# Hoplite vs Shotgun King

The clearest difference is update cadence: Shotgun King at every 5 days against Hoplite's every 3 months. Hoplite's advantage is review sentiment (91% vs 66%) and price ($3.99 vs $6.99). On rating, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Hoplite costs $3.99 and Shotgun King $6.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Hoplite against 4.8 for Shotgun King. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 790 and 768 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 91% of Hoplite's written reviews are positive against 66% of Shotgun King's.

Hoplite ships an update every 3 months, Shotgun King every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Hoplite | Shotgun King |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$3.99** | $6.99 |
| Rating | [4.7 (790 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hoplite/id782438457/reviews) | **[4.8 (768 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shotgun-king/id6744170498/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **790** | 768 |
| Positive reviews | **90.8% of reviews** | 66.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #109 | **#42** |
| Size | 39 MB | 468 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Douglas Cowley](https://appshunter.io/developer/782438460) | [Plug In Digital](https://appshunter.io/developer/608306412) |

## What reviewers say

### Hoplite

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

**Currently charting:** #109 Top Paid · Puzzle, #152 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


### Shotgun King

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shotgun-king/id6744170498)

**Currently charting:** #42 Top Paid · Puzzle, #76 Top Paid · Strategy (US App Store)

Experience a unique twist on chess where you command a king armed with a shotgun. Fight your way through enemy pieces, strategically reload, and upgrade your abilities to reclaim your kingdom. This roguelike chess adventure offers challenging gameplay and extensive replayability.

**Highlights:** Chess with a shotgun mechanic, Roguelike progression with upgrades, 15 difficulty ranks, Unlockable cards, Over 100 achievements, Endless and chase modes

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Hoplite free?

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

### Is Shotgun King free?

Shotgun King costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Hoplite or Shotgun King?

Shotgun King is rated higher. Hoplite averages 4.7 out of 5 from 790 ratings, while Shotgun King averages 4.8 from 768 ratings.

### Do Hoplite or Shotgun King have ads?

Neither Hoplite nor Shotgun King shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Hoplite or Shotgun King?

Hoplite ships an update every 3 months, and Shotgun King every 5 days. Most recently, Hoplite was updated on October 26, 2026 and Shotgun King on October 28, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Hoplite or Shotgun King?

Hoplite currently peaks at #109 in the App Store charts, and Shotgun King at #42. 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.*