trenches versus Cold War Chess: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTrenchesCold War Chess
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (2 ratings)5.0 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings26 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.1 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size23 MB193 MB
Age rating12+12+
DeveloperStephen LearMICHAEL LAWRENCE STANLEY

Customer experience

Trenches

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Cold War Chess

All ratings5 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Trenches

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Cold War Chess

One-time1
  • Full Deployment$4.99

Questions

Is Trenches free?
Trenches is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Cold War Chess free?
Cold War Chess is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Trenches or Cold War Chess?
Cold War Chess is rated higher. Trenches averages 3.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Cold War Chess averages 5.0 from 6 ratings.
Do Trenches or Cold War Chess have ads?
Neither Trenches nor Cold War Chess shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Trenches or Cold War Chess?
Trenches ships an update every 4 months, and Cold War Chess weekly. Most recently, Trenches was updated on October 31, 2026 and Cold War Chess on October 31, 2026.

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