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.
Product velocity
Unknown
Daily rank 🇺🇸
#116
▼19Games · free
Sentiment
4.7
33k reviews
Nemesis
Hole and Fill: Food Hoarding!
The App DNA
What makes this app unique?
For Casual gamers looking for short, satisfying, and relaxing puzzle experiences to play during breaks or for stress relief.
Key features
Dynamic gameplay where the hole increases in size as it consumes objects.
Smooth animations and gentle sound effects for a satisfying sensory experience.
Action-oriented puzzles requiring board clearing before a timer expires.
How much does it cost?
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.
Velocity
Who built it?
Moon Active
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Hole Stars: Puzzle Game
Coin Master - Board AdventureUser Sentiment
What do users think recently?
Fresh user feedback skews mixed. Users appreciate engaging gameplay and visuals and haptics, but report excessive advertising.
How are ratings & reviews evolving?
What users say, by theme
- Engaging Gameplay
- Visuals and Haptics
Unlock 1 more frustration theme, each backed by review evidence.
Access the full report for freeCompetition
Competitive landscape for Hole Stars: Puzzle Game
How's the Games market?
The rivals identified
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.
- 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
Unlock the head-to-head verdict: where this rival wins, and where it loses.
Access the full report for freeThe Analyst's Read
Key takeaways for Hole Stars: Puzzle Game
Where is it heading?
- 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.
The SWOT
- High-fidelity visual polish and animations
- Strong ASMR-driven haptic integration
- Moon Active's significant UA and production resources
- 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
Next best moves
Reduce interstitial ad frequency
+ 2 more prioritized movesFeature gaps
Filling/Organization meta-game (available in Hole and Fill: Food Storage) +2
Since the last report: 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.
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.
Unlock 3 critical frictions, 3 market threats, 2 more prioritized moves and the analyst’s take.
Access the full report for freeReport last updated