Customer Reviews (100)

Dave Smith • 2025-03-25T22:32:31.862Z

Excellent game....very addictive.

Marty Pellman • 2025-03-25T21:09:46.834Z

Great game

Joni Anderson • 2025-03-25T20:54:20.888Z

algorithm set way too high when I can only play 5x on a "blue" screen, going out of game 5x & still not beat the screen (that's 25 tries). This seemed to become an issue after reaching screen 3000 & getting worse as you proceed. Will be deleting as at this point your push to get players to spend money has pushed me out,

Summary of Key Insights

Matching Story - Puzzle Games is generally well-received, with users praising its addictive gameplay, lack of forced advertisements, and the combination of match-3 and merge mechanics. The game appears to successfully deliver on its promise of a fun and relaxing experience. However, some users express concerns about the difficulty curve at later levels, the cost of in-app purchases, and occasional glitches. The overall sentiment is positive, as reflected by the high percentage of 5-star reviews.

  • Overall Rating: High (primarily 5-star reviews)
  • Key Strengths: Addictive gameplay, no forced ads, combination of match-3 and merge mechanics, relaxing experience.
  • Key Weaknesses: Difficulty curve at later levels, perceived high cost of in-app purchases, occasional glitches, and limited space for items without purchases.
  • Score Distribution:
    • 1-star: 6%
    • 2-star: 2%
    • 3-star: 3%
    • 4-star: 5%
    • 5-star: 84%

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 100 reviews
  • Time Frame: Not specified, but assumed to be recent based on the version number (1.35.03).
  • Analysis Methods: Sentiment analysis based on review text, keyword extraction to identify recurring themes and issues. Manual review of each comment to categorize sentiment and identify specific issues and feature requests.

Key User Pain Points

  • Difficulty Curve: Many users report that the game becomes significantly more difficult at later levels (especially after level 3000), requiring multiple attempts and potentially pushing players towards in-app purchases. Some believe the algorithm is deliberately tuned to make progression difficult without spending money.
  • Cost of In-App Purchases: Several users feel that in-app purchases, particularly the "Gold Ticket," are too expensive. Some feel pressured to spend money to progress.
  • Limited Space: Players frequently complain about running out of space on the island to place merged items, forcing them to either purchase more space or ignore the island aspect of the game.
  • Glitches and Bugs: A few users have experienced game freezes, lost progress, and issues with merging (items combining in unintended ways or disappearing).
  • Facebook Save Issues: One user reported that the Facebook save feature doesn't reliably save progress.
  • Misleading Advertising: One user reports that the "special merge gems" do not function as advertised.

Frequently Requested Features

  • More Space: The most frequent request is for more space on the island without requiring purchases.
  • Merge 5 Option: One user specifically requested a "merge 5" option, possibly for more efficient merging.
  • Better Merge Mechanics: Users want the merging mechanics improved so that items combine predictably and allow for multiple combos.
  • Fresh Ideas: One user suggested introducing "fresh ideas" to keep the game from becoming boring.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Addictive Gameplay: Many users describe the game as "addictive" and "fun."
  • No Forced Ads: A significant advantage highlighted by numerous reviewers is the absence of forced advertisements. The optional nature of in-app purchases is also appreciated.
  • Combination of Mechanics: The blend of match-3 and merge gameplay is praised as a unique and engaging feature.
  • Relaxing Experience: Some users find the game relaxing and a good way to pass the time.
  • Challenging Levels: While some find the later levels too difficult, others appreciate the challenging nature of the game.
  • Storyline: The story and the characters are mentioned as engaging elements.
  • Rewards: Some players highlighted the generous rewards system, especially the ability to earn diamonds without spending money.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

  • High Priority:
    • Address Difficulty Curve: Rebalance the difficulty of later levels to prevent player frustration and the feeling of being forced to spend money. Analyze the game's algorithm to ensure fair gameplay.
    • Optimize Space Management: Provide more ways for players to manage space on the island without requiring in-app purchases. This could include offering more free space, introducing features to organize items, or allowing the temporary storage of items.
    • Fix Glitches and Bugs: Thoroughly test the game to identify and fix any reported glitches, such as game freezes, lost progress, and merging issues.
  • Medium Priority:
    • Review In-App Purchase Pricing: Re-evaluate the pricing of in-app purchases, particularly the "Gold Ticket," to make them more accessible and appealing to a wider range of players.
    • Improve Merge Mechanics: Enhance the merging mechanics to ensure predictable combinations and allow for multiple combos. Consider implementing a "merge 5" option.
    • Investigate Facebook Save Issues: Address the reported issues with the Facebook save feature to ensure that player progress is reliably saved.
  • Low Priority:
    • Introduce Fresh Ideas: Explore new gameplay mechanics, events, or challenges to keep the game fresh and engaging for long-term players.
    • Clarify Advertising: Ensure that all advertising accurately represents the game's features and functionality, particularly regarding "special merge gems."

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Dynamic Difficulty Adjustment: A system that dynamically adjusts the game's difficulty based on player performance and spending habits, ensuring a balanced and engaging experience for all players.
  • Community-Driven Content: A platform where players can create and share their own levels or challenges, adding a new layer of depth and replayability to the game.
  • Personalized Island Customization: Allow players to further customize their island with unique decorations, themes, or layouts, enhancing the sense of ownership and creativity.

Trends and Observations

  • Positive Sentiment Dominates: The vast majority of reviews express positive sentiment, indicating that the game is generally well-liked.
  • Focus on Free-to-Play Aspects: Many users specifically mention the absence of forced ads and the ability to progress without spending money, suggesting that these are important factors for attracting and retaining players.
  • Late-Game Frustration: The negative reviews tend to focus on the difficulty curve and the perceived pressure to spend money at later levels, indicating a potential issue with the game's long-term engagement strategy.

Conclusion

Matching Story - Puzzle Games is a successful blend of match-3 and merge mechanics that offers an engaging and relaxing experience for many players. The game's strengths lie in its addictive gameplay, lack of forced ads, and unique combination of mechanics. However, addressing the difficulty curve at later levels, optimizing space management, and fixing glitches are crucial for improving the overall user experience and preventing player churn. By focusing on these prioritized action recommendations, the developers can further enhance the game's appeal and ensure its long-term success.

Original App Link

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.joycastle.mergematch