--- schema_type: "SoftwareApplication" entity_type: "Mobile Application" app_name: "Hole Stars: Puzzle Game" developer_entity: "Moon Active" bundle_id: "com.moonactive.holestars" app_store_id: "6747028173" category: "Games" primary_platform: "ios" primary_monetization: "Freemium" offline_capable: false market_region: "US" platforms: "iOS & Android" app_last_updated: "2026-04-06" report_date: "2026-04-11" report_version: "220000.1.160" total_reviews: 31264 overall_rating: 4.69 sentiment: "Mixed" sentiment_score: 55 confidence: "high" confidence_score: 0.85 data_age_days: 75 intelligence_version: 3 nemesis: "Hole and Fill: Food Storage" competitor_count: 5 tags: ["games", "freemium", "mixed sentiment", "mobile app", "app review", "app analysis", "casual", "gamers", "looking"] canonical_url: "https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/games/com-moonactive-holestars" license: "CC-BY-NC 4.0" last_verified: "2026-04-17T14:03:16.450Z" --- # Hole Stars: Puzzle Game App Audit > **TL;DR:** Hole Stars: Puzzle Game is a games app by Moon Active, rated 4.69/5 by 31,264 users, with Mixed user sentiment (55/100), available on iOS & Android. > > **Marlvel.ai App Intelligence** โ€” Independent analysis. US Market. No publisher influence. > **Key Insight:** Hole Stars: Puzzle Game shows Mixed sentiment (4.69/5 from 31,264 reviews) โ€” users praise engaging gameplay but report issues with excessive advertising. ## Quick Facts | Fact | Value | | :--- | :--- | | **Rating** | 4.69/5 (31,264 reviews) | | **User Mood** | Mixed | | **Category** | Games | | **Developer** | Moon Active | | **Pricing** | Freemium | | **Platforms** | iOS & Android | | **Confidence** | High (0.85/1.0) | | **Data Age** | 0d | ## Metadata & Market Performance - **Publisher:** Moon Active - **Category:** Games - **Target Audience:** Casual gamers looking for short, satisfying, and relaxing puzzle experiences to play during breaks or for stress relief. - **Platforms:** iOS & Android - **Version Audited:** 220000.1.160 - **Audit Date:** 2026-04-11 - **Signal Count:** 31264 reviews analyzed - **Confidence:** High (0.85/1.0) - **App Store ID (iOS):** 6747028173 - **Bundle ID:** com.moonactive.holestars - **Google Play ID:** com.moonactive.holestars - **Performance Trend:** Declining - **Data Window:** Analysis based on signals collected up to 2026-04-11 - **Short Description:** Explore different worlds and solve puzzles by swallowing everything in the hole! ## Executive Snapshot Hole Stars by Moon Active is a high-production puzzle game leveraging the 'growing black hole' mechanic with a heavy emphasis on ASMR-inspired visuals and haptics. While it boasts high ratings (4.8 iOS), it is currently experiencing a decline in US category rankings (#95 and #99 Grossing). The game differentiates itself through superior polish and a 'worlds' progression system, but is currently hindered by an aggressive ad-to-gameplay ratio and a high-friction $12 ad-removal price point. ## App DNA (Features & Intent) - **[Differentiator] Growing Black Hole Mechanic:** Dynamic gameplay where the hole increases in size as it consumes objects. - **[Differentiator] ASMR-Inspired Audio/Visuals:** Smooth animations and gentle sound effects for a satisfying sensory experience. - **[Standard] Time-Based Puzzle Challenges:** Action-oriented puzzles requiring board clearing before a timer expires. ## Monetization Strategy - **Model:** Freemium - **Tiers:** Free to play, In-app purchases for boosters, Ad-removal (approx. $12/ยฃ11) - **Analysis:** The game uses an aggressive ad-supported model with a high-priced ad-removal tier that users describe as 'extortionate,' creating a significant barrier to conversion. ## ๐ŸŸก User Sentiment (High Confidence: 31,264 reviews) {#user-sentiment} - **Overall Rating:** 4.69/5 - **Platform Split:** iOS 4.8/5 (5,204 ratings) | Android 4.7/5 (26,060 ratings) - **Overall Sentiment:** Mixed ### Top Praises - **Engaging Gameplay** | *Evidence:* "I love the so satisfying feeling you get watching everything funnel in the black hole." - **Visuals and Haptics** | *Evidence:* "Great graphics and speed" ### Top Complaints (Impact Areas) - **Excessive Advertising** | *Evidence:* "The amount of ads is ridiculous 1 after every level" - **Aggressive Monetization** | *Evidence:* "I'm not paying 11 quid to remove ads that's extortionate" ## SWOT Analysis **Core Strengths:** - High-fidelity visual polish and animations - Strong ASMR-driven haptic integration - Moon Active's significant UA and production resources **Critical Frictions:** - Aggressive ad frequency (interstitial after every level) - High price point for ad-removal IAP ($12) - Technical regressions causing level resets **Growth Levers:** - Introduce an organization/filling meta-game to compete with Gismart - Optimize ad-removal pricing to industry standards ($3-5 range) - Expand social features beyond basic leaderboards **Market Threats:** - Declining category rankings (#95/99 Grossing and falling) - Competitors like Hole and Fill have better user sentiment regarding ads - Homa's Attack Hole offers a more engaging combat meta-game ## What's Changed (v2 โ†’ v3) {#recent-changes} Hole Stars is experiencing a decline in