Comparison

Dots & Boxes, Dice Puzzle vs Gridlock

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

Head to head
About

Dots & Boxes, Dice Puzzle

Features
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A new way to play the classic dots-and-boxes puzzle! Roll the dice, choose your lines and claim squares before your opponent. Dots & Squares combines classic dots-and-boxes strategy with dice, special abilities, charming characters and competitive gameplay. ROLL THE DICE. PLAN YOUR MOVES. Every turn begins with a roll. Use your moves wisely, connect the dots and complete squares before your opponent can take them. THINK AHEAD Every line matters. Avoid giving away easy squares, set up your next move and outsmart your opponent with clever plays. MASTER SPECIAL ABILITIES Discover abilities that can change the course of a match. Use them at the right moment and develop your own strategy. PROGRESS THROUGH YOUR JOURNEY Complete levels, earn stars and take on new challenges as you progress. CHALLENGE YOUR FRIENDS Put your strategy to the test against friends and see who can claim the most squares. CLIMB THE LEADERBOARD Compete, improve your score and rise through the rankings. GAME FEATURES โ€ข A fresh twist on classic Dots & Boxes โ€ข Unique dice-based gameplay โ€ข Strategic special abilities โ€ข Multiple boards and challenges โ€ข Charming characters and animations โ€ข Competitive play with friends โ€ข Leaderboards โ€ข Daily challenges and rewards โ€ข Easy to learn, challenging to master Connect the dots. Claim the squares. Outsmart your opponent. Roll the dice and start playing Dots & Squares today! Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Gridlock

Features
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Gridlock is a turn-based strategy board game of pure skill โ€” no dice, no luck, and no ads breaking your focus. Inspired by the classic abstract strategy game Quoridor, every match is a battle of foresight, positioning, and clever wall-building tactics. Your goal is simple: reach the opposite side of the board before your rival does, while placing walls to block and slow down their path. Easy to learn in a minute, but deep enough to master over hundreds of matches. How to Play - Move your pawn one square at a time toward the goal row on the far side of the board. - Instead of moving, place a wall to slow your opponent down and reshape the maze between you. - Walls are a limited resource, so spend them wisely and at the right moment. - You can never completely trap a player โ€” there is always at least one open path to the goal. - The first player to reach the opposite row wins the match. Game Modes - Single-player vs AI: face a smart computer opponent with multiple difficulty levels, from relaxed beginner to a ruthless expert that will test every bit of your strategy. - Local multiplayer: play head-to-head with a friend on the same device โ€” perfect for couch rivalries and quick duels. - Online multiplayer: challenge real players around the world in real-time, turn-based strategy matches and prove who is the better tactician. - 2v2 team mode: team up with a friend and take on a rival duo in cooperative strategy battles. Key Features - 100% skill-based gameplay โ€” no randomness and no pay-to-win mechanics. - No intrusive ads interrupting your concentration. - Clean, elegant board design that keeps all the attention on your strategy. - Multiple AI difficulty levels that grow with your skill. - Fast matches that fit neatly into a short break. - A pure strategy board game experience for players of all ages. Why Players Love Gridlock - A genuine test of strategic thinking, planning, and long-term tactics. - Endless replayability โ€” no two matches ever play out the same way. - Perfect for fans of chess, checkers, Go, and other abstract strategy games. - Relaxing yet competitive: unwind while sharpening your mind. - A satisfying brain game and mental workout you can enjoy anytime. Tips to Win - Balance every turn between advancing your pawn and placing walls. - Do not waste your walls early โ€” save them for the critical moments. - Think several turns ahead and anticipate your rival's best route. - Control the center of the board to keep more paths open for yourself. - Watch your opponent's wall count and plan your final sprint accordingly. Whether you are a seasoned strategy board game veteran or a casual player looking for a smart, ad-free, turn-based challenge, Gridlock delivers a rewarding experience you can pick up anytime, anywhere. Build walls, outmaneuver your rival, and prove that you are the true master strategist. About the Game Gridlock brings the timeless appeal of abstract strategy games to your phone in a modern, minimalist package. There are no gimmicks, no loot boxes, and no luck-based twists โ€” just you, your rival, and a board that rewards sharper thinking. Every wall you place changes the shape of the game, so a single well-timed block can turn a losing position into a win. If you love turn-based strategy, board games, and puzzles that make you think, Gridlock is built for you. Terms of Use (EULA): https://ahmetmvural.com.tr/terms-of-use/ Privacy Policy: https://ahmetmvural.com.tr/privacy-policy/

Screenshots

Dots & Boxes, Dice Puzzle4 screens
Gridlock4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Dots & Boxes, Dice Puzzle at none against Gridlock's 3. On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. Gridlock sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Dots & Boxes, Dice Puzzle asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Dots & Boxes, Dice Puzzle ships an update weekly, Gridlock every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference ยท 5 level
Dots & Boxes, Dice Puzzle versus Gridlock: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDots & Boxes, Dice PuzzleGridlock
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyWeekly โ€” betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesNo โ€” betterYes
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod โ€” better
Requires iOS16.415.0 โ€” better
Further details โ€” not scored
Size116 MB45 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperAbdulkadir IldenizAhmet Muhammet Vural (AN)

In-app purchases

None

Dots & Boxes, Dice Puzzle

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Gridlock

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Monthly$2.991 Month
  • Pro Yearly$14.991 Year
One-time1
  • Remove Ads$4.99

Questions

Is Dots & Boxes, Dice Puzzle free?
Dots & Boxes, Dice Puzzle is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Gridlock free?
Gridlock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Dots & Boxes, Dice Puzzle or Gridlock have ads?
Both Dots & Boxes, Dice Puzzle and Gridlock show ads.
Which is updated more often, Dots & Boxes, Dice Puzzle or Gridlock?
Dots & Boxes, Dice Puzzle ships an update weekly, and Gridlock every 2 weeks. Most recently, Dots & Boxes, Dice Puzzle was updated on October 8, 2026 and Gridlock on October 26, 2026.

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