Customer Reviews (100)

Haripreeth Abhilash • 2025-03-24T09:07:26.340Z

Great game

chrautto essou • 2025-03-21T04:48:08.938Z

I regret buying this disgusting game. It is a very bad game. I advise against playing it and wasting your money.

Cesar acosta • 2025-03-20T12:26:50.250Z

good game

Summary of Key Insights

Machinarium enjoys a generally positive reception, with players praising its unique art style, challenging puzzles, and engaging story. However, significant pain points exist, particularly concerning difficulty spikes, control issues (especially on mobile), and glitches. Many users express a strong desire for a sequel. The overall sentiment is positive, but addressing the identified weaknesses could significantly improve the user experience and potentially attract a wider audience. The app has a strong core fanbase, with many users citing nostalgia and repeated playthroughs.

Quantitative Metrics:

  • Overall Rating (estimated): 4.2/5 (based on score distribution)
  • 5-Star Reviews: 60%
  • 4-Star Reviews: 14%
  • 3-Star Reviews: 4%
  • 2-Star Reviews: 8%
  • 1-Star Reviews: 14%

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 100 reviews
  • Time Frame: Not specified, but reviews appear to be from various periods, including recent ones.
  • Analysis Methods: Sentiment analysis (qualitative assessment of positive, negative, and neutral opinions), keyword extraction (identifying frequently used words and phrases), and thematic analysis (grouping related issues and sentiments).

Key User Pain Points

  • High Difficulty/Obtuse Puzzles: Many users, particularly those new to the genre or playing on mobile, find the puzzles excessively difficult and non-intuitive. This is a recurring theme, with some puzzles described as requiring guesswork or external walkthroughs. The "five-in-a-row" mini-game is specifically cited as a roadblock.
  • Control Issues (Mobile): Clunky touch controls and the need for precise positioning are frequent complaints, making the game frustrating to play on smaller screens. Some users report difficulty even getting the character to move.
  • Glitches/Bugs: Several users mention glitches that impede progress, such as actions not registering correctly or the game freezing.
  • Lack of Clear Guidance/Tutorial: Some users find the lack of a proper tutorial or clear in-game guidance disorienting, especially at the beginning. The hint system is criticized for being either too vague or too spoilery.
  • Platform Compatibility: Some users report issues with compatibility on newer Android versions (Android 15).
  • Frustrating Hint System: Users dislike having to play a mini-game to unlock hints, especially when already frustrated. The quality of the hints is also inconsistent.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Machinarium 2/Sequel: The most common request is for a sequel to the game.
  • Improved Controls (Mobile): Users want more responsive and forgiving touch controls.
  • Cloud Save/Google Play Games Integration: Some users have reported issues with saving game data. Improved cloud save functionality or better integration with Google Play Games is desired.
  • More Obvious Hints/Tutorial: A clearer tutorial or more helpful hint system would alleviate frustration for new players.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Unique Art Style/Graphics: The hand-drawn visuals and distinctive aesthetic are consistently praised as a major strength of the game.
  • Challenging Puzzles (for some): While a pain point for some, the difficulty is also seen as a positive by players who enjoy a challenging puzzle experience.
  • Engaging Story: The story, though sometimes subtle, is generally well-received and contributes to the overall immersive experience.
  • Atmosphere/Music: The game's atmosphere, enhanced by its music, is frequently mentioned as a positive aspect.
  • Nostalgia: Many users mention playing the game in their childhood, indicating a strong nostalgic connection.
  • No Ads: The absence of ads is appreciated.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Improve Mobile Controls: Revamp the touch controls to be more responsive and forgiving, addressing the precision issues reported by many users. Consider different control schemes or customizable options.
  • Fix Glitches/Bugs: Thoroughly test the game on various devices and Android versions to identify and fix reported glitches.
  • Address Difficulty Spikes: Rebalance the puzzle difficulty, particularly the "five-in-a-row" mini-game. Consider offering optional difficulty levels or more gradual progression.
  • Improve Hint System: Make the hint system more accessible and provide clearer, more helpful hints that guide players without spoiling the solution. Remove the requirement to play a mini-game to access hints.
  • Ensure Platform Compatibility: Address compatibility issues with newer Android versions (Android 15).

Medium Priority:

  • Add Optional Tutorial/Guidance: Provide a more detailed tutorial or in-game guidance for new players, without forcing it on experienced players.
  • Enhance Google Play Games Integration: Ensure proper saving of game data and achievement tracking.
  • Optimize for Larger Screens/Tablets: Address control and visibility issues on larger screens and tablets.

Low Priority:

  • Consider a Sequel: While highly requested, a sequel requires significant investment. Gauge market demand and development resources before committing.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Mobile Puzzle Game Control Enhancement SDK: Develop an SDK that assists developers in creating more intuitive and user-friendly touch controls for puzzle games on mobile devices.
  • Dynamic Hint System: Create a hint system that adapts to the player's progress and provides tailored assistance, avoiding both vagueness and spoilers.
  • Puzzle Game Difficulty Balancing Tool: Develop a tool that analyzes puzzle game difficulty and provides recommendations for balancing the challenge curve.

Trends and Observations

  • Mobile vs. PC/Tablet Experience: The reviews suggest that the game is generally better received on PC or tablet due to control issues on mobile.
  • Nostalgia Factor: A significant portion of positive reviews are from users who played the game previously, indicating a strong nostalgic connection.
  • Language Preference: The majority of reviews are in English, but there are also reviews in other languages like Czech and Portuguese, suggesting a global audience.

Conclusion

Machinarium remains a beloved game with a strong core fanbase. By addressing the identified pain points, particularly concerning mobile controls and puzzle difficulty, Amanita Design can significantly improve the user experience and potentially attract a wider audience. While a sequel is highly desired, focusing on optimizing the existing game should be the priority.

Original App Link

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=air.net.machinarium.Machinarium.GP