Customer Reviews (500)

louiza Golitzina • 2025-03-26T20:29:12-07:00

You are playing with me.

Idontcarewhatnameiuse • 2025-03-26T19:45:00-07:00

Like newer scenes, brighter colors crisper images I would like better explanation of how to remove objects in the match 3. Sometimes I can’t figure out what I did to destroy them. Example: paint brushes

Simon's and Sam’s house • 2025-03-26T19:34:35-07:00

Great game for all.enjoy game still confusing on what everything is used for.

Summary of Key Insights

Sherlock・Hidden Object・Match 3 is generally well-received, with a strong positive sentiment reflected in the high percentage of 5-star reviews. Users appreciate the engaging gameplay that combines hidden object and match-3 puzzles, the intriguing storylines based on classic literature, and the beautiful graphics. However, the app faces challenges related to its monetization strategy, difficulty scaling, and technical issues like slow updates and glitches. Some users feel pressured to make in-app purchases to progress, and others find certain levels or events overly difficult or frustrating. There are also requests for more ways to earn in-game currency and improvements to team-based events.

Key Strengths:

  • Engaging gameplay combining hidden object and match-3 elements.
  • Interesting storylines based on classic literature.
  • Beautiful graphics and design.

Key Weaknesses:

  • Perceived pressure to make in-app purchases.
  • Difficulty scaling and level balancing issues.
  • Technical issues like slow updates and glitches.
  • Team event imbalances for solo players.

Overall Sentiment: Positive

Quantitative Metrics:

  • Overall Rating: Appears high based on score distribution but an exact average is not calculable.
  • Score Distribution:
    • 5-star: 68.2% (341/500)
    • 4-star: 16.8% (84/500)
    • 3-star: 6% (30/500)
    • 2-star: 3.6% (18/500)
    • 1-star: 5.4% (27/500)

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 500 reviews
  • Time Frame: Not specified, but assumed to be a recent sample based on the version number (1.55.5500)
  • Analysis Methods:
    • Sentiment Analysis: Manual assessment of each review to determine overall sentiment (positive, negative, neutral).
    • Keyword Extraction: Identification of frequently mentioned keywords and phrases related to user experiences, pain points, and feature requests.
    • Thematic Analysis: Grouping reviews into common themes to identify recurring patterns and trends.

Key User Pain Points

  • Pressure to Make In-App Purchases (IAP): Many users feel that the game is designed to push them toward making purchases to progress, especially at higher levels or during special events. This includes the cost of crystals, tools, and energy.
  • Difficulty Scaling/Level Balancing: Some users find the game too easy initially, but then experience a steep difficulty curve, making it hard to advance without spending money. Certain levels or events are perceived as rigged or too challenging.
  • Technical Issues (Updates/Glitches): Slow updates, freezing, and other technical glitches are mentioned, impacting the user experience. Some users reported losing purchased items or currency due to glitches.
  • Team Event Imbalance: Solo players feel disadvantaged in team-based events like Sherlock's Sleuths, making it difficult to compete fairly.
  • Lack of Ways to Earn Currency: Users want more opportunities to earn in-game currency (diamonds, rubies, coins) without spending real money.
  • High Cost of Items: The cost of items needed to progress is considered too high.
  • Small Item Size (iPhone): Some iPhone users find the items in hidden object scenes too small to easily find.
  • Confusing Game Mechanics: New players find the game confusing, particularly regarding the use of talismans and other extras.
  • No New Content: Some players at high levels are waiting for new books and levels.
  • Problematic Ads: Ads that are too long or difficult to close are frustrating.

