Customer Reviews (500)

Captket • 2025-03-11T18:04:19-07:00

I have enjoyed this game for a long time however after a rescent upload i have been getting a white page notification stating that I am not connected to the internet. Sometimes it appears briefly while other times it disrupts the game and it is stalled. Fun fact: it only happens WHEN I am on the internet. I don’t have that notifcation when I am not connected!

MPCACT • 2025-02-16T06:19:43-07:00

This game takes way too long to advance to the next Special Event. Other games have a new Event within 2 days of the end of an event. This game takes over a week!

terrimbga • 2025-02-13T04:23:54-07:00

Although the graphics are great and the theme of the game is addictive, it became clear that as you play, the requirements to use energy constantly increases in each segment as if it is programmed in hopes you’ll spend money for the demand of more energy to complete. The game begins with, as example 19 energy requirements to enter a building game. However, as you continue to play, it will increase to 25 and continue to increase. Bonuses for energy do not. In summary, it’s all about getting you to either buy energy or you won’t play..

Summary of Key Insights

Jewels of the Wild West is a match-3 game with a city-building element and a Wild West theme that is generally well-received by its users. The game is praised for its engaging gameplay, storyline, and graphics. However, many users express concerns about the game's monetization strategy, particularly the increasing difficulty and the feeling that progression is gated behind in-app purchases. Crashing and technical issues are also recurring problems. The overall sentiment is positive, but the negative aspects significantly impact the user experience for some.

  • Overall Rating: Based on the score distribution, the average rating is approximately 4.2 stars.
  • Strengths: Engaging gameplay, interesting storyline, good graphics, variety of levels and challenges.
  • Weaknesses: Aggressive monetization, crashing issues, technical glitches, slow energy restoration, perceived unfairness in level difficulty.
  • Sentiment: Mostly positive, but with significant frustration related to in-app purchases and technical issues.

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 500 reviews
  • Time Frame: The reviews do not have specific timestamps, but based on the context, they appear to be from the recent past (within the last few months).
  • Analysis Methods:
    • Sentiment Analysis: Categorization of reviews as positive, negative, or neutral based on keywords and phrases.
    • Keyword Extraction: Identification of frequently used words and phrases to determine common themes and issues.
    • Frequency Analysis: Counting the occurrences of specific issues and feature requests to prioritize recommendations.

Key User Pain Points

  • Aggressive Monetization: Many users feel that the game becomes increasingly difficult, requiring them to spend money on in-app purchases (energy, boosters, gems) to progress. This is the most frequently cited complaint.
  • Crashing Issues: Several users report that the game crashes frequently, especially after updates, making it unplayable.
  • Technical Glitches: Users encounter various technical issues, including loading problems, freezing, sound issues, and problems with ads.
  • Slow Energy Restoration: The long wait time for energy to replenish is a common source of frustration.
  • Unfair Level Difficulty: Some users feel that levels are designed to be impossible without using boosters, creating a "pay-to-win" environment.
  • Lack of Customer Support: Some users report a lack of response from customer support regarding technical issues.
  • In-game Ads Issues: Some users report that in-game ads freeze and crash the game.

Frequently Requested Features

  • More Ways to Earn Gems/Crystals: Users want more opportunities to earn premium currency without spending real money.
  • Ability to Save/Bank Energy Gifts: Users would like to save energy gifts for when they need them.
  • More Balanced Gameplay: Users want a better balance between difficulty and rewards, so they don't feel forced to spend money.
  • "Oops" Button: An undo button to revert accidental moves.
  • Clearer Explanations: Better explanations of game mechanics, objects, and how to get rid of blockers.
  • Post Union Standing: A way to see where union members placed in union events.
  • Turn Off Voice without Turning off Sound: A separate control for the in-game voice.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Engaging Gameplay: The combination of match-3 and city-building elements is appealing.
  • Interesting Storyline: The Wild West theme and storyline are engaging.
  • Good Graphics: Users appreciate the game's visuals.
  • Variety of Levels and Challenges: The game offers a variety of levels and events, keeping it fresh.
  • Offline Play: The ability to play offline is a significant advantage for some users.
  • No Forced Ads: Some users appreciate that ads are not intrusive unless they choose to watch them for rewards.
  • Mental Stimulation: Many find the game mentally stimulating and enjoyable.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Fix Crashing Issues: Address the frequent crashing problems reported by users immediately. This significantly impacts the user experience.
  • Address Monetization Concerns: Re-evaluate the game's monetization strategy to make progression feel less gated behind in-app purchases. Consider balancing the difficulty curve and increasing opportunities to earn premium currency.
  • Improve Customer Support: Respond to user inquiries and technical issues promptly and effectively.

Medium Priority:

  • Optimize Energy Restoration: Reduce the energy restoration time or increase the maximum energy capacity.
  • Implement an "Oops" Button: Add an undo button to revert accidental moves.
  • Provide Clearer Explanations: Improve the in-game tutorials and explanations of game mechanics.
  • Fix Ad Issues: Address issues with in-game ads freezing and crashing the game.

Low Priority:

  • Add More Ways to Save/Bank Energy Gifts: Allow users to save energy gifts for later use.
  • Implement More Diverse Avatars: Offer a wider range of avatars to represent diverse players.
  • Allow Turning off Voice Separately: Provide a separate control for the in-game voice without turning off all sound.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Match-3 Game with Fair Monetization: Develop a match-3 game that prioritizes fair monetization practices and avoids pay-to-win mechanics.
  • Mobile Game Support Platform: Create a platform that offers comprehensive support and troubleshooting for mobile game issues.
  • Dynamic Difficulty Adjustment: Implement an AI-driven difficulty adjustment system that adapts to individual player skill levels, preventing frustration.
  • Rewarded Video Ad Optimization: Develop a solution to ensure rewarded video ads don't negatively impact game performance or user experience.

Trends and Observations

  • Update-Related Issues: Updates frequently introduce new bugs and performance issues.
  • "Pay-to-Win" Perception: A significant portion of users perceive the game as becoming increasingly "pay-to-win" as they progress.
  • Positive Initial Impression: Many users initially enjoy the game but become frustrated later due to difficulty and monetization.
  • Long-Term Players: Some users have been playing for years and appreciate the game's updates and ongoing content.
  • Language Preferences: No specific language preferences were observed in the provided reviews, but the game supports multiple languages, suggesting a global audience.

Conclusion

Jewels of the Wild West has a solid foundation with its engaging gameplay, interesting storyline, and good graphics. However, the game's aggressive monetization strategy and technical issues are significant pain points that negatively impact the user experience. Addressing these issues is crucial for improving player satisfaction and retention. By focusing on fair monetization, bug fixes, and improved customer support, G5 Entertainment can enhance the long-term success of Jewels of the Wild West. Overall, prioritizing technical stability and fairer monetization is recommended.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/jewels-of-the-wild-west-match3/id1501557204?uo=2