Customer Reviews (100)

Kira Snavely • 2025-03-23T21:17:52.158Z

I have the physical board game, which I love, and decided to give this mobile version a try. Glad I did! 😊 It's just as fun!

8ball Stripes • 2025-03-23T14:57:12.401Z

I was playing an online async game with my friend. He took his last turn and the game finished, but the game won't let me view the results. The loading wheel spins, then stops, and nothing happens. Also, the leader board seems pointless. I would rather be able to see my own history and record.

B. K. (kbal85) • 2025-03-19T18:53:04.295Z

This is only for mobile: Hard to place the worker, the spot is not easy to be highlighted Should have an undo button, to avoid mistaken steps, or go back in multiple step rewards (could be turn on/off in settings, or connect to difficulty) Can't see the size ot the discard deck and deck. There's a card where this info is crucial Sometimes the spot hint doesn't show up. Overally the game is good, the graphics are nice, but it's a pain to handle on mobile screen.

Summary of Key Insights

The Everdell app is generally well-received, with users praising its faithful adaptation of the board game, engaging gameplay, and appealing graphics. However, significant usability issues, particularly the lack of an undo button and the small UI elements on mobile devices, lead to frustration. Bugs and connection issues also detract from the overall experience. The desire for expansions and feature enhancements is strong. Overall sentiment is positive, but addressing the identified pain points is crucial for improving user satisfaction.

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 100 reviews
  • Time Frame: Not specified (reviews likely span the app's lifetime)
  • Analysis Methods: Qualitative analysis focusing on identifying recurring themes, sentiment expressed, and feature requests. Keywords were extracted to quantify the frequency of specific issues and suggestions.

Key User Pain Points

  • Lack of Undo Button: This is the most frequently cited issue. Accidental misclicks due to the small UI, especially on phones, can significantly impact gameplay and lead to frustration.
  • Small UI and Fiddly Controls: Many users find the UI elements too small and difficult to manipulate on mobile devices, leading to misclicks and eye strain. The 25 worker placement spots all jammed into a small space is problematic.
  • Bugs and Glitches: Users report various bugs, including issues with resource gain (Harvester/Gatherer), broken features after updates (crane, judge), game crashes, and inability to select cards.
  • Connection Issues (Asynchronous Multiplayer): Players experience connection problems during asynchronous multiplayer games, requiring app restarts.
  • Difficulty Seeing Everything: Users find it difficult to keep track of all the game elements on a small screen, making it harder to strategize effectively.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Undo Button: By far the most requested feature.
  • Expansions: Users are eager for the app to include the board game's expansions.
  • End Game Points Breakdown: Users want a detailed breakdown of how their score was calculated.
  • Turn End Confirmation: A confirmation prompt before ending a turn to prevent accidental actions.
  • Easier Friend Adding/Chat: Improved social features for multiplayer.
  • Disable Animations Option: An option to turn off animations to improve performance, especially on lower-end devices.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Faithful Adaptation of the Board Game: Users who enjoy the physical board game appreciate the app's accurate representation of the gameplay.
  • Engaging Gameplay: The core game mechanics are well-received and addictive.
  • Beautiful Graphics and Art Style: The app's visuals are praised for their quality and adherence to the board game's aesthetic.
  • Convenience: The app offers a convenient way to play Everdell solo or remotely without the setup and takedown of the physical game.
  • AI and Solo Challenges: The AI opponents and challenge mode provide engaging single-player experiences.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

  • High Priority:
    • Implement an Undo Button: This is the most critical improvement and will significantly enhance user satisfaction.
    • Address Bugs and Glitches: Prioritize fixing reported bugs to ensure a stable and reliable gaming experience. Focus on bugs that prevent gameplay, such as the hunter/gatherer bug.
    • Improve UI/UX on Mobile: Optimize the UI for smaller screens, potentially by increasing the size of interactive elements and providing zoom options.
  • Medium Priority:
    • Implement a Turn End Confirmation: This will prevent accidental actions and reduce frustration.
    • Fix Connection Issues: Address the connection problems in asynchronous multiplayer games.
    • Add End Game Points Breakdown: Provide a detailed breakdown of scoring to enhance transparency and strategic understanding.
  • Low Priority:
    • Add Easier Friend Adding/Chat: Improve social features for multiplayer engagement.
    • Add Option to Disable Animations: Provide this option for users with performance concerns.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Mobile Board Game UI/UX Consultancy: Given the recurring issues with adapting board games to mobile, a consultancy specializing in UI/UX design for this niche could be valuable.
  • Automated Bug Reporting Tool: A tool that automatically captures and reports bugs in digital board game adaptations, streamlining the QA process.
  • Digital Board Game Expansion Marketplace: A platform dedicated to selling and managing expansions for various digital board game adaptations.

Trends and Observations

  • Strong Desire for Expansions: The consistent demand for expansions suggests a willingness to spend more on the app if additional content is available.
  • Mobile-Specific Challenges: The reviews highlight the unique challenges of adapting board games to mobile devices, particularly regarding UI/UX and screen size limitations.
  • Positive Sentiment Despite Issues: Even with the identified pain points, a significant portion of users rate the app highly, indicating a strong underlying appreciation for the game itself.
  • Recent Update Concerns: Some recent reviews (based on the provided data) indicate that updates are introducing new bugs, suggesting a need for more thorough testing.

Conclusion

The Everdell app is a successful adaptation of a popular board game, but its potential is hampered by usability issues and bugs. Addressing the lack of an undo button, improving the mobile UI, and fixing reported bugs are crucial for enhancing user satisfaction. The strong demand for expansions presents a clear opportunity for monetization and continued engagement. Overall, the app is recommended, but with the caveat that the identified issues should be addressed to provide a truly polished experience.

Original App Link

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.direwolfdigital.everdell