Classic Maelstrom vs Hexsweeper 3D
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Classic Maelstrom
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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...
Hexsweeper 3D
Experience a classic puzzle game on a unique spherical hexagonal grid. Navigate a 3D globe, deduce mine locations based on numbered faces, and clear the board. Enjoy a visually stunning and completely offline gameplay experience with multiple themes.
- Hexagonal grid on a 3D sphere
- Tap to clear, long-press to flag
- Numbers count up to six
- Spin and zoom controls
- Multiple visual themes
- Offline play
- Autosave progress
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Minesweeper you already know, on a board you have never seen: a hexagonal grid wrapped around a 3D sphere. Spin the globe, read the numbers, and clear every safe face. There are no edges to hide against and no corners to save you. HOW IT PLAYS • Tap to clear a face. Long-press to place a flag where you think a mine is. Your first clear is always safe. • Every face touches six neighbors, so numbers count up to six — cleaner deduction than squares. • Drag to spin, pinch to zoom. The board is a closed Goldberg sphere: five sizes from a quick 162 faces to a 2,252-face slog. • Undo a bad tap. Progress autosaves; close the app mid-game and pick it up where you left it. NINE LOOKS, ONE TAP AWAY Light and Dark for a clean read, then a set of mirrored materials rendered live: Stratosphere (a sky drifting across the shell), Mercury (smoked liquid metal with gilded flags), Ion Storm, Aurora, Galaxy, Gilded Ribbon, and Heat Lightning. Cleared faces open onto the material beneath. QUIET BY DESIGN • Entirely offline. No account, no ads, no analytics, nothing to accept. • A quiet bar — undo, new sphere, flag — and one settings sheet for theme, board size, warning style, drag inversion and effects. Nothing else on screen but the sphere. • Share card of your finished board. Free and complete. Just minesweeper, with better geometry.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Hexsweeper 3D at daily against Classic Maelstrom's every 2 days. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Classic Maelstrom ships an update every 2 days, Hexsweeper 3D daily. The most recent releases landed on September 16, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Classic Maelstrom | Hexsweeper 3D |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Number of ratings | — | 1 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 days | Daily — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | — | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 11 MB | 8 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Sam Lantinga | LanguageCraft |
In-app purchases
Classic Maelstrom
No in-app purchases
Hexsweeper 3D
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Classic Maelstrom free?
Is Hexsweeper 3D free?
Do Classic Maelstrom or Hexsweeper 3D have ads?
Which is updated more often, Classic Maelstrom or Hexsweeper 3D?
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