iOS vs Android: Let's get ready to rumble!

The vast majority of players run Restaurant Story from either an Apple or Android device. Going by the operating system statistics of this blog, the split between the two may be fairly even, but which is the superior platform for the game? This is a difficult question to answer since both platforms have their good and bad points across a wide variety of elements of the game.

Before we begin this investigation a brief shout out to Kindle users. As Kindle makes up a very small slice of the game's population it doesn't really get much air time on here, but thanks to Danis Cafe I'm able to offer up a few details which paint a picture of the Kindle platform.

Kindle edition as shown on Amazon.com

The Kindle version largely mirrors the iOS version, although there are a few small differences. Firstly the account transfer feature has never existed on Kindle, whereas it has been a hit inclusion on iOS devices. However with the recent changes doing away with this component of the game, it appears that this particular inequality is no longer present.

The only other notable discrepancy between Kindle and iOS is the lack of download goals for other Storm8 titles. In the distant past these goals were much more common, but nowadays are virtually non-existent. That means that opportunities to accumulate free gems are mostly limited to mastering recipes. Definitely a downside to playing on Kindle!

Anyway, let's throw the contenders into the ring, with iOS and Android about to engage in an almighty tussle for the crown of top platform. This is where I have to thank Nibbles and Noms who (unlike me) has played the game on both platforms, and has therefore been able to provide some fantastic insight into the differences between the two.

We'll start the skirmish with the matter of new versions. On the iOS side of things seasonal editions of the game are a product of yesteryear. Not since for Valentine's Day 2013 has iOS received a special version of Restaurant Story, so with that now being more than three years ago it's pretty safe to assume that new versions are no longer a feature on iOS.

Valentine's Day 2013 edition for iOS title screen

Meanwhile Android is also seeing a drying up of fresh app releases. However they do still happen, just less often than back in the day. And these special editions are not limited to the holiday seasons - they can be for any old update, with the content pushed out only on the new version. The greater frequency of releases means more free gems are up for grabs on Android, although the signposting of such new apps can be poor at times, and the download goal can often take a good while to pop up. Nevertheless Android has struck the first blow!

Then there's the subject of older versions of the game which are retrievable on Android via a third party provider. Given that Storm8 do not endorse this method of play I won't mention its name here, but it does provide a useful service to Restaurant Story's Android users. The likes of the Christmas edition from 2012 can be obtained from this vendor, and these versions include old content exclusively available to buy on those editions. A tantalising prospect for an iOS old timer here, even if consequent item removals have resulted in some of the stuff being dropped even from the seasonal specials. Another hit for Android!

Speaking of content, let's delve into the issue of décor. As far as standard items introduced to the market are concerned, both platforms are the same, and that includes the traditional limited time offers. But there are differences have arose in the past year with the addition of Value Packs and Bundles on iOS only.

Value Pack on iOS

The latter of these appears to have been nothing more than a short-lived fad, but the Value Packs have made a recent resurgence. Android doesn't get these at all which is a real shame. Luckily the contents of the Value Packs and Bundles are usually existing decorations (along with currency), but the Jazz Band Bundle was an exception, with this item still having never been available to Android players. It may well be the only item ever to have been purchasable on only one platform since the game became available on both. So iOS is fighting back!

The remainder of our content battle centres more upon the menu interaction that is necessary to buy and place content. There's a good few differences to discuss here, starting with the market. On iOS closing and re-opening the market will redirect you back to the beginning of the last tab opened. Contrast this with Android, where such an action will not affect your position in the market whatsoever. It's a subtle disparity, but if you drop in and out of the market as much as I do when redecorating you'll soon feel a difference. Score for Android!

And the conflict continues in a similar vein when we look at the placing of removed décor or box prizes. On Android this is no different to placing a standard item, but on iOS you are reverted back to the start of the relevant tab. Again it doesn't seem like a big issue, but I typically spend my entire Christmas tapping incessantly to grab Gingerbread Dividers one at a time! Android has got iOS on the canvas!

But iOS may be about to get its second wind. Homing in on the placing of wallpaper and flooring there's a major divergence between the platforms. On Android items from these two categories are placed in a similar fashion to any other item - you tap the desired wallpaper or tile and then the space you want to drop it, before repeating.

This is a laborious process when doing serious remodelling, and is dealt with much better on iOS. The iOS version includes a 'tap again to place' option which allows neighbouring spots to be tapped one after another to quickly populate a wall or floor. This essentially bypasses the need to keep returning to the market, and will therefore save the tips of your fingers from falling off.

'Tap again to place' and 'tap again to buy' options on iOS

And not only is iOS picking itself up off the floor, it's now swinging with the punches! That's because this 'tap again to place' feature has a trump card hidden up its sleeve. The option to place another wallpaper or floor tile remains even when you've exhausted your stocks, with it transforming into 'tap again to buy'. At first this may not seem all that significant, but this has big implications - when you are placing a removed wallpaper or flooring this feature will allow you to keep buying it even though it's technically no longer available. So as long as you buy one copy prior to the removal you can have access to more forever.

