# Hadean Lands vs Cracking the Cryptic

The clearest difference is price: Cracking the Cryptic at Free against Hadean Lands's $4.99. Cracking the Cryptic also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 11 months) and ratings volume (211 vs 15). Hadean Lands's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.4) and in-app purchases (none vs 10). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Cracking the Cryptic is free to download; Hadean Lands costs $4.99 up front. Cracking the Cryptic sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Hadean Lands asks for nothing beyond the download.

Hadean Lands holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Cracking the Cryptic has 211 ratings behind it against 15, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 89% of Hadean Lands's written reviews are positive against 72% of Cracking the Cryptic's.

Hadean Lands ships an update every 11 months, Cracking the Cryptic every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Hadean Lands | Cracking the Cryptic |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[5.0 (15 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hadean-lands/id918958300/reviews)** | [4.4 (211 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cracking-the-cryptic/id1629992934/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 15 | **211** |
| Positive reviews | **88.9% of reviews** | 72.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 11 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 18 MB | 234 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Zarfhome Software Consulting](https://appshunter.io/developer/457956106) | [Nick Carney](https://appshunter.io/developer/1434235673) |

## What reviewers say

### Hadean Lands

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hadean-lands/id918958300)

Experience a classic text adventure with complex alchemical puzzles and a fluid interface. This interactive fiction game requires you to type commands to explore and solve challenges. It features a built-in map and a journal to track your discoveries.

**Highlights:** Classic text adventure gameplay, Complex alchemical puzzles, Fluid typing and reading interface, Built-in game map, Journal for discoveries, VoiceOver and dictation support

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Cracking the Cryptic

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cracking-the-cryptic/id1629992934)

This app offers a curated collection of handcrafted Sudoku puzzles from world-renowned constructors. Explore classic and unique variants, with new puzzle packs released regularly. A free introductory pack is included with download.

**Highlights:** Handcrafted Sudoku puzzles, Curated by expert constructors, Classic and unique variants, Regularly released puzzle packs, Free introductory puzzle pack

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| CTC Worms - James Sinclair | $0.99 | one-time |
| CTC Worms - Marty Sears | $0.99 | one-time |
| CTC Worms - Michael Lefkowitz | $1.99 | one-time |
| GAS Volume #1 | $2.99 | one-time |
| GAS Volume #2 | $2.99 | one-time |
| CTC Approachable Sudoku #1 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Domino Sudoku Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Lines Variety Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Classic Volume #2 | $4.99 | one-time |
| CTC Fog Pack #1 | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Best sudoku app
- 👍 Great variety of puzzles
- 👍 Excellent user interface
- 👍 Challenging and fun puzzles
- 👍 Constant updates with new puzzles

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Hints are often incorrect or unhelpful
- 🐛 Bugs and crashes, especially after updates
- 🔋 Battery draining issues
- 🔒 Too many in-app purchases required to access content

**Reported bugs**

- Puzzle progress and purchases disappearing after updates
- Incorrect rules or hints in certain puzzles
- Crashes and freezes, especially on older devices or Macs
- Inconsistent behavior when switching between portrait and landscape modes

**Requested features**

- Add more color options for pencil marking and highlighting
- Implement a way to clear progress or start puzzles from scratch
- Integrate all CTC apps into a single app for better organization
- Add keyboard support, especially on Mac
- Improve the quality and clarity of hints


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Hadean Lands free?

Hadean Lands costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Cracking the Cryptic free?

Cracking the Cryptic is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Hadean Lands or Cracking the Cryptic?

Hadean Lands is rated higher. Hadean Lands averages 5.0 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while Cracking the Cryptic averages 4.4 from 211 ratings.

### Do Hadean Lands or Cracking the Cryptic have ads?

Neither Hadean Lands nor Cracking the Cryptic shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Hadean Lands or Cracking the Cryptic?

Hadean Lands ships an update every 11 months, and Cracking the Cryptic every 3 weeks. Most recently, Hadean Lands was updated on November 1, 2026 and Cracking the Cryptic on November 7, 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.*