Screenshots: Capturing the Heart of Idle RPGs

If the icon is the first handshake, the screenshots are the story that follows. In idle RPGs, screenshots have the crucial job of showing players exactly what kind of adventure awaits. These images need to convey progression, power-ups, and the thrill of building a team or collecting heroes—all in just a few frames. For many players, a quick scroll through the screenshots is the deciding factor on whether they’ll hit download or keep searching.

When users land on the app page, they only spend few seconds to look at the screenshots. That’s why the first few screenshots are crucial—they’re your best chance to make an impact. This is especially true on the App Store, where the first three screenshots appear directly in search results alongside the icon and title. Not only do these images need to be compelling, but the order matters too. Those first three screenshots are prime real estate for showing off the game’s best features and guiding users toward hitting download.

Good screenshots do more than just look pretty; they highlight the game’s journey, progression, and rewards, giving players a taste of the satisfaction they’ll get from leveling up and achieving in-game goals. Style, flow, and even captions all play a role in delivering a cohesive, compelling story.

Game by Game Screenshot Analysis

Tap Titans 2

Below are their 10 screenshots from Apple App Store (US store).

• Strong Visual Appeal & First Impression
  The first screenshot, featuring “15M+ Downloads Worldwide,” builds immediate trust and excitement by showcasing the game’s popularity. This is followed by “Nonstop Tapping Adventure,” which highlights the core gameplay mechanics in a simple, direct way. These first few images do a fantastic job of grabbing attention right away (as we discussed above about the importance of the first 3 screenshots).

• Bold, Punchy Captions
  What I love most about these screenshots is each of them includes a bold action verb or keyword (like “Fight with,” “Dominate,” “Nonstop”) in a larger, eye-catching font. This makes the message super easy to absorb at a glance and gives each screenshot a fun energy. However, this style appears only in English; I checked other languages like French, Spanish, and German, the emphasis is missing. Perhaps Game Hive needs to give a little nudge to their localization team to bring this impact to the global audience (just a thought, Game Hive! 😉).

• Big Character Focus
  I also love how Tap Titans 2 prominently features a big and prominent character in each screenshot. This design makes it easy for the audience to understand the style and essence of the game. The large characters add a sense of action and personality, inviting players to hit download and come into their fantasy world right away.

• Using All the Space Available
  Tap Titans 2 makes full use of each platform’s screenshot allowance—10 on the App Store and 8 on Google Play. This means they’re able to showcase a wide range of features, from PvP tournaments to hero customization. It’s a great way to give players a comprehensive look at what they’re signing up for.

• A Real Scene Screenshot Addition for Google Play
  On Google Play, they throw in an extra screenshot at the end that shows an unedited in-game scene. Not sure if this was intentional to give players a “real” look at gameplay or the result of some A/B testing, but it does add a bit of authenticity that could appeal to players curious about the actual gameplay experience.

• Highlighting Progression and Social Play
  Screenshots like “Collect Legendary Pets” and “Unleash Powerful Abilities” put the game’s progression system in the spotlight, while “Fight with Clanmattes” and “Dominate PVP Tournaments” emphasize social and competitive play. Together, these visuals speak to a range of players—from those looking for a casual idle RPG to those who love a good social or competitive edge.

• Consistent, Polished Visual Style
  All screenshots stick to a cohesive style—vibrant colors, action-packed character poses, and a fun fantasy feel. This consistency gives the game a polished, professional look that makes it easily recognizable and helps build brand identity.

 

Nonstop Knight 2

Nonstop Knight 2 only has 8 screenshots on Apple App Store and 5 screenshots on Google Play.

•  A Missed First Impression on iOS

Personally, I am not a fan of their first screenshot on iOS. It simply shows the game title, “Nonstop Knight 2,” without giving us any hint of what the gameplay is about. It feels like a missed chance to captivate new players right off the bat. Interestingly, on Google Play, they skip this title-only image and start with a preview video followed by the  “Jump into Nonstop Action” screenshot. I can’t help but wonder if they put this first title image because they don’t have enough resources to make a vertical video for iOS? In all cases, a more dynamic first screenshot with a little taste of gameplay would make a stronger impression as the first 3 screenshots on Apple App Store are very important.

• Not Fully Leveraging Available Slots

Unlike Tap Titans 2, Nonstop Knight 2 doesn’t use all the screenshot slots on either platform—there’s 2 empty slots on the App Store, and on Google Play, they’ve only used 5 out of 8 slots. And let’s talk about those last three screenshots on iOS; they all show pretty similar gameplay scenes without adding much. Using every slot to tell a fuller story, even in those final screenshots, would appeal more to players who want a comprehensive look at the game before downloading, and of course help with the conversion rates.

• Bold Captions and Consistent Visual Appeal

Otherwise, Nonstop Knight 2 does a good job with bold, straightforward captions like “Jump into Nonstop Action” and “Unlock Skills and Beat Bosses,” making the game’s features easy to grasp at a glance. Flaregames also tailors these captions for different global markets, ensuring clear messaging across regions. Screens like “Collect Legendary Weapons and Armors” emphasize RPG elements, appealing to players who enjoy progression and character growth. Overall, the screenshots maintain a consistent, colorful style that reinforces brand identity and creates a polished, engaging look.

