Customer Reviews (500)

Ronnadon • 2025-03-25T03:50:38-07:00

As a doctor who is in his 70’s this app keeps you mind sharper by challenging you to think,guess and be rewarded through fun word puzzles. This app can be used at any age to help develop the brain and teach any age how to spell. Highly recommend it!

VPacoy • 2025-03-24T21:47:11-07:00

excellent

wdmmac • 2025-03-24T20:35:56-07:00

More ads and longer ads than any other game I’ve ever played. Otherwise the game is great.

Summary of Key Insights

Words of Wonders: Crossword is generally well-received, with a strong positive sentiment driven by its engaging gameplay and perceived cognitive benefits. However, a significant number of users are frustrated by the excessive amount of ads, including deceptive ads and those that are difficult to close. Some users report malware-related issues. While many appreciate the game's ability to stimulate the mind and improve vocabulary, the ad experience significantly detracts from overall satisfaction. The app boasts a high overall rating, but the prevalence of negative reviews regarding ads is a critical area for improvement.

Key Strengths: Engaging gameplay, brain stimulation, vocabulary improvement, relaxing experience for some users. Key Weaknesses: Excessive and intrusive ads, deceptive ads, potential malware issues, issues with the paid ad-free version, lack of landscape mode for iPad. Overall Sentiment: Positive, but heavily impacted by negative experiences with ads. Quantitative Metrics: - Overall Rating: High (driven by a large number of 5-star reviews) - Score Distribution: {"1":55,"2":21,"3":14,"4":20,"5":390} (78% 5-star, 4% 4-star, 2.8% 3-star, 4.2% 2-star, 11% 1-star)

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 500 reviews
  • Time Frame: Not explicitly stated, but based on the version number (5.2.12) and review content, the reviews appear to be relatively recent (within the last few months). One review references "Feb 2025" which is impossible as of the time of this analysis, so we can assume it is either a typo or a review from the future.
  • Analysis Methods:
    • Sentiment Analysis: Categorizing reviews as positive, negative, or neutral based on language used.
    • Keyword Extraction: Identifying frequently used words and phrases related to specific issues and features (e.g., "ads," "malware," "brain," "relaxing").
    • Frequency Analysis: Counting the number of times specific issues and requests are mentioned to prioritize them.
    • Thematic Analysis: Grouping reviews into common themes (e.g., ads, gameplay, bugs, feature requests).

Key User Pain Points

  • Excessive and Intrusive Ads: This is the most significant and frequently mentioned pain point. Users complain about:
    • The frequency of ads (appearing after every level or even during gameplay).
    • The length of ads (some lasting several minutes).
    • The difficulty in closing ads (requiring multiple attempts or app restarts).
    • Ads interrupting gameplay.
  • Deceptive Ads: Users report being misled by ads that promise no ads in the game or show gameplay that doesn't match the actual game experience.
  • Malware/Scam Concerns: Several users report being redirected to scam websites or receiving malware warnings after interacting with ads within the game.
  • Ad-Free Purchase Issues: Users who paid for the ad-free version still experience ads, indicating a bug or misleading subscription.
  • iPad Landscape Mode: Users with iPads find the lack of landscape mode annoying, especially when the device is fixed in a landscape position.
  • Gems/Rewards Issues: Some users feel they don't receive enough rewards or that the spin wheel is rigged to provide minimal value.
  • Game Freezing/Crashing: Some users report the game freezing or crashing, sometimes due to problematic ads.
  • Unfair Gameplay: Some users feel the game becomes unfair, either by forcing downloads of other games or by ending winning games prematurely.
  • Word Recognition Issues: Some users reported that the game does not recognize some valid words.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Landscape Mode for iPad: A recurring request from iPad users.
  • More Meaningful Rewards: Users want better incentives for completing levels, countries, and daily challenges.
  • Use of Rockets/Fireworks: Some users have rockets as a bonus but cannot find a way to use them.
  • Customizable Word Themes: Users suggest changing the word themes for every holiday.
  • Mini-Games: Users suggest adding mini-games to win diamonds and adds.
  • Word Mode Selection: Users suggest letting players choose the word mode.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Engaging Gameplay: Many users find the game fun, addictive, and a good way to pass the time.
  • Brain Stimulation: Users appreciate the game's ability to exercise the mind, improve vocabulary, and enhance cognitive skills.
  • Relaxing Experience: Some users find the game relaxing and a good way to relieve stress.
  • Simple and Easy to Learn: The game is easy to pick up and play, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
  • Educational Value: Users, especially seniors and those with learning disabilities, find the game helpful for improving spelling and vocabulary.
  • Appealing Visuals and Music: Some users enjoy the game's design and music.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  1. Address Ad Issues:
    • Reduce Ad Frequency: Significantly decrease the number of ads displayed.
    • Implement Strict Ad Quality Control: Remove deceptive ads and ads that redirect to malicious websites.
    • Fix Ad-Free Purchase: Ensure that users who pay for the ad-free version truly experience an ad-free game.
    • Investigate Malware Reports: Take immediate action to identify and remove any ad networks that are causing malware or scam redirects.
    • Provide a Clear Way to Report Problematic Ads: Allow users to easily report ads that are intrusive, deceptive, or malicious.
  2. Implement iPad Landscape Mode: This is a consistently requested feature that would significantly improve the user experience for iPad users.
  3. Improve Rewards System: Offer more meaningful rewards for completing levels, countries, and daily challenges to increase user motivation.

