--- 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: 32588 overall_rating: 4.7 sentiment: "Mixed" sentiment_score: 55 confidence: "high" confidence_score: 0.85 data_age_days: 128 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/apps/com-moonactive-holestars" license: "CC-BY-NC 4.0" last_verified: "2026-04-11T00:00:00.000Z" --- # Hole Stars: Puzzle Game Intelligence Report > **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** — Independent analysis. US Market. No publisher influence. > **Key Insight:** Hole Stars: Puzzle Game shows Mixed sentiment (4.69/5 from 31,264 reviews) — 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** | 128d | ## 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 Reviewed:** 220000.1.160 - **Report 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/£11) - **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. ## 🟡 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** - **Visuals and Haptics** ### Top Complaints (Impact Areas) - **Excessive Advertising** ## SWOT Analysis **Core Strengths:** - High-fidelity visual polish and animations - Strong ASMR-driven haptic integration - Moon Active's significant UA and production resources **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 ## What's Changed (v2 → 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** - **[HIGH]** **[Declined] Emergence of Technical Regressions** - **[HIGH]** **[Declined] Declining Market Momentum** - [MED] **[Declined] Intensified Ad-Frequency Complaints** - [MED] **[Shifted] Refined Competitive Benchmarking** ## 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 - **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 ### 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. It holds a 4.69/5 rating from 31,264 reviews. > **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 ### Feature Gaps vs Competitors - Filling/Organization meta-game (available in Hole and Fill: Food Storage) ### Outlook: Declining - 🔴 Grossing ranks are falling (↓4 and ↓9 in US categories) indicating loss of momentum. - 🔴 User sentiment is 'Mixed' with a 'declining' trend due to aggressive ad frequency. - ⚪ 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/apps/royal-match) | 4.7/5 | Excited | Dream Games | | [Archero](https://marlvel.ai/apps/archero) | 4.5/5 | n/a | HABBY | | [Temple Run](https://marlvel.ai/apps/temple-run) | 4.3/5 | Excited | Imangi Studios, LLC | | [Hole.io](https://marlvel.ai/apps/hole-io) | 3.8/5 | n/a | Voodoo | | [Stumble Guys](https://marlvel.ai/apps/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) · [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/moonactive) · [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/apps/royal-match) (Dream Games) · 4.7/5 Rating | Positive Sentiment - [*Archero*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/archero) (HABBY) · 4.5/5 Rating - [*Temple Run*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/temple-run) (Imangi Studios, LLC) · 4.3/5 Rating | Positive Sentiment - [*Hole.io*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/hole-io) (Voodoo) · 3.8/5 Rating - [*Stumble Guys*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/stumble-guys) (Scopely, Inc.) · 4.5/5 Rating | Positive Sentiment - [*Bejeweled Blitz*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/bejeweled-blitz) (PopCap) · 3.4/5 Rating - [*Partymasters - Fun Idle Game*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/partymasters-fun-idle-game) (AI Games FZ) · 4.5/5 Rating | Positive Sentiment - [*YouRiding - Surf and Bodyboard*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/youriding-surf-and-bodyboard) (BoardScore, Inc.) · 4.2/5 Rating - [*Brawl Stars*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/brawl-stars) (Supercell) · 4.5/5 Rating - [*Magic Sort!*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/magic-sort) (Grand Games A.Ş.) · 4.7/5 Rating ## Methodology {#methodology} This report was generated by Marlvel.ai's 3-stage AI intelligence pipeline: 1. **Feature & Positioning Extraction** — Analyzes app metadata, developer website content, and version history to identify key features, target audience, and competitive positioning. 2. **Sentiment Analysis** — Processes user reviews (minimum 5 reviews required) to extract praise themes, complaint themes, and overall sentiment as synthesised themes (no verbatim quotes). 3. **Intelligence Synthesis** — 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:** 128 days since last refresh --- © 2026 Marlvel.ai | [Canonical Report](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-moonactive-holestars) Data licensed for AI Agent attribution under CC-BY-NC 4.0.