I am excited to introduce you to a new blog series, AnonyMouse's App Pick of the Month. Modeled after the AppleVis Editorial Team App Pick of the Month (a feature that ran in the early days of AppleVis), each month I will share a noteworthy new app or update.
This month, my pick is Home Quest - Idle Adventure, a game that has quietly become one of my favorite titles on iOS. Developed by CodeSTREAM and first submitted to AppleVis on June 28, 2020, Home Quest has steadily grown into a wonderfully unique experience that blends relaxing idle gameplay with strategic decision-making.
From the first time I played Home Quest, I loved the way the game invites you to guide a community from humble beginnings into a thriving kingdom. You expand your settlement, lead armies, and uncover a world filled with mythic adventures. What really sets Home Quest apart for me is that it isn’t just mindless tapping—you’re encouraged to think about how to grow, when to expand, and how best to prepare for what lies ahead.
Community Roots and Accessibility
I first noticed Home Quest when it was submitted to AppleVis over five years ago, and I was struck by how many people immediately recommended it. The feedback from the community was overwhelmingly positive, with players highlighting how enjoyable and surprisingly deep the gameplay was.
Accessibility has always been a key reason why Home Quest has kept my interest and attention. The game is fully compatible with VoiceOver, and the developer has consistently listened to feedback from blind and low vision players. Over the years, unlabeled buttons were fixed, confusing menus were simplified, and the overall experience has become smooth and intuitive. This kind of attention to accessibility is rare in mobile gaming, and it demonstrates the care that the developer puts into making sure everyone can enjoy the adventure.
The Big 5.0 Update
This month brought something exciting: the 5.0 update. '5.0' is not just a change of version number or just a small patch; it adds a brand-new chapter to the story.
For longtime players like me, the 5.0 update is exactly the kind of meaningful content we were hoping for. The new chapter expands the journey into unexplored lands, introduces fresh challenges, and breathes new life into the adventure.
Even better, the 5.0 update continued to polish the accessibility. Buttons and menus were streamlined, making navigation even easier with VoiceOver. This is one of those updates that makes you feel like the developer is paying attention not just to the game’s growth, but to the needs of the community playing it.
Why I Love Playing Home Quest
What keeps me coming back to Home Quest is the balance. On one hand, it’s a relaxing idle game that you can check in on during the day without stress; on the other, it’s filled with just enough strategy to keep you thinking and planning ahead. As you progress, the game challenges you to make smart choices, adapt to new situations, and face tougher adventures.
That combination—fun, accessible, relaxing but challenging—is what makes Home Quest such a special title. And with the brand-new chapter added in version 5.0, there’s never been a better time to dive in.
Put it all together, and that’s why Home Quest - Idle Adventure is my App Pick of the Month for September 2025. It’s charming, it’s inclusive, and it proves that mobile games can be fun, meaningful, and accessible.
Download Home Quest
- Home Quest - Idle Adventure is available for iOS on the App Store.
- Platform: iOS only
- Price: Free to download, with optional in-app purchases
Now It’s Your Turn
I’d love to hear from you! Have you played Home Quest yet? If so, what stood out most to you? And for those who’ve already explored the brand-new chapter from the 5.0 update, what are your thoughts on the new content? Share your experiences, your strategies, and your personal review of the game in the comments below—I’m curious to see how others are enjoying the adventure!
Comments
Home Quest
Love this new blog series Thomas.
I’ve never played Home Quest but you have me interested to maybe give it a go.
When you say that in app purchases are optional, what kind of things do they give you? I’ve noticed that in some games, optional purchases turn out to be kind of essential if you want to succeed, while in other games they are truly optional.
Dave
love the new blog series
I'm interested what else is to come.
My honest review after playing since 2020
I’ve been playing this game since 2020, and I genuinely loved the content up through Chapter 3. The journey up to that point was exciting, and Chapter 3 delivered a fantastic ending that felt like the true conclusion to the entire world.
The problem begins with Chapter 4. The developer took over a year to release content that, realistically, could have been completed in a few months at most. The result feels subpar. Nothing meaningful has changed in the world — just two new locations that don’t really impact gameplay. The core loop is the same fleet and army battles we’ve been doing for years, just with different names.
It took me (and others I’ve spoken with) less than ten days to finish the entire chapter. The storyline doesn’t add depth, expand the lore, or explain anything new. Honestly, if this chapter were removed from the game today, nothing would feel missing. There are no new features to be excited about, no major content additions, just recycled mechanics alongside three new materials and three new happiness resources.
And that’s not even the worst part. What has truly angered me, and the majority of the community, is the payment model for Chapters 3 and 4. Paying for extra content isn’t the issue; the problem is that our previous purchases were made meaningless. We were forced to buy access again, essentially repurchasing Chapter 3 along with the underwhelming Chapter 4. To make matters worse, the developer has refused to compensate players who already paid, and has no plans to change this policy.
Compared to earlier chapters, which always introduced at least one fresh, memorable feature, Chapter 4 falls flat. It doesn’t justify the year-long wait, it undercuts the value of prior purchases, and overall feels like a rushed, recycled update that should have been completed in under five months.