I don’t typically play mobile games, though I do give them a shot occasionally. Several factors, such as the greediness of most games, clunky controls, and the inevitable deterioration of the experience in larger formats, make me avoid iOS and Android games like the plague. But here we are once more.
I recently ventured into the world of mobile games, specifically Squad Busters, the latest from Finland-based Supercell (known for games like Clash of Clans and Brawl Stars). I was immediately reminded why mobile games make me think of the flu. The fever-dream atmosphere of false kindness is apparent right from the start. Gifts, money, confetti, visits, fanfare, and cheers showered upon me as if I were a ten-year-old being treated like royalty. But I’m 32, tired, grumpy, and a jaded gamer. I think I know what’s going on. But who doesn’t enjoy a bit of celebration, no matter how insincere it might be?
I used my newfound gifts to buy my first class, a band of barbarians, and started my first game with them. I had to navigate a small map from a bird’s-eye view, collecting as many gems as possible before the four-minute timer ran out. I won. However, nine other teams were fighting for the same prize. The key is to quickly build and balance your team during the match. Every second and every choice matters. I stood next to enemies and attacked them – that’s how my character auto-attacked – and with the money they dropped, I found myself at the treasure chest, where I might pick new team members.
When opening chests, it’s crucial to consider your team’s weaknesses. If my team is taking too little damage, I’d add extra barbarians. Need more quick money? Choose a goblin. Need defense? Wrestler El Primo. Speed? A chicken. And so on. Gradually, more complex classes are added to the extensive character set, providing numerous options to customize your squad according to your preferences, needs, and tastes. After building up my ability and confidence, I would go into the center of the arena, fight for big busts, and take on other teams. Between matches, I would unlock new classes and upgrade existing ones or invest in bombs and spells that might be used in tense moments.
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The learning curve is steep, and it managed to grab me in a smooth way, where constant rewards and “learning by doing” outweighed sluggish text boxes and informational messages. Despite initially having no idea what I was doing, the simple layout and countless boxes and lists kept me engaged. Nevertheless, the gameplay itself isn’t groundbreaking. Squad Busters is a relatively repetitive auto-battle game with a clunky design and icons that are hard to read in the heat of battle, but it’s strangely captivating in its simplicity and fast pace.
Plus, there’s that dopamine rush when I win, and of course, the boxes pile up. I won. All the time. At least in my first five or six games. But as a 32-year-old, tired, grumpy, and constantly traveling player, I know the pain of losing too well. In my seventh game, following six straight wins, I was in last place. I might have hit rock bottom, and the losses and sudden lack of gifts, confetti, chests, cheers, and visits are creating a void in my soul.
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The emptiness comes from realizing that not only did my parents buy my friends to come to the party, they also bought them gifts for me. Even if none of this is real, you still hold onto a piece of that happiness in your heart. To get back that feeling of success and honor and enjoy more good things, like a bigger and better team, more classