Customer Reviews (120)

Apparently all names taken • 2025-03-16T17:53:53-07:00

Very Fun Game.

Dune Imperium: Immortality • 2025-03-14T16:01:50-07:00

This game is so great. Much love and appreciation. I love the Rise of IX expansion. Will Immortality be added any time soon?

Dio Montano • 2025-03-07T10:49:34-07:00

Some of the “if you have an alliance” effects both character and intrigue cards don’t take effect. Have resulted in very upsetting matches online. But I love the game!!

Summary of Key Insights

The Dune: Imperium app is generally well-received, with a strong adaptation of the board game mechanics and theme. Users praise its engaging gameplay, challenging AI, and smooth interface. However, several bugs and missing features detract from the overall experience, particularly regarding multiplayer functionality, UI issues on certain devices, and the absence of expansions. The overall sentiment is positive, but addressing the identified pain points would significantly improve user satisfaction.

  • Overall Rating: High (based on score distribution)
  • Key Strengths: Faithful adaptation of the board game, engaging gameplay, challenging AI, good tutorial, smooth interface.
  • Key Weaknesses: Bugs (card effects not triggering, UI issues, crashes), missing features (pass-and-play, expansions), multiplayer issues (disconnects, slow turns).
  • Score Distribution: 64.2% 5-star, 12.5% 4-star, 5.8% 3-star, 3.3% 2-star, 14.2% 1-star reviews

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 120 reviews
  • Time Frame: Not specified, but assumed to be recent based on the version number and mentions of recent movies.
  • Analysis Methods: Sentiment analysis (based on star ratings and review content), keyword extraction (to identify common themes and issues), frequency analysis (to determine the prevalence of specific complaints and requests).

Key User Pain Points

  • Bugs:
    • Card Effects Not Triggering: Some card effects, especially related to alliances and intrigue cards, fail to activate, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
    • UI Issues: Cards in hand can obscure intrigue cards on iPhones, making them unplayable. The "Master Tactician" card can block retreat troop icons. Inability to see card details. Zooming issues after expansion install.
    • Crashes: The game sometimes crashes at the end, especially in online multiplayer.
    • Async Play Bugs: Inability to see results of completed async games.
    • Yuna Bug: Unspecified bug related to the character Yuna.
  • Multiplayer Issues:
    • Disconnects: Frequent disconnects and long reload times, especially when the app loses focus.
    • Slow Turns/Quitting: Players taking excessively long turns or quitting mid-game, ruining the experience for others.
    • Multiplayer System Buggy: Watching the same previous moves repeatedly.
  • Missing Features:
    • No Pass-and-Play: Lack of local multiplayer (hot seat/pass-and-play) is a significant disappointment for many users.
    • Missing Expansions: The absence of "Rise of Ix" and "Uprising" expansions is a common complaint.
  • Other Issues:
    • High CPU Usage: Excessive processor usage on MacBooks.
    • Small Icons on iPhone: Difficulty playing expansion on iPhone due to small icons.
    • Inconsistent Tutorial: Tutorial doesn't fully explain the game's mechanics.
    • AI Feels Cheaty: Some users feel the AI gets unfair advantages.
    • Can't see the bottom of cards: Hold gesture is awkward for details.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Pass-and-Play (Local Multiplayer): This is the most frequently requested feature.
  • Expansions (Rise of Ix, Uprising, Immortality): Users are eager for the expansions to be added to the app.
  • Improved Multiplayer Experience: Features to address slow turns, quitting, and disconnects (e.g., stricter timers, penalties for quitting).
  • 60fps Gameplay on iPad Pro: Users want smoother performance on high-end devices.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Faithful Adaptation: The app accurately translates the board game mechanics and theme.
  • Engaging Gameplay: Users find the game fun, nuanced, and strategically deep.
  • Challenging AI: The AI provides a good challenge, even for experienced players.
  • Good Tutorial: Many users appreciate the tutorial for helping them learn the game, although some find it incomplete.
  • Smooth Interface: The interface is generally considered smooth, intuitive, and well-designed.
  • Great Sound and Visuals: The sound effects and visuals enhance the immersive experience.
  • Offline Play: Ability to play against AI offline is a plus.
  • Saves Setup Time: Saves from setting up and cleaning up the physical game.
  • Challenges and Skirmishes: Are a nice way to mix things up for experienced players.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

  • High Priority:

    • Fix Game-Breaking Bugs: Address issues like card effects not triggering, crashes, and inability to see game results.
    • Implement Pass-and-Play: Add local multiplayer functionality.
    • Address iPhone UI Issues: Resolve the problem of cards obscuring intrigue cards.
    • Improve Multiplayer Stability: Fix disconnects and implement measures to address slow turns and quitting.

  • Medium Priority:

    • Add Expansions: Release the "Rise of Ix" and "Uprising" expansions.
    • Optimize Performance: Reduce CPU usage on MacBooks.
    • Improve Tutorial: Expand the tutorial to cover all game mechanics.
    • Address AI Perception: Review AI behavior to ensure it feels fair and not "cheaty."

  • Low Priority:

    • Add 60fps Option: Implement 60fps gameplay on iPad Pro.
    • UI Customization: Allow users to adjust UI elements and choose tap vs. hold for zoom.
    • Add Achievements and Rewards: Provide more long-term incentives for playing.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • AI Personalization: Develop an AI system that adapts to the player's skill level and play style, providing a more tailored and engaging experience.
  • Enhanced Tutorial System: Create a more interactive and comprehensive tutorial system that guides new players through the game's mechanics step-by-step.
  • Multiplayer Community Features: Implement features that foster a stronger multiplayer community, such as player profiles, leaderboards, and in-game chat.
  • Board Game Adaptation Framework: Develop a framework or SDK that simplifies the process of adapting board games to digital platforms, addressing common challenges like UI design and AI implementation.

Trends and Observations

  • Strong Demand for Expansions: The frequent requests for expansions indicate a highly engaged user base eager for new content.
  • iPhone UI Issues: Recurring complaints about UI issues on iPhones suggest a need for better optimization for smaller screens.
  • Multiplayer Frustration: Multiplayer issues are a significant source of frustration, highlighting the importance of stability and fair play.
  • Positive Sentiment Despite Issues: Despite the identified pain points, the overall sentiment remains positive, suggesting that users are willing to overlook flaws due to the game's core appeal.
  • Language Preference: There is at least one review written in Chinese. The user mentions Chinese font issues. This suggests that there are Chinese speaking players.

Conclusion

The Dune: Imperium app is a successful adaptation of a popular board game, but several issues need to be addressed to improve user satisfaction. Prioritizing bug fixes, implementing pass-and-play, and adding expansions are crucial steps. Addressing UI issues on iPhones and improving the multiplayer experience are also important. By addressing these issues, Dire Wolf Digital can solidify Dune: Imperium's position as a leading digital board game adaptation.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dune-imperium/id1575414319?uo=2