Crush Them All – Idle RPG

It’s quite interesting that as I’m working on this case study (November 2024), I’ve discovered that Crush Them All currently has two sets of screenshots on Google Play Store in some English speaking countries. It appears that they’re conducting an A/B test to refine their visual strategy. The first 7 screenshots below represent the current/older version, while the latter 7 showcase the new design being tested.

Which Screenshots Set Stands Out? My Take

Which versions of screenshots do you prefer?

Personally, I find the new set of Crush Them All screenshots more appealing. Here’s why:

• Fresher, Moderner and More Dynamic Style
  The current screenshots stick to a more classic idle RPG aesthetic, showcasing fantasy elements and gameplay highlights. For players who appreciate traditional RPG elements, these might feel familiar and reliable.However, the new screenshots bring a fresh, modern flair with vibrant gradients, playful fonts, and more dynamic layouts. Captions such as “Save the Princess!” and “Unlock Your Secret Power” are bold, colorful, and immediately grab attention. This visually appealing and energetic design seems targeted at players who crave a lively, exciting experience.

• Clear and Compelling Captions:
  The text in the new screenshots is bolder, more colorful, and far more engaging. For example, “Save the Princess!” provides a specific, relatable goal, which feels much more inviting than the generic “The Most Epic Idle Adventure” from the current set. Similarly, “Team Up with Friends” is concise and clear, making it a stronger caption compared to “Raid Bosses with Your Friends.”

• Highlighting Core Gameplay Elements:
  New additions like “Unlock Your Secret Power” and “Collect Coins & Upgrade” do a great job of showcasing the essence of an idle RPG—progression, collection, and upgrading. These screenshots convey exactly what players can expect from the game, which is far more effective than vague captions like “Fight Gigantic Bosses.”

Which One Will Perform Better In A/B tests?

Stillfront’s new screenshots clearly aim to elevate Crush Them All’s visual presentation, and they seem to hit the mark. The updated designs feel more polished, engaging, and in tune with modern mobile gaming trends. While the old set might resonate with players seeking a traditional RPG vibe, the new set’s bold captions, vibrant visuals, and clear messaging are likely to appeal to a broader audience. Now, all that’s left is to see how these changes perform in A/B testing—but if I were betting, my money would be on the new set delivering better conversion rates.

Almost A Hero – Idle RPG

When you first glance at Almost a Hero’s screenshots, it’s clear this isn’t your typical idle RPG. The game’s quirky humor and vibrant style jump out right away, making it feel fresh and approachable compared to the more serious tone of its competitors.

A Snapshot Analysis of Tap Titans 2, Nonstop Knight 2, Crush Them All, and Almost a Hero

After diving into the screenshots of these four idle RPGs, it’s clear that each game has its own unique approach to grabbing attention and showcasing its features. Let’s explore what worked well and what could be improved!

Tap Titans 2 truly shines in the screenshot department. They make full use of all available slots—10 on the App Store and 8 on Google Play—to tell a rich, engaging story about their game. Their first screenshot, featuring “15M+ Downloads Worldwide,” immediately establishes credibility and authority. It’s followed by big, bold captions and prominent characters that promise a fun game packed with action and cool heroes. The style throughout is consistent, polished, and attention-grabbing, inviting players to hit download and jump right away into their world to “Become The Ultimate Swordmaster“.

Nonstop Knight 2 does a nice job but leaves some potential untapped. While the visuals are vibrant and professional, and the captions are clear and direct (“Jump Into Nonstop Action”), their first screenshot on iOS feels underwhelming—it’s just the game title with no additional information to draw you in. Flaregames also don’t use all the available screenshot slots on iOS or Android, which feels like a missed opportunity to showcase more of what makes the game special. They’ve got the foundation for a great presentation, but with a few tweaks, Nonstop Knight 2 could level up significantly.

Crush Them All stands out as a unique case, thanks to their ongoing A/B testing on Google Play. I had the chance to see two different sets of screenshots: the current set and a new, testing version. The new screenshots are vibrant, modern, and much more dynamic, with captions like “Save the Princess!” and “Unlock Your Secret Power.” These feel more engaging and visually appealing compared to the older, more subdued set. The A/B testing shows Stillfront’s dedication to finding what works best, and it’s exciting to watch their progress unfold.

Almost a Hero? Oh, this one’s got personality! Its quirky humor shines through in captions like “Save the World With a Bunch of Useless Idiots,” which immediately grabs your attention. The big, bold fonts are great, and they’ve even nailed localization, making sure their style stays consistent across languages. But here’s the kicker—they don’t use all the screenshot slots, which feels like a missed opportunity to show off more of their charm and features.

Next Level Visuals: Preview Videos, Feature Graphics, and Poster Frames in Upcoming Part 3

Now that we’ve unraveled the secrets behind captivating icons and engaging screenshots, it’s time to dive into the next layer of ASO visuals—preview videos, Google Play feature graphics, and App Store poster frames. These creative elements play a huge role in leaving lasting impressions and sealing the deal for potential players. So, go to Part 3 as we analyze how these Idle RPG titans bring their games to life with dynamic visuals and clever branding!