Customer Reviews (500)

ariosandario • 2025-03-21T00:37:47-07:00

I like the original music of the original game

Wester51575 • 2025-03-14T03:59:26-07:00

Very interesting, simple and enjoyable dungeon crawling game.

Baladorn • 2025-03-09T04:09:05-07:00

I’ve been playing this game for years. Recently changed phones and had to download again. The new Cleric class is great! It’s so much fun always trying to puzzle out what is the best choice in the moment. Looking forward to many more hours of enjoyment with this!

Summary of Key Insights

Shattered Pixel Dungeon enjoys overwhelmingly positive sentiment, with users praising its deep gameplay, high replayability, and lack of in-app purchases or ads. The game is seen as a well-balanced and challenging roguelike experience perfect for mobile. However, some users find the difficulty curve steep and desire more customization options and difficulty settings. The core strengths are the game's depth, constant updates, and the developer's responsiveness. The main weaknesses revolve around the initial difficulty, some perceived unfairness in RNG, and a few requests for UI/control improvements.

  • Overall Sentiment: Extremely positive
  • Key Strengths: Deep gameplay, high replayability, no in-app purchases/ads, constant updates, engaging difficulty, and developer interaction.
  • Key Weaknesses: Steep initial difficulty, perceived RNG unfairness, lack of customization options, and some minor UI/control issues.
  • Overall Rating: 4.9 stars (based on the provided score distribution)
  • Score Distribution: 1-star: 3.4%, 2-star: 1.0%, 3-star: 2.2%, 4-star: 5.8%, 5-star: 87.6%

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 500 reviews
  • Time Frame: Not specified, but assumed to be a collection of recent reviews.
  • Analysis Methods:
    • Sentiment Analysis: Manually assessed sentiment based on review text.
    • Keyword Extraction: Identified frequently used words and phrases related to positive and negative aspects.
    • Thematic Analysis: Grouped reviews based on recurring themes (e.g., difficulty, replayability, feature requests).

Key User Pain Points

  • Steep Initial Difficulty: Many new players find the game too hard initially, leading to frustration and a sense of unfairness. Some suggest an easier mode or more tutorials.
  • RNG Dependency: Some players feel that success relies too heavily on random number generation (RNG) for item drops and enemy encounters, leading to runs being determined by luck rather than skill.
  • Lack of Difficulty Settings: Some users want the option to adjust the difficulty level to suit their skill and experience.
  • Specific Enemy Frustrations: Some enemies, particularly snakes, are seen as overly difficult or frustrating to deal with.
  • Inventory Management: A few users requested improvements to inventory organization.
  • Controller Support: Some users are unhappy with the current controller support, particularly the joystick implementation.
  • Hidden Door Mechanic: The hidden door mechanic is seen as tedious by some, requiring them to search every tile.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Difficulty Settings: An easy mode for beginners and potentially a harder mode for experienced players.
  • Character Customization: More options to customize characters, including cosmetic options or talent choices.
  • Multiplayer Mode: The ability to play with friends.
  • Improved Controller Support: Better implementation of controller support with specific configurations.
  • Inventory Organization: A way to organize the inventory more effectively.
  • Custom Dungeon Feature: The ability to create and play custom dungeons.
  • More Content: Requests for new enchantments, weaponry, characters, perks, floors, and bosses.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Deep and Engaging Gameplay: Users consistently praise the game's depth, complexity, and strategic elements.
  • High Replayability: The randomly generated dungeons, varied classes, and numerous items create a unique experience each time.
  • No In-App Purchases or Ads: Players appreciate the one-time purchase model, which avoids pay-to-win mechanics and intrusive advertising.
  • Constant Updates and Improvements: The developer's active involvement and regular updates are highly valued.
  • Challenging but Rewarding: The game's difficulty is seen as a positive, as it makes progress feel more satisfying.
  • Great for Mobile Play: The turn-based gameplay and auto-save feature make it perfect for short bursts of play.
  • Nostalgia: Many users appreciate the game's retro aesthetic and its resemblance to classic roguelikes.
  • Developer Interaction: Players appreciate the developer's responsiveness to feedback and willingness to engage with the community.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

  • High Priority:
    • Implement an Easy Mode: Address the steep difficulty curve by adding an easier mode with adjusted enemy stats or more frequent item drops.
    • Improve Tutorial/Onboarding: Provide more guidance for new players to understand the game's mechanics and strategies.
  • Medium Priority:
    • Refine Controller Support: Improve controller support to allow for more intuitive control schemes.
    • Enhance Inventory Management: Add features to help players organize their inventory more efficiently.
    • Address RNG Concerns: Re-evaluate the impact of RNG on early game progression and consider ways to mitigate perceived unfairness.
  • Low Priority:
    • Add Character Customization: Explore options for cosmetic character customization or more flexible talent choices.
    • Consider Multiplayer: Investigate the feasibility of adding a multiplayer mode.
    • Add Custom Dungeon Feature: Explore the possibility of adding a custom dungeon feature for post-game content.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Roguelike Difficulty Adjustment AI: An AI-powered system that dynamically adjusts the game's difficulty based on the player's skill level, providing a personalized and challenging experience.
  • Mobile Game Community Platform: A platform specifically designed for mobile roguelike games, allowing players to share seeds, strategies, and custom content.
  • Procedural Content Generation Tool: A tool that allows players to create and share their own procedurally generated dungeons for Shattered Pixel Dungeon or other similar games.

Trends and Observations

  • Strong Nostalgia Factor: Many users are drawn to the game due to its resemblance to classic roguelikes.
  • Positive Word-of-Mouth: Users often mention being recommended the game by friends or online communities.
  • Long-Term Player Base: A significant portion of players have been playing the game for years, indicating high retention.
  • Community Engagement: Users actively participate in online communities to share tips and strategies.
  • Cross-Platform Appeal: The game's availability on both mobile and PC platforms is seen as a positive.

Conclusion

Shattered Pixel Dungeon is a highly successful mobile roguelike game with a dedicated player base. Its strengths lie in its deep gameplay, high replayability, and lack of predatory monetization practices. Addressing the initial difficulty curve and refining controller support would further enhance the user experience. The developer's continued engagement with the community and commitment to updates are crucial for maintaining the game's long-term success. Overall, Shattered Pixel Dungeon is a must-have for fans of the roguelike genre and a shining example of how to create a compelling and rewarding mobile gaming experience.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/shattered-pixel-dungeon/id1563121109?uo=2