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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Galaxy Attack vs Phoenix 2

Galaxy Attack 4.7★ · Free + IAP 75
Winner Galaxy Attack
Phoenix 2 4.7★ · Free + IAP 60

For a classic arcade shooter experience with frequent updates and a large player base, Galaxy Attack is the better choice, but be prepared for aggressive monetization; Phoenix 2 offers superior graphics and a more skill-based experience, but recent updates have alienated many long-time players.

Full reviews: Galaxy Attack · Phoenix 2

Galaxy Attack and Phoenix 2 are both popular space shooter games, but recent updates have significantly impacted user sentiment for Phoenix 2, pushing many players towards Galaxy Attack despite its own monetization issues. Galaxy Attack offers a nostalgic, addictive experience with frequent content, while Phoenix 2, once praised for its skill-based gameplay, is now criticized for its new gacha-like upgrade system.

Head to head

Gameplay & Core Experience tieR1R2R3R14
Galaxy Attack Galaxy Attack is praised for its classic arcade feel, addictive nature, and nostalgic value, with many users enjoying the boss battles and challenges R2R14. However, a significant number of players find the levels become too hard quickly, forcing them into a 'pay-to-win' model R1R3R16R19. Some also find the gameplay repetitive .
Phoenix 2 Phoenix 2 is lauded for its phenomenal graphics, sound design, and challenging, skill-based gameplay, with many veterans playing daily for years . However, recent updates have introduced balance issues, making later stages overwhelmingly difficult and ships feel underpowered . Some players also miss the health bar system from the original Phoenix HD, preferring it over the one-hit death mechanic .
Monetization & Progression tieR10R13R16R19
Galaxy Attack Galaxy Attack is heavily criticized for being a 'pay-to-win' game, with many users feeling forced to spend money to progress past difficult levels R13R16R19. Players report that upgrades become necessary but are only available through in-app purchases, and some even claim the game changes difficulty settings after purchases to encourage more spending . There are also accusations of developers cheating players to make them lose R10.
Phoenix 2 Phoenix 2's recent updates have shifted its monetization model, leading to widespread criticism from veteran players who now perceive it as 'pay-to-win' R61R64R69R73. The new 'Engram' and 'mods' systems are described as gacha-like, random, and make it difficult to get desired upgrades without spending real money on 'nova cores' R64R69. Players are frustrated by duplicate mods and the removal of previously earned upgrades without compensation .
Technical Issues & Reliability edge: Phoenix 2R4R15R18R22
Galaxy Attack Galaxy Attack users frequently report issues with ads, including ads freezing or locking up their device, and ads not providing promised rewards or being unskippable R4R15R18R22. The game also suffers from significant bugs, such as crashing during ads, lost progress after updates, deducted currency without upgrades, and synchronization errors leading to lost purchases R15.
Phoenix 2 Phoenix 2 has some reported bugs, including issues with specific ship abilities not working (Reflex EMP) , and screen issues on newer iPhone models . Some users also experience the game locking up their phone . However, these issues appear less pervasive than Galaxy Attack's ad and data loss problems.
Multiplayer & Community edge: Phoenix 2R6R12R54R67
Galaxy Attack Galaxy Attack offers a PvP mode, but it's a source of frustration for many players due to unfair matchmaking, with users being paired against max-rank opponents R6R12. There are also reports of PvP points being reset or manipulated after updates R54.
Phoenix 2 Phoenix 2 users have explicitly requested a multiplayer mode, indicating a desire for more social interaction within the game R67. The game does have group missions, which are highlighted as a positive aspect R116.
Developer Responsiveness & Support edge: Phoenix 2R4R10R13R34
Galaxy Attack Galaxy Attack developers are noted for responding to issues R4, but many users report a lack of effective support, especially regarding lost purchases, data, or fraudulent charges R13R34. There are also accusations of developers deleting negative reviews R10.
Phoenix 2 Phoenix 2 has received praise for its customer service in recovering lost accounts and purchases . However, some users report difficulty getting responses for specific in-game bugs . The developers have also been heavily criticized for recent updates that have negatively impacted the long-term player base, with many feeling ignored R73.
Pick Galaxy Attack if

You enjoy classic arcade-style shoot 'em ups with frequent updates and don't mind a strong 'pay-to-win' element or dealing with numerous ads and potential bugs R2R14.

Pick Phoenix 2 if

You are looking for a visually stunning space shooter with challenging, skill-based gameplay and excellent customer service for account issues, and you are willing to navigate a new, more randomized upgrade system .

Evidence note: The evidence for Phoenix 2 is heavily skewed by recent negative reviews regarding its 8.0 update, which introduced significant changes to its monetization and progression systems. Many positive reviews are older or focus on the game's core aesthetics rather than its current mechanics. Galaxy Attack's reviews show consistent complaints about monetization and technical issues over time.

