Customer Reviews (500)

1moloom • 2025-03-20T14:13:10-07:00

The App says to go to settings in the game to report issues with ads. You were supposed to be able to skip ads once they have played for five seconds. However some ads continue to run even after you have attempted to close out after the time has run. I went to settings within the game to report the problem with the ad and there was no menu item that allowed you to do it. You can contact the chat and then they want screenshots. I did not have a screenshot but I did have the name of the game biblical Christian solitaire. If you really want problems reported, then make them easy to report by offering a specific menu item in the Settings instead of making people hunt it down through the various submenus. I am deleting this app.

Lostinpok • 2025-03-19T05:19:44-07:00

I had tried a few and found this one to be my favorite. I think there ARE ads or something annoying as I recall, because I paid the nominal fee to not deal with whatever that was. I would give five stars but if I play for any length of time over a few minutes, the game gets flaky and the deck doesn’t turn when I click. So I click again a few times and then the UI suddenly catches up and I have to hit undo a few times. This is not a WiFi issue, it’s an app issue. I have also seen where after turning over just a card or two in a new game, I automatically win the game. I can only imagine what my opponent thinks when I win a game after only a couple seconds. This behavior usually happens repeatedly once it occurs. Both of these behaviors are remedied by closing and restarting the app, but neither should be happening in the first place.

Roi Des Rois • 2025-03-08T05:24:10-07:00

Like the app but with the added game types the in app notification for a new event is now gone. Fix this please.

Summary of Key Insights

  • Overall, the Solitaire by MobilityWare app is well-received, with a high percentage of 5-star reviews, indicating user satisfaction with the core gameplay and overall experience. However, recent updates and changes have introduced several pain points for users, particularly regarding ads, unwanted features (like daily goals and levels), and performance issues. Many long-time users express frustration with these changes, suggesting a need for the developers to consider user preferences more carefully. The app's strengths lie in its simplicity, customizability, and the relaxing nature of the game.

  • Key Strengths: Addictive gameplay, customizability (card backs/backgrounds), daily challenges, and the option for ad-free play (either through a one-time purchase or subscription).

  • Key Weaknesses: Intrusive ads (especially for paid users), performance issues (freezing, lagging), unwanted features (daily goals, levels, Game Center integration), changes to card faces and game difficulty, and lack of cross-device syncing.

  • Overall Sentiment: Positive, but with increasing frustration among long-time users due to recent changes.

  • Quantitative Metrics:

    • Overall Rating (estimated): 4.3 stars (based on score distribution)
    • Score Distribution:
      • 5-star: 64% (320/500)
      • 4-star: 9.4% (47/500)
      • 3-star: 9.6% (48/500)
      • 2-star: 5% (25/500)
      • 1-star: 12% (60/500)

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 500 reviews
  • Time Frame of Reviews: The reviews span several years, with many referencing updates and changes over time. The dates provided within the reviews show a range from 2018 through 2024.
  • Analysis Methods: The analysis involved manual review and categorization of user comments, identifying recurring themes, sentiment analysis (positive, negative, neutral), and frequency counting of specific keywords and phrases.

