CoreShift vs Hirnschmaus
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
CoreShift
A minimalist strategy game based on pure skill and tactics. Master positioning and move pieces to outmaneuver your opponent. Offers single-player AI challenges and online multiplayer.
- 5x5 grid gameplay
- Unique Neutron movement mechanic
- Quick and Classic game modes
- Three AI difficulty levels
- Online multiplayer with Elo rating
- Tournament mode
- Statistics and achievements
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CoreShift is a sleek, minimalist strategy game based on Neutron — a classic abstract board game of pure skill, positioning, and tactics. Easy to learn. Deep to master. Every move can open a path, create a trap, or turn the match completely. No randomness. No hidden information. Pure strategy. THE GAME Play on a 5×5 grid. Each player controls five pieces, while a single amber token — the Neutron — begins at the center. On every turn, you must: 1. Slide the Neutron as far as it can move. 2. Slide one of your own pieces (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal). Pieces move until blocked by the edge or another piece — they cannot jump. How to win: * Move the Neutron onto your own baseline. * Trap your opponent so they have no legal Neutron move. QUICK OR CLASSIC * Quick mode: Fast, aggressive openings with immediate tension. * Classic mode: Traditional rules where the first player skips the opening Neutron move for a more balanced start. THREE AI DIFFICULTY LEVELS * Easy: Learn the fundamentals. * Medium: Strong tactical play. * Hard: Advanced Monte Carlo Tree Search (MCTS) AI that adapts to every position. ONLINE MULTIPLAYER — BETA Play real-time matches worldwide through Game Center. Our Elo rating system (starting at 1200) ensures you always face a fair challenge. * Climb the Ranks: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. * Social: Add friends after matches, send instant rematches, and react with quick chat. * No Waiting: If no live opponent is available, Skynet — our built-in AI — keeps the match moving. TOURNAMENT MODE Five rounds. One run. No breaks. Easy → Medium → Medium → Hard → Hard Win all five to complete the challenge and track your progress on Game Center. STATISTICS & ACHIEVEMENTS Track win rates, streaks, fastest victories, and total play time. Unlock badges and Game Center achievements tied to real milestones. DESIGNED FOR iOS * Flat, minimal design with Dark and Light mode. * Smooth animations and haptic feedback on every move. * Atmospheric audio and satisfying "game feel." CoreShift is free to play. Tournament rounds 3–5 and Hard AI require a one-time Pro upgrade ($3.99).
Hirnschmaus
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Six board game classics for on the go — against an opponent that really thinks. No account, no ads, no network needed. Open the app and play. THE GAMES • Nine Men's Morris — place your men, close mills, box your opponent in • Four in a Row — four in a line, upright, across or diagonal • Draughts — take what can be taken, and get yourself crowned • Reversi — every move flips the majority • Twist Five — five in a row, but every move rotates a quarter of the board • Sink the Fleet — find their ships before they find yours THREE LEVELS Easy, Medium and Hard are not labels. The computer searches to a different depth on each level; on Hard it takes its time and finds moves that hurt. If you want to win, you have to get better. DAILY CHALLENGE Two puzzles a day, the same for everyone — they follow the calendar day, not chance. Win both and your streak grows; a draw counts too. Skip a day and it starts over. GETTING STUCK IS ALLOWED The rules of every game are one tap away. And when nothing works at all, a hint will show you a move worth making. YOUR PROGRESS Statistics track wins, games and losses — overall and for each game separately. Plus 16 achievements, from your first win to a streak of thirty days. Sign in to Game Center if you like, and you will find your achievements and three leaderboards there too. If you would rather not, you miss nothing: everything is kept on your device anyway. FOR IPHONE AND IPAD On iPad in every orientation, with boards that use the space. Light and dark appearance, Dynamic Type, VoiceOver. Music, sound effects and vibration can each be switched off on their own. WHAT IS NOT IN IT No ads. No purchases. No analytics. No account — Game Center is optional, and nothing is missing without it. Your progress stays on your device.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Hirnschmaus at none against CoreShift's 1. CoreShift's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18.0). 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
Both are free to download. CoreShift sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Hirnschmaus asks for nothing beyond the download.
CoreShift ships an update every 3 weeks, Hirnschmaus every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and November 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | CoreShift | Hirnschmaus |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 32 MB | 12 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Jozsef Farkas | Mathias Oysmueller |
In-app purchases
CoreShift
- CoreShift Pro$3.99
Hirnschmaus
No in-app purchases









