# Element vs Crying Suns

The clearest difference is price: Element at $1.99 against Crying Suns's $8.99. Element also leads on iOS requirement (10.0 vs 13.0). Crying Suns's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 10 months) and rating (4.8 vs 4.6). On review sentiment, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Element costs $1.99 and Crying Suns $8.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Crying Suns holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 474 and 2.1K respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 72% and 73% positive.

Element ships an update every 10 months, Crying Suns monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Element | Crying Suns |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$1.99** | $8.99 |
| Rating | [4.6 (474 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/element-rts/id749488884/reviews) | **[4.8 (2.1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crying-suns/id1511788295/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 474 | **2.1K** |
| Positive reviews | 72.4% of reviews | **72.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 10 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#44** |
| Size | 139 MB | 1014 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Flightless](https://appshunter.io/developer/367309147) | [Alternative Shift](https://appshunter.io/developer/394617049) |

## What reviewers say

### Element

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/element-rts/id749488884)

Engage in a visually stunning space strategy game designed for busy players. Mine resources, build units, and battle enemies to escape a decaying solar system and reach new frontiers.

**Highlights:** Real-time strategy gameplay, Space exploration and combat, Resource mining and management, Unit building and deployment, Visually stunning graphics, Accessible for short play sessions

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎮 Fun and engaging gameplay mechanics
- 🎨 Beautiful minimalist low-poly graphics
- 🧠 Strategic depth with simple learning curve
- ⚡ Quick, bite-sized gaming sessions
- 🎯 Intuitive controls and UI design

**What reviewers complain about**

- ⏱️ Extremely short campaign (4 hours completion)
- 🔄 Repetitive gameplay after initial planets
- 💰 Expensive for content length ($5 price point)
- ⚙️ Tracking and progress system doesn't work properly
- 🎮 Unbalanced gameplay - can destroy enemy base instantly

**Reported bugs**

- Progress tracking doesn't register completed mines
- Game crashes frequently on iPad Pro M1
- Purchase transaction issues and money deduction without delivery
- UI text too small on iPhone XR and newer models
- Tutorial doesn't adequately explain mechanics

**Requested features**

- Multiplayer/PvP mode
- More levels and planets
- Random world generator or sandbox mode
- Local co-op gameplay
- Skirmish/custom difficulty modes


### Crying Suns

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crying-suns/id1511788295)

**Currently charting:** #44 Top Paid · Role Playing, #96 Top Paid · Strategy (US App Store)

Command a space fleet in a tactical rogue-lite inspired by classic sci-fi. Explore a procedurally generated universe, engage in strategic ship battles, and uncover a deep storyline across six chapters. Experience a rich narrative and atmospheric gameplay designed for mobile.

**Highlights:** Procedurally-generated space exploration, Tactical battleship and squadron fleet combat, Over 300 story events, Deep, 6-chapter storyline, Mobile-optimized interface

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fun gameplay
- 🌟 Amazing atmosphere and story
- 👍 Engaging combat system
- 💎 Great value for money

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🔍 Small text and UI elements
- 🔁 Repetitive gameplay and missions

**Reported bugs**

- Game crashes when using certain ship abilities
- Crashes during end-of-chapter cutscenes
- Progression-blocking bugs preventing access to new content
- Inability to progress past specific story points due to crashes

**Requested features**

- Zoom functionality for combat screen
- Ability to play own music during gameplay
- Endless mode or sandbox option
- Improved tutorial to explain key mechanics


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Element free?

Element costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Crying Suns free?

Crying Suns costs $8.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Element or Crying Suns?

Crying Suns is rated higher. Element averages 4.6 out of 5 from 474 ratings, while Crying Suns averages 4.8 from 2.1K ratings.

### Do Element or Crying Suns have ads?

Neither Element nor Crying Suns shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Element or Crying Suns?

Element ships an update every 10 months, and Crying Suns monthly. Most recently, Element was updated on September 24, 2026 and Crying Suns on September 26, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*