Customer Reviews (100)

THABISILE INNOCENTIA • 2025-03-25T07:12:38.450Z

nice game

Danielle Price • 2025-03-25T07:03:25.944Z

love the game very addictive

ホセナバロ（Mr. Joseph） • 2025-03-25T06:53:10.337Z

Let's start with ugly: if you're tempted to install it due to an add that claims you will receive $100 worth of in-game items... Let me stop you right there... FALSE ADVERTISING at its worst, snd yes, I did use the alleged link, and yes, I did reach out to support, and they just told me to "please keep playing" quite literally. The bad: some items require an insane amount of energy. Ridiculous. The good: you won't see a single ad if you don't want to, because all ads are completely optional.

Summary of Key Insights

Gossip Harbor: Merge & Story receives generally positive reviews, with a strong emphasis on its addictive gameplay, interesting storyline, and relaxing nature. However, significant concerns exist regarding false advertising, high energy costs, and potential "pay-to-win" mechanics. The disparity between advertised content and actual gameplay is a major source of frustration for many users. While many appreciate the optional ads, the energy system and card collection mechanics are perceived as predatory by some, pushing players towards in-app purchases. The game's strengths lie in its engaging narrative and merge gameplay, but these are overshadowed by issues related to monetization and misleading advertising.

Overall Sentiment: Positive, but with significant reservations. Overall Rating: Based on the provided distribution, a weighted average rating is approximately 4.0.

Score Distribution:

  • 5-star: 62%
  • 4-star: 10%
  • 3-star: 4%
  • 2-star: 5%
  • 1-star: 19%

Data & Methodology Overview

Data Sample Size: 100 reviews Time Frame: Not specified, but assumed to be recent based on the version number (3.62.0). Analysis Methods: Sentiment analysis (manual assessment based on review text), keyword extraction (identifying frequently used terms), and thematic analysis (grouping reviews based on common issues and praises).

Key User Pain Points

  • False Advertising: A significant number of users complain that the game is not as advertised, particularly concerning ads featuring "save the mother and daughter" scenarios. They feel misled and cheated.
  • High Energy Costs: Many users find the energy costs for merging items to be excessive, making progression slow and frustrating without spending money. Some users report that the energy cost per combination has increased over time.
  • "Pay-to-Win" Mechanics: Several reviewers express concern that the game is designed to push players towards in-app purchases to progress at a reasonable pace. This includes issues with energy depletion, card collection, and bubble offers.
  • Glitches and Bugs: A few users report technical issues, such as glitches, pink screen, being frequently kicked out of the game, and tutorial completion issues.
  • Unwanted Installation: At least one reviewer reported the game installed without their permission.

Frequently Requested Features

  • More Energy: Users consistently request more energy or a faster energy recharge rate.
  • Better Design Options: Some users desire more variety and better options in the "design" parts of the game.
  • Fair Card Collection: Users want the card collection system to be less repetitive and more rewarding.
  • Africa specific payment options: Some users mentioned the inability to purchase offers due to being in Africa.
  • Gift card reward: At least one user mentioned getting closer to a gift card by playing.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Addictive Gameplay: Many users describe the game as "addictive" and "fun."
  • Interesting Storyline: Some reviewers are genuinely engaged with the game's storyline and mystery elements.
  • Relaxing Nature: Several users find the game to be relaxing and a good way to pass time.
  • Optional Ads: The fact that ads are optional is appreciated by many players.
  • Good Graphics: Some users praise the game's graphics.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Address False Advertising: Immediately revise advertising materials to accurately reflect the game's content and gameplay. This is crucial for regaining user trust and avoiding negative reviews.
  • Rebalance Energy System: Adjust the energy costs for merging items to make progression more reasonable without requiring excessive in-app purchases. Consider increasing the maximum energy capacity or the recharge rate.
  • Fix Bugs and Glitches: Resolve reported technical issues, such as glitches and tutorial completion problems, to improve the overall user experience.

Medium Priority:

  • Improve Card Collection System: Modify the card collection system to reduce duplicates and ensure a more rewarding experience for players.
  • Expand Design Options: Add more variety and better options in the "design" parts of the game to cater to user preferences.
  • Review Monetization Strategy: Re-evaluate the game's monetization strategy to ensure it is fair and not perceived as predatory.
  • Add African payment options: Add payment options that allow African users to purchase offers.

Low Priority:

  • Consider User Suggestions for Energy Increase: Evaluate and potentially implement the suggestion to increase energy by 2 for every day completed up to 250.
  • Address Unwanted Installations: Investigate and resolve the issue of the game being installed without permission.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Merge Game with Transparent Advertising: Create a merge game that is completely transparent about its gameplay and monetization model, avoiding any misleading advertising.
  • Customizable Energy System: Develop a merge game with a customizable energy system that allows players to adjust the recharge rate and maximum energy capacity based on their preferences.
  • Merge Game with User-Generated Content: Design a merge game that allows players to create and share their own stories and design elements, fostering a sense of community and creativity.

Trends and Observations

  • Language Preference: Most reviews are in English, but there are some in other languages like Indonesian.
  • Sentiment Shift: Some users who initially enjoyed the game later became frustrated due to the increasing difficulty and pressure to spend money. This suggests a potential decline in long-term engagement.
  • Advertising Impact: The game's advertising strategy has a significant impact on user perception. Misleading ads lead to negative reviews and lower ratings.

Conclusion

Gossip Harbor: Merge & Story has the potential to be a highly successful merge game, but it is currently being held back by issues related to false advertising and monetization. Addressing these issues is crucial for improving user satisfaction, retaining players, and building a positive reputation. By focusing on transparency, fair gameplay, and technical stability, the developers can unlock the game's full potential and create a truly enjoyable experience for players. The core gameplay and storyline are strong, providing a solid foundation for future success.

Overall Recommendation: Prioritize addressing false advertising and rebalancing the energy system to improve user satisfaction and long-term engagement.

Original App Link

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mergegames.gossipharbor