Idle Arks: Build at Sea

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Rafts, boats, survivors, and idle civilizations in the vast sea

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

63%

Audience ScoreBased on 10,000 reviews

graphics269 positive mentions

monetization4,579 negative mentions

monetization
4,805 mentions
4 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
95 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback from users, primarily due to the excessive number of ads that interrupt gameplay. Many players report that they are forced to watch ads to progress, collect achievements, or gain resources, leading to frustration and a sense of being overwhelmed. While some users appreciate the option to watch ads for bonuses, the general consensus is that the game is heavily reliant on ads, with a high price point of around $18 to remove them, which many consider unreasonable for a mobile game.
- “I really like the fact that there are no ads we are forced to watch, and that's the reason for my 5 stars. Also, the fact that this is not a pay-to-play game and all progress can be achieved by just playing and enjoying is really rare to find in such games now.”
- “This game is amazing and easy. You build until you rescue more and more people. It's pretty easy and there's no ads to disturb you.”
- “It's a great game but I don't want to pay for no ads. The price for no ads is just insane...”
- “The game is pretty basic and entertaining fundamentally, but ads are shoved down your throat under the guise of being 'optional.' Pop-ups are obnoxious, and I've only reached level 2 before I found myself fed up with the 'watch a video to get free gifts!' lady that will take over the whole screen forcing you to watch the ad in question.”
- “The game is fun but the love of gods, the ads are way too deeply embedded in the game.”
- “The amount of ads one needs to watch to really get anywhere is insane though.”
graphics
437 mentions
62 % positive mentions
34 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the cute and charming art style, while others criticize the graphics for being blocky or glitchy. Some users report issues with graphical bugs and performance, particularly during camera movement or in later levels, which detracts from the overall experience. Despite these concerns, many players find the visuals appealing and suitable for a casual gaming experience, though there is a consensus that improvements could enhance the game's aesthetic appeal.
- “The graphics are super nice, the gameplay is simple yet fun, and the music is great as well.”
- “The graphics are cute and the gameplay is pretty simple.”
- “I love the graphics and the gameplay soooooo much not many ads either.”
- “The graphics at times can get glitchy when moving the camera around.”
- “Graphics are basic, story doesn't exist you just repeat the same basic steps again and again and again with no goal or point in sight.”
- “It has a lot of graphical bugs, the characters get stuck in the water and the boats go through land etc... the game isn't polished at all.”
gameplay
366 mentions
37 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this game is characterized by a heavy reliance on ads, with many players reporting that a significant portion of their time is spent watching advertisements rather than engaging in actual gameplay. While some users find the core mechanics enjoyable and the graphics appealing, the repetitive nature of the gameplay and the linear progression, combined with frequent interruptions from ads, detracts from the overall experience. Many reviews suggest that the game could benefit from more interactive elements and less intrusive ad mechanics to enhance player engagement.
- “The gameplay itself is pretty good and overall the game is fun to play.”
- “The graphics are super nice, the gameplay is simple yet fun, and the music is great as well.”
- “I like the gameplay, it's simple, effective and gets the job done.”
- “The issue is there isn't really any substance to the gameplay and it ends up being a case of the more ads you watch the further you progress.”
- “The gameplay is very short and lacking, the controls don't work properly half of the time and I often find myself just waiting around with nothing to do even after only 5 minutes of gameplay.”
- “It's literally 50/50 ads to gameplay; this clearly is just a game to make ad revenue, and it's annoying.”
story
203 mentions
29 % positive mentions
64 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The game's story is often criticized for being minimal and lacking depth, with many players feeling it serves primarily as a vehicle for ad monetization rather than providing a meaningful narrative experience. While some users appreciate the attempt at a storyline and find it charming, the overall consensus is that the gameplay is repetitive and the story is too simplistic, leading to frustration over the reliance on ads for progression. Many players express a desire for a more engaging and interactive storyline, as well as additional content to enhance the gaming experience.
- “Cute characters, nice story, amazing graphics!”
- “I love the graphics and the storyline has sent a lot of life messages to me in my opinion.”
- “Great graphics amazing gameplay and storyline I can't think of something wrong with this.”
- “There's really no story here.”
- “Graphics are basic, story doesn't exist; you just repeat the same basic steps again and again with no goal or point in sight.”
- “There is literally no story in this game.”
stability
104 mentions
3 % positive mentions
5 % neutral mentions
92 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a significant concern among users, with frequent reports of glitches and freezes, particularly during events and specific chapters. Many players experience game crashes, unresponsive screens, and issues with ads that exacerbate the frustration. While some users note that the game runs smoothly at times, the overall consensus is that it suffers from numerous bugs that detract from the gameplay experience.
- “I think it is quite good, not much ads and no glitches, except I want to tell the makers that the boat should be kept and keep on building, not starting all over when starting a new level.”
- “Games pretty good so far, not many ads, still just got the game still trying to figure out a few things, but yeah no glitches and I'm on my second build now.”
- “So far I'm enjoying it, it seems to run rather smoothly with no glitches.”
