Comparison

Sometimes You Die vs Candleman

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Sometimes You Die

This game challenges your perception of death and invincibility. It features disturbing puzzles that require thoughtful solutions and explores the meaning of dying in a digital realm. With over 80 levels and hidden content, it offers a unique and thought-provoking experience.

Highlights
  • Unique death mechanic
  • Disturbing and surprising puzzles
  • Explores reality and illusion
  • Over 80 levels
  • Hidden content
  • Interactive art
Features
Read full description

In a game, you die. And imply that it has no effect on you. You feel invincible in the realm behind the screen. This one is different. In this game, you have to die. ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ G A M E ∙ ∙ ∙ What is your motivation? What do you expect from this game? Do you want to beat it? How do you know it can be beaten? This game plays with expectation, illusion, and reality. ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ P U Z Z L E S ∙ ∙ ∙ Think before you act. Who knows what it means to die behind the screen? Is it only a number that goes up? Pixels that change their intensity? Solve disturbing, surprising, and malicious puzzles. ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ D E A T H ∙ ∙ ∙ Is it possible to go through the game without dying even once? Will you aim for it? ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ D I F F I C U L T Y ∙ ∙ ∙ Some think the game is easy. I think, those haven't discovered the hidden levels yet. ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙ slidetoplay.com > "interactive art" appspy.com > "manipulates expectations" 148apps.com > "borderline brilliant" ilounge.com > "messes with the players' heads" toucharcade.com > "incredibly unique" tabtimes.com > "extremely clever" cultofmac.com > "must play" pocketgamer.co.uk > "deliciously unputdownable" tuaw.com > "play it, and love it" 80+ levels. Hidden content. Wow factor. Epilepsy warning: One level includes fast flashing lights.

About

Candleman

Embark on an action-adventure journey as a small candle with a limited light source. Navigate challenging levels in darkness, utilizing light and shadow mechanics to overcome obstacles and uncover hidden treasures in an enchanting fairytale world.

Highlights
  • 10-second light mechanic
  • Light and shadow gameplay
  • Challenging levels
  • Enchanted environments
  • Fairytale story
Features
Read full description

Despite only being able to burn for 10 seconds, a little candle journeys into the darkness, with the purpose of seeking light. Candleman is a distinctive action adventure story entwined with low-light gameplay. Acting as a little candle who can burn for only 10 seconds, venture through an unsettling darkness with challenging levels and a smooth difficulty curve. Struggle to overcome obstacles based on the mechanics of light and shadow, explore a wide range of enchanted environments, and unveil hidden treasure as you seek the distant light. Features • Journey through dark, enchanting worlds with 10 seconds of light. • Face innovative challenges rooted in the mechanics of light and shadow. • Be immersed in a stunning fairytale that highlights everyday issues.

Screenshots

Sometimes You Die3 screens
Candleman4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Candleman at Free against Sometimes You Die's $1.99. Candleman also leads on rating (4.6 vs 4.3). Sometimes You Die's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ratings volume (155 vs 43). On review sentiment, update cadence, ads 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

Candleman is free to download; Sometimes You Die costs $1.99 up front. Candleman sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Sometimes You Die asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Candleman holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 155 and 43 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 82% of Sometimes You Die's written reviews are positive against 88% of Candleman's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Sometimes You Die ships an update every 8 months, Candleman every 11 months. Both last shipped on November 6, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Sometimes You Die versus Candleman: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSometimes You DieCandleman
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating4.3 (155 ratings)4.6 (43 ratings) — better
Positive reviews81.6% of reviews88.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings155 — better43
Update frequencyEvery 8 months — betterEvery 11 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS8.0 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size28 MB1.3 GB
Age rating12+9+
DeveloperPhilipp StollenmayerBeijing Jiao Dian Chuang Yi digital technology Co.,Ltd.

Customer experience

Sometimes You Die

All ratings155 ratings
Positive77.4%
Neutral9.0%
Negative13.5%
Written reviews494 reviews
Positive81.6%
Neutral4.9%
Negative13.6%

Candleman

All ratings43 ratings
Positive90.7%
Neutral2.3%
Negative7.0%
Written reviews26 reviews
Positive88.5%
Neutral3.8%
Negative7.7%

Bugs and requests

Sometimes You Die

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Pause button not functioning properly
  • Game freezing on certain devices

Requested features

3 requests
  • Leaderboard for fastest completions
  • More content and levels
  • Ability to reset/restart the game

Candleman

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Sometimes You Die

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Candleman

One-time1
  • Candleman full game$4.99

Questions

Is Sometimes You Die free?
Sometimes You Die costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Candleman free?
Candleman is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Sometimes You Die or Candleman?
Candleman is rated higher. Sometimes You Die averages 4.3 out of 5 from 155 ratings, while Candleman averages 4.6 from 43 ratings.
Do Sometimes You Die or Candleman have ads?
Neither Sometimes You Die nor Candleman shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Sometimes You Die or Candleman?
Sometimes You Die ships an update every 8 months, and Candleman every 11 months. Most recently, Sometimes You Die was updated on November 6, 2026 and Candleman on November 6, 2026.

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