Comparison

Root Down vs Board Games For All

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

Board Games For All

Features
Read full description

Board Games For All is a polished collection of timeless strategy board games in one app. Play solo against smart AI, share the device with local pass-and-play, or challenge friends online through Game Center. Designed for iPhone and iPad, each game features clean visuals, smooth interactions, and intuitive controls that keep the focus on strategy. Included games: • Backgammon • Bridge Connect • Checkers • Disc Flip • Hex • Konane • Kono • Lines of Action (LOA) • Nine Men's Morris • Royal Game of Ur Features: • Multiple play modes across supported games, including Vs AI, Local, and Online • Smart AI opponents, with hard difficulty available for serious players • Real-time multiplayer through Game Center • Rewarded ad access for temporary ad-free and multiplayer play • Clean interface optimized for iPhone and iPad • Polished transitions, game-over screens, and sound controls Whether you want a quick match or a deeper strategic session, Board Games For All brings a rich variety of classic abstract and board games together in one refined experience.

Screenshots

Root Down4 screens
Board Games For All4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Root Down at none against Board Games For All's 1. Root Down also leads on ads (none vs shown). Board Games For All's advantage is update cadence (every 4 months vs every 27 months). On price, 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. Board Games For All sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Root Down asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Root Down ships an update every 27 months, Board Games For All every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Root Down versus Board Games For All: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRoot DownBoard Games For All
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (3 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 27 monthsEvery 4 months — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.4 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB30 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperMartin GriderAmol Samant

In-app purchases

None

Root Down

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Board Games For All

One-time1
  • Premium Unlock$0.99

Questions

Is Root Down free?
Root Down is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Board Games For All free?
Board Games For All is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Root Down or Board Games For All have ads?
Board Games For All shows ads; Root Down does not.
Which is updated more often, Root Down or Board Games For All?
Root Down ships an update every 27 months, and Board Games For All every 4 months. Most recently, Root Down was updated on October 12, 2026 and Board Games For All on October 17, 2026.

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