Key User Pain Points

  • Ads: Many users complain about intrusive ads, even after paying for the ad-free version. Some ads are reported to be difficult to close or lead to malware downloads. This is a major source of frustration.
  • Performance Issues: Frequent reports of freezing, lagging, and jittery card movements, particularly after updates or on specific devices (e.g., iPads, iPhone 12).
  • Unwanted Features: Many users dislike the forced integration of "Daily Goals," "Levels," and Game Center. They prefer a simple, classic solitaire experience without these distractions. The inability to opt-out of these features is a common complaint.
  • Game Difficulty: Some users feel the game has become unfairly difficult, with fewer winnable hands, even when set to "winnable deals." Others dislike changes to the game's algorithm.
  • Card Face Changes: Some users dislike the new card face style, finding it difficult to read.
  • Lack of Cross-Device Syncing: Users frequently request the ability to sync their game progress and settings across multiple devices (iPhones and iPads).
  • Game Center Prompts: Even with Game Center turned off, the app repeatedly prompts users to sign in, which is highly annoying.
  • Bugs and Glitches: Several users report issues with daily challenges not tracking correctly, levels not advancing, and cards not displaying properly.
  • Sound Issues: Some users report unwanted sounds or Bluetooth interference, even when sound is turned off in the settings.
  • Loss of Progress: Some users lost their game progress (levels, scores) after updates or transferring to a new device.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Cross-Device Syncing: The ability to sync game progress across multiple devices.
  • Option to Disable Unwanted Features: The ability to turn off "Daily Goals," "Levels," Game Center integration, and other extraneous features.
  • Improved Customization: More options for card faces, backgrounds, and scoring systems (including the option to revert to older versions).
  • Option to Shuffle Cards: The ability to shuffle the cards at any point in the game.
  • Larger Card Sizes/Adjustable Font: For users with vision problems.
  • Option for easier wins: More winnable deals or an adjustable difficulty setting.
  • More detailed statistics: Improved tracking and display of game statistics.
  • Facebook friend play: The ability to play against Facebook friends.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Addictive Gameplay: Many users describe the game as fun, relaxing, and addictive.
  • Customizability: Users appreciate the ability to customize card backs and backgrounds.
  • Daily Challenges: The daily challenges provide a sense of variety and accomplishment.
  • Offline Play: The ability to play without an internet connection (except for multiplayer).
  • Simple and Easy to Use: Many users find the game easy to learn and play.
  • No Ads (Paid Version): Users who paid for the ad-free version appreciate the uninterrupted gameplay (though this is now being questioned due to ad-like prompts).
  • Responsive Customer Service: Some users report positive experiences with customer support.
  • Long-Term Enjoyment: Many users have been playing the game for years and continue to enjoy it.
  • Mental Exercise: Some users find the game to be a good mental exercise and a way to keep their minds sharp.
  • Automated features: Features like auto-complete are appreciated.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Address Ad Issues: Immediately investigate and resolve complaints about intrusive ads, especially for users who have paid for the ad-free version. Ensure that ads are easily closable and do not lead to malware. This is critical for maintaining user trust and preventing negative reviews.
  • Fix Performance Problems: Investigate and resolve the reported freezing, lagging, and jittery card movement issues. Optimize the app for different devices and iOS versions.
  • Provide Opt-Out Options: Implement options to disable unwanted features such as "Daily Goals," "Levels," and Game Center integration. Respect user preferences for a simple, classic solitaire experience.
  • Restore Game Difficulty Balance: Re-evaluate the game's algorithm and ensure that it provides a fair and enjoyable level of challenge, without being overly difficult or feeling rigged.
  • Address Syncing Issue: Implement cross-device syncing of game progress and settings to improve user convenience and satisfaction.

Medium Priority:

  • Improve Card Face Options: Offer a wider range of card face styles, including the option to revert to older versions.
  • Enhance Customization: Provide more options for customizing the game's appearance and scoring systems.
  • Address Game Center Prompts: Stop repeatedly prompting users to sign in to Game Center if they have already declined.
  • Fix Bugs and Glitches: Address the reported issues with daily challenges, levels, and card display.
  • Sound and Bluetooth Issues: Fix the reported unwanted sounds and Bluetooth interference.

Low Priority:

  • Add Shuffle Option: Implement a shuffle option for greater control over gameplay.
  • Increase Card Size/Font: Add options for larger card sizes or adjustable font for users with vision problems.
  • More Detailed Statistics: Improve the tracking and display of game statistics.
  • Implement Facebook Integration: Consider adding the ability to play against Facebook friends.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Subscription-Free Solitaire App: A solitaire app that offers an ad-free experience for a one-time purchase, without any subscription fees or intrusive features.
  • Customizable Solitaire App with AI Difficulty: A solitaire app that uses AI to adjust the game's difficulty based on the player's skill level, providing a personalized and challenging experience.
  • Solitaire App with Cross-Platform Syncing and Cloud Saves: A solitaire app that allows users to seamlessly sync their game progress and settings across multiple devices and platforms, with cloud saves for backup and restoration.
  • Solitaire App with Community Features: A solitaire app that incorporates community features, such as leaderboards, challenges, and the ability to share game replays with friends.
  • Solitaire App with Theme Packs: A solitaire app that allows users to purchase and download theme packs with custom card faces, backgrounds, and sound effects.

Trends and Observations

  • Frustration with Updates: A recurring theme is that updates, while intended to improve the app, often introduce unwanted changes or bugs that negatively impact the user experience.
  • Desire for Simplicity: Many users express a preference for a simple, classic solitaire experience without extraneous features.
  • Long-Term User Loyalty: The app has a loyal user base, with many users having played the game for years. However, these users are also the most vocal about their dissatisfaction with recent changes.
  • Paid vs. Free Version Confusion: Some users are confused about the features available in the paid and free versions, with some reporting that the free version has options not available in the paid version.
  • Ad Concerns: A common complaint revolves around intrusive ads, with some users even reporting malware risks.

Conclusion

The Solitaire by MobilityWare app remains a popular choice for solitaire enthusiasts, but recent changes have introduced significant pain points for users. To maintain its loyal user base and attract new players, MobilityWare needs to prioritize addressing the ad issues, performance problems, and unwanted features. By listening to user feedback and focusing on providing a simple, customizable, and enjoyable solitaire experience, MobilityWare can ensure the long-term success of its app. A key recommendation is to provide users with more control over their experience, allowing them to opt-out of features they don't want and customize the game to their liking. The overall recommendation is to revert to a more user-centric approach, prioritizing simplicity, stability, and user choice.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/solitaire-by-mobilityware/id284791396?uo=2