Comparison

Root Down vs HexGomoku

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

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

Root Down4 screens
HexGomoku2 screens

Verdict

The call

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

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, HexGomoku every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Root Down versus HexGomoku: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRoot DownHexGomoku
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (3 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 27 monthsEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.413.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMartin GriderWEIMING GAO

In-app purchases

None

Root Down

No in-app purchases

None

HexGomoku

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Root Down free?
Root Down is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is HexGomoku free?
HexGomoku is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Root Down or HexGomoku have ads?
Neither Root Down nor HexGomoku shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Root Down or HexGomoku?
Root Down ships an update every 27 months, and HexGomoku every 4 days. Most recently, Root Down was updated on October 4, 2026 and HexGomoku on September 29, 2026.

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