Comparison

Through the Ages vs Eclipse

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

Head to head
About

Through the Ages

Lead a civilization from its beginnings to the modern era. Expand your resources, develop technologies, and build armies to defend or attack. Construct wonders and choose governments to achieve victory in this deep strategy game.

Highlights
  • Civilization development
  • Resource management
  • Technology research
  • Military expansion
  • Government selection
  • Wonder construction
  • Card-driven gameplay
  • Solo and online multiplayer
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Through the Ages is based on a highly acclaimed civilization board game by well-known designer Vlaada Chvátil. The original game is recognized as a modern classic board game. ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES Become a chieftain of a small civilization at the dawn of humankind's history. Expand your farms and mines to ensure you have enough resources to grow your civilization. This is our chance to make history! Develop various technologies, improve armies to defend your cities, or attack other civilizations nearby. Choose the best government that fits your goals and build magnificent wonders to achieve memorable victory at the end of the modern era. CARD-DRIVEN GAMEPLAY Through the Ages is a card-driven, turn-based board game that gives you countless options on what to do and how to play. Thanks to the pool of hundreds of cards, every game is unique, allowing you to build a mighty civilization. PLAY SOLO OR ONLINE You can play against AI-driven world leaders with various difficulties, or you can jump into online games against other players. Thanks to the ELO system, the game will find you opponents of the same level as you are. Clash with them and discover whose strategy leads to victory. You can also participate in some of the many championships, including the official World Championship in Through the Ages. PLENTY OF CHALLENGES The game offers more than 30 challenges that change the winning conditions or rules, so you must adapt your strategy to lead your civilization to victory. Prove that you understand how civilization works and become the mighty world leader.

About

Eclipse

Lead a vast interstellar civilization in a strategic 4X game. Explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate your rivals to achieve galactic domination. Features customizable species, technologies, and ship designs for a unique experience.

Highlights
  • Official board game adaptation
  • Deep 4X gameplay
  • Customizable species, tech, and ships
  • Up to 6 players (human/AI)
  • Asynchronous multiplayer
  • In-game tutorial
Features
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The galaxy has been a peaceful place for many years. After the ruthless Terran–Hegemony War, much effort has been employed by all major spacefaring species to prevent the terrifying events from repeating themselves. The Galactic Council was formed to enforce precious peace, and it has taken many courageous efforts to prevent the escalation of malicious acts. Nevertheless, tension and discord are growing among the seven major species and in the Council itself. Old alliances are shattering, and hasty diplomatic treaties are made in secrecy. A confrontation of the superpowers seems inevitable—only the outcome of the galactic conflict remains to be seen. Which faction will emerge victorious and lead the galaxy under its rule? The shadows of the great civilizations are about to eclipse the galaxy. A game of Eclipse Second Dawn places you in control of a vast interstellar civilization, competing for success with its rivals. You will explore new star systems, research technologies, and build mighty spaceships. There are many potential paths to victory, so you need to plan your strategy considering the strengths and weaknesses of your species, while paying attention to the other civilizations' endeavors. Eclipse other civilizations and lead your people to victory! Exciting Gameplay: Challenge AI opponents or play against friends in real-time or turn-based. Tutorial & Help: Whether you're an experienced Eclipse player or a beginner, the game features a detailed tutorial that walks you through the basics step-by-step. Online Domination: The Eclipse app allows you to compete against friends or rivals from around the world. The app gives you the opportunity to compete with players from all over the world. The "Eclipse-2nd Dawn" app has been carefully designed to seamlessly bring the charm of the board game to your device. The intuitive interface ensures a smooth gaming experience for both experienced players and novices. This is the new version, which corresponds to the original board game "Eclipse - 2nd Dawn for the Galaxy" that makes the gameplay even more diverse and challenging. FEATURES * Official iOS version of the 'Eclipse - Second Dawn for the Galaxy' boardgame * Deep and challenging 4X (eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, and eXterminate) gameplay * 7 species with different strengths and weaknesses * Customizable star systems, technology tree and ship designs * Up to 6 players (human or AI) * Asynchronous multiplayer with push notifications * 3 AI difficulty levels * In-game tutorial & manual Eclipse received multiple awards: Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy 2021 Geek Media Awards Game of the Year for Experienced Gamers Winner 2021 Geek Media Awards Game of the Year for Experienced Gamers Nominee 2020 Charles S. Roberts Best SciFi Fantasy Board Wargame Winner 2020 Charles S. Roberts Best SciFi Fantasy Board Wargame Nominee Eclipse base game * 2011 Charles S. Roberts Best Science-Fiction or Fantasy Board Wargame Nominee * 2011 Jogo do Ano Nominee * 2012 Golden Geek Board Game of the Year Winner * 2012 Golden Geek Golden Geek Best Strategy Board Game Winner * 2012 International Gamers Award - General Strategy: Multi-player Nominee * 2012 JoTa Best Gamer Game Audience Award * 2012 JUG Game of the Year Winner * 2012 Ludoteca Ideale Winner * 2012 Lys Passioné Winner * 2012 Tric Trac Nominee

Screenshots

Through the Ages4 screens
Eclipse4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Through the Ages at 88% against Eclipse's 33%. Through the Ages also leads on rating (4.9 vs 3.2) and update cadence (every 10 days vs every 3 months). Eclipse's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On price, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Through the Ages costs $9.99 and Eclipse $9.99 up front. Through the Ages sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Eclipse asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Through the Ages holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Through the Ages has 5.1K ratings behind it against 15, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 88% of Through the Ages's written reviews are positive against 33% of Eclipse's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Through the Ages ships an update every 10 days, Eclipse every 3 months. Both last shipped on September 23, 2026.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Through the Ages versus Eclipse: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThrough the AgesEclipse
Price$9.99$9.99
Rating4.9 (5.1K ratings) — better3.2 (15 ratings)
Positive reviews87.7% of reviews — better33.3% of reviews
Number of ratings5.1K — better15
Update frequencyEvery 10 days — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
Best chart rank#98 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size188 MB157 MB
Age rating12+9+
DeveloperCGE Digital s.r.o.BrettspielWelt

Customer experience

Through the Ages

All ratings5,140 ratings
Positive97.8%
Neutral0.8%
Negative1.4%
Written reviews814 reviews
Positive87.7%
Neutral3.8%
Negative8.5%

Eclipse

All ratings15 ratings
Positive53.3%
Neutral13.3%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews24 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral29.2%
Negative37.5%

Bugs and requests

Through the Ages

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Crashes during challenge mode
  • Connectivity issues with online play
  • Compatibility problems on older devices
  • Freezing during gameplay

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add pass-and-play mode with AI
  • Ability to mix human and AI players
  • More customization options for game settings
  • Expansion content (new leaders, wonders, etc.)
  • Ability to slow down AI turns for better observation

Eclipse

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Through the Ages

One-time1
  • New Leaders and Wonders$4.99
None

Eclipse

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Through the Ages free?
Through the Ages costs $9.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Eclipse free?
Eclipse costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Through the Ages or Eclipse?
Through the Ages is rated higher. Through the Ages averages 4.9 out of 5 from 5.1K ratings, while Eclipse averages 3.2 from 15 ratings.
Do Through the Ages or Eclipse have ads?
Neither Through the Ages nor Eclipse shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Through the Ages or Eclipse?
Through the Ages ships an update every 10 days, and Eclipse every 3 months. Most recently, Through the Ages was updated on September 23, 2026 and Eclipse on September 23, 2026.

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