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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Island Building vs EverMerge

Island Building 4.7★ · Free + IAP · ⚠ stale 60
Winner EverMerge
EverMerge 4.6★ · Free + IAP 75

EverMerge is the better choice for players seeking a more engaging and longer-lasting merge game experience, despite recent issues with ads and technical glitches, while Island Building suffers from a lack of updates and a finite amount of content.

Full reviews: Island Building · EverMerge

EverMerge offers a more expansive and continuously evolving gameplay experience, with many users playing for years, though recent updates have introduced frustrating ads and technical problems. Island Building, while initially fun, is criticized for its short game length, repetitive ads, and lack of new content.

Head to head

Features and Gameplay edge: EverMergeR2R8R11R14
Island Building Island Building is praised for its fun puzzle and building mechanics and multiple progression systems, with some calling it the 'best idle game ever' R2R8. However, many users report reaching the end of the game quickly, with no new tasks or content to spend in-game currency on R11R14R26R28. Some find the game boring and repetitive, with slow progress and a lack of action R4R24.
EverMerge EverMerge is lauded for its 'ever evolving fun' with varied tasks, quests, and new areas, characters, and side quests to keep players engaged . Users appreciate that they can earn everything without real money and that the game is easy but not boring . However, some recent changes to events and the 'Merge Pass' have been criticized for making the game harder and less rewarding .
Ease of Use and Progression edge: EverMergeR13R4R21R24
Island Building Island Building's tutorial is considered too long by some R13. Players often complain about slow progress, with upgrades taking hours and needing to leave the app to accumulate enough money R4R21R24. Some users also report issues with the spin wheel being rigged and not providing good rewards .
EverMerge EverMerge is generally seen as easy to play , with many users playing for years and progressing without spending money . However, recent complaints indicate that progress has become slower, making it difficult to finish events without constant play or buying energy . Some users also wish for better organization options, like for animals on Mystic Island .
Reliability and Performance tieR9R12R40R54
Island Building Island Building is plagued by glitches, including freezing during ads, the game shutting off when navigating to islands, and battery drain R9R12R40R54. Some users also report not receiving daily rewards after updates .
EverMerge EverMerge has recently experienced significant reliability issues, with frequent crashes when moving between areas, watching ads, or during general gameplay . Many users report the game failing to load past a certain percentage or losing all progress after updates or device changes .
Price and Value (Free vs. Paid) tieR1R10R37R22
Island Building Island Building is criticized for excessive and intrusive ads, with some users seeing multiple ads in one go or ads every 10 seconds R1R10R37. The game is also accused of false advertising regarding ads and being designed primarily to benefit the creator through ad clicks R1R22. In-app purchases are mentioned as expensive, and some users experience issues with purchases not being recognized or perks not being delivered R21.
EverMerge EverMerge users report a significant increase in the number and length of ads, particularly when moving between game sections or claiming rewards, leading to frustration and thoughts of deleting the game R63. There are also complaints about the game becoming 'pay to play' or requiring purchases to progress at a reasonable pace . Issues with in-app purchases, including a switch from Apple Pay to a third-party system and not receiving purchased items, have been reported .
Support and Updates edge: EverMergeR26R28R32R34
Island Building Island Building is criticized for a lack of updates, with users completing all content and having nothing new to do for a year or more R26R28R32R34. There are also reports of stolen sound bits from other games, which developers allegedly deny . Users also mention issues with notifications being constant and invasive and the inability to transfer game data to new devices .
EverMerge EverMerge's customer support is generally praised for being responsive and fixing issues quickly, even on weekends . However, some users report issues with support not resolving problems, such as ad malfunctions or lost progress . A significant concern is the perceived negative changes introduced by 'new owners,' which users feel are ruining the game and making it less enjoyable .
Pick Island Building if

you want a simple, quick merge and idle game experience and don't mind a finite amount of content or frequent ads R2R8.

Pick EverMerge if

you prefer a merge game with a long lifespan, continuous new content, and generally good customer support, even if you might encounter recent ad and stability issues .

Evidence note: Both apps have a high lifetime rating, but recent reviews for both show a significant increase in complaints regarding ads, technical issues, and perceived greed from developers. EverMerge has a much larger review base, providing more diverse feedback.

Frequently asked

Do these games have a lot of ads?
Yes, both Island Building and EverMerge are frequently criticized for having too many ads, with users reporting ads popping up every few minutes or when transitioning between game sections, often making the games feel unplayable R1R10R37R63.
Do these games have an end?
Island Building has a definitive end, with many players reporting completing all tasks and upgrades, reaching maximum levels, and having no new content to play after a certain point, sometimes within a year R11R14R26R28. EverMerge, however, is described as 'ever evolving' with continuous new tasks, characters, and areas, suggesting it does not have a clear end .
Are there technical issues with these games?
Both games suffer from technical issues; Island Building users report glitches, freezing, battery drain, and the app shutting off R9R12R40R54. EverMerge players frequently experience crashes when moving between islands or watching ads, loading issues, and lost game progress .