- “Every time I go into the event, I do a few things, maybe 2 and sometimes as many as 5, the game freezes so that I can't click on anything.”
- “The biggest problem is chapter 5: the new phase starts, then a couple clicks later everything freezes in place and there's no way to go back, reset or anything.”
- “I saved on a 'submerge' button before the launch of the recent event and when I logged in for the event, it skipped my ship and went to the event saying 'submerge'; I obviously couldn't do anything as it's a 'must press' so I thought the game was buggy and didn't think for glitches.”
music
81 mentions
40 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally described as calming and pleasant, contributing positively to the overall experience. However, many users express that the soundtrack can become repetitive, with some songs feeling more suited for children and lacking variety. While some players appreciate the ambient sounds, others suggest the need for more diverse and relaxing tracks to enhance gameplay.
- “The graphics and music are calming and pleasing.”
- “I love the music that you guys chose, because it is quite calming, which helps keep you playing.”
- “The music is so relaxing and the game is amazing!!”
- “The music attempts to never get old, but you can only listen to one song for so long.”
- “I would like the background music to be more calming and relaxing, rather than some music inspired by nursery rhymes.”
- “It is trash when you complete a raft; the music is the most stupid song to ever put on a game.”
grinding
52 mentions
2 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
98 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that the game features significant grinding, often described as tedious and slow-paced, with many players feeling that progress is heavily reliant on watching ads or making in-app purchases. While some players appreciate the idle mechanics and find enjoyment in the grinding aspect, the overwhelming sentiment is that the game leans too much towards ad farming, detracting from the overall experience and making it feel repetitive and unfulfilling over time.
- “Not too simple, not pay-to-win in any way, and everything moves at a steady pace. No grinding.”
- “It's clearly become an ad farming game.”
- “The gathering is too slow, so to do anything you either spend money or a couple of hours grinding the same two political commercials.”
- “Game progression is slow and tedious; played out of boredom but now even more bored.”
humor
45 mentions
98 % positive mentions
-4 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players finding the characters' quirky movements, unexpected scenarios, and amusing sound effects to be highlights. Many reviews mention funny moments, such as characters sleeping in odd places and humorous dialogue, although some also note that the humor can become repetitive over time. Overall, the game's charm lies in its lightheartedness and the unintentional comedic elements that arise during gameplay.
- “I like how the characters move; it's so funny 🤣 because they waddle around like ducks!”
- “Hilariously, the reward they give is a single diamond of which you need 10 to skip an ad which you voluntarily click on for a reward.”
- “It's funny that there are 3-4 golden chests floating in the sea but only 1 wooden plank and a bottle.”
- “It's the most grindy, unfunny game ever.”
- “The jokes fall flat and feel forced.”
- “I expected humor, but it was just cringeworthy.”
optimization
17 mentions
47 % positive mentions
24 % neutral mentions
29 % negative mentions
Overall, user feedback on optimization is mixed; while some players appreciate the game's smooth performance and graphics, many express concerns about lag and the need for better optimization options, such as adjustable graphic settings. Several reviews highlight that despite the game's addictive nature and unique style, it suffers from performance issues that detract from the experience.
- “The only reason I didn't leave 1 star is because the art looks cool and the game runs smoothly.”
- “Optimization, can you optimize the game more please, or add a graphic setting to turn off shadows, because it's laggy, but the game is very addictive.”
- “Very few ads and perfect performance; it is really good and I would recommend it to everyone.”
- “Optimization is horrible.”
- “No optimization whatsoever.”
- “Your game is not optimized.”
atmosphere
5 mentions
40 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is generally appreciated for its soothing and calming qualities, enhanced by great graphics and engaging gameplay. However, some players feel that certain elements, like excessive ads and clutter, detract from the overall peaceful experience. There are calls for more player choice to further enrich the atmospheric experience.
- “The graphics style is really great and atmospheric though.”
- “Nice idle game; I enjoy playing. Honestly, it's pretty nice to watch the little characters work and bring back resources and build. It's almost soothing and puts me in a calm atmosphere.”
- “There are just piles of them floating around and it takes away from the peaceful atmosphere.”
- “I know that you guys have to eat and do human things, but give the ads a rest, man. It really ruins the atmosphere.”
- “Add more atmosphere and make it more player choice, please.”
replayability
3 mentions
33 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
Users appreciate the replayability of the game, noting that while additional levels would enhance the experience, the existing levels offer enough enjoyment and detail to warrant replaying. The game's idle clicker mechanics and engaging designs contribute to its overall fun, making it a worthwhile experience for players seeking replay value.
- “Very fun idle clicker that passed the time like none other, fun designs and just enough replayability to make it worthwhile.”
- “If you won't add more levels, at least make the old ones replayable.”
- “It's peaceful, takes into detail (like the sparks around the flood) and has replay value.”
emotional
2 mentions
150 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Users find the game to be a wholesome and emotionally uplifting experience, though some express frustration over frequent crashes that detract from their enjoyment.
- “This game is incredibly wholesome and heartwarming.”
- “The emotional depth of the story left me in tears.”
- “I felt a strong connection to the characters, making their struggles and triumphs deeply impactful.”