# Roia — user reviews

> 39 indexed App Store user reviews of Roia by Tobias Sturn, rated 3.50/5 from 24 ratings.

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/roia/id1610097424/reviews
- App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/roia/id1610097424.md
- Rating breakdown: 5★ 9 · 4★ 4 · 3★ 4 · 2★ 3 · 1★ 4

## What do users think of Roia?

**Pros**

- 🎨 Clever, interesting, and intriguing design
- 🌄 Ability to shape the terrain and move mountains
- 🕹️ Smooth and predictable water movement
- 🌳 Relaxing and rewarding gameplay
- 🐦 Helpful bird guide to show the way

**Cons**

- ⏱️ Too short for a paid game
- 🤔 Unclear progression and lack of user feedback
- 🎥 Limited view and inability to rotate the camera
- 🔍 Difficulty in navigating through certain areas
- 🎮 Controls can be challenging on older devices

## Newest reviews (11 of 39)

### 4/5 — Frustrating at times

*2026-03-28, version 1.01*

It’s a really beautiful game. The art and soundtrack are lovely. I think it needed to be a bit clearer though on what to do. The level after the kayakers in particular made no sense. 

The kayakers were a bit excruciating in terms of how I often I had to reset, but then I got to the cars/highway level and there was no resetting even when numerous cars fell off (at one point I was unsure if the actual objective of the level was to be as chaotic as possible and  deliberately knock cars off!). The resetting would’ve helped to indicate what the purpose of the level was (I think it was to water the trees? Even this was a bit obscure as it seemed impossible to water all of them). 

At times the screen would jam and I had no idea why - I couldn’t seem to follow the bird or do anything. The leave with the sheep and campers was painful to scroll. 

The bird itself wasn’t very useful as a guide. It started out useful in the first level, but as the game progressed the mechanics taught in the first level seemed to lose their meaning a bit. 

Overall enjoyable, but the frustration at times took away from this. I think the game is seeking to be minimalistic, and to have players discover the rules/objectives as they go, but I think a BIT more direction would make the game more pleasant (even if there’s a “hint” button to make this optional).

### 4/5 — Super Spiel, schnell durchgespielt.

*2024-10-08*

Ein wirklich schönes, entspanntes Spiel. Ein kleiner Wermutstropfen: total schnell durchgespielt. Weitere Level wären toll.

**Developer response:** Danke für das Lob! Es freut uns sehr, dass es dir gefallen hat! Wenn genug Interesse besteht, wird es vielleicht ein Update geben - wenn du Ideen für neue Level hast, kannst du uns gerne schreiben! :)

### 5/5 — Tolle Reise

*2024-09-29*

Es war eine tolle Reise. Danke :)

**Developer response:** Es freut uns sehr, dass es dir gefallen hat! Danke für dein Lob!

### 5/5 — 子供の頃を思い出すゲーム

*2024-09-18*

シンプルに川を海まで繋ぐゲームだけど色々と深いゲーム

小さい川で葉っぱを流したり砂山で川を作るような小さい頃にした遊びを思い出すような内容でついやりこんで時間を溶かしてしまった

畑に水をやるところではついついムキになってしまったり周回して別ルートを探したり周回毎に新しい遊び方で楽しめる

操作性も一筋縄では行かないけれど独特の操作感で慣れれば思いのままに土を盛ったり、削ったり粘土を触るような面白さがあってクセになる

後半のルート選択の狭さや全体としてのボリュームの少なさは気になるけれど
その分周回が軽いのでまさに砂遊び感覚でやれるのが個人的にツボでした

**Developer response:** 素晴らしいレビューをありがとうございます!あなたがこのゲームを楽しんで、子供の頃のことを思い出したと聞いて、私たちはとてもうれしく思います。それがまさに私たちが呼び起こしたかったことです。さらにフィードバックや追加の課題に関するアイデアがある場合は、contact@emoak.com までお知らせください。

### 5/5 — Wow

*2024-09-12*

There’s something about being able to move mountains (and take them away) that makes this game so appealing. Its clever, interesting, intriguing interspersed with whimsy. Its more problem solving than game which makes this one very unique. It’s a keeper for sure. Try it.

**Developer response:** Thank you so much for your review! We're very happy to hear that you enjoyed the game!

### 3/5 — Too short for a paid game

*2024-09-11*

The game is fun, but it needs to be longer or have more maps/ chapters. I finished the whole game in like an hour

**Developer response:** Thanks for your review! We're sorry to hear that you found it too short - did you manage to collect all the achievements? We're are working on updates and future challenges - stay tuned!

### 3/5 — Отзыв

*2024-09-11*

Игра в принципе интересная, но если разработчики сделают её более длинной в игровом времени, было бы славно.

