Comparison

8bit Doves vs Ascending Blocks

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

Head to head
About

8bit Doves

Embark on a pixelated VR adventure where you navigate dream-like mazes inspired by flight. Collect doves to unlock your escape from a colorful, retro-styled prison. Experience intuitive controls and challenging obstacles in this unique handheld-inspired game.

Highlights
  • VR Gameboy adventure
  • Pixelated dream mazes
  • Flight-inspired navigation
  • Intuitive two-button gameplay
  • Multiple level packs with distinct themes
  • Stunning 4-color pixel art
Features
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Trapped in a VR world powered by an ancient handheld device, you are forced to endlessly dream in a pixel world of just 4 colours! Doves have taken roost in your prison and though you don’t know it they are the key to your survival. The Doves subconsciously inspire dreams of flight, so take to the skies through the mazes of your imagination and find the exit. Intuitive two button gameplay is all you need to steer your way through the sky. Fly through each stage and reach the exit. Get doves to follow you for extra bonus bragging rights on Game Center and Social Networking stuff. If walls aren’t enough challenge you may enjoy the variety of traps that get rapidly added including, moving walls, speed boost zones, growing walls and more! By the team that brought you the award winning mobile hit Icebreaker: A Viking Voyage. Features: • Expanded from the hit #Nitromejam game! • 3 level packs each with a different dream theme! (Sweet Dreams, Deep Sleep & Nightmare). • A unique world realised in 4 Colours! (Great for that Game boy nostalgia fix) • Don’t worry parents this game contains no In app purchases! • Stunning Pixel Art from the award winning Nitrome studio! • Simple two button gameplay, perfect for a touch screen! Important Message for Parents This game may include: - Direct links to social networking websites that are intended for an audience over the age of 13. - Direct links to the internet that can take players away from the game with the potential to browse any web page. - Cross promotion of Nitrome products.

About

Ascending Blocks

Control a block in this 2D infinite runner and platformer game. Your goal is to reach new heights by ascending as high as possible. Unlock various costumes to customize your gameplay experience.

Highlights
  • Infinite runner gameplay
  • 2D platformer mechanics
  • Score-based unlocking
  • Unlockable costumes
  • Simple block control
Features
Read full description

Ascending Blocks is a 2D cross between an infinite runner and a 2D platformer, where you control a block. Your objective is to ascend higher in the game.  This game has many costumes to play with. You can unlock them by getting a high enough score or by watching a short ad.

Screenshots

8bit Doves4 screens
Ascending Blocks4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Ascending Blocks at Free against 8bit Doves's $2.99. Ascending Blocks also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.4) and review sentiment (100% vs 67%). 8bit Doves's advantage is ratings volume (563 vs 4) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model 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

Ascending Blocks is free to download; 8bit Doves costs $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Ascending Blocks holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: 8bit Doves has 563 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of 8bit Doves's written reviews are positive against 100% of Ascending Blocks's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

8bit Doves ships an update every 5 months, Ascending Blocks daily. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
8bit Doves versus Ascending Blocks: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter8bit DovesAscending Blocks
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating3.4 (563 ratings)5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings563 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size51 MB46 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNitromeTomato Factory

Customer experience

8bit Doves

All ratings563 ratings
Positive58.4%
Neutral6.0%
Negative35.5%
Written reviews309 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral8.1%
Negative25.2%

Ascending Blocks

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

8bit Doves

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashes on certain devices
  • Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
  • Inconsistent control responsiveness

Requested features

4 requests
  • More levels and content
  • Ability to customize the character
  • Inclusion of a story or narrative
  • Better tutorial or control explanation

Ascending Blocks

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

8bit Doves

No in-app purchases

None

Ascending Blocks

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is 8bit Doves free?
8bit Doves costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Ascending Blocks free?
Ascending Blocks is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, 8bit Doves or Ascending Blocks?
Ascending Blocks is rated higher. 8bit Doves averages 3.4 out of 5 from 563 ratings, while Ascending Blocks averages 5.0 from 4 ratings.
Do 8bit Doves or Ascending Blocks have ads?
Neither 8bit Doves nor Ascending Blocks shows ads.
Which is updated more often, 8bit Doves or Ascending Blocks?
8bit Doves ships an update every 5 months, and Ascending Blocks daily. Most recently, 8bit Doves was updated on October 9, 2026 and Ascending Blocks on October 7, 2026.

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