Frequently Requested Features

  • More Ways to Earn In-Game Currency: More opportunities to earn diamonds/rubies through gameplay, ads, or daily rewards.
  • Option to Play Team Events Solo: A way for single players to fairly participate in team-based events.
  • More Flexibility in Game Modes: More control over choosing between hidden object and match-3 modes.
  • Option to Skip Rounds: A feature to skip rounds after failing a certain number of times.
  • Easier Way to Get Assemblers: Easier ways to acquire assemblers for completing collections.
  • More Frequent New Content: More frequent releases of new books, levels, and events.
  • Tutorials and Explanations: Better tutorials and explanations of game mechanics.
  • Use Coins to Buy Rubies/Tools: Allow players to use accumulated coins to purchase rubies or tools.
  • Make Items Bigger (iPhone): An option to increase the size of items in hidden object scenes, especially for iPhone users.
  • Show Hidden Objects After Failure: A feature to show the location of missed hidden objects after failing a scene.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Engaging Gameplay: The combination of hidden object and match-3 puzzles is appealing and keeps the game interesting.
  • Intriguing Storylines: The stories based on classic literature with altered plots are creative and engaging.
  • Beautiful Graphics: The game's graphics are consistently praised for their detail and quality.
  • Variety: The variety of scenes, puzzles, and events keeps the game from becoming repetitive.
  • Challenging: Many users appreciate the game's challenging nature.
  • Relaxing: Some users find the game relaxing and a good way to unwind.
  • Memory Improvement: Some users believe the game helps improve their memory.
  • Offline Play: The ability to play offline is a plus for some users.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Address Monetization Concerns: Re-evaluate the monetization strategy to reduce the perceived pressure to make in-app purchases. Offer more generous rewards and opportunities to earn currency through gameplay.
  • Improve Difficulty Balancing: Adjust the difficulty curve to provide a more gradual challenge. Ensure that levels and events are not overly difficult or perceived as rigged.
  • Fix Technical Issues: Prioritize bug fixes and performance improvements to address freezing, slow updates, and other technical glitches. Thoroughly test updates before release.
  • Balance Team Events: Implement a system that allows solo players to fairly participate in team-based events, or offer alternative solo events with comparable rewards.

Medium Priority:

  • Increase Currency Earning Opportunities: Add more ways to earn diamonds/rubies through daily rewards, achievements, or watching ads.
  • Add More New Content: Release new books, levels, and events more frequently to keep long-term players engaged.
  • Improve Tutorials and Explanations: Provide clearer tutorials and explanations of game mechanics, especially for new players.
  • Allow Coin Usage: Enable players to use accumulated coins to purchase rubies or tools.

Low Priority:

  • Item Size Adjustment: Consider adding an option to adjust the size of items in hidden object scenes, especially for iPhone users.
  • Show Missed Objects: Implement a feature to show the location of missed hidden objects after failing a scene.
  • Team Communication Improvements: Improve team communication features.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Personalized Difficulty Scaling: An AI-powered system that dynamically adjusts the game's difficulty based on the player's skill level and progress.
  • Fair Team Event Matching: A matchmaking algorithm that ensures balanced teams in events, considering player skill and activity level.
  • Collectible Item Marketplace: A marketplace where players can trade or sell collectible items with each other, creating a more engaging and social experience.
  • Community-Created Content: A platform for players to create and share their own hidden object scenes or match-3 levels, expanding the game's content library.

Trends and Observations

  • Language Preferences: The game is available in multiple languages, indicating a global player base.
  • Monetization Concerns: The "pay-to-win" perception is a recurring theme, suggesting a need for a more balanced monetization strategy.
  • Long-Term Player Engagement: Many users have been playing the game for years, indicating strong loyalty and a need for consistent new content.
  • Desire for Fairness: Players value fairness and want to feel like they have a chance to succeed regardless of their spending habits.
  • Positive Core Gameplay Loop: The core gameplay loop of combining hidden object and match-3 puzzles remains popular.

Conclusion

Sherlock・Hidden Object・Match 3 has a strong foundation with its engaging gameplay, intriguing storylines, and beautiful graphics. However, to ensure continued success and player satisfaction, the developers should prioritize addressing the monetization concerns, improve difficulty balancing, and fix technical issues. By listening to player feedback and implementing the recommended improvements, the game can reach its full potential and maintain its position as a top choice in the hidden object and match-3 genres. A more balanced approach to monetization and a focus on fairness will likely result in increased player engagement and long-term retention.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sherlock-hidden-object-match-3/id1489732936?uo=2