Stereotypo 2 Hack 1.8.0 + Redeem Codes

Knowing the correct number of photos is a MUST!!!

Either given for each level automatically, or as an AFFORDABLE hint. (Costs less than the amount of coins earned for each win.)

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I really really love the premise of this game. The biggest problem I have with it, however, is the difficulty. I’m all for hard puzzles, but this is more an issue of subjectivity/specificity of a lot of the topics, in conjunction with the photos given. If this is just the level of difficulty the devs wanted, I understand, but in that case, either hints should not be so expensive, or EVERY puzzle should tell you the number of photos in the answer. (As of right now, the “hint” to reveal the correct number of pictures is the most expensive, at 30 coins. I’m currently halfway through the second pack, and I only have enough coins for two hints.) A LOT (too many) of my answers have been pure luck based, or, more frustratingly, tedious trial and error.

I’ve got no problem supporting apps with purchases.. but I DO have a problem when a game/puzzle is virtually unplayable without having to spend money. The problem in this games case is that coins are WAY too undervalued for how necessary they are to progress. $.99 gets you 50 coins. That only buys one full hint (30 coins). Yes, there are other, “cheaper” hints, however, in practice they are much more expensive. For example, the “cheapest” will remove one photo for 10 coins. However, it’s completely random, usually removes the obvious choice, and, most importantly, when you are starting out with 16 photos, you’re gonna have to use it multiple times. You can not make a hint cost 30 coins when you only reward 3 coins for passing a level. This is also such a big problem because the app is set up in a way that you can not choose the next puzzle, and you can not go back and replay levels. There is no way to earn more coins (by replaying levels at increasing difficulty, or by skipping around to earn coins on levels that you can solve.)

My suggestions for the devs are this:

Each puzzle should tell you how many pictures are in the answer. (Maybe make it an optional setting, give the photo count for “regular mode”, and keep it the way it is for people who want to play on “super hard mode”) or, if you don’t like that, at the very least, it should be an AFFORDABLE hint. It should not cost more than the reward for passing a level.
Better hints. The kind of hint I need is the kind that will tell me if I’m on the right track. For example, I’ve got 5 photos selected. Provide a hint that will tell me if the photos selected are correct. Or how many of them are correct. Another hint idea would be to label the pictures. The number of random old white guys is ridiculous. There is no way to know who they are. So if there is a hint that can provide a label or keyword for the photos, now at least I can look up these dudes and find out where they are from and why they are famous!
Either increase the amount of coins rewarded for winning a level, or make hints MUCH cheaper. A good rule of thumb for valuation is this: “Can the player advance to the next round with no knowledge of this topic?” “Can the player learn enough from the hints to progress?” “Can the player skip this level in order to earn more coins and come back to it?” In your case, the answer is always NO. If you only award 3 coins, those 3 coins should at the very least, allow for the person to skip the level.
My final advice would be this: Award 10 coins for winning a level. It costs 10 coins to skip a level. (With a way to return and try again.) Hint options are: For 2 coins, how many photos are in the correct answer? For 4 coins: Out of the photos selected (must be a set amount, either based on how many photos are provided or how many photos are in the correct answer. Less than 12 options: must have 3 selected, More than 12 options, must have 5 selected. Or, if you know how many you need, must be equal to that.), these are correct. (It will then remove the wrong photos from the board). (This way you cannot abuse this hint by selecting ALL the photos, and at the same time, you can purchase it multiple times) For 7 coins: Label each photo/or some other type of TEXT CLUE. For example “Argentina is known for it’s festive dancing, it’s love of sports, unique skyline, and the inventor of ____.”

TL;DR: Bottom line is this, Devs: the coins rewarded is immensely disproportionate to the cost of hints, and the number of photos in the answer should either be given in the beginning, or available as a hint that can be purchased with the coins rewarded.

I do love the game, you’ve done a great job so far! I just really think that with these changes, you can get it to the top of the charts!