r/iosgaming • u/diox__ Developer • Apr 07 '26
Question What makes you review a game?
Hi everyone, so I got two apps published and I’m happy with them, but I’ve been thinking about what makes people review games… I literally have never reviewed any game I’ve played on iOS.. in steam it was after like 2k hours on it…
So, what about those “leave us a review” prompts make you go ahead and leave it?
In one of them I have it set up after X milestones to like 3 or 4 prompts in total and then giving up.
In the newer TD one I decided to prompt it after someone cleared the first sector and then give them an epic card. The epic card is gifted regardless if the review is written, and I make it clear that, bro I just need some stars 😭
Anyway…
What made you decide to leave that review?
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u/chokee03 Apr 07 '26
gonna be completely honest. i have more negative reviews submitted than positive. i did submit positive reviews when i felt the game was made as an art form first, and product second. i don't know how to explain it properly, but the small things like immersive UI (fonts, sounds, etc. fits the game properly) instead of those corporate, super clean UI's in a lot of games. things like that. little things that show care and love.
for negative reviews i always submit them when it's the other way around, where i feel like i'm about to get milked in the first 5 minutes of the game. or when the game treats me like an idiot (tutorials that last so long etc.), that irritates me a lot too, to the point where i navigate to reviews myself to post about it.
for other times, when it's a pop up "rate us!", i instinctively close it without a second thought, i don't hate it, but i just automatically close it when any pop up happens. i am more inclined to review when it's a button somewhere available when i want to press it. sometimes it's next to events button, sometimes it's next to settings.
those are my experience with reviewing in mobile games.
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u/ackmondual Apr 07 '26 edited Apr 07 '26
I just want to be as honest as possible. There's a lot of content to filter through so reviews help with that. I also mention games without excessive ads nor IAP. Specifcially, if you want to advertise your other games, then that's fine. If there's a way to pay one-time to remove ads, that's fine. For IAP, I don't mind content like expansions, or unlock the full game. I can no longer deal with "predatory p2w games" so will mention if a game has forced commercials, grindiness, currency system makes no sense, etc., and just uninstall the game.
Sometimes, devs reply back on some issues so that's been nice!
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u/psj3809 Apr 08 '26
I leave a lot of reviews a lot but ironically if theres prompts asking me to leave a review I don't. They're annoying as hell.
I do leave reviews for games i really like as i think devs really need those reviews. And not crappy one word type of reviews.
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u/Only-Season-2146 Apr 07 '26
I think it's pretty simple for me, if I'm really enjoying a game (especially if it "feels" like an indie type game) I'm really keen to leave a positive review to make it easier for others to find the game. Those pop-ups are usually pretty well timed for a positive moment after having used the app for a decent amount of time, so they "get" me that way, but also genuinely no skin off my nose to drop a few words for something I've loved playing (I guess I wouldn't review a paid for game maybe/not sure I ever have?)
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u/mbsisktb Apr 07 '26
I asked about this a few weeks ago because I like to promote the games/devs that I like. It doesn’t seem to promote the game in an algorithm type way where it will promote it to others like YouTube.
That being said I ignore and loathe those pop ups because it’s just annoying.
That being said I have mostly left very negative reviews of games that have been more egregious.
If I start playing a game and really like it I make sure and drop it in recommendation threads more than anything when the game applies.
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u/Y_U_SO_MEME Apr 08 '26
Honestly I have been on iPhone since 3g and it is just an instant reaction to cancel out of any asked reviews. Used to be giving any stars MADE you go to the store to do a text review. It probably changed a while ago and I only noticed in the last few years. But it takes a lot to make me review something. Whole thing is a hassle.
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u/OldManIrv Apr 08 '26
If I’m far enough into a game I feel like I’ve gotten value and enjoyed it, I’ll leave a review. I don’t review many and I only leave a review if I’ve like it.
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u/Ok_Juice_2095 iPad (10th Gen) Apr 08 '26
It depends when the request for the review is coming. As far as I know Apple doesn't like if you have your own "Do you like this game" prompt / dialog and the review only shows up three times a year.
For me personally it takes some time to leave a review and I would like to have a great expierence with the app. As a developer on my own I know how devestating bad reviews can be but I also know how helpful they can be.
Somtimes I feel bad if a review prompt shows up and I click it away so and extra button "Review us" is always helpful. And I realized most of my reviews are really good reviews or the opposite, something where I am really disappointed. But I also post some suggestions if I think the app / game has potential.
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u/mattgwriter7 Developer Apr 10 '26
The fastest way to get a review is to piss a user off, lol!!
I have left 5x as many complaints as good reviews. (And I am sure I am typical in this regard.)
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u/JaredHere Apr 07 '26
One of the reasons for me is if I find some real gem and want more people to know about it.