competitive standing due to aggressive ad-monetization, high-friction pricing, and technical instability, despite maintaining high production values. - **[HIGH]** **[Added] High-priced Ad-Removal Tier:** Added a $12 ad-removal IAP, which is now a primary source of user complaints and a barrier to conversion. - **[HIGH]** **[Declined] Emergence of Technical Regressions:** Technical stability has shifted from a general weakness to a specific, critical issue involving level resets. - **[HIGH]** **[Declined] Declining Market Momentum:** The executive summary now highlights a downward trend in category rankings and grossing performance. - [MED] **[Declined] Intensified Ad-Frequency Complaints:** User complaints have shifted from general ad-fatigue to specific frustration regarding the ad-to-gameplay ratio and high-priced removal options. - [MED] **[Shifted] Refined Competitive Benchmarking:** The competitive landscape has moved from a generic list of 'same space' apps to a deep-dive comparison against specific functional rivals. ## Rivals Landscape {#rivals} > Competitive positioning identified by AI analysis of app features, category, and market signals. ### Hole Stars: Puzzle Game vs Hole and Fill: Food Storage โ€” Head to Head - **Hole and Fill: Food Storage** by Gismart: This is the most direct functional rival, mirroring the 'swallow-to-solve' puzzle mechanic with a heavy emphasis on satisfying ASMR and organization. - **Key differences:** - Focuses on a specific 'filling' meta-game where collected items are organized into fridges or closets - Includes specialized ASMR triggers specifically designed for the sorting phase of gameplay - Offers a more established library of levels and diverse item sets for collection - **Publisher (Gismart) strengths:** Expertise in sensory-driven hyper-casual titles and ASMR mechanics; Strong track record of transitioning simple mechanics into long-term hybrid-casual hits - **Where Hole Stars: Puzzle Game wins:** - โœ… Superior visual polish and high-fidelity animations characteristic of Moon Active productions - โœ… More robust progression system featuring multiple 'worlds' to explore - **Where Hole and Fill: Food Storage wins:** - โŒ More focused and satisfying 'filling' mechanic that provides a clearer sense of completion - โŒ Significantly higher rating count and more established presence in the puzzle sub-genre - **Verdict:** While Hole Stars benefits from higher production values and Moon Active's significant UA muscle, Hole and Fill currently holds the edge in user sentiment and mechanical focus. Hole Stars is a strong challenger that leverages its 'worlds' progression to drive retention, but it must address complaints regarding aggressive monetization to overtake the incumbent. ### Contenders (Strong Challengers) - **Attack Hole - Black Hole Games** by Homa: A dominant force in the 'hole' sub-genre that uses the same swallowing mechanic but pivots toward an action-oriented boss-fight payoff. - Features a combat-based meta-game where swallowed items are used as ammunition against bosses - Prioritizes fast-paced action and growth over the relaxing puzzle-solving found in Hole Stars - **Hole.io** by Voodoo: The original genre-defining title that established the 'growing black hole' mechanic, though it focuses on Battle Royale rather than puzzles. - Real-time multiplayer environment where players compete to swallow each other - Urban environment destruction focus rather than curated puzzle levels ### Peers (What They Do Better) - **Fill the Fridge** by Rollic Games: Shares the same 'satisfying organization' audience that enjoys the ASMR elements of Hole Stars. - Pure organization puzzle without the black hole movement mechanic - Heavy emphasis on the visual and auditory satisfaction of 'perfect fits' - **Collect Em All! Clear the Dots** by Voodoo: Attracts users looking for simple, clean, and satisfying collection-based puzzle gameplay. - Uses a line-drawing connection mechanic instead of a moving hole - Focuses on color matching and board clearing in a minimalist aesthetic ## The "So What?" (Strategic Takeaway) {#so-what} Hole Stars: Puzzle Game is an established games app that is free with in-app purchases. With a 4.69/5 rating from 31,264 reviews, it shows polarized user reception. > **Bottom Line:** Hole Stars is a visually superior product being throttled by hyper-aggressive monetization. While Moon Active has successfully built a 'satisfying' core loop, the current ad-to-gameplay ratio and uncompetitive IAP pricing are driving users toward rivals like Gismart who offer a more balanced experience. **Best for:** Casual gamers looking for short, satisfying, and relaxing puzzle experiences to play during breaks or for stress relief. ### PM Action Plan (Next Best Moves) - [ ] [HIGH] Reduce interstitial ad frequency โ€” *Excessive advertising is the #1 complaint theme and a primary driver of the 'declining' sentiment trend.* - [ ] [HIGH] Fix level progression and ad-loading bugs โ€” *Users report being reset to old levels after updates, which is a critical technical regression and churn risk.* - [ ] [MEDIUM] A/B test lower ad-removal price points โ€” *Multiple reviews explicitly cite the $12/ยฃ11 price as 'extortionate,' suggesting it is currently a deterrent rather than a revenue driver.