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R2] Island Building 5/5 · US Dream Island: Best puzzle and building game ever!! This game is so exciting as you play number puzzles and all the while you are building your island. No other fun game like Dream Island.. I play this fun little gem all day long..love it!! Five stars..kudos to the developers 😃
  2. [R8] Island Building 5/5 · US LITERALLY THE BEST IDLE GAME I HAVE EVER DOWNLOADED: This masterpiece is on par with the likes of dragon city and candy crush. No obligatory ads, fun gameplay that is fast enough to keep you entertained, but not so fast it’s overwhelming. Multiple different progression systems, and this is all from playing for like, 20 minutes. If you’re on the fence, this is your sign to download this absolute le
  3. [R11] Island Building 5/5 · US DREAM ISLAND SUPERB GAME!!! 👍: I updated a while back and the name had changed. It was AMERICAN DREAM for years. I love it. So many things to do. But I’m disappointed. I’ve upgraded all my buildings on my island and have nothing to spend my gold bars on. No more tasks to do. I was stunned when I went to see what my tasks were and it was empty. My heart sank. The developer said it sounds like I
  4. [R14] Island Building 5/5 · US I love this game so much: So I just finished the game because I played it so much idk what to do now since I finished it I love this game
  5. [R13] Island Building 1/5 · US Long tutorial: Tutorial too long.
  6. [R4] Island Building 1/5 · US DO NOT BUY THIS GAME: Slightly boring , upgrade grill takes two hours!!!!
  7. [R21] Island Building 3/5 · US Eh: Game is pretty fun, but it would be better if I wasn’t forced to watch ads every five minutes when I try to buy an upgrade only to get one gem, and if it weren’t so expensive to buy everything. The only way I would be able to get enough money to just buy one thing is if I leave the app until I get a notification then have to buy double the money just to repeat the process until I can buy somet
  8. [R24] Island Building 3/5 · US Very Boring and Stupid: I saw the add for this game and it made it sound like it was THE game to get but after the download I was very disappointed. It takes FOREVER to get enough money for stuff, and it once made me so bored I LAJIT fell to sleep. Not a good game to get AT ALL 🙁I was very disappointed.
  9. [R9] Island Building 3/5 · US Great game: This is a great game and it’s fun but it drains my phone battery fast and is really glitchy. I’ll watch ads to skip deliveries and it will freeze. After I got this game and the ad problem started, it happened to the rest of my phone. Still a good game though.
  10. [R12] Island Building 3/5 · US OK Game BUT!!!: Its an interesting game when you are bored to death but it forces you to watch ads, and pop up screens for upgrades for a gazillion times it is annoying! It drains battery on your phone too, its summer right now so my phone is getting too hot from using the app.
  11. [R40] Island Building 1/5 · US Glitching: My game is currently glitching. When I click on the plan to take me to my island or to the hotel my game will just shut off. It’s really aggravating Bc I enjoy playing this game.
  12. [R54] Island Building 3/5 · US It shuts me out of the game: Overall it is an amazing game but the new update is horrible. When It MAKES me tap the yellow airplane button It works but then the screen pauses to the airplane and just makes its sound. Then it shows me the island your visiting for 1 second then it just turn black and kicks me out of the game. Please fix these issues. Thank You!
  13. [R1] Island Building 1/5 · US False advertisement: Not only do I think these reviews are fake but for you guys to sell something you don’t even receive. it said no ads yet not only did I get ads I got 3 of them in one! Yet you want what $4.99 or $5.99 a month??? It didn’t even work…. Then to make things worse you send a vip pack to “go gold”?!?! Wild.. never in my life.
  14. [R10] Island Building 1/5 · US Commercials Commercials Commercials: The game benefits the creator of the game all I have seen were commercials every step of the game. Can’t even have fun.
  15. [R37] Island Building 1/5 · US Full of ads: Every 10 seconds you have to watch an ad to advance in the game. I don’t see how this is called a game you spend most of your time watching ads on this app
  16. [R22] Island Building 1/5 · US Not worth your time: This game is not designed to entertain the players, basically has nothing interesting. The purpose is to only let you click the ads, which only benefits the creator of the game. I don’t understand what kind of people will waste time on it to make money for the game developers because it is totally NOT FUN.
  17. [R26] Island Building 5/5 · US Great game: I really enjoy this game - but when will there be new content !? I’m all upgraded, kinda sad I don’t have anything else to buy =[ When are you adding more content it’s been a year !
  18. [R28] Island Building 1/5 · US Game ends at level 60: Nothing to do and there are never any updates. This is a dead game.
  19. [R32] Island Building 4/5 · US It’s good but No updates: It’s amazing but they haven’t updated the game in over 6 months and I finished the game and it’s just generally boring
  20. [R34] Island Building 1/5 · US Fun but ran out of quests: It was fun until there was no more quests. Stopping and Ming back in around 6 months to see if more added.
  21. [R63] EverMerge 3/5 · US Game play delayed by ads: I have played this game for quite some time. I have for the most part enjoyed the game as being relaxing and entertaining however, in the last few sessions I have noticed an increase is the number of ads that pop up when moving from one portion of the game to another. Or when collecting special items the market marketplace. This has prompted me to think about deleting the

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store