# Hoplite vs holedown

The clearest difference is rating: Hoplite at 4.7 against holedown's 4.3. Hoplite also leads on review sentiment (91% vs 72%) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 9 months). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Hoplite costs $3.99 and holedown $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Hoplite holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 787 and 398 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 91% of Hoplite's written reviews are positive against 72% of holedown's.

Hoplite ships an update every 3 months, holedown every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Hoplite | holedown |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $3.99 | $3.99 |
| Rating | **[4.7 (787 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hoplite/id782438457/reviews)** | [4.3 (398 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/holedown/id1297270249/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **787** | 398 |
| Positive reviews | **90.8% of reviews** | 71.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 months** | Every 9 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | **#70** | #83 |
| Size | 39 MB | 77 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 12.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Douglas Cowley](https://appshunter.io/developer/782438460) | [webbfarbror AB](https://appshunter.io/developer/663547506) |

## What reviewers say

### Hoplite

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hoplite/id782438457)

**Currently charting:** #70 Top Paid · Puzzle, #106 Top Paid · Strategy (US App Store)

Engage in challenging turn-based tactical combat on small maps. Strategize your moves carefully to overcome procedurally generated levels and unlock upgrades. Compete with friends on leaderboards and test your skills in daily challenges.

**Highlights:** Turn-based tactical movement, Procedurally generated levels, Quest mode with upgrades, Challenge mode with daily challenges, Leaderboard rankings, Hard but fair gameplay

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Simple yet deep gameplay
- 👍 Addictive and challenging
- 🕹️ Elegant and intuitive controls
- 💎 Excellent value for money
- 🔍 Surprising depth and strategy

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes or compatibility issues
- 🔧 Lack of landscape mode support
- 🔊 Mutes music/podcast playback
- 🕹️ Accidental moves due to controls

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes on launch with certain OS versions
- Agility upgrade not functioning properly

**Requested features**

- More game modes or levels
- Customization options for the character
- Landscape mode support
- Ability to start at higher levels


### holedown

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/holedown/id1297270249)

**Currently charting:** #83 Top Paid · Casual, #105 Top Paid · Puzzle (US App Store)

Dig deep underground by strategically shooting balls to break blocks and reach planet cores. Collect crystals for upgrades and master bouncing patterns in this charming, minimalist game with an original soundtrack. Enjoy hours of gameplay with procedurally generated planets and multiple modes.

**Highlights:** Dig through six planets, Collect crystals for upgrades, Procedurally generated planets, Original space acid soundtrack, Endless play mode, Intuitive one-handed play

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Addictive gameplay
- 👍 Satisfying physics and animations
- 🎨 Charming visuals and audio
- 💰 Fair pricing, no ads or IAPs

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔚 Short campaign length
- 🔁 Lack of replayability after completion
- 🔇 No option to disable sound effects
- 🐛 Occasional save data loss

**Reported bugs**

- Save data randomly resets
- Gameplay freezes after certain actions
- Sound effects not working properly

**Requested features**

- More planets/levels
- Diverse block types and gameplay mechanics
- Ability to skip crystal counting animation
- Cloud save sync between devices


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Hoplite free?

Hoplite costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is holedown free?

holedown costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Hoplite or holedown?

Hoplite is rated higher. Hoplite averages 4.7 out of 5 from 787 ratings, while holedown averages 4.3 from 398 ratings.

### Do Hoplite or holedown have ads?

Neither Hoplite nor holedown shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Hoplite or holedown?

Hoplite ships an update every 3 months, and holedown every 9 months. Most recently, Hoplite was updated on October 19, 2026 and holedown on October 17, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Hoplite or holedown?

Hoplite currently peaks at #70 in the App Store charts, and holedown at #83. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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