Frequently asked

Is Galaxy Attack a pay-to-win game?
Yes, many users report that Galaxy Attack becomes a pay-to-win game, especially after level 75, requiring in-app purchases to progress due to increased difficulty and limited free upgrades R1R16R19R25.
Did Phoenix 2's recent update change its monetization?
Yes, Phoenix 2's recent 8.0 update introduced a new 'Engram' and 'mods' system that many long-time players describe as gacha-like and pay-to-win, making it difficult to obtain desired ship upgrades without spending real money on 'nova cores' R61R64R69R73.
Does Galaxy Attack have problems with ads?
Yes, Galaxy Attack frequently has issues with ads, including them freezing or locking up devices, not providing promised rewards, or being unskippable, forcing players to exit and restart the game R4R15R18R22.
Does Phoenix 2 have a multiplayer mode?
Phoenix 2 does not have a dedicated multiplayer mode, though it offers group missions; users have expressed a desire for a multiplayer feature R67R116.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R1] Galaxy Attack 1/5 · US Hard after level 75: Too much hard after level 75
  2. [R2] Galaxy Attack 5/5 · US Best game ever: Love the game so awesome
  3. [R3] Galaxy Attack 3/5 · US Classic fun vibe nostalgia: This game is a vibe and all but the negative parts about it is that it’s hard and the waves are too long
  4. [R14] Galaxy Attack 4/5 · US I remember this: I remember playing this when I was 7 I lik it
  5. [R10] Galaxy Attack 1/5 · US Cheaters: It looks like they have deleted my reviews in some way, Latest update they started to freez the plant to prevent you to win. Update: I really never seen like that cheating in this game, it’s developers kill’s themselves to let you lose. They used up normal and irregular ways to let you loose, including freezing your plans sometimes. I just deleted it, as it is not fair and not game.
  6. [R13] Galaxy Attack 1/5 · US Horrible: Greedy POS’s. Cannot win unless you literally spend thousands of dollars. When you do buy something they keep taking money out without your permission even on a one time purchase. They do not refund even after proving it. Stay away from this game
  7. [R16] Galaxy Attack 2/5 · US Turns into pay to win too quickly: Was fun at first, but as you progress the stages become too difficult to complete and require upgrades that aren’t available unless you make in app purchases to gain said upgrades. No longer fun.
  8. [R19] Galaxy Attack 1/5 · US Don’t bother: The game sucks you in and then u see u HAVE TO SPEND MONEY to advance !!!! Also the ads are getting longer and longer. Long story short, they just want your money….
  9. [R4] Galaxy Attack 2/5 · US Cool Game But: Game creator does respond to issues. Game has not been working well. Lots of ads to get assets in game. Most times, the ads do not work, which stifles playing and makes it frustrating.
  10. [R15] Galaxy Attack 3/5 · GB Crashing during Ads: The game is fun but hard to progress without paying. My main problem is how many rewards/progress I’ve lost due to the game crashing during ads
  11. [R18] Galaxy Attack 3/5 · GB Ads locking up my iPad: Great game. Love the challenges and rewards. Big problem, ads. I don’t mind em but many of the recent ads freeze or lock up on my iPad. I have to shut it down and reboot to clear the ad. Annoying & frustrating. All the same great game
  12. [R22] Galaxy Attack 1/5 · US ADS ruin it. Can’t clock out of ads.: Fun game very entertaining. But the ads force you to download and you can’t click out of them. Horrible. Do not download. Use to be fun. But now it’s very dissatisfying. Thanks for taking time to reply. If the ads had a way to exit back to the game, that works. But the big issue is that once you click an add because of an upgrade option, you can’t click out.
  13. [R6] Galaxy Attack 3/5 · US Hi: Why I can’t play in pvp
  14. [R12] Galaxy Attack 3/5 · GB Terrible multiplayer: I get paired against a max rank with all max upgraded ships i have no chance
  15. [R54] Galaxy Attack 2/5 · US Takes PVP points: It really sucks to enjoy a game but “updating “ once or twice a month is ridiculous. It takes your PVP points which makes it impossible to win against certain players whose PVP points are magically in the thousands. If everyone is required to “update” then there shouldn’t be those accounts who have literally thousands of PVP points. What a scam.
  16. [R67] Phoenix 2 2/5 · US Multiplayer needed: Multiplayer mode is a must
  17. [R34] Galaxy Attack 2/5 · US Fun but has some bad bugs: If you do a lot of stuff and then go to open a hextech chest it may pop up a synch dialog and hangs. I lost fifty dollars worth of purchases because of this and they aren’t responding to my email
  18. [R25] Galaxy Attack 1/5 · US Beware of this Game App: The developer makes this game so complicated that the only way to win is to all the upgrades in the game. I spent almost $600 and it’s still hard to beat a lot of these stages. I might as well buy a plate station. And enjoy the easy games.
  19. [R61] Phoenix 2 1/5 · US Used to be better: After the last update I have lost interest. The ship upgrades have been divided further to create monetary gain. I see upgrades available but the only way to obtain them is to pay money. It’s whatever, the whole world is like this. I was just looking for a break from the world, I guess I’ll have to keep looking
  20. [R64] Phoenix 2 1/5 · US Unacceptable Engram system: I am really disappointed on the recent update. I have all 100 ships and fly 10 of them frequently. Which means, now when I complete missions every day for maybe five days to pull a red Engram, you only have 10% of chance to hit the right ships.Then, there are maybe only 2(1 if you all ready have the another, yes, you can get a duplicate) out of 7 Engrams are useful. In
  21. [R69] Phoenix 2 3/5 · US New Update…: What was the point of me updating my ships to there Apex forms? Only for an update to get pushed that made them weak ASF so FIRI can make you work for Engrams? Why didn’t you make the Engrams slowly make the already upgraded Apex forms more powerful and capable? You guys are str8 garbage! Anything to get players to pay to play more. BRAVO BRAVO BRAVO 👏
  22. [R73] Phoenix 2 1/5 · US The biggest update: Is a failure in some ways, but likely a huge success for the revenue department. The people behind the decision are gleefully filling their pockets with cash while the gameplay and legacy of the game die. I liked Phoenix 2, it's a shame that this isn't that game any longer.
  23. [R116] Phoenix 2 5/5 · US The best: I’ve been playing this game for 7 years almost every day. Every day there are new missions and ways to get credits. Make sure you get into a group to unlock group missions. This is definitely my favorite game on a phone.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store