Comparison

Darkball vs Crystal Journey

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

Head to head
About

Darkball

Test your predictive abilities by tapping the screen at the precise moment a ball enters a target area. This game challenges your brain's capacity to anticipate events based on subtle cues, similar to how athletes predict ball trajectories.

Highlights
  • Predictive ball interception gameplay
  • Tests brain's anticipation skills
  • Simple tap-to-intercept mechanic
  • Challenges timing and prediction
  • Minimalist visual cues
Features
Read full description

Tap the screen when you think the ball will appear in the target. The ball will only flash twice. The first flash happens when the ball drops and the second flash happens on the line. You’re goal is to tap the screen when you think the ball will appear in the orange target area. Cristiano Ronaldo can famously volley a corner kick in total darkness. The magic behind this remarkable feat is hidden in Cristiano’s brain which enables him to use advance cues to plan upcoming actions. Darkball challenges your brain to do the same, distilling that scenario into its simplest form - intercept a ball in the dark. All you see is all you need. One of the brain’s fundamental functions is to use information from the past and present to predict the future. This function is key to how animals, from dragonflies to humans, navigate a dynamic and uncertain world. To make predictions, the brain must have an “internal model” of the system it interacts with. A basic form of this function is at play when we move our body. For example, to reach for a cup, the brain must have a model to predict how the hand would respond to various motor commands. Internal models are also thought to play a crucial role when we mentally predict future states of the environment, for example when we track a ball as it moves behind another object. Here, we have designed a simple task to understand how the nervous system makes such predictions. In this task, subjects have to intercept a ball when it reaches its final position. By changing the speed of the ball, the intervals when it is invisible, and the target position, we will test various hypotheses about the algorithms that are used to integrate information about past and present to make predictions about future.

About

Crystal Journey

Embark on a 3D puzzle adventure across multiple captivating chapters. Navigate intricate levels, solve challenging puzzles, and uncover the path to a radiant purple crystal. Experience a visually stunning and immersive journey that tests your cognitive skills.

Highlights
  • 3D puzzle gameplay
  • Multiple captivating chapters
  • Offline play
  • Stunning visuals
  • Cognitive challenges
  • Unlockable crystal goal
Features
Read full description

Prepare for an extraordinary adventure unlike any other with Crystal Journey - Lum's Adventure. Immerse yourself in the world of 3D puzzles and navigate through a tapestry of captivating chapters: Begin your quest in "The Beginning," traverse the vivid landscapes of "Colorful Quest," progress through the ages in "Middle Age," and unveil the enigmas of "Night Mystery." Your ultimate goal? Maneuver through intricate puzzles, unlocking the path that leads to the radiant purple crystal. Embark on a journey that transcends traditional gaming, challenging your cognitive prowess while treating your senses to stunning visuals and evocative themes. Crystal Journey isn't just a game; it's an odyssey that invites you to explore the depths of imagination and unravel the threads of mystery woven into each chapter. Can you rise to the challenge and conquer the puzzles that stand between you and Lum's ultimate discovery? Crystal Journey doesn't have any in app purchases or ads in it and it can be played offline

Screenshots

Darkball2 screens
Crystal Journey4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Crystal Journey at 60% against Darkball's 0%. Crystal Journey also leads on rating (4.5 vs 4.1) and update cadence (every 9 days vs every 68 months). Darkball's advantage is price (Free vs $3.99). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases 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

Darkball is free to download; Crystal Journey costs $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Crystal Journey holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 15 and 12 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of Darkball's written reviews are positive against 60% of Crystal Journey's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Darkball ships an update every 68 months, Crystal Journey every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Darkball versus Crystal Journey: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDarkballCrystal Journey
PriceFree — better$3.99
Rating4.1 (15 ratings)4.5 (12 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews60.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings15 — better12
Update frequencyEvery 68 monthsEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size0 MB303 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCW&TBlend Nesimi

Customer experience

Darkball

All ratings15 ratings
Positive73.3%
Neutral6.7%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Crystal Journey

All ratings12 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral8.3%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive60.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative20.0%

In-app purchases

None

Darkball

No in-app purchases

None

Crystal Journey

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Darkball free?
Darkball is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Crystal Journey free?
Crystal Journey costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Darkball or Crystal Journey?
Crystal Journey is rated higher. Darkball averages 4.1 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while Crystal Journey averages 4.5 from 12 ratings.
Do Darkball or Crystal Journey have ads?
Neither Darkball nor Crystal Journey shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Darkball or Crystal Journey?
Darkball ships an update every 68 months, and Crystal Journey every 9 days. Most recently, Darkball was updated on November 1, 2026 and Crystal Journey on November 3, 2026.

Other comparisons