Customer Reviews (500)

Ixianna • 2025-03-22T01:09:43-07:00

So this game is entertaining… right up until it tries to strong arm you into paying $4 a week to avoid ads! Once the ads turn on they are frequent and annoying, like so many Unity games these days. Pay or deal with it, but no one time fee here, they expect you to pay by the week! Deleting and relegating to the Evony level of garbage.

Cat123/97 • 2025-03-21T22:39:59-07:00

Thanks for making this game. It is very fun and awesome.

velociraptor prey • 2025-03-21T21:17:44-07:00

…understanding of natural cat bodies and positioning…charming, actually. However, I would appreciate it if I would not be faced with cats lying under vehicle wheels, or lying out in the streets. Maybe hide them somewhere less chancy? Thanks. Love the game; it’s very relaxing!

Summary of Key Insights

"Find The Cat - Hidden Objects" is generally liked for its simple, relaxing gameplay and cute aesthetic. However, the overwhelming consensus is that the excessive number of ads significantly detracts from the user experience. The high cost of the ad-free version (a weekly subscription) is a major point of contention. There are also complaints about glitches, AI-generated art, and the game becoming repetitive. While the core game mechanic is appealing, the monetization strategy is pushing users away.

Key Strengths:

  • Simple and relaxing gameplay
  • Cute cat-themed aesthetic
  • No time limit in basic levels (generally appreciated)
  • Appealing to a wide age range

Key Weaknesses:

  • Excessive and intrusive ads
  • Expensive weekly subscription for ad removal
  • Glitches (e.g., losing lives when moving the screen, game freezing)
  • Repetitive levels
  • AI-generated art (detracts for some users)

Overall Sentiment: Mixed. Many users enjoy the core gameplay but are frustrated by the ads and monetization.

Quantitative Metrics:

  • Overall Rating: Not directly calculable from the provided percentages, but leaning positive due to a higher percentage of 5-star reviews.
  • Score Distribution: 5-star: 58.2%, 4-star: 7.6%, 3-star: 9.4%, 2-star: 9.4%, 1-star: 15.4%

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 500 reviews
  • Time Frame: Not specified, but assumed to be recent based on the version number (3.6.1) and mentions of updates.
  • Analysis Methods: Manual review and thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns, sentiments, and feature requests. Keyword extraction was used to quantify the frequency of specific complaints (e.g., "ads," "subscription," "glitches").

Key User Pain Points

  • Excessive Ads: The most frequent complaint. Ads appear after every level, are often long and difficult to close, and interrupt gameplay.
  • Expensive Ad Removal: The $3.99/week subscription fee to remove ads is considered exorbitant and unreasonable by many users. They overwhelmingly prefer a one-time purchase option.
  • Glitches/Bugs: Users report losing lives when simply moving the screen, the game freezing or not loading, and levels repeating.
  • Repetitive Gameplay: Some users find the levels become repetitive, with cats hidden in similar locations.
  • AI-Generated Art: Some users dislike the use of AI-generated art, finding it visually unappealing and lacking in artistic merit.
  • Misleading In-App Purchase Information: Several users reported that the App Store description mentions an $8.99 one-time purchase to remove ads, but this option is not available in the game.
  • Ads Even After Purchasing Ad-Free: Some users reported that they are still seeing ads even after purchasing the ad-free option.

Frequently Requested Features

  • One-Time Purchase for Ad Removal: Overwhelmingly the most requested feature.
  • More Levels/Variety: Users want more unique levels and a greater number of cats to find in each level, especially as they progress.
  • Landscape Mode: Some users requested the ability to play in landscape mode, particularly on iPads.
  • Option to Revisit Past Levels: Users want to be able to replay previously completed levels.
  • Timed Levels (as an Option): Some users requested timed levels for added challenge (as an optional mode).
  • Option to Disable Rockets (Hints): The automatic use of hints is unwanted by some players.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Relaxing and Simple Gameplay: Many users find the game relaxing and enjoyable, especially due to the lack of a timer in the basic levels.
  • Cute Aesthetic: The cat-themed graphics and sounds (meows) are generally well-received.
  • Accessibility: The game is considered easy to learn and play, making it suitable for a wide age range.
  • Offline Play: The ability to play offline is appreciated.
  • Forgiving Gameplay: The point system is forgiving and levels are accomplishable.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Re-evaluate Monetization Strategy: Replace the weekly subscription for ad removal with a one-time purchase option at a reasonable price. This is the most crucial change to improve user satisfaction.
  • Reduce Ad Frequency and Length: Significantly reduce the number of ads and their duration, even if a one-time purchase option is not implemented immediately.
  • Fix Glitches and Bugs: Address the reported glitches related to losing lives when moving the screen, game freezing, and levels not loading.
  • Address Misleading Information: Correct the in-app purchase information in the App Store description to accurately reflect the available options.
  • Ensure Ad-Free Purchase Works: Fix the issue of users still seeing ads after purchasing the ad-free option and provide refunds to affected users.

Medium Priority:

  • Increase Level Variety: Add more unique levels and increase the number of cats to find per level as players progress.
  • Consider Landscape Mode: Explore the feasibility of adding landscape mode, especially for iPad users.
  • Address AI Art Concerns: If feasible, consider incorporating more original artwork in future updates. If continuing to use AI art, focus on creating more visually appealing and coherent scenes.

Low Priority:

  • Add Optional Timed Levels: Implement timed levels as an optional mode for users seeking a greater challenge.
  • Add Option to Revisit Levels: Allow users to replay previously completed levels.
  • Provide Option to Disable Rockets (Hints): Give users the option to disable automatic hints.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Ethical Mobile Game Monetization Platform: A platform that provides developers with alternative, less intrusive monetization strategies than excessive ads and predatory subscriptions.
  • AI Art Review Service: A service that reviews and critiques AI-generated art used in games, providing feedback on visual coherence and aesthetic quality.
  • Mobile Game Bug Reporting and Resolution Service: A platform that allows users to easily report bugs and track their resolution, providing transparency and accountability from developers.

Trends and Observations

  • Strong Negative Sentiment Towards Weekly Subscriptions: Users are overwhelmingly opposed to weekly subscription models for casual mobile games.
  • Ads are a Universal Pain Point: Even users who initially report "no ads" often update their reviews later to complain about the sudden increase in ad frequency.
  • "Royal Match" Ads are Particularly Annoying: Several reviews specifically mention the annoying and repetitive nature of ads for the game "Royal Match."
  • Some Users Report Initial Ad-Free Experience: Some users report initially experiencing the game with few or no ads, which makes the subsequent increase in ad frequency even more jarring.

Conclusion

"Find The Cat - Hidden Objects" has a solid foundation with its simple, relaxing gameplay and cute aesthetic. However, its current monetization strategy is severely damaging the user experience and driving players away. By addressing the excessive ads, offering a more reasonable one-time purchase option, and fixing reported glitches, the developer can significantly improve user satisfaction and potentially increase long-term revenue. A shift away from AI-generated art and towards more original content could also enhance the game's appeal to a wider audience.

Overall Recommendation: Prioritize monetization changes to reduce user frustration and improve the overall game experience.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/find-the-cat-hidden-objects/id6523424272?uo=2