Root Down vs HexGomoku
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Abstract strategy gameplay
- Unique piece movement rules
- AI opponent
- Pass-and-play mode
- Variable game setups
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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
HexGomoku
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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
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: HexGomoku at every 4 days against Root Down's every 27 months. HexGomoku also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.4). On price, ads, 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Root Down ships an update every 27 months, HexGomoku every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Root Down | HexGomoku |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.0 (3 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 3 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 27 months | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.4 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 1 MB | 18 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Martin Grider | WEIMING GAO |
In-app purchases
Root Down
No in-app purchases
HexGomoku
No in-app purchases









