# Imbroglio vs Shotgun King

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Shotgun King at none against Imbroglio's 3. Shotgun King also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (762 vs 110). Imbroglio's advantage is review sentiment (90% vs 66%) and price ($3.99 vs $6.99). On rating, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Imbroglio costs $3.99 and Shotgun King $6.99 up front. Imbroglio sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Shotgun King asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Imbroglio against 4.8 for Shotgun King. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Shotgun King has 762 ratings behind it against 110, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 90% of Imbroglio's written reviews are positive against 66% of Shotgun King's.

Imbroglio ships an update every 2 months, Shotgun King every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Imbroglio | Shotgun King |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$3.99** | $6.99 |
| Rating | [4.8 (110 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/imbroglio/id969264934/reviews) | **[4.8 (762 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shotgun-king/id6744170498/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 110 | **762** |
| Positive reviews | **89.7% of reviews** | 66.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #180 | **#48** |
| Size | 59 MB | 468 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 9+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Michael Brough](https://appshunter.io/developer/490257881) | [Plug In Digital](https://appshunter.io/developer/608306412) |

## What reviewers say

### Imbroglio

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/imbroglio/id969264934)

**Currently charting:** #180 Top Paid · Strategy (US App Store)

Navigate a dynamic labyrinth filled with monsters and treasures. Build your deck to invoke powers, equip magical weapons, and choose from diverse heroes to survive and achieve a high score in this tactical deck-building game.

**Highlights:** Ever-shifting labyrinth, Deck-building tactics, Magical weapons, Invoke special powers, Multiple heroes, Enigmatic enemies

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Imbroglio: Ossuary | $1.99 | one-time |
| Imbroglio: Phlogiston | $2.99 | one-time |
| Imbroglio: Mizzenmast | $7.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎮 Exceptional strategic depth and complexity
- 🧩 Brilliant puzzle-roguelike hybrid gameplay
- 🎯 Elegant minimalist design with tight mechanics
- 🔄 Extremely high replayability and longevity
- 💰 No pay-to-win mechanics or predatory IAPs

**What reviewers complain about**

- 📖 Steep learning curve with confusing initial mechanics
- 📝 Minimal tutorial and unclear instructions
- 🎯 Extremely difficult and punishing gameplay
- 🎲 Heavy reliance on RNG and randomness
- 📱 Tiny text that's hard to read

**Reported bugs**

- iOS 11 compatibility crashes on startup
- Character unlock not persisting after reinstall unless high score beaten
- Game crashes when opening on certain iOS versions
- Harry build exploit allowing use of outlawed range options via copied boards
- Wall shift mechanics occasionally trapping player in worst positions

**Requested features**

- Tutorial or better onboarding for new players
- Larger text size option for readability
- Random board generation option
- Ability to replay custom boards multiple times
- Pass/skip turn option for tactical flexibility


### Shotgun King

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shotgun-king/id6744170498)

**Currently charting:** #48 Top Paid · Puzzle, #84 Top Paid · Strategy (US App Store)

Experience a unique twist on chess where you command a king armed with a shotgun. Fight your way through enemy pieces, strategically reload, and upgrade your abilities to reclaim your kingdom. This roguelike chess adventure offers challenging gameplay and extensive replayability.

**Highlights:** Chess with a shotgun mechanic, Roguelike progression with upgrades, 15 difficulty ranks, Unlockable cards, Over 100 achievements, Endless and chase modes

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Imbroglio free?

Imbroglio costs $3.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Shotgun King free?

Shotgun King costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Imbroglio or Shotgun King?

Shotgun King is rated higher. Imbroglio averages 4.8 out of 5 from 110 ratings, while Shotgun King averages 4.8 from 762 ratings.

### Do Imbroglio or Shotgun King have ads?

Neither Imbroglio nor Shotgun King shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Imbroglio or Shotgun King?

Imbroglio ships an update every 2 months, and Shotgun King every 5 days. Most recently, Imbroglio was updated on October 24, 2026 and Shotgun King on October 25, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Imbroglio or Shotgun King?

Imbroglio currently peaks at #180 in the App Store charts, and Shotgun King at #48. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*