Comparison

The Ensign vs SPACEPLAN

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

Head to head
About

The Ensign

Embark on a challenging narrative-driven adventure where your choices have dire consequences. This game offers a fully accessible experience for VoiceOver users, delivering a difficult yet rewarding gameplay loop.

Highlights
  • 100% VoiceOver playable
  • Challenging gameplay
  • Narrative-driven
  • No ads
  • No data collection
  • No in-app purchases
Features
Read full description

death awaits. their humanity makes them strong. - 100% playable via VoiceOver - Pre-sequel to the #1 viral smash hit, A Dark Room. - Made with love by indie game developers. - No ads. - No data collection. - No IAP. - No crippled gameplay. - No data requirements. - No elevated device privileges. - Stupid difficult, but that's why you'll love it.

About

SPACEPLAN

Engage in an experimental clicker game where you launch potato-based devices from a satellite. Uncover galactic mysteries through a silly, life-affirming narrative and a banging soundtrack. It's a unique sci-fi adventure for those looking to pass the time.

Highlights
  • Unlock and launch 15 starchy items
  • Engaging narrative story
  • Explore 5 planets across 2 realities
  • Original soundtrack
  • Experimental interaction
Read full description

SPACEPLAN is an experimental piece of interaction based partly on a total misunderstanding of Stephen Hawking’s A Brief History of Time. Use manual clicks and the passage of time to create and launch potato-based devices and probes from your nondescript satellite orbiting a mysterious planet. Unlock the mysteries of the galaxy or just kill some time in what the astrophysics community is calling the ‘best narrative sci-fi clicker game of all times’. FEATURES * Fifteen starchy items to unlock, create, and blast into the vacuum of space. * Life affirming, silly story that will both captivate and help you kill time. * Reveal the secrets of five different planets across two different realities. * Banging soundtrack, as is customary in a narrative sci-fi clicker game.

Screenshots

The Ensign4 screens
SPACEPLAN4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: SPACEPLAN at every 6 days against The Ensign's every 2 months. The Ensign's advantage is rating (4.6 vs 4.2) and review sentiment (86% vs 69%). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

The Ensign costs $1.99 and SPACEPLAN $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

The Ensign holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 549 and 901 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 86% of The Ensign's written reviews are positive against 69% of SPACEPLAN's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

The Ensign ships an update every 2 months, SPACEPLAN every 6 days. Both last shipped on October 19, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
The Ensign versus SPACEPLAN: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThe EnsignSPACEPLAN
Price$1.99 — better$2.99
Rating4.6 (549 ratings) — better4.2 (901 ratings)
Positive reviews86.2% of reviews — better69.3% of reviews
Number of ratings549901 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 6 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank#85 — better#119
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.011.0
Further details — not scored
Size32 MB427 MB
Age rating+124+
DeveloperAmirali RajanDevolver Digital, Inc.

Customer experience

The Ensign

All ratings549 ratings
Positive89.6%
Neutral2.0%
Negative8.4%
Written reviews340 reviews
Positive86.2%
Neutral2.9%
Negative10.9%

SPACEPLAN

All ratings901 ratings
Positive76.9%
Neutral7.9%
Negative15.2%
Written reviews420 reviews
Positive69.3%
Neutral11.9%
Negative18.8%

User reviews

The Ensign

From 549 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🌟 Compelling story and world-building
  • 🤖 Unique and challenging gameplay
  • 🎮 Rewarding progression and sense of accomplishment
  • 💎 Excellent prequel to A Dark Room
  • 🧠 Encourages strategic thinking and decision-making

Room to improve

  • 🤯 Extremely difficult and punishing at times
  • 🔁 Frustrating to restart from the beginning after dying
  • 🕹️ Lack of checkpoints or save options
  • 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs
  • 🧭 Unclear navigation and objectives at times

SPACEPLAN

From 901 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Stellar game after years
  • 🎨 Unique and fun storyline
  • 🎵 Awesome soundtrack
  • 👍 Relaxing and atmospheric
  • 👍 Engaging and captivating

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and black screen issues
  • 🕰️ Game too short for the price
  • 🔁 Lack of replayability or endless mode

Bugs and requests

The Ensign

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Game crashing when trying to collect loot
  • Inconsistencies between item descriptions and inventory
  • Saved progress being lost after closing the app

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to save progress and resume later
  • Difficulty settings or optional modes
  • More narrative depth and character development
  • Improved accessibility and UI for visually impaired players

SPACEPLAN

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Game crashes or gets stuck on black screen
  • Compatibility issues with newer devices

Requested features

3 requests
  • Add more content and story
  • Implement a prestige or progression system
  • Allow continuing progress after completing the game

In-app purchases

None

The Ensign

No in-app purchases

None

SPACEPLAN

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is The Ensign free?
The Ensign costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is SPACEPLAN free?
SPACEPLAN costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, The Ensign or SPACEPLAN?
The Ensign is rated higher. The Ensign averages 4.6 out of 5 from 549 ratings, while SPACEPLAN averages 4.2 from 901 ratings.
Do The Ensign or SPACEPLAN have ads?
Neither The Ensign nor SPACEPLAN shows ads.
Which is updated more often, The Ensign or SPACEPLAN?
The Ensign ships an update every 2 months, and SPACEPLAN every 6 days. Most recently, The Ensign was updated on October 19, 2026 and SPACEPLAN on October 19, 2026.
Which is more popular, The Ensign or SPACEPLAN?
The Ensign currently peaks at #85 in the App Store charts, and SPACEPLAN at #119. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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