The one area on the topic of content we've not touched upon yet is with regards to appliances and recipes. Again it's more the interface where differences are to be gleaned, with the recipe lists behaving differently with each platform. On iOS the lists can be scrolled as well as navigated via the left and right arrows. Scrolling is certainly my preferred method since it is much quicker.

But Android doesn't support scrolling. The arrows are the only way to browse the recipe lists, and that does seem like hard work. Plus it means blank entries are shown at the end of a recipe list on Android, which is just not very pretty.

Also to the advantage of iOS is the maintaining of the position in recipe lists in-between preparation of dishes. This is the case under all circumstances, whereas on Android you need the successive appliances to be the same and of the same rotation in order to keep your place in the recipe list. A quick disclaimer though: this is a problem which does apply to some iOS devices. I've experienced issues on my old iPod Touch, but given that it has a very old software version that's not surprising!

It seems that iOS is delivering a barrage of blows to Android now, and that looks set to continue in the next round which focuses on gifting. The 'My Gifts' section of the menu is our first port of call, where the order by which gifts are sorted is the complete opposite on the two platforms. On iOS they are arranged in order of the most recently received, whereas on Android it is the reverse.

My Gifts section with oldest gifts first on Android

This is a real pain for Androiders who have to find their way to the end of the list to see how many of the relevant current parts they have. Add to this that the lack of scrolling functionality we looked at with the recipe lists applies again here, and Android is beginning to wobble.

The actual gifting procedure also has its differences. If you are gifting a neighbour directly from their restaurant they will jump to the top of the tick box list on iOS. Once again the polar opposite occurs on Android with the player being gifted stationed at the bottom of the tick box list. A very strange one, although because the relevant player's tick box is checked, this at least shouldn't have a detrimental effect on the playing experience.

Another gifting method is via the 'gift back' button within the 'Messages' section of the menu. It works exactly as you'd expect on Android, while on iOS it was essentially broken for more than six months. Following the release of the 1.7.6 app update this gifting technique would force you into sending a specific gift of the game's choosing.

Gifting of unchosen G Clef on iOS

That was especially frustrating for those of us who like to gift neighbours the same part they've sent a request for - I've lost count of the number of times I've gone the long way round only to forget what it was that needed gifting or who to.

So Android may yet last the distance. But iOS has stamina too, and has recently fixed the 'gift back' problems. Version 1.7.8 solved this predicament, although it has come with other costs. I won't get into that here, but it's fair to say that my delight at seeing the 'gift back' option mended is more than cancelled out by an inability to log into the game on my iPad.

This showdown is nearing its climax, but first we need to analyse the social aspect of the game. Tipping is evenly matched between the platforms, with the only discrepancy being the appearance of tips. On iOS they will materialise at the very moment they were left, even if you are actively in the game. On the other hand on Android you won't see them until the next time the game is powered up.

Away from tipping, player interaction between platforms is nearly seamless, but Android does suffer on a couple of fronts. Firstly the character limit for those using an iPad is higher following that dastardly 1.7.6 update.

This often leads to trouble with Androiders not able to view messages in their entirety. However this problem also applies to those using an iPhone or iPod Touch, so is not exclusively an Android issue.

The second difference is with respect to Emojis.

Example of Emojis on wall on iOS

These are not generally supported on Android, which leads to another source of communication breakdown. I can't be sure but I believe Emojis tend to show up as white boxes on Android - not very elegant!

It's been a long scrap, and the two platforms are each about to pack their final punch. Both involve the procurement of free gems, a tantalising prospect. The iOS side of the debate brings us back to update 1.7.6 yet again, which as well as a glut of glitches brought videos advertisements. For watching these short ads you can earn a free gem, which is rather satisfying. The number of gems you can get is variable, with some players earning up to 10 per day and others not getting this snazzy feature at all.

Update: Thanks to Creme for reminding me that iOS is also the exclusive home of the Gem Dispenser, which is obviously another major source of gem production. Can't believe I forgot to mention it before!

Android's answer to this came long before iOS had even asked the question. The Android platform has an app called Google Opinion Rewards which from what I gather is a service providing occasional surveys which you can essentially get paid for completing.

Google Opinion Rewards as shown on Google Play

Money earned can then be spent in-game on premium currency, or indeed wherever you like on Google Play. Much like the gem videos on iOS, the surveys can be regular or sporadic, but while they don't earn much credit individually the rewards do add up.

It's a gallant finish from both sides, and on reflection it does seem that overall iOS has edged the contest on points. However it is clear that both platforms have their strong characteristics. In an ideal world where you have access to the game via both types of device, iOS would be used for making the most of exclusive content and offers, as well as cooking and gifting. Meanwhile Android is definitely the superior platform for decorating (except with wallpapers and floor tiles!)

The result of all this is a surprisingly simple conclusion: for everyday use iOS is the platform of choice; for non-routine use (for example major redecoration) Android is the pick.

Once again I'd like to thank Nibbles and Noms for her excellent assessment of the contrasts between the two platforms. Without her input this post most definitely wouldn't exist, so thanks again!