Comparison

Retro TD vs NOVA IMPERIUM

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

Head to head
About

Retro TD

Features
Read full description

Build mazes. Watch creeps puzzle through. Hold the line. Retro TD is a hexagonal-arrow tower defense game. Place towers along the path, upgrade between waves, and survive against creeps that follow the arrows you've drawn. Tight, decision-heavy play — no filler, no grind. AI-GENERATED LEVELS Describe a shape — spiral, figure-8, knot, hourglass, twin loop — and the game generates a new level matching it. Each generation uses one credit; the Starter Pack includes 4, and you can top up when you want more. WHAT'S INSIDE • 30 hand-designed campaign levels, from gentle tutorial to boss-tier • Four tower types with directional aim-lock • A radial build menu that keeps your finger out of the action • Game Center high-wave leaderboards on every level • Reduced Motion option in Settings • Portrait, single-handed play IN-APP PURCHASES • Starter Pack ($2.99): unlocks levels 11–30 and includes 4 AI level credits • Credits 4-Pack ($1.99): four additional AI level credits SHARING Custom levels can be shared with friends by tapping an import link. Levels are filtered for objectionable content; long-press any received level to report it. No ads. No tracking. No account required.

About

NOVA IMPERIUM

Build and expand a space empire from a single homeworld to a galaxy-spanning civilization in this offline strategy game. Experience classic browser game mechanics with detailed building, research, and fleet combat systems.

Highlights
  • Offline single-player gameplay
  • Build and upgrade 14 buildings
  • Research 16 technologies
  • Manage fleets and engage in 7 mission types
  • Procedural universe with NPC empires
  • Recruit officers and earn achievements
Features
Read full description

NOVA IMPERIUM is a single-player, fully offline space empire strategy game — a love letter to the golden age of browser space games. Rise from a single homeworld to a galaxy-spanning civilization. Every formula, build time and battle is faithful to the classic OGame era (2002–2010). FULLY OFFLINE — Your empire grows even while closed; everything is calculated when you reopen. No internet required. BUILD & UPGRADE — 14 buildings; balance metal, crystal, deuterium and energy. RESEARCH TREE — 16 technologies: ships, weapons, shields, espionage, colonization. FLEETS & COMBAT — 14 ships, 10 defenses, 7 mission types; authentic 6-round combat engine. A LIVING GALAXY — A procedural universe of deterministic NPC empires. OFFICERS & ACHIEVEMENTS — Earn Dark Matter, recruit officers (in-game only). No ads · No in-app purchases · No pay-to-win · No account · TR/EN Your empire. Your pace. The whole galaxy awaits, Commander.

Screenshots

Retro TD4 screens
NOVA IMPERIUM4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: NOVA IMPERIUM at none against Retro TD's 2. NOVA IMPERIUM also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 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. Retro TD sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. NOVA IMPERIUM asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
Retro TD versus NOVA IMPERIUM: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRetro TDNOVA IMPERIUM
PriceFreeFree
Rating—3.7 (3 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—3 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 days—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size11 MB56 MB
Age rating9+4+
DeveloperDoug Barrettkadir ulucay

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Retro TD

One-time2
  • 4 AI Level Credits$1.99
  • Starter Pack$2.99
None

NOVA IMPERIUM

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Retro TD free?
Retro TD is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is NOVA IMPERIUM free?
NOVA IMPERIUM is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Retro TD or NOVA IMPERIUM have ads?
Neither Retro TD nor NOVA IMPERIUM shows ads.

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