Customer Reviews (500)

ctwhite3 • 2025-03-28T16:35:51-07:00

If you’re over 10 and you’d like to lose brain cells, play this game. Focus on eliminating ads, it’s the only way to grow this. If you’re 15 and over I would hope you’d play soduko. #shrink

Sund442 • 2025-03-28T01:24:28-07:00

I would like to get rid off the ads

Sas1979sas • 2025-03-27T14:07:15-07:00

The game is so fun it teaches you math facts and at the same time it is fun and makes you laugh at the same time

Summary of Key Insights

The Math Puzzle Games - Cross Math app receives mixed reviews, with a generally positive sentiment skewed by significant complaints regarding excessive and intrusive advertising. While users appreciate the game's challenging and educational nature, the frequency and length of ads are a major source of frustration. Some users also report technical issues such as crashes, freezes, and problems with in-app purchases related to ad removal. The game is praised for its ability to improve math skills and provide mental stimulation, especially for seniors and children.

Key Strengths:

  • Engaging and educational math puzzles
  • Multiple difficulty levels suitable for various skill levels
  • Potential for improving math skills and providing mental stimulation
  • Simple and easy to use interface

Key Weaknesses:

  • Excessive and intrusive advertising
  • Technical issues (crashes, freezes)
  • Issues with ad removal after purchase
  • Inconsistent difficulty levels
  • Lack of landscape mode on iPad

Overall Sentiment: Mixed. While many users find the game enjoyable and beneficial, the negative impact of ads overshadows the positive aspects.

Quantitative Metrics:

  • Overall Rating (based on score distribution): Approximately 3.7 stars (weighted average)
  • 5-Star Reviews: 49.2% (246/500)
  • 4-Star Reviews: 10.6% (53/500)
  • 3-Star Reviews: 10.4% (52/500)
  • 2-Star Reviews: 11.6% (58/500)
  • 1-Star Reviews: 18.2% (91/500)

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 500 reviews from the Apple App Store.
  • Time Frame: Not explicitly stated, but assumed to be a recent period based on review dates (mostly 2024 and 2025).
  • Analysis Methods:
    • Sentiment Analysis: Categorizing reviews as positive, negative, or neutral based on the expressed opinions.
    • Keyword Extraction: Identifying frequently mentioned words and phrases related to user experience, features, and issues.
    • Topic Modeling: Grouping reviews based on common themes (e.g., ads, difficulty, bugs).
    • Quantitative Analysis: Calculating the distribution of star ratings and deriving an overall rating estimate.

Key User Pain Points

  • Excessive Ads: The most common complaint is the overwhelming frequency and length of ads, often appearing after every puzzle.
    • Impact: Interrupts gameplay, reduces enjoyment, makes the game feel more like an ad platform than a game.
  • Intrusive Ads: Many ads are long, unskippable, and redirect users to the App Store against their will. Some contain inappropriate content.
    • Impact: Frustration, annoyance, potential exposure to unwanted content.
  • Technical Issues: Some users report crashes, freezes, and lag, particularly after updates.
    • Impact: Prevents users from playing the game, leading to frustration and uninstallation.
  • Ad Removal Issues: Users who pay for ad removal sometimes continue to see ads or only have banner ads removed, not the full-screen video ads.
    • Impact: Dissatisfaction, feeling scammed, loss of trust in the developer.
  • Inconsistent Difficulty: Some users find the difficulty levels inconsistent, with "expert" levels being too easy and "medium" levels being too hard.
    • Impact: Reduces engagement, makes the game less challenging or too frustrating.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Landscape Mode: iPad users want the option to play in landscape mode.
  • More Challenging Levels: Experienced players desire a higher difficulty level beyond "expert."
  • Cloud Save/Account Sync: The ability to sync progress across multiple devices.
  • More Milestone Awards: Users are looking for more ways to earn rewards for playing the game.
  • Customization Options: Ability to buy different skins or permanently unlock new features.
  • Date on Puzzles: A way to distinguish new puzzles from repeats.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Educational Value: Users appreciate the game's ability to improve math skills, especially for children.
  • Mental Stimulation: The game provides a good mental workout and helps keep the brain sharp, particularly for seniors.
  • Engaging Gameplay: The crossword-style math puzzles are fun and challenging.
  • Multiple Difficulty Levels: The game offers a range of difficulty levels to suit different skill levels.
  • Simple and Easy to Use: The game is easy to learn and play.
  • Offline Play: The ability to play without an internet connection is a plus.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  1. Reduce Ad Frequency and Intrusiveness: Significantly decrease the number of ads and ensure they are shorter and skippable. Avoid ads that automatically redirect to the App Store. Consider implementing a system where ads appear less frequently for longer play sessions.
  2. Fix Ad Removal Issues: Ensure that purchasing the ad-free version completely removes all ads, including video ads. Provide clear communication about what the ad-free purchase includes. Address refund requests promptly.
  3. Address Technical Issues: Investigate and resolve reported crashes, freezes, and lag. Prioritize bug fixes in future updates.

Medium Priority:

  1. Improve Difficulty Level Balancing: Re-evaluate the difficulty levels and adjust the puzzle generation to ensure a more consistent and challenging experience across all levels.
  2. Implement Landscape Mode: Add support for landscape mode on iPad to improve user experience.
  3. Review Ad Content: Ensure that ads are appropriate for all age groups and do not contain sexually explicit or otherwise offensive material.

Low Priority:

  1. Add Cloud Save/Account Sync: Implement cloud save functionality to allow users to sync progress across devices.
  2. Implement Customization Options: Introduce customization options, such as different skins or themes, to enhance user engagement.
  3. Incorporate User Feedback: Actively respond to user reviews and address reported issues and suggestions.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Ad-Free Premium Math Puzzle Subscription: Offer a subscription-based model with no ads and additional features like daily puzzle packs or exclusive content.
  • Educational Math Game Platform for Schools: Develop a version of the game specifically designed for classroom use, with features like progress tracking, teacher dashboards, and curriculum alignment.
  • Math Puzzle Game with Social Features: Incorporate social features like leaderboards, challenges, and the ability to share puzzles with friends.
  • AI-Powered Math Puzzle Generator: Create a tool that uses AI to generate customized math puzzles based on user skill level and preferences.

Trends and Observations

  • Ad Complaints are Consistent: The issue of excessive ads is a recurring theme across many reviews, indicating a persistent problem.
  • Technical Issues Fluctuate: Reports of crashes and freezes seem to spike after updates, suggesting potential bugs introduced during the update process.
  • Positive Feedback Highlights Educational Value: Many users, especially parents, value the game's educational benefits.
  • "No Ads" Claim Leads to Negative Reviews: Advertising the game as having "no annoying ads" backfires when users encounter frequent ads, leading to strong negative reactions.

Conclusion

Math Puzzle Games - Cross Math has the potential to be a highly successful educational and entertaining game. However, the negative impact of excessive advertising is significantly hindering its success. By addressing the ad issues and implementing the recommended improvements, the developer can significantly enhance user satisfaction and improve the game's overall rating and long-term success. The focus should be on providing a balanced and enjoyable experience that prioritizes gameplay over monetization.

Overall Recommendation: Prioritize reducing ad frequency and addressing technical issues to improve user experience and retention.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/math-puzzle-games-cross-math/id1671991909?uo=2