# Rook vs Mex Train

The clearest difference is rating: Rook at 4.8 against Mex Train's 3.5. Rook also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 16 months) and ratings volume (7K vs 26). Mex Train's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs ad-supported). On price, review sentiment, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Rook holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Rook has 7K ratings behind it against 26, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 62% of Rook's written reviews are positive against 56% of Mex Train's.

Rook ships an update every 2 months, Mex Train every 16 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Rook | Mex Train |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (7K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rook/id789382449/reviews)** | [3.5 (26 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mex-train/id6448130068/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **7K** | 26 |
| Positive reviews | **62.3% of reviews** | 56.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 16 months |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | **Free** |
| Size | 33 MB | 6 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **12.4** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [fishdog.net](https://appshunter.io/developer/337519299) | [Phil Stern](https://appshunter.io/developer/636410771) |

## What reviewers say

### Rook

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rook/id789382449)

Experience a strategic trick-taking card game with a unique deck and bidding system. Play with friends or AI, aiming to reach a target score by winning tricks and naming trump suits. Features color-blind friendly cards and customizable rules.

**Highlights:** Trick-taking gameplay, Unique card deck (5-14), Bidding for trump suit, Color-blind friendly cards, Customizable rules, AI opponents

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Fun and enjoyable game
- 👍 Challenging and makes the mind work
- 👍 Brings back childhood memories
- 👍 Great implementation of Rook game

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 AI partner makes poor decisions and gets team set
- 🐛 Unfair distribution of cards favoring the opponent team
- 🐛 Opponents can renege and play off-suit trumps
- 🐛 Frustrating bidding by AI partner

**Reported bugs**

- AI partner plays trumps incorrectly
- Scoring calculator issues and negative scores
- Inability to skip the rest of the hand after outcome is decided
- Irritating background music that cannot be turned off

**Requested features**

- Online multiplayer mode to play with friends
- More customization options for game rules
- Ability to play with full deck (2-14) and 4-card kitty
- Option to start bidding lower
- Ability to 'shoot the moon'


### Mex Train

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mex-train/id6448130068)

A digital adaptation of the popular family domino game. Compete against three AI opponents, strategically arranging your dominoes to build the best train. Utilize hints to guide your moves and optimize your gameplay.

**Highlights:** Play against three computer opponents, Drag and arrange dominoes, Flip dominoes before play, Build your perfect train, Get play hints

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Rook free?

Rook is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Mex Train free?

Mex Train is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Rook or Mex Train?

Rook is rated higher. Rook averages 4.8 out of 5 from 7K ratings, while Mex Train averages 3.5 from 26 ratings.

### Do Rook or Mex Train have ads?

Rook shows ads; Mex Train does not.

### Which is updated more often, Rook or Mex Train?

Rook ships an update every 2 months, and Mex Train every 16 months. Most recently, Rook was updated on November 1, 2026 and Mex Train on November 3, 2026.

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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.*