When comparing Ananias vs Shattered Pixel Dungeon, the Slant community recommends Shattered Pixel Dungeon for most people. In the question“What are the best roguelikes on Android?” Shattered Pixel Dungeon is ranked 3rd while Ananias is ranked 19th. The most important reason people chose Shattered Pixel Dungeon is:
SPD's gameplay is intuitive, allowing for it to be easy to get into. What is great though is that it's also very challenging, quickly making the experience both rewarding and addictive. Just one more game is a thought many will have before actually turning off their device.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Four classes
There are four available classes Alchemist, Arcane, Paladin, and Hunter, each with their own abilities. This gives a good variety to play with making a different experience when each one is used.
Pro Free version available
There is a free version of Ananias available for user to try before they purchase the full game.
Pro Basically a full game
Although a demo - as the developer calls the game, you can use up to 4 classes to complete the WHOLE game. There's no restriction whatsoever.
Pro Combat based on D&D dice rolling
Player and enemy hits are calculated from random dice rolls just as it would be in a Dungeons and Dragons game. This randomizes battles a bit making it somewhat luck based.
Pro Leverages touch screen nicely
Pro Animal companions
Players can choose an animal companion to accompany them in the game with each one differing in health and strength, giving even more variety to the game over top the player classes to choose from.
Pro Challenging and fun gameplay that lends itself well to repeat plays
SPD's gameplay is intuitive, allowing for it to be easy to get into. What is great though is that it's also very challenging, quickly making the experience both rewarding and addictive. Just one more game is a thought many will have before actually turning off their device.
Pro Has a reasonable amount of strategical depth where the player can easily plan out their next move
The top-down, turn-based nature of the game gives the opportunity to plan out a complex series of moves. This way there is no time constraint, and the player can leisurely strategize what they would like to do next.
Pro Tons of replayability thanks to the randomly generated levels
In true roguelike fashion, levels are randomly generated each time a new game is started. On top of this mechanic, Shattered Pixel Dungeon goes one step further by randomizing effects of all items as well, so it's impossible to tell if a dropped item will have a positive or a negative effect based on its sprite representation.
Pro Frustrating in a good way
You have to learn in bits & pieces, requiring patience & tenacity. Then you get to do it all over again w/ different classes, challenge modes. Very replayable.
Pro Frequently updated
The creator updates this mod about once a month, bringing TONS of additions including skill trees, bug fixes, and difficulty tweaks.
Cons
Con Application is updated frequently
Sometimes features are replaced with other features which significantly change the feel of the game. This can be disorienting.
Con Too much focus on animal companion
If or when the players animal companion dies the game becomes too difficult, making for a scenario where it is best to start over. This makes too much focus on the animal during gameplay as it needs to be kept alive the whole time to succeed.
Con Not recommended for the impatient type of player.
Con Extremely, even maddeningly, difficult
Con Hard to master
SPD's difficulty can be a turn off for some players as it is quite challenging and takes a long time to master. While there will be those that enjoy such difficulty, those looking for something easy may not enjoy the game.
Con Strange graphics
The 2.5D graphics or how to call it is confusing even after days of playing - you tap where you don't want to all the time. Zoom levels are wrongly set - everything is either too big or too small. The smooth paning when moving your character is dizzying for someone's head...