The Ensign vs Candybox
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 100% VoiceOver playable
- Challenging gameplay
- Narrative-driven
- No ads
- No data collection
- No in-app purchases
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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.
Candybox
Embark on an ASCII art role-playing adventure starting with candy collection. Discover a world of quests, battles, exploration, and crafting. Unravel mysteries and upgrade your character to uncover hidden secrets.
- Candy collection and resource management
- Text-based role-playing adventure
- Combat against various enemies
- Exploration of diverse game worlds
- Quest completion and puzzle solving
- Crafting and item upgrading
- Discovery of hidden secrets and Easter eggs
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Embark on an unforgettable journey in Candy Box, where a simple candy-collecting game turns into an epic adventure! Start with a handful of candies and discover a world filled with mysteries, quests, and battles. This text-based incremental game will surprise you at every turn with its depth and charm. Game Features: Start Simple, Dream Big: Begin by collecting candies, but don’t be fooled by the simplicity! As you gather more, the game reveals layers of new content, from shops and inventory to quests and exploration. Battle Fierce Enemies: Equip powerful swords, potions, and spells to take down a variety of enemies. Each foe presents a unique challenge that will test your strategy and preparation. Explore Vast Worlds: Travel through enchanted forests, mysterious dungeons, and grand castles. Each area is packed with secrets, treasures, and surprises waiting to be uncovered. Solve Puzzles and Complete Quests: Not just about combat—Candy Box offers intricate puzzles and quests that will require your wit and creativity. Unravel hidden mysteries and unlock powerful rewards. Craft and Upgrade: Use the candies you collect to craft powerful items, upgrade your gear, and customize your character. The more you play, the more powerful you become. Discover Hidden Secrets: Candy Box is full of Easter eggs, hidden features, and secret endings. Can you find them all? Why You'll Love Candy Box: Candy Box offers a unique blend of simplicity and depth, perfect for both casual players and those looking for a more complex experience. Whether you’re in it for the candy or the adventure, you’ll find something to love in this quirky, delightful game. Download now and see how far a single candy can take you!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Candybox at Free against The Ensign's $1.99. Candybox also leads on update cadence (daily vs every 2 months). The Ensign's advantage is rating (4.6 vs 3.2) and review sentiment (86% vs 44%). On 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
Candybox is free to download; The Ensign costs $1.99 up front. Candybox sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. The Ensign asks for nothing beyond the download.
The Ensign holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: The Ensign has 549 ratings behind it against 15, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 86% of The Ensign's written reviews are positive against 44% of Candybox's.
The Ensign ships an update every 2 months, Candybox daily. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | The Ensign | Candybox |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.6 (549 ratings) — better | 3.2 (15 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 86.2% of reviews — better | 44.4% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 549 — better | 15 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Daily — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Best chart rank | #66 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 — better | 13.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 32 MB | 31 MB |
| Age rating | +12 | 4+ |
| Developer | Amirali Rajan | Noe LE PHILIPPE |
Customer experience
The Ensign
Candybox
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
Candybox
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
The Ensign
No in-app purchases
Candybox
- Remove ads$1.99
Questions
Is The Ensign free?
Is Candybox free?
Which has better reviews, The Ensign or Candybox?
Do The Ensign or Candybox have ads?
Which is updated more often, The Ensign or Candybox?
Other comparisons
