Summary of Key Insights
Smashy Road: Wanted 2 receives generally positive feedback, with a significant portion of users awarding it 5 stars (54%). Users appreciate the fun gameplay, variety of vehicles and characters, and the online mode. However, there are notable issues that negatively impact the user experience, particularly regarding glitches, difficulty balance, and control problems on TV devices. The game's addictive nature and nostalgic appeal are frequently mentioned strengths. The primary weaknesses are related to technical issues and gameplay balance, suggesting a need for bug fixes and adjustments to the difficulty curve.
Data & Methodology Overview
- Data Sample Size: 100 reviews
- Time Frame: Not specified, but assumed to be recent based on the version number (1.49) and context.
- Analysis Methods: Sentiment analysis (manual assessment of review sentiment), keyword extraction (identification of frequently used terms related to issues, features, and positive aspects), and frequency analysis (counting the occurrences of specific issues and requests).
Key User Pain Points
- Glitches/Bugs: Several users report glitches, including installation issues, game crashes, and control problems. This is a recurring issue that significantly impacts usability.
- Difficulty Balance: Some users find the game brutally hard, particularly with the police being overly aggressive. This creates frustration and can deter players. The "Keep the Tank" mission is specifically mentioned as difficult.
- Control Issues (TV Devices): A significant number of users playing on TV devices report problems with controls, specifically the inability to enter cars or use remote controls effectively.
- Progress Loss: At least one user reports losing all progress and purchases after reinstalling the app. This is a critical issue that undermines user investment.
- Confusing Quests: Users find the quests vague and difficult to understand, hindering progression and enjoyment.
- Car turning by itself: One user mentioned car turning by itself.
Frequently Requested Features
- Sandbox Mode: Several users request a sandbox mode, allowing for free exploration and experimentation without constant police pursuit.
- Racing Mode: One user suggests a racing mode, potentially to celebrate an anniversary.
- Cloud Save: A user requests cloud save functionality to prevent progress loss.
- TV Remote Control Support: Users on TV devices want proper remote control support.
- Improved Map/GPS: A user requested improvement to the GPS function so as to actually know what they're meant to be doing and where.
Strengths and Positive Aspects
- Fun Gameplay: Many users describe the game as fun, exciting, and addictive.
- Variety of Vehicles and Characters: The large number of unlockable vehicles and characters is a major draw.
- Online Mode: The online multiplayer mode is appreciated by users.
- Nostalgic Appeal: Some users express nostalgia for older versions of the game.
- Drifting and Trains: A user specifically highlighted the fun of drifting and the presence of trains.
Prioritized Action Recommendations
High Priority:
- Address Glitches and Bugs: Investigate and fix reported glitches, including installation issues, game crashes, and control problems (especially on TV devices). Impact: Improves usability and reduces frustration.
- Fix TV Control Issues: Prioritize fixing the control issues on TV devices, particularly the inability to enter cars or use remote controls. Impact: Makes the game playable for TV users.
- Implement Cloud Save: Implement cloud save functionality to prevent progress loss. Impact: Protects user progress and investment.
Medium Priority:
- Rebalance Difficulty: Adjust the difficulty curve to make the game less punishing, especially in the early stages. Consider reducing the aggressiveness of the police or providing more opportunities for escape. Impact: Improves accessibility and reduces frustration for new players.
- Improve Quest Clarity: Provide clearer instructions and guidance for quests. Impact: Enhances player progression and engagement.
- Address Car Turning Issue: Investigate and fix the issue where the car turns by itself. Impact: Improves control and avoids frustrating players.
Low Priority:
- Consider Sandbox Mode: Evaluate the feasibility of adding a sandbox mode based on user demand. Impact: Potentially increases replayability and provides more creative freedom.
- Explore Racing Mode: Explore the possibility of adding a racing mode. Impact: Could attract new players and add variety to the gameplay.
- Tank Turret Rotation: Fix the issue where the tank's turret does not rotate. Impact: Improves realism and tank gameplay.
Opportunities for Startup Ideas
- Procedural Game Level Generation Engine: The game uses procedural generation. A startup could focus on providing tools and services around level generation for other games.
- Mobile Game Porting and Optimization Service: Given the TV control issues, a startup could specialize in porting mobile games to TV platforms and optimizing them for remote control input.
Trends and Observations
- TV Device Issues: A recurring theme is the poor experience on TV devices, indicating a need for platform-specific optimization.
- Positive Sentiment Despite Issues: Many users express positive sentiment despite encountering issues, suggesting that the core gameplay is engaging.
- Language Diversity: The reviews are written in multiple languages (English, Czech, Farsi, etc.) indicating a global audience.
- Nostalgia Factor: The nostalgic appeal of the game is a significant factor for some users.
Conclusion
Smashy Road: Wanted 2 has a solid foundation with engaging gameplay and a variety of content. However, technical issues and difficulty balance are hindering its potential. By addressing the prioritized action recommendations, particularly those related to glitches, TV controls, and cloud saves, the developers can significantly improve the user experience and increase user retention. The high percentage of 5-star reviews suggests that many users are already enjoying the game, and addressing the pain points will likely lead to even greater satisfaction.
Original App Link
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.rkgames.basisgame&hl=nl