Comparison

Genesis vs Gourmet Merge

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

Head to head
About

Genesis

Engage in a cozy, clever hex puzzle game that guides you through the story of life on Earth. Snap gene-cells together to awaken over 100 creatures and explore 20 eras of history. Enjoy a satisfying challenge with optional extras and free updates.

Highlights
  • Hex gene-cell puzzle gameplay
  • Collect 100+ creatures
  • Explore 20 eras of Earth's history
  • Gentle learning curve with increasing challenge
  • Optional hints and cosmetic extras
  • Accessibility features (colorblind assist, reduced motion)
  • Daily streaks and mastery stars
Features
Read full description

Genesis: Bioforge -- Grow every creature that ever lived! Genesis is a cozy, clever hex puzzle wrapped in the greatest story ever told — the story of life on Earth. Snap glowing gene-cells together so their edges match, and when the genome hums into place, something wakes up: a spark, a cell, a swimmer, a climber… one hundred creatures in all, waiting across four billion years. Your guide is Pip — a tiny, cheerful spark of life who's been around since the very beginning and has opinions about trilobites. Pip teaches as you play, celebrates your wins, and nudges (never nags) when you're stuck. The puzzle is gentle to learn and genuinely satisfying to master Every chapter adds one new idea — rotating cells, choosy sockets, cracked pieces that need extra care — taught with a friendly demo, never a wall of text. Early levels are a warm bath. Later levels will make you put your tea down. What makes Genesis different - A living collection — every level you clear wakes a new creature for your album. Watch your menagerie grow from the first glimmer of light toward the first curious mind. - Deep time, warmly told — 100 levels across 20 eras of Earth's history, from Primordial Dawn through ancient seas, great forests, and beyond, with true bits of science tucked into every chapter. - Cozy on the outside, cerebral on the inside — gooey, glossy cells, a board that glows back at every snap, and puzzles with real "aha" underneath the charm. - Generous by design — the whole 100-level journey is free to finish. No energy meters, no timers ticking while you think, no walls. Optional extras (a hint, a little Genome, a fancy board skin) are there if you want them — never required. - Made for every player — colorblind assist, reduced motion, high contrast, and simple one-handed portrait play. - Chase mastery — earn up to three stars on every level with cleaner, smarter solves, and keep a daily streak going. No account. No reading required to play. Just you, Pip, and the slow, wonderful business of becoming. And Genesis keeps growing — new worlds, creatures, and modes are on the way in free updates. Your album has room to spare. Life never stops becoming. Let's begin!

About

Gourmet Merge

Combine ingredients to craft dishes and serve customers in a culinary puzzle adventure. Renovate and design your dream bistro, uncover an engaging story, and play at your own pace. Become the ultimate head chef and build your restaurant empire.

Highlights
  • Merge and craft hundreds of items
  • Renovate and design your bistro
  • Serve unique customer orders
  • Uncover an engaging story
  • Relaxing, offline gameplay
Features
Read full description

Welcome to Gourmet Merge, the ultimate culinary puzzle adventure where your passion for cooking meets bistro design! Combine delicious ingredients, craft mouthwatering dishes, and serve eager customers to earn coins and stars. Transform a run-down diner into a world-class luxury restaurant step-by-step! Key Features: MERGE & CRAFT: Combine hundreds of items! Turn simple beans into gourmet coffee, wheat into fresh pastries, and raw ingredients into five-star delicacies. RENOVATE & DESIGN: Spend your hard-earned rewards to restore tables, outdoor patios, kitchens, and cozy dining rooms. Customize your dream bistro your way! SERVE CUSTOMERS: Fulfill unique customer orders quickly to earn bonus rewards, level up, and unlock new areas of your restaurant. UNCOVER THE STORY: Follow an engaging narrative full of charming characters, culinary rivalries, and exciting kitchen secrets. PLAY AT YOUR OWN PACE: Relax with intuitive, stress-free gameplay anytime, anywhere—no internet required! Are you ready to become the ultimate head chef? Download Gourmet Merge today and start building your restaurant empire!

Screenshots

Genesis4 screens
Gourmet Merge4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Gourmet Merge at none against Genesis's shown. Gourmet Merge also leads on update cadence (daily vs every 2 weeks). On price, rating, ratings volume and in-app purchases 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. Genesis sells 6 one-off in-app purchases and Gourmet Merge sells 9 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Genesis against 5.0 for Gourmet Merge. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Genesis ships an update every 2 weeks, Gourmet Merge daily. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
Genesis versus Gourmet Merge: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGenesisGourmet Merge
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Number of ratings11
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksDaily — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB135 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAly ShehataMaaz Arfi

In-app purchases

6 purchases

Genesis

One-time6
  • Small Genome Pack$0.99
  • Medium Genome Pack$1.99
  • Pure Genesis$2.99
Show 3 more
  • Large Genome Pack$4.99
  • Founder's Pack$4.99
  • Mega Genome Pack$9.99
9 purchases

Gourmet Merge

One-time9
  • Gem Pack 1$1.99
  • Boost Pack$3.99
  • No Ads$4.99
Show 6 more
  • Gem Pack 2$5.99
  • Pro Pack$7.99
  • Gem Pack 3$12.99
  • Gem Pack 4$19.99
  • Gem Pack 5$59.99
  • Gem Pack 6$99.99

Questions

Is Genesis free?
Genesis is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Gourmet Merge free?
Gourmet Merge is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Genesis or Gourmet Merge?
Genesis and Gourmet Merge are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do Genesis or Gourmet Merge have ads?
Genesis shows ads; Gourmet Merge does not.
Which is updated more often, Genesis or Gourmet Merge?
Genesis ships an update every 2 weeks, and Gourmet Merge daily. Most recently, Genesis was updated on October 28, 2026 and Gourmet Merge on October 16, 2026.

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