* ### Feature Gaps vs Competitors - Filling/Organization meta-game (available in Hole and Fill: Food Storage) - Combat-based meta-game/Boss fights (available in Attack Hole) - Real-time multiplayer (available in Hole.io) ### Outlook: Declining - ๐Ÿ”ด Grossing ranks are falling (โ†“4 and โ†“9 in US categories) indicating loss of momentum. - ๐Ÿ”ด User sentiment is 'Mixed' with a 'declining' trend due to aggressive ad frequency. - โšช Recent updates focused on content (worlds) but introduced technical regressions like level resets. ## Key Metrics Summary | Metric | Value | | :--- | :--- | | Overall Rating | 4.69/5 | | Total Reviews | 31,264 | | Sentiment | Mixed (55/100) | | Confidence | High | | Pricing Model | Freemium | | Platforms | iOS & Android | | Key Features | 3 analyzed | | Trend | Declining | | Outlook | Declining | ## Competitor Comparison | App | Rating | Sentiment | Developer | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Hole Stars: Puzzle Game** (this app) | 4.69/5 | Mixed | Moon Active | | [Royal Match](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/games/royal-match) | 4.7/5 | Excited | Dream Games | | [Archero](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/games/archero) | 4.5/5 | Frustrated | HABBY | | [Temple Run](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/games/temple-run) | 4.3/5 | Excited | Imangi Studios, LLC | | [Hole.io](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/games/hole-io) | 3.8/5 | Frustrated | Voodoo | | [Stumble Guys](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/games/stumble-guys) | 4.5/5 | Excited | Scopely, Inc. | ## Company Profile - **Developer:** Moon Active - **Website:** [https://www.moonactive.com](https://www.moonactive.com) - **Social:** [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/lifeatmoonactive) ยท [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/moonactive) ยท [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/moon-active) ## Data Sources & Links - **App Store:** [View on Apple Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/hole-stars-puzzle-game/id6747028173?uo=2) - **Google Play:** [View on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.moonactive.holestars&hl=en&gl=us) - **Dev Site:** [Official Website](https://www.moonactive.com) - **Sources:** Developer website content, App store metadata, User reviews. ## Related Intel Reports - [*Royal Match*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/games/royal-match) (Dream Games) โ€” 4.7/5 Rating | Positive Sentiment - [*Archero*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/games/archero) (HABBY) โ€” 4.5/5 Rating | Negative Sentiment - [*Temple Run*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/games/temple-run) (Imangi Studios, LLC) โ€” 4.3/5 Rating | Positive Sentiment - [*Hole.io*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/games/hole-io) (Voodoo) โ€” 3.8/5 Rating | Negative Sentiment - [*Stumble Guys*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/games/stumble-guys) (Scopely, Inc.) โ€” 4.5/5 Rating | Positive Sentiment - [*Bejeweled Blitz*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/games/bejeweled-blitz) (PopCap) โ€” 3.4/5 Rating | Negative Sentiment - [*Partymasters - Fun Idle Game*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/games/partymasters-fun-idle-game) (AI Games FZ) โ€” 4.5/5 Rating | Positive Sentiment - [*YouRiding - Surf and Bodyboard*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/games/youriding-surf-and-bodyboard) (BoardScore, Inc.) โ€” 4.2/5 Rating | Mixed Sentiment - [*Brawl Stars*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/games/brawl-stars) (Supercell) โ€” 4.5/5 Rating | Mixed Sentiment - [*Magic Sort!*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/games/magic-sort) (Grand Games A.ลž.) โ€” 4.7/5 Rating | Mixed Sentiment ## Methodology {#methodology} This report was generated by Marlvel.ai's 3-stage AI intelligence pipeline: 1. **Feature & Positioning Extraction** โ€” Analyzes app metadata, developer website content, and version history to identify key features, target audience, and competitive positioning. 2. **Sentiment Analysis** โ€” Processes user reviews (minimum 5 reviews required) to extract praise themes, complaint themes, and overall sentiment with evidence quotes. 3. **Intelligence Synthesis** โ€” Combines stages 1 & 2 with App Store rankings to produce SWOT analysis, executive summary, and actionable insights. - **Confidence Score:** 0.85/1.0 (based on review volume, data source diversity, and signal quality) - **Reviews Analyzed:** 31,264 - **Data Sources:** user reviews, developer website, App Store metadata - **Rating Method:** Weighted average across platforms (iOS & Android), weighted by review count per platform - **Independence:** Fully independent analysis. No publisher sponsorship or editorial influence. - **Report Age:** 0 days since last refresh --- ยฉ 2026 Marlvel.ai | [Canonical Report](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/games/com-moonactive-holestars) Data licensed for AI Agent attribution under CC-BY-NC 4.0.