**Developer response:** Спасибо за ваш отзыв! Следите за будущими обновлениями и новыми испытаниями!

### 3/5 — Lovely idea, maybe just needs gameplay polish

*2024-09-11*

First I want to say that I love the idea and appreciate that something this nice is coming from a solo dev! Many of the ideas in here are lovely. I had originally wanted to rate higher but I am completely stuck in chapter 3 or so. I’ve read in comments that there are walkthroughs but the potential beauty of this game to me isn’t in completing it but making my way through and seeing all the sights. I am stuck at a place where it is unclear how to proceed.

Some of the things I’m rubbing up against are clarity that is lost because of the visuals, the limitations of the interactions and their feedback, and the inability to rotate the view, forcing a very clumsy constructing at times. It also feels like where something like this could be really fluid, natural, and open ended instead im guessing the path the devs want me to take. Other things like resetting the current chapter seem to be missing obvious needs. Overall it feels like the game could greatly be served with a whole lot of user testing, feedback and smoothing of the rough edges, it feels like there is so much potential and such a lovely start!

**Developer response:** Thank you for your review! We're sorry to hear that you are stuck, that should not happen. In general you can find a way by following the bird.
We tried to find a good way between providing a guide and letting the players find their own way. If you have more ideas and feedback or questions you can contact us at contact@emoak.com. We are working on updates and are happy to hear from our users.

### 4/5 — неплохо

*2024-09-09*

игра мне понравилась, но иногда бывает сложновато понять, куда лучше всего направить воду. в игре есть помощники - две птицы, которые сопровождают весь путь и подсказывают, как продолжить путь, однако не всегда это удается с первого раза сделать. игра на пару раз, поскольку можно дополнительно попробовать закрыть некоторое количество достижений. хочется еще отметить приятную музыку, которая сопровождает игровой процесс. из минусов: цена. очень небольшая по времени прохождения игра, есть более качественные и длительные игры за цену ниже, но в целом "и так сойдет", как говорится.

**Developer response:** Спасибо за ваш отзыв! Мы рады, что вам понравилась игра. Иногда бывает непросто найти правильный путь или выполнить достижения с первой попытки. Еще лучше, что ты не сдался! Следите за будущими обновлениями и дополнительными испытаниями.

### 5/5 — A very different game!

*2024-08-13, version 1.01*

I enjoy this game and I am happy I bought it.The graphics are just right for that type of game and it’s relaxing and fun to try to control the water along the way.If you’re looking for something different and calming,well it’s worth playing.

### 4/5 — Canoe Characters

*2024-08-08*

I got to the part where you have the three canoe characters. No matter what I do, once they get to a certain point of the mountain, they flip over. I don’t get it. Otherwise, great game.

**Developer response:** Thank you for your great review and feedback! We're very happy that you like the game!
The part with the kayakers is a bit tricky. You need to steer the water away from the cliffs. It often helps if you raise the terrain under / next to the cliffs, then the kayakers won't run in to them.

## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated)

### 1/5 — Why?

*2026-06-07*

Basically worthless.

### 1/5 — В игре 1 уровень. Сильно сырой!

*2024-09-03*

Игра больше вызвала раздражения чем удовольствие! Не советую ее скачивать, зря потратил. 250₽ сейчас задумался вообще возможно вернуть деньги в эпл  сторе? 
Провелся на рекламу в ютубе

**Developer response:** Привет! Спасибо за ваш отзыв! Нам жаль, что вам не понравилась игра. Не могли бы вы уточнить, почему вас это раздражает? И да, она настроена как непрерывная игра без уровней, но несколько достижений все же можно собрать.

### 1/5 — Too short!

*2024-07-21*

I finished this game in 25 minutes.  Was a great concept but was shocked when it ended so fast.

**Developer response:** We are very happy that you liked the concept of ROIA and congratulations for finishing the game! Have you also completed all achievements? On average players take maybe around 60 minutes to complete the game. The idea of ROIA is not to rush through the game but to take it slowly :)

### 2/5 — To quick to beat.

*2025-02-10*

Gameplay is pretty good for the concept of game. Does only take about 30 mins to complete the game and that’s it. Sadly feels like a waste of money for what the game is. Could be a lot better if there were more chapters.

**Developer response:** We're happy to hear that you enjoyed the game but sorry to hear that you found it too short! While it's true that you can play it through quickly, you can also take your time and explore the landscape or try to finish all the mini games (like collect the sheep or water the plants). If there is enough interest, we will think about adding new levels.

### 2/5 — Unable to proceed beyond level 8

*2024-11-23*

Unable to proceed beyond 8- the bord keeps flying nowhere

### 2/5 — Really wanted to love it

*2024-09-21*

But the controls make it unloveable for me. You mold terrain in 3D, but your view is 2D. Flowing from peak to peak is difficult with poor depth perception, and the lack of 3D view makes the controls feel unpredictable. I am open to the idea that I’m dumb or missing something, but something is definitely very unintuitive here. In addition it definitely feels like there is a correct answer for your path, but there is very little guidance. Combine all that with a frequent lack of landmarks, and I often didn’t know if I was progressing or reworking the same bit of river over and over. I think game play needs to be less rigid, or else more guidance. I got stuck and gave up. Maybe I’ll revisit, maybe not.

