Comparison

Root Down vs janvo

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

Head to head
About

Root Down

An original abstract strategy game for two players with unique movement rules. Figure out how to move your pieces to capture your opponent's and win. Offers AI play and pass-and-play modes with variable setups.

Highlights
  • Abstract strategy gameplay
  • Unique piece movement rules
  • AI opponent
  • Pass-and-play mode
  • Variable game setups
Features
Read full description

Root Down is an original abstract strategy game designed by Martin Grider for 2-players. It's rules about which pieces you can move are a little quirky, but once you figure it out, it's very quick to play, and has some interesting gameplay mechanics. In Root Down, you have two types of pieces. There are "kicker" pieces that must be next to a "root" piece to move. (Root pieces cannot move.) Kickers can only move exactly as far as the number of kickers next to the root. After a kicker moves, it "kicks" all of the neighboring pieces, then settles down into a new "root" piece. If you kick one of your own root pieces, it becomes another "kicker"! Kicking an opponent's root does the same, and if you kick it again before it has a chance to move, you'll to capture it! The game features an AI player, as well as pass-and-play options. There are several variable setups to chose from. Each one plays slightly different. Please use the "send feedback" button to send me your input, or email me: rootdown@abstractpuzzle.com

About

janvo

Features
Read full description

Janvo is a new type of strategy game that combines the familiar rules of Rock Paper Scissors with tactical board movement. Each piece has unique movement directions and ranges, creating a simple yet deeply strategic battle experience as you advance across the board and capture your opponent’s pieces. Features A battle system based on classic Rock Paper Scissors strengths and weaknesses Tactical positioning and mind games that influence every turn Multiple CPU difficulty levels for casual play Simple and intuitive controls suitable for all players Upcoming Updates Online multiplayer mode Expanded player profile and match history features Enjoy a fresh and strategic take on Rock Paper Scissors with Janvo.

Screenshots

Root Down4 screens
janvo4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Root Down at none against janvo's shown. janvo's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 27 months). On price, in-app purchases, 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

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

Root Down ships an update every 27 months, janvo every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Root Down versus janvo: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRoot Downjanvo
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (3 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 27 monthsEvery 3 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.4 — better18.4
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB102 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMartin GriderARC LAB LLC

In-app purchases

None

Root Down

No in-app purchases

None

janvo

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Root Down free?
Root Down is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is janvo free?
janvo is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Root Down or janvo have ads?
janvo shows ads; Root Down does not.
Which is updated more often, Root Down or janvo?
Root Down ships an update every 27 months, and janvo every 3 days. Most recently, Root Down was updated on September 23, 2026 and janvo on September 11, 2026.

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