Customer Reviews (500)

UmarjvillaR • 2025-03-22T13:22:36-07:00

Sadly it has such a little content

Dylanriddle2525 • 2025-03-20T00:15:15-07:00

It’s a big pay to win game. Don’t waste your time

Emperor_Derek • 2025-03-08T15:45:18-07:00

Once you fully upgrade a vehicle that is the point where completing the level is realistic. Then you get a “better” vehicle, can’t go back to your fully upgrade, and rinse and repeat.

Summary of Key Insights

  • Earn to Die 2 receives mixed reviews, with a significant portion of users enjoying the core gameplay loop, while others express frustration with repetitive gameplay, forced progression, and technical issues.
  • The game's strengths lie in its addictive nature, fun zombie-smashing action, and the sense of progression through upgrades. Many users also express nostalgia for the game.
  • Key weaknesses include repetitive gameplay, the feeling of being forced to grind for upgrades, the inability to revisit previous vehicles, and reports of crashes and glitches, particularly on iOS 17. There are also complaints of misleading pricing.
  • The overall sentiment is moderately positive, but the negative reviews highlight critical areas for improvement.
  • The app has a relatively high overall rating, with 5-star reviews representing the largest segment. However, the considerable number of 1-star reviews indicates significant issues affecting a subset of users.
  • Overall Rating: Appears to be between 4 and 5 stars based on the distribution. A weighted average would be a more precise calculation.
  • Score Distribution: 5 stars (58.2%), 4 stars (10.2%), 3 stars (10.6%), 2 stars (6.2%), 1 star (14.8%).

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 500 reviews
  • Time Frame: Not explicitly stated, but the reviews appear to be relatively recent, based on mentions of iOS 17.
  • Analysis Methods:
    • Sentiment Analysis: Used to determine the overall tone of the reviews (positive, negative, neutral).
    • Keyword Extraction: Identified frequently mentioned keywords and phrases related to gameplay, issues, and desired features.
    • Frequency Analysis: Counted the occurrence of specific issues and feature requests to prioritize recommendations.

Key User Pain Points

  • Repetitive Gameplay/Grinding: Many users complain about the need to repeat the same levels multiple times to earn enough money for upgrades, leading to boredom and frustration. This is the most frequently cited issue.
  • Forced Progression/Vehicle Locking: Users dislike being forced to use a new, underpowered vehicle at the start of each level and not being able to revisit previous levels with upgraded vehicles. This diminishes the sense of accomplishment and makes the game feel like a constant grind.
  • Technical Issues/Crashes: A significant number of users, particularly those with iOS 17, report that the game crashes on startup or during gameplay, rendering it unplayable. This is a high-severity issue.
  • Misleading Pricing: Some users claim that the game charged them more than the advertised price, leading to distrust and negative reviews.
  • Boost Issues: Some users report the boost activating randomly when they hit the gas, or the boost/gas button not working.
  • Progress Loss: Some users report the game resetting their progress.
  • Lack of Sound: Some users report having no sound in the game.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Earn to Die 3: A very common request is for a sequel to the game.
  • More Cars/Upgrades: Users want more variety in vehicles and upgrades to keep the gameplay fresh and engaging.
  • More Levels/Content: Players desire more levels and a longer story mode to extend the game's lifespan.
  • Difficulty Settings: Some users want the ability to adjust the game's difficulty to better suit their skill level.
  • Ability to Revisit Previous Vehicles/Levels: Many users want to be able to use their upgraded vehicles on previous levels.
  • Console Version: Some users would like to see the game ported to consoles like PlayStation and Xbox.
  • Level Editor: Some users requested a level editor.
  • Free Roam/Endless Mode Unlocked from Start: Several users mentioned wanting the free roam mode to be unlocked immediately, instead of having to complete the story mode.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Addictive Gameplay: Many users find the game highly addictive and enjoyable, praising its simple yet engaging mechanics.
  • Fun Zombie-Smashing Action: The core gameplay loop of driving through hordes of zombies is a major draw for many players.
  • Sense of Progression: Upgrading vehicles and progressing through the story provides a satisfying sense of accomplishment, despite the grinding.
  • Nostalgia: Many users have fond memories of playing the original Flash game and appreciate the mobile version.
  • No Ads (for some): Some users highlight the lack of intrusive ads as a major positive.
  • Good Value: Many users feel that the game is worth the purchase price, especially when on sale.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Fix Crashing Issues on iOS 17: This is a critical issue that renders the game unplayable for a significant number of users. Immediate action is required to address this bug.
  • Investigate and Resolve Misleading Pricing Claims: Address the reports of users being charged more than the advertised price to restore trust and avoid potential legal issues.
  • Fix Boost/Gas Button Issues: Address the reports of the boost activating randomly when they hit the gas, or the boost/gas button not working.
  • Address Progress Loss: Address the reports of users having their progress reset.

Medium Priority:

  • Reduce Repetitive Gameplay: Implement changes to make the gameplay less repetitive, such as adding more varied level designs, enemy types, or challenges.
  • Rethink Forced Progression: Allow players to revisit previous levels with upgraded vehicles or provide alternative ways to progress without being forced to use underpowered vehicles.
  • Improve Vehicle Balance: Ensure that newer vehicles offer a noticeable improvement over older ones, making the progression feel more rewarding.
  • Address Sound Issues: Investigate the reports of users having no sound in the game.

Low Priority:

  • Add More Cars/Upgrades: While users want more variety, this is less critical than fixing the core gameplay issues.
  • Consider Difficulty Settings: Adding difficulty settings could cater to a wider range of players, but it's not essential.
  • Explore Console Port: A console version could expand the game's audience, but it requires significant investment.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Zombie Apocalypse Vehicle Customization Platform: A platform where users can design and share custom zombie-smashing vehicles, potentially integrating with games like Earn to Die.
  • Procedurally Generated Zombie Survival Game: A game that uses procedural generation to create unique and varied levels, reducing repetitive gameplay.
  • Mobile Game Testing Service: A service that specializes in testing mobile games on different devices and operating systems to identify and fix compatibility issues before release.

Trends and Observations

  • iOS 17 Issues: A significant number of recent reviews mention crashes and compatibility issues with iOS 17, suggesting a recent update may have introduced these problems.
  • Nostalgia Factor: The game benefits from a strong nostalgia factor, with many users having played the original Flash version.
  • Grind vs. Fun: There's a clear tension between the addictive gameplay loop and the frustration of grinding for upgrades. Finding the right balance is crucial.
  • Language Preferences: The majority of reviews are in English, but there are also reviews in Russian and Chinese, indicating a global audience.

Conclusion

Earn to Die 2 has a solid foundation with its addictive gameplay and fun zombie-smashing action. However, the game suffers from significant issues, including repetitive gameplay, forced progression, and technical problems, particularly on iOS 17. Addressing these issues is crucial to improving the user experience and maintaining a positive reputation. Prioritizing bug fixes and addressing the core gameplay loop will have the greatest impact.

Overall Recommendation: Focus on bug fixes and gameplay improvements to address the key user pain points. Then, consider adding more content and features to enhance the game's long-term appeal.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earn-to-die-2/id891194610?uo=2