Customer Reviews (100)

Lilah DeVA • 2025-03-08T15:16:51.752Z

Eu amo ♥️ , é bom para quem tem Aphantasia! Tenho até na Steam.

John Mordecai • 2025-03-08T11:53:58.969Z

The tutorial is broken. It pops up but won't close. I ended up backing out to the main menu to get back to playing. Just sharing because you guys did a great job otherwise!

Charley Andreasson • 2025-03-07T11:54:32.307Z

Love it~ An actual challenge and long lasting. (Play Pass tbf)

Summary of Key Insights

The app "Hidden Through Time" is generally well-received, with a strong positive sentiment indicated by the high percentage of 5-star reviews (56%). Users appreciate the game's relaxing nature, cute art style, and challenging gameplay reminiscent of "Where's Waldo." However, several recurring issues impact user experience, including concerns about the limited number of free levels and the need to purchase DLCs, objects being too small and difficult to find, and occasional technical issues like connection problems and crashes. The map editor is a popular feature, but its usability on mobile devices needs improvement.

Key Strengths:

  • Relaxing and enjoyable gameplay.
  • Cute and appealing art style.
  • Challenging hidden object puzzles.
  • User-generated content through the map editor.
  • No ads (for some, likely due to Play Pass).

Key Weaknesses:

  • Limited free content and perceived "pay-to-play" model.
  • Objects are sometimes too small and difficult to find, causing eye strain.
  • Technical issues such as connection problems and crashes.
  • Map editor usability issues on mobile.
  • Stereotypical representations (as mentioned in one review).

Overall Sentiment: Positive

Quantitative Metrics:

  • Overall Rating: Based on the score distribution, the average rating is approximately 4.02 stars.
  • 5-Star Reviews: 56%
  • 4-Star Reviews: 8%
  • 3-Star Reviews: 17%
  • 2-Star Reviews: 6%
  • 1-Star Reviews: 13%

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 100 reviews
  • Time Frame: Not specified, but assumed to be a recent collection of reviews.
  • Analysis Methods:
    • Sentiment Analysis: Categorization of reviews as positive, negative, or neutral based on language used.
    • Keyword Extraction: Identification of frequently mentioned words and phrases related to features, issues, and sentiments.
    • Frequency Analysis: Counting the occurrences of specific issues and feature requests.

Key User Pain Points

  • Limited Free Content/Paywall: Many users express disappointment with the limited number of free levels and the need to purchase DLCs to continue playing. This is a significant source of negative reviews and frustration.
  • Object Size/Visibility: A recurring complaint is that objects are too small and difficult to find, leading to eye strain and a frustrating experience, especially on smaller screens.
  • Technical Issues: Some users experience technical problems such as connection errors, crashes, and the tutorial not working.
  • Map Editor Usability: While the map editor is a popular feature, some users find it difficult to use on mobile devices, particularly with small objects.
  • Stereotypical Representations: One user mentioned stereotypical representations of Native Americans.

Frequently Requested Features

  • More Levels/Content: Users consistently request more levels and story modes.
  • Improved Zoom Functionality: Better zoom capabilities to help find small objects.
  • Analog Stick Control for Map Editor: For more precise object placement in the map editor.
  • Option to Copy/Paste Maps in Editor: Simplifies map creation in the editor.
  • Offline Functionality: Allows users to play without an internet connection.
  • Level Unlock System Improvement: Suggestion to unlock levels sequentially instead of requiring purchase.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Relaxing Gameplay: Many users find the game relaxing and enjoyable, with no pressure or timers.
  • Cute Art Style: The game's cute and colorful hand-drawn art style is widely praised.
  • Challenging Puzzles: The hidden object puzzles provide a good level of challenge.
  • Map Editor: The map editor allows users to create and share their own levels, adding replayability.
  • "Where's Waldo" Similarity: Many users enjoy the game's similarity to "Where's Waldo," providing a familiar and nostalgic experience.
  • Humorous Descriptions: Users appreciate the humorous descriptions of the items.
  • No Violence: The lack of violence is a welcome change for some users.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Address "Pay-to-Play" Perception: Re-evaluate the pricing model and consider offering more free content or a more generous initial offering to mitigate negative perceptions. Clearly communicate what content is included with the initial purchase.
  • Improve Object Visibility: Implement better zoom functionality or consider increasing the size of some objects to reduce eye strain and frustration. Provide options for adjusting object size.
  • Fix Technical Issues: Prioritize bug fixes and address connection errors and crashes to improve stability and user experience.
  • Improve Map Editor Usability: Implement an analog stick control or other precision input methods for the map editor on mobile devices. Add a copy/paste function for maps.

Medium Priority:

  • Content Expansion: Develop and release more levels and story modes to keep players engaged.
  • Community Content Curation: Improve the discovery and sorting of user-generated maps, including a "least completed" sort option.
  • Address Stereotypical Representations: Review the game's content for potentially offensive or insensitive depictions and make necessary changes.

Low Priority:

  • Tutorial Improvement: Fix the broken tutorial issue reported by one user.
  • Portrait Mode Option: Consider adding an option for portrait mode, although this might impact the gameplay experience.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Hidden Object Game with Dynamic Difficulty: A hidden object game that adjusts the size and placement of objects based on user performance and device screen size.
  • AI-Powered Map Editor: A map editor that uses AI to suggest object placement and create more engaging hidden object scenarios.
  • Subscription Service for Hidden Object Games: A subscription service offering access to a library of hidden object games with new content added regularly.
  • Educational Hidden Object Game: A hidden object game that incorporates historical facts and educational elements into the gameplay.

Trends and Observations

  • Positive Sentiment Dominates: The majority of users express positive sentiment, indicating a solid foundation for the game.
  • Pricing Model Concerns: The "pay-to-play" model is a significant concern that needs to be addressed to improve user satisfaction.
  • Visual Clarity is Crucial: The game's success hinges on the clarity and visibility of the hidden objects.
  • Community Engagement is Valuable: The map editor and user-generated content are valuable assets that should be further promoted and supported.
  • Play Pass Influence: Some users mention playing via Play Pass, suggesting it's a significant source of users and likely influences positive reviews (no ads).

Conclusion

"Hidden Through Time" is a well-liked game with a strong foundation. Addressing the concerns regarding the pricing model, object visibility, and technical issues will significantly improve the user experience and increase long-term engagement. Leveraging the community through the map editor and continuously adding new content are crucial for sustaining the game's popularity. Overall, the game shows strong potential with targeted improvements.

Original App Link

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.CrazyMonkeyStudios.Hidden