Tessellata vs Aphelion
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Tessellata
This is an abstract strategy game where players draft tiles, align them on a board, and score points. Compete against AI or players worldwide, or enjoy local pass-and-play. Features include ranked matchmaking, customizable AI opponents, and a tutorial.
- Tactical tile-drafting
- Online ranked matchmaking
- Offline AI opponents
- Local pass-and-play mode
- Interactive tutorial
- Premium personalization options
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Welcome to Tessellata - a premium abstract strategy game of tactical tile-drafting, alignment, and artistry! Inspired by a desire for strategy, Tessellata challenges you to draft vibrant tiles from shared Kilns, organize them on your Staircase, and align them on your Opus to score points. Score points by clustering tiles adjacently, completing columns, rows, or full-color sets on your Opus, but plan carefully - any leftover tiles spill onto the Floor, costing you valuable points! Whether you are a casual puzzle lover or a seasoned tabletop competitor, Tessellata offers a deep, satisfying strategy experience. --- GAME FEATURES COMPETE ONLINE AND CLIMB THE RANKS Test your skills against players worldwide in Ranked Matchmaking. Advance your ELO (MMR rating) and secure your spot on the Global Leaderboards. Prefer a friendly game? Create private lobbies with instant room codes and invite your friends. 5 DIFFICULTIES OF INTELLIGENT AI Play offline anytime. Challenge bot opponents scaled to your level: - Easy: Perfect for beginners. - Medium: A balanced tactical challenge. - Hard: Aggressive, planning several steps ahead. - Expert: Punishes minor mistakes. - Unbeatable: Powered by a highly optimized algorithm programmed to obliterate any gamer. INTERACTIVE TUTORIAL New to tile-drafting? Our step-by-step interactive tutorial teaches you the rules, scoring bonuses, and drafting strategies in just a few minutes. PREMIUM PERSONALIZATION Show off your achievements! Unlock and equip prestige player titles and beautiful tile sets by defeating advanced bots or winning online matches. LOCAL PASS AND PLAY No internet? No problem. Pass and play with friends locally on the same device for classic tabletop game nights. IMMERSIVE SOUNDS AND VISUALS Enjoy a premium aesthetic featuring responsive animations, empty kiln outlines, smooth tile placement slide transitions, and a relaxing acoustic soundtrack designed to keep you in the zone. --- Draft. Align. Outshine. Download Tessellata today and start crafting your mosaic!
Aphelion
Guide a comet through celestial bodies and obstacles using precise flicks. Solve physics-based puzzles across five distinct chapters with over 50 handcrafted levels. Experience a minimalist, timer-free approach to space exploration.
- Flick-based aiming and trajectory control
- Gravity-driven orbital mechanics
- 50 handcrafted levels across 5 chapters
- Minimalist, timer-free gameplay
- Steer comets and capture celestial bodies
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Master gravity with one flick. Launch a comet, bend its trajectory around moving worlds, and complete 100 handcrafted orbital puzzles. EXPLORE TEN CHAPTERS • Aim with precision using a live trajectory preview • Slingshot around planets and capture stable orbits • Collect and deliver ice across moving systems • Reshape trajectories with timed engine burns • Survive atmospheric entry and dangerous ring crossings • Defend planets from incoming asteroids • Use animated solver hints whenever you’re stuck Play at your own pace with no timers, energy systems, or forced ads. The core game works offline and fits into a remarkably small download. One flick. One trajectory. One perfect solution.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Tessellata at none against Aphelion's 1. Tessellata also leads on ads (none vs shown). Aphelion's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs fortnightly) and ratings volume (17 vs 3). On price, rating, device support and iOS requirement 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. Aphelion sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Tessellata asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Tessellata against 4.9 for Aphelion. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Aphelion has 17 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Tessellata ships an update fortnightly, Aphelion every 2 days. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | Tessellata | Aphelion |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better | 4.9 (17 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 3 | 17 — better |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Every 2 days — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 70 MB | 29 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Norflava Designs LLC | JIUSONG GAO |
Customer experience
Tessellata
Aphelion
In-app purchases
Tessellata
No in-app purchases
Aphelion
- Unlock All Hints$3.99
