Customer Reviews (100)

Nikhil Sankar • 2025-03-31T07:00:38.416Z

This game has great potential. However, the advertisements, especially forced ones, disrupt the gaming experience. Without the ads, it is a truly authentic game, with its pixelated nature being a throwback to the beginning of video games.

Wm Hafzam • 2025-03-31T06:37:18.819Z

Really good, but please. why?

Dulce Ramirez • 2025-03-31T03:34:59.438Z

omg :)

Summary of Key Insights

Tomb of the Mask: Old Maze enjoys generally positive sentiment, with a majority of users (61%) giving it a 5-star rating. Users appreciate its retro style, addictive gameplay, and suitability as a time-passer. However, the overwhelming and intrusive nature of advertisements is a significant pain point, frequently cited as making the game almost unplayable. Some users also reported bugs and glitches. The game's core mechanics are well-received, but the aggressive monetization strategy through ads is severely impacting the user experience.

Quantitative Metrics:

  • Overall Rating: Approximately 4.2/5 (calculated from score distribution)
  • 5-Star Reviews: 61%
  • 4-Star Reviews: 16%
  • 3-Star Reviews: 6%
  • 2-Star Reviews: 2%
  • 1-Star Reviews: 15%

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 100 reviews
  • Time Frame: Not explicitly stated, but the reviews appear to be relatively recent.
  • Analysis Methods: The analysis was performed through manual review and keyword extraction of user reviews. Sentiment was inferred from the star ratings and textual content of the reviews.

Key User Pain Points

  • Excessive Advertisements: The most prominent complaint is the sheer volume and frequency of ads. Users report ads appearing every 15 seconds, after each level, and even when trying to avoid them (e.g., accidentally clicking the "continue" button instead of "claim"). This is described as making the game "unplayable" and more like "YouTube."
  • Forced Ads: Users dislike being forced to watch ads even when they don't want to, such as for revives or opening chests.
  • Deceptive UI/UX: Some users feel the UI is designed to trick them into watching ads, for example, by placing ad triggers near gameplay buttons.
  • Bugs and Glitches: A few users reported the game freezing, crashing, or experiencing performance issues even on high-end phones. One user reported issues with the lighting.
  • Difficulty: One user cited difficulty in reaching the portal as a negative.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Option to Remove Ads: While not a feature request, the underlying desire is a way to play the game without constant interruptions. This could be through a paid version or a less aggressive ad strategy.
  • Setting to Disable Double Tap Shield Activation: One user specifically requested an option to disable the double-tap shield activation feature to prevent accidental activations.
  • More Challenging Levels/Obstacles: One user suggested adding more levels that are "really, really challenging."

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Addictive Gameplay: Many users describe the game as fun, addictive, and a good way to pass time.
  • Retro Style: The pixel art and 8-bit mazes are appreciated by those who enjoy classic games. The "nostalgia" factor is mentioned.
  • Simple Mechanics: The game's core mechanics are easy to understand, making it accessible to a wide audience.
  • Challenging: Some users find the game challenging in a positive way, requiring them to use their brain.
  • Offline Play: A few users specifically appreciate that the game can be played offline (although this doesn't eliminate all ads).

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Reduce Advertisement Frequency and Intrusiveness: Drastically reduce the number of ads displayed. Consider implementing a cooldown period between ads or limiting them to specific points in the game (e.g., between sessions, rather than after every level).
  • Eliminate Forced Ads: Stop forcing users to watch ads for optional features like revives or opening chests. Provide a clear "no ad" option.
  • Improve UI/UX Clarity: Redesign the UI to avoid accidental ad clicks and ensure that buttons clearly indicate their function.

Medium Priority:

  • Address Bugs and Performance Issues: Investigate and fix the reported freezing, crashing, and performance problems.
  • Implement a Paid Ad-Free Version: Offer a paid version of the game that removes all ads.
  • Add a Setting to Disable Double Tap Shield Activation: Provide users with the option to disable the double-tap shield feature.

Low Priority:

  • Add More Challenging Levels: Consider adding new levels with increased difficulty for experienced players.
  • Address Lighting Issues: Investigate and correct the reported lighting issues.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Ad-Filtering SDK for Mobile Games: Develop an SDK that allows mobile game developers to easily implement less intrusive and more user-friendly advertising strategies. This could include features like user-controlled ad frequency, rewarded video options, and non-intrusive banner ads.
  • Mobile Game Monetization Consulting: Offer consulting services to mobile game developers to help them optimize their monetization strategies without alienating their user base. This could include analyzing user feedback, A/B testing different ad formats, and developing personalized ad experiences.

Trends and Observations

  • Ad-Related Sentiment: The sentiment surrounding ads is overwhelmingly negative, with users consistently expressing frustration and annoyance.
  • Nostalgia: The game's retro style appeals to users who grew up playing classic arcade games.
  • Language Preferences: The reviews are primarily in English, but there are also reviews in other languages such as Spanish, Arabic and Tagalog.

Conclusion

Tomb of the Mask: Old Maze has a solid foundation with its engaging gameplay and retro aesthetic. However, its aggressive ad monetization strategy is severely detracting from the user experience. Addressing the ad-related issues should be the top priority. Implementing a less intrusive ad strategy, offering a paid ad-free version, and fixing reported bugs would significantly improve user satisfaction and retention. The game has the potential to be even more successful with a more balanced approach to monetization.

Original App Link

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.playgendary.tom