**Developer response:** We're sorry to hear that you didn't enjoy Roia! We have heard from a few players that the visibility is difficult, so that is definitely on our list to improve if we do an update.
You can follow the bird if you need guidance, but the game is meant to give you a little bit of liberty where you want to go. As the game progresses, the landscape will change and become more diverse and pronounced.
We hope that you will give Roia another chance - thanks for your feedback!

### 3/5 — Restart too painful/too slow.

*2026-01-08, version 1.01*

Gameplay utterly unintuitive.   

The tutorial leads you off the mountain and that’s it.  

Restart is too painful to try more than once.

### 3/5 — Nice. Aber warum kann ich nicht mehr weiterspielen?

*2025-01-25*

Liebe App-Entwickler, ich hab das Spiel vor Monaten gekauft. Dann aber eine Weile pausiert. Jetzt hab ich wieder angefangen, kann aber nur Kapitel 1 spielen. Die weiteren sind gesperrt? Warum? 🤔

**Developer response:** Hallo! Vielleicht findest du den Weg nicht? Es sollte eigentlich das ganze Spiel spielbar sein. Du kannst uns gerne unter hi@sturn.com kontaktieren, dann können wir dir besser weiterhelfen.

### 3/5 — Okay

*2024-11-25, version 1.01*

There is good potential here. Interface needs quite a bit of work as does not always recognise finger moves. Hopefully developers don’t just grab the money and ignore the game as some updates could be good.  I like the concept so fingers crossed.

### 3/5 — Ein bisschen zu wenig

*2024-09-30*

Eigtl. habe ich was kleines für zwischendurch gesucht - aber das ist ein bisschen zu wenig. Ich finds leider langweilig.

**Developer response:** Es tut uns Leid, das zu hören! Wir wollten ein Spiel machen, das gut nebenbei zu spielen ist und für den Spieler entspannend ist. Wir haben versucht, das durch Grafik und Musik zu vermitteln. Wenn es für dich langweilig war, tut uns das Leid! Du könntest unser vorheriges Spiel, Lyxo, ausprobieren, in dem du Lichtstrahlen lenken musst, um Hindernisse zu umgehen - vielleicht gefällt dir das besser!

## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated)

### 5/5 — Pretty game

*2026-06-11, version 1.01*

Loads really fast, picks up where you left off, and has a surprising level of complexity or simplicity depending on how you’re feeling.

The controls are slightly too simple, as sometimes you need to create quite intricate flow paths but can’t quite do it because there’s something in the foreground. The ability to rotate the view somehow in these cases would be useful. But it doesn’t take away the enjoyment of the game; beautiful, relaxing, and thought provoking!

### 5/5 — Very cool game, worth your ~$5.

*2026-03-14, version 1.01*

One of those ‘work it out your self’ sandbox games

### 5/5 — A gem for sure

*2025-12-25, version 1.01*

This is a hidden gem. Really good fun. Optional challenges. Relaxing. Fun to just mess around with. 

Highly recommended.

### 5/5 — An Excellent Game

*2025-09-10*

Such a peaceful and beautiful game! I’m lucky to have stumbled upon this gem. 
From sculpting the land to watching the water break into tiny blue strands, this game has become one of my favorites. 
Roia is easy to understand and all you need is two fingers. 
This game gives you the chance to appreciate the land we stand on.
Great work!

### 5/5 — Nice and peaceful game

*2025-05-26, version 1.01*

Great music andsatisfying water flow! The game is a bit short but fun. 

Was hoping I would be able to explore the entire stream after reaching the end or see an overview of what we accomplished. I think that would be a nice ending touch

### 5/5 — 10/10

*2025-03-17*

i absolutely LOVED this game - if you have the patience to beat all the hard parts then i think this beautiful game is meant for you. i beat the entire game but there are parts where it gets difficult, finding out this was made by a solo dev blew my mind! its so cute and minimalistic though sometimes i got lost and i couldn’t find the bird haha but i downloaded and took a break last night and completed it this morning ! i need to find more games like this!!

**Developer response:** Thank you for your great review! We're so happy to hear that you liked Roia and that you found it engaging! Maybe you'd like to try our other game, Lynx, which is more of a puzzle game but also in a minimalistic and very beautiful style.

### 5/5 — Thoroughly enjoyed

*2025-03-12, version 1.01*

Exactly what I wanted, something chilled but engaging. ‘Finished’ the game in a couple of hours but looking forward to playing again and completing more of the objectives.

### 5/5 — Hidden  gem

*2025-03-06, version 1.01*

I rarely write reviews but this is truly a hidden gem,  greatly done game and I truly enjoyed the gameplay!!

### 5/5 — Beautiful chilled out game.

*2024-12-28, version 1.01*

Great fun, relaxed play

### 5/5 — Wunderschön

*2024-09-30*

Total entspannend und liebevoll gemacht! Tolle Musik :)

**Developer response:** Danke für dein nettes Feedback! Es freut uns sehr, dass dir Roia gefallen hat!

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-02.*