Fail Run vs its rivals

Side-by-side comparison against Fail Run's closest competitors — identity, store metrics, ratings & sentiment, and strategic intel.

Fail Run
This App
Tall Man Run
Contender
Going Balls
Contender
Core Identity
DeveloperVoodooAI Games FZSUPERSONIC STUDIOS LTDSUPERSONIC STUDIOS LTDWildlife StudiosRobTop Games ABTeam Terrible LimitedReal Free Soccer
CategoryGamesGamesGamesGamesGamesGamesGamesGames
PlatformAndroid, iOSiOS, AndroidiOS, AndroidiOS, AndroidiOS, AndroidAndroid, iOSiOS, AndroidAndroid, iOS
Store Metrics
Rating4.7 / 54.6 / 54.6 / 54.6 / 54.7 / 54.5 / 54.3 / 54.7 / 5
Ratings Count33,057803,225413,458409,483785,67867,60445,751241,041
PriceFreeFreeFreeFreeFreeFreeFreeFree
Release DateDec 14, 2020May 5, 2019Feb 11, 2022Feb 19, 2020Jul 11, 2015Dec 21, 2016Jun 17, 2021Mar 25, 2021
Last UpdatedApr 16, 2025Feb 9, 2026Feb 4, 2026May 6, 2026Apr 17, 2026Jan 29, 2026Mar 1, 2026Apr 13, 2026
Sentiment & Reviews
Sentimentmixedmixednegativemixedmixedexcellentexcellentpositive
Score55/10058/10035/10045/10058/10082/10085/10075/100
Praises
  • Physics-based movement mechanics provide a humorous and engaging experience for casual players
  • Minimal ad frequency compared to other titles in the genre
  • Offline accessibility allows for consistent play without active internet connection
  • Nostalgic Appeal
  • Engaging Gameplay
  • Core Gameplay Enjoyment
  • Core ball-rolling mechanics provide an addictive and entertaining experience for casual play sessions
  • Nostalgic Value
  • Creative Gameplay
  • Engaging Gameplay
  • Accessibility and Ease of Use
  • Horror and puzzle elements create an immersive atmosphere that keeps players engaged for long sessions
  • Strong narrative progression across chapters builds anticipation for future content updates among the player base
  • Offline Accessibility
  • Engaging Gameplay
Complaints
  • Excessive ad frequency disrupts the flow of gameplay for many users
  • Unpredictable physics behavior causes unfair failure states on specific levels
  • In-app purchases for ad removal fail to function as expected
  • Excessive Ad Frequency
  • Unpopular Version Changes
  • Excessive Advertising
  • Broken Ad-Free IAP
  • Technical Instability
  • Excessive ad frequency disrupts the flow of gameplay and creates a negative user experience
  • Intrusive Advertisements
  • Restrictive Recent Update
  • Lack of Content
  • Ad Frequency
  • Frequent and unskippable advertisements disrupt the gameplay flow and frustrate users during intense moments
  • Technical glitches and progression blockers prevent players from completing specific game acts
  • Intrusive Advertising
  • Lack of Player Control
Requests
  • Addition of new levels to extend the current content lifecycle
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  • Account synchronization and cloud save functionality to prevent permanent progress loss
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  • Multiplayer mode implementation would allow friends to experience the horror and puzzles together
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Strategic Intel
Strengths
  • Physics-based movement loop provides high-frequency, stress-relieving session triggers
  • Offline-play capability supports consistent usage in low-connectivity environments
  • Massive legacy user base (3.4M+ ratings)
  • Unique 'Fun City' sandbox builder mode
  • Strong nostalgic brand equity
  • Unique dual-axis (height/width) scaling mechanic
  • Satisfying boss battle encounters
  • Massive install base (900k+ ratings)
  • Physics-based momentum feels more responsive than rigid lane-based runners
  • One-finger control scheme maximizes top-of-funnel acquisition
  • Massive established user base (3.6M+ ratings)
  • Unique pet adoption and interaction mechanics
  • Accessible blueprint-guided construction system
  • Massive community-driven content library (millions of levels)
  • Strong brand loyalty with 'Excellent' sentiment
  • Robust offline playability
  • Ragdoll physics engine creates viral content loops
  • 11-chapter narrative structure sustains long-term session engagement
  • Market-leading offline functionality
  • Massive social proof (3.3M+ ratings)
  • Low-friction 'jump-start' UX
Weaknesses
  • Non-functional ad-removal purchases create direct revenue-leakage and trust erosion
  • Excessive ad-frequency disrupts the core gameplay flow
  • Unpredictable physics geometry causes unfair failure states
  • Aggressive ad-to-play ratio (30s ad for 15s level)
  • Negative sentiment regarding recent version updates
  • Lack of real-time synchronous multiplayer
  • High frequency of technical crashes and freezes
  • Broken 'ad-free' monetization tier
  • Forced online connectivity for single-player gameplay
  • Loading freezes in the latest update
  • No cloud-save functionality despite user requests
  • Ad frequency disrupts gameplay flow
  • Aggressive ad frequency disrupting gameplay flow
  • Lack of cloud-save functionality for progress retention
  • Recent technical restrictions on block placement
  • Native levels are too short (20-minute completion time)
  • High ad frequency causing user friction
  • Lack of modern technical features like 120Hz support
  • Unskippable ad frequency in latest builds
  • Progression-blocking bugs in critical chase sequences
  • Device incompatibility on older hardware
  • High ad frequency in free tier
  • Aggressive weekly subscription pricing
  • Perceived 'on-rails' gameplay limiting player agency
Pricingfreemiumfreemiumfreemiumfreemiumfreemiumfreefreemiumfreemium
MomentumMaintenanceMaintenanceMaintenanceActiveMaintenanceMaintenanceMaintenanceIntense
Update Cadence5 versions, ~209d avg5 versions, ~25d avg5 versions, ~93d avg5 versions, ~9d avg5 versions, ~4d avg5 versions, 3 majors/6mo, ~166d avg5 versions, 5 majors/6mo, ~21d avg5 versions, 4 majors/6mo, ~8d avg

Compare Fail Run head-to-head

Disclosure: Independent intel to help mobile builders succeed.

AI-powered analysis with editorial review, built from publicly available sources. Marlvel.ai is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Fail Run, its developer, the app publisher, Apple, or Google Play. All trademarks, logos, and screenshots referenced remain the property of their respective owners.

Data licensed under CC-BY-NC 4.0