Customer Reviews (100)

Donald Pero • 2025-03-25T05:18:31.550Z

I loved the original and was hoping this would be the same. the gameplay is similar. however there is way too many ads and pay for play type things. it makes gathering coins for upgrades so slow that the only way to stay competitive is to pay. the races against others are so short 20 seconds. then ad that's 60 seconds. frustrating.

Anthony Brown • 2025-03-25T04:06:34.764Z

the ads don't pay out so when you watch them you get nothing

D.P Singh • 2025-03-25T03:24:34.100Z

Nice game but some things are very annoying so please remove and fix these things once again nice game 😀

Summary of Key Insights

Hill Climb Racing 2 receives generally positive feedback, with a strong base of players who enjoy the gameplay and customization options. However, the overwhelming consensus is that the game is plagued by excessive advertising, which significantly detracts from the user experience. Some users also report issues with ads not paying out rewards and glitches within the game. The game's "pay-to-win" aspect is also a concern for many, hindering progression for free players.

  • Overall Sentiment: Positive, but heavily impacted by negative feedback related to ads and monetization.
  • Key Strengths: Fun and challenging gameplay, vehicle customization, long-term engagement for some players.
  • Key Weaknesses: Excessive and unskippable ads, "pay-to-win" elements, glitches, and reports of purchases not being properly credited.
  • Overall Rating: While the average rating is skewed higher due to the number of 5-star reviews, the critical reviews highlight significant problems.
  • Score Distribution: 5-star: 55%, 4-star: 13%, 3-star: 12%, 2-star: 3%, 1-star: 17%

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 100 reviews
  • Time Frame: Not explicitly stated, but implied to be recent based on the version number and user comments.
  • Analysis Methods: Manual review and thematic analysis to identify recurring themes, sentiment, and feature requests. Keyword extraction was used to quantify frequently mentioned issues.

Key User Pain Points

  • Excessive Ads: The most significant complaint. Users report ads appearing after every race or retry, with some being unskippable and excessively long (over 60 seconds, even up to 120 seconds).
  • Ads Not Paying Out: Several users reported watching ads for rewards but not receiving them.
  • Pay-to-Win Elements: Many users feel that the game heavily favors players who spend money, making it difficult to progress without paying.
  • Glitches and Bugs: Reports of game crashes, characters getting stuck, and general instability.
  • Purchase Issues: Users have reported purchasing bundles but not receiving the items.
  • Repetitive Gameplay: Some users in the mid-range reviews found the endgame grinding repetitive.

Frequently Requested Features

  • More Vehicles and Customization Options: Users consistently request more vehicles, especially those purchasable with in-game currency (coins and gems).
  • Gem Acquisition Improvements: Users feel that gems are too scarce and difficult to obtain without paying.
  • Legendary Customization Availability: Users desire more ways to acquire legendary vehicle customizations, possibly through weekly challenges.
  • PC Version: A user requested the game be available on PC again.
  • Improved Offline Play: Users want to be able to race other players (or their replays) offline.
  • Bug Fixes and Stability Improvements: Addressed in the "Key User Pain Points".

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Fun and Addictive Gameplay: Many users describe the game as fun, addictive, and a good time-killer.
  • Challenging Levels: The game's challenging terrain and stunt opportunities are appreciated.
  • Vehicle Customization: The ability to customize vehicles with skins, paints, and upgrades is a popular feature.
  • Long-Term Engagement: Some players have been playing for years, indicating strong long-term appeal.
  • Track Editor: The addition of the track editor is a positive feature.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

  • High Priority:
    • Reduce Ad Frequency and Length: Drastically reduce the number of ads and ensure they are shorter and skippable. Implement a system where ads are less intrusive and don't interrupt gameplay flow as frequently.
    • Fix Ad Payout Issues: Investigate and resolve the issue of ads not paying out rewards. This is a critical bug that damages user trust.
    • Address Purchase Issues: Immediately resolve the issue of users not receiving purchased items. Provide refunds or properly credit accounts.
    • Improve Game Stability: Fix the reported crashes and glitches to improve the overall user experience.
  • Medium Priority:
    • Rebalance Monetization: Adjust the game's economy to make progression more accessible for free players. Reduce the reliance on "pay-to-win" elements.
    • Increase Gem Availability: Provide more opportunities for players to earn gems without spending real money.
    • Add More Content: Introduce new vehicles, tracks, and customization options to keep the game fresh and engaging.
  • Low Priority:
    • Enhance Offline Play: Explore options for improving offline gameplay, such as allowing players to race against replays of other players.
    • Consider a PC Version: Evaluate the feasibility of releasing a PC version of the game, given user interest.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Ad-Free Mobile Gaming Subscription Service: A service offering ad-free versions of popular mobile games for a monthly subscription. This addresses the pervasive issue of intrusive ads in mobile gaming.
  • Fair-Play Mobile Gaming Platform: A platform focused on ensuring fair competition in mobile games by actively combating cheating and promoting balanced monetization models. This addresses the "pay-to-win" concerns and cheating reports.
  • AI-Powered Game Balancing Tool: A tool that analyzes player data and adjusts game difficulty and resource allocation to ensure a balanced and engaging experience for all players, regardless of spending habits.

Trends and Observations

  • Ad Complaints Dominate: The most consistent and prominent trend is the overwhelming negative feedback regarding ads.
  • Long-Term Players Dissatisfied: Some long-term players express disappointment with the game's current state, citing increased monetization and repetitive gameplay.
  • Positive Core Gameplay: Despite the issues, the core gameplay remains popular, suggesting a strong foundation to build upon.
  • Requests for More Content: A recurring theme is the desire for more vehicles, customization options, and ways to earn in-game currency.

Conclusion

Hill Climb Racing 2 has a solid foundation with engaging gameplay and customization options. However, the excessive advertising and perceived "pay-to-win" elements are significantly damaging the user experience. Addressing these issues should be the top priority. Rebalancing the monetization strategy, reducing ad frequency, and fixing reported bugs will be crucial for retaining existing players and attracting new ones. By focusing on these improvements, Fingersoft can revitalize Hill Climb Racing 2 and ensure its continued success.

Overall Recommendation: Prioritize addressing the negative feedback related to ads and monetization to improve the overall user experience and retain players.

Original App Link

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fingersoft.hcr2