Comparison

Catchup vs HexGomoku

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

Head to head
About

Catchup

Master a beautiful abstract strategy game by connecting hexes to create the largest group. Features include a challenging AI, online multiplayer, and pass-and-play options. Learn the simple rules and strive for difficult mastery.

Highlights
  • Interactive tutorial
  • Challenging AI opponent
  • Online turn-based multiplayer
  • Two-player pass-and-play
  • Minimalist graphics
  • Customizable colors
  • Leaderboards & Achievements
Read full description

Catchup is a simple game of surprising turnarounds. "Catchup is as elegant as a game can reasonably be, presented in a marvelously user-friendly way.” -Pocket Tactics (5-star review) "If you're even a little bit into strategy games, you need to get some Catchup all over your mobile device." -Touch Arcade (4 & 1/2 star review) Can you have the largest group at the end of the game? Connect your hexes to master this beautiful abstract strategy game. Features: - an interactive tutorial to teach you how to play - a challenging AI opponent whose difficulty changes as you play - online turn-based multiplayer via Game Center - two-player pass-and-play on the same device - beautiful and haunting music by Tori Kamal - minimalist graphics with customizable colors - Game Center Leaderboards & Achievements - simple and easy to learn rules and gameplay - difficult to master strategy Here are all the rules: 1. One player plays all the hexes of one color and the other player plays all the hexes of the other color. The first player begins by claiming 1 empty hex for their color. 2. Starting with the second player, each player must claim 1 or 2 hexes on their turn. 3. If the largest group of hexes at the end of a turn is larger than the largest group of hexes at the beginning of that turn (regardless of color), the next player may claim up to 3 hexes on their turn. (This does not apply after the first player claims a single hex in step 1 above.) 4. The game ends when the board is full. The player with the largest group wins. If the players’ largest groups are the same size, compare their second-largest groups, and so on, until you come to a pair which aren’t the same size. Whoever owns the larger of the two wins. Catchup is an original Board Game designed by Nick Bentley.

About

HexGomoku

Features
Read full description

HexGomoku is a unique strategic board game played on a hexagonal grid. Two players compete by moving their pieces across the board, trying to align them for victory while managing the innovative Qi (liberty) system. Features: - Hexagonal board with elegant design - Player vs Player and Player vs AI modes - Unique Qi liberty mechanic - pieces need breathing room - Red barrier pieces that must stay connected - Configurable board size (3-6) - Built-in game timer - Undo and reset functionality - Beautiful dark theme with premium aesthetics How to Play: Each turn consists of two moves: first move your own piece, then move a red barrier piece. Your piece needs at least two connected empty neighbors (Qi) to move. The first player to align their pieces in the required pattern wins!

Screenshots

Catchup3 screens
HexGomoku2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: HexGomoku at every 4 days against Catchup's every 101 months. HexGomoku also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). On price, in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Catchup ships an update every 101 months, HexGomoku every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Catchup versus HexGomoku: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCatchupHexGomoku
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (11 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews88.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings11 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 101 monthsEvery 4 days — better
Ads—No
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.613.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMartin GriderWEIMING GAO

In-app purchases

None

Catchup

No in-app purchases

None

HexGomoku

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Catchup free?
Catchup is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is HexGomoku free?
HexGomoku is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which is updated more often, Catchup or HexGomoku?
Catchup ships an update every 101 months, and HexGomoku every 4 days. Most recently, Catchup was updated on October 12, 2026 and HexGomoku on October 14, 2026.

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