Medium Priority:

  1. Fix Game Freezing/Crashing: Address any bugs that are causing the game to freeze or crash, especially those related to ads.
  2. Address Word Recognition Issues: Ensure the game recognizes common words.
  3. Provide Clear Instructions: Clarify how to use in-game items such as rockets/fireworks.
  4. Optimize Game Performance: Improve the game's performance to reduce lag and loading times.

Low Priority:

  1. Consider Customizable Word Themes: Explore adding themed word lists for holidays or special events.
  2. Explore Mini-Games: Investigate adding mini-games to provide additional ways to earn rewards.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  1. Ad-Free Mobile Game Platform: A platform that curates high-quality mobile games with a strict "no deceptive ads" policy and transparent monetization models (e.g., subscriptions, one-time purchases).
  2. Mobile Game Ad Quality Control Service: A service that helps mobile game developers identify and remove problematic ads from their games, ensuring a better user experience.
  3. Adaptive Word Game Difficulty: An intelligent word game that adjusts the difficulty level based on the player's skill level, providing a personalized and engaging experience.
  4. Mobile Game Accessibility Suite: A suite of tools that help mobile game developers make their games more accessible to users with disabilities, including customizable interfaces, alternative input methods, and adjustable difficulty levels.

Trends and Observations

  • Ad Complaints are Consistent: The issue of excessive ads has been a persistent problem, suggesting that the developers haven't addressed it adequately over time.
  • Positive Sentiment Despite Ad Issues: Despite the ad problems, many users still enjoy the core gameplay, indicating a strong foundation for the game.
  • Focus on Cognitive Benefits: A significant number of users, particularly seniors, highlight the game's positive impact on their cognitive skills.
  • Some reviews are not in English: There are some reviews that are in other languages, such as Albanian, Spanish, and Russian, indicating that the game is popular in other countries.

Conclusion

Words of Wonders: Crossword has a strong foundation with engaging gameplay and perceived cognitive benefits. However, the excessive and intrusive ad experience is a major detractor and risks alienating users. Addressing the ad issues should be the top priority. Fixing the ad-free purchase, implementing stricter ad quality control, and providing better rewards would significantly improve user satisfaction and retention. By focusing on these improvements, the developers can capitalize on the game's strengths and create a truly exceptional user experience.

Overall Recommendation: Prioritize addressing the ad issues to improve user satisfaction and retention.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/words-of-wonders-crossword/id1369521645?uo=2