Comparison

Classic Maelstrom vs AR Shooter

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

Head to head
About

Classic Maelstrom

Experience a fast-paced, retro arcade shooter with classic pixel graphics and authentic sounds. Enjoy cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes, along with modern touch and controller support. Discover hidden secrets and challenge yourself with unique game modes.

Highlights
  • Fast-action gameplay
  • Classic pixel graphics
  • Original sounds
  • Cooperative multiplayer
  • Competitive multiplayer
  • Mobile touch controls
  • Game controller support
  • Kid Mode
Features
Read full description

Maelstrom is a licensed open source port of the original shareware game for the Macintosh by Ambrosia Software, Inc. It is a fast-action, asteroids-like game, with classic pixel graphics and original sounds. In addition to being a faithful reproduction of the original game, this version adds game controller support, mobile touch controls, and both cooperative and competitive multiplayer action. Features: Kid Mode Clicking the "kid mode" icon next to the play button will enable an easier play mode which will add the retro-thruster prize and automatically shield you as long as shields are available - but beware the Shenobi ships! Their shots will not trigger the automatic defensive systems. Achievements and high scores are not available while in this mode. Multiplayer You can host or join a multiplayer game from the main menu. Up to three players can play at once, and they can be any combination of other players on the local network, and connected controllers. Easter Eggs The classic easter eggs from the original game are all there, and it's up to you to find them...

About

AR Shooter

Read full description

YOUR WORLD IS UNDER ATTACK. Hostile drone swarms have broken through — and they're not staying on a screen. Using cutting-edge Augmented Reality, this FPS drops the battlefield right into your living room, your street, your backyard. Point your phone, aim down the sights, and take the fight to the skies above your actual surroundings. REAL WORLD. REAL THREAT. No maps, no menus standing between you and the action — just your camera and a sky full of enemy drones. Walk your own hallway while dodging fire. Turn your park into a warzone. Every location becomes a new mission. FEATURES True AR Combat — Enemy drones and orbital strike-spheres are tracked and rendered directly into your real environment. Relentless Drone Swarms — Squadrons of hostile quadcopter and heavy-hitting orb drones close in from every angle. Take them down before they take you down. Play Anywhere — Garden, street, living room, rooftop — if you can stand there, you can fight there. No Ads. 100% Private. Play Offline. — No trackers, no forced connectivity, no interruptions. Just you and the swarm. Explosive Feedback — Every kill is a shower of sparks and debris, rendered right in front of you. THE SWARM IS INBOUND. WILL YOU HOLD THE LINE? Download now and defend your world — one drone at a time.

Screenshots

Classic Maelstrom4 screens
AR Shooter3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Classic Maelstrom at none against AR Shooter's 1. Classic Maelstrom also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 2 weeks) and device support (4 vs 2). On price and ads 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. AR Shooter sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Classic Maelstrom asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Classic Maelstrom ships an update every 2 days, AR Shooter every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 5 level
Classic Maelstrom versus AR Shooter: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterClassic MaelstromAR Shooter
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.6 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size11 MB221 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperSam LantingaKIDA STUDIOS PRIVATE LIMITED

In-app purchases

None

Classic Maelstrom

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

AR Shooter

One-time1
  • Unlock Full Game$5.99

Questions

Is Classic Maelstrom free?
Classic Maelstrom is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is AR Shooter free?
AR Shooter is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Classic Maelstrom or AR Shooter have ads?
Neither Classic Maelstrom nor AR Shooter shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Classic Maelstrom or AR Shooter?
Classic Maelstrom ships an update every 2 days, and AR Shooter every 2 weeks. Most recently, Classic Maelstrom was updated on October 31, 2026 and AR Shooter on October 31, 2026.

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