Customer Reviews (500)

Ayyolau • 2025-02-20T22:06:00-07:00

I support this game and indie developers, great game for creative minds.

The railfan • 2025-01-28T18:10:25-07:00

Add trains plz do it early

YourLordandSavior Jesus Christ • 2024-12-29T14:41:35-07:00

Very relaxing to build what comes to mind has many varieties of building materials, definitely a must have.

Summary of Key Insights

Pocket Build is generally well-received as a creative sandbox game, particularly for its open-world nature and lack of restrictions. Users appreciate the extensive building options and the ability to create diverse worlds. However, several recurring issues impact user experience, including the desire for more complex gameplay, better controls, and more diverse content. The overall sentiment is positive, with a strong base of loyal players eager for continued development. The game's strengths lie in its creativity and freedom, while weaknesses include a perceived lack of depth and some control issues.

Overall Rating: Based on the review breakdown, the average rating is approximately 4.1 stars (weighted average based on the number of reviews for each star rating).

Score Distribution:

  • 5-star: 59.2% (296/500)
  • 4-star: 18% (90/500)
  • 3-star: 7.6% (38/500)
  • 2-star: 4.4% (22/500)
  • 1-star: 10.8% (54/500)

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 500 reviews
  • Time Frame: Not specified, but likely spans several years given the version number (4.11) and mentions of past updates.
  • Analysis Methods: Qualitative analysis of review content, keyword extraction to identify recurring themes, and sentiment scoring based on star ratings.

Key User Pain Points

  • Lack of Depth/Progression: Many users feel the game lacks a clear objective or progression system. The sandbox nature, while appreciated, can become repetitive without goals or challenges. Some reviewers specifically mention missing a story or campaign mode.
  • Control Issues: Clunky controls are a recurring complaint, especially regarding terrain manipulation, precise object placement, and camera movement. Many users find it difficult to build accurately, particularly on smaller devices.
  • Lack of Interactivity: Users desire more interaction between characters and the environment. They want characters to have more purpose, such as living in houses, engaging in complex behaviors, or reacting to events.
  • Limited Content Diversity: A desire for more diverse content, including modern items, characters of different ethnicities, more animals, and more building styles (e.g., Asian architecture). The current focus on medieval themes is seen as limiting.
  • Update Frequency: Several reviews express concern about the slow pace of updates, particularly regarding long-awaited features like multiplayer and the "war update."
  • Bugs/Glitches: Some users report encountering bugs, such as animals falling through the ground, world loading issues, and problems with account creation.
  • Subscription Concerns: A few users express concerns about the optional subscription model, feeling that it withholds content despite the initial purchase price of the game. Some report being charged unexpectedly for subscriptions.
  • Zoom Limitations: Several users note that the maximum zoom out distance is too limited and makes it hard to plan and manage large worlds.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Multiplayer: By far the most requested feature is multiplayer functionality.
  • More Complex AI/Character Interaction: Users want characters to have more realistic behaviors, such as forming families, going to work, interacting with objects, and engaging in combat.
  • Interior Design: Many users want to be able to go inside buildings and customize their interiors.
  • Warfare/Combat Mechanics: A desire for more developed combat systems, including different unit types, siege mechanics, and strategic elements.
  • Modern/Diverse Content: More modern buildings, vehicles, characters, and themed content (e.g., Western, Asian, Sci-Fi).
  • Terrain Customization: Better tools for terrain manipulation, including the ability to paint terrain colors, create cliffs more easily, and smooth out uneven surfaces.
  • More Animals/Creatures: A wider variety of animals, including mythical creatures, dinosaurs, and more realistic wildlife.
  • Mass Edit/Delete Tools: Tools for quickly placing and deleting large numbers of objects.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Creativity and Freedom: The open-world sandbox nature of the game is highly praised, allowing users to build whatever they imagine without limitations.
  • Extensive Building Options: The game offers a wide variety of building materials, objects, and characters, providing ample creative possibilities.
  • Relaxing and Enjoyable Gameplay: Many users find the game relaxing and enjoyable, providing a creative outlet and a way to unwind.
  • No Forced Ads: The absence of intrusive ads is a significant positive for many users.
  • Active Developer: Users appreciate the developer's responsiveness to feedback and the frequent updates to the game.
  • First-Person Mode: The ability to explore creations in first-person view is a popular feature.
  • Affordable Price: The initial purchase price of the game is seen as reasonable.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Address Control Issues: Invest in improving the controls for terrain manipulation, object placement, and camera movement. Consider adding more precise placement options and customizable control schemes.
  • Implement Multiplayer Functionality: Prioritize the development and release of a multiplayer mode. This is the most requested feature and would significantly enhance the game's appeal.
  • Fix Bugs and Glitches: Address reported bugs and glitches, particularly those that cause world loading issues or data loss.
  • Improve Performance: Optimize the game's performance to reduce lag and crashes, especially on larger worlds.
  • Address Subscription Concerns: Re-evaluate the subscription model to ensure it feels fair and doesn't withhold essential content from paying users.

Medium Priority:

  • Add More Complex AI/Character Interaction: Implement more realistic behaviors for characters, such as families, jobs, and social interactions.
  • Expand Content Diversity: Add more diverse building styles, characters, and animals to cater to a wider range of creative interests.
  • Improve Terrain Customization: Provide better tools for terrain manipulation, including painting terrain colors, creating cliffs more easily, and smoothing out uneven surfaces.
  • Add Mass Edit/Delete Tools: Implement tools for quickly placing and deleting large numbers of objects.
  • Improve Navigation: Address concerns about navigation, especially the desire for a minimap or the ability to zoom out further.

Low Priority:

  • Implement Warfare/Combat Mechanics: Develop more advanced combat systems, including different unit types, siege mechanics, and strategic elements.
  • Add Interior Design: Allow users to go inside buildings and customize their interiors.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Procedural World Generation Tool: A tool that allows users to create detailed and varied landscapes automatically, which could then be imported into Pocket Build or other similar games.
  • Pocket Build Asset Marketplace: A platform where users can create and sell custom building assets, characters, and other content for Pocket Build.
  • AI-Powered World Builder: A tool that uses AI to assist users in creating more realistic and dynamic worlds, suggesting building placements, character behaviors, and environmental effects.

Trends and Observations

  • Strong Demand for Social Features: The overwhelming desire for multiplayer indicates a strong interest in sharing creations and collaborating with other players.
  • Desire for More Purposeful Gameplay: While the sandbox nature is appreciated, many users crave more structure and goals, suggesting a potential market for a more guided or story-driven version of the game.
  • Focus on Creative Expression: The popularity of Pocket Build highlights the enduring appeal of games that empower users to express their creativity and build their own worlds.

Conclusion

Pocket Build is a popular and well-regarded sandbox game with a strong base of loyal players. The game's strengths lie in its creative freedom and extensive building options. However, several recurring issues, including control problems, a lack of depth, and limited content diversity, impact user experience. By addressing these issues and prioritizing the development of highly requested features like multiplayer, the developer can significantly enhance the game's appeal and solidify its position as a leading sandbox building game on mobile.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/pocket-build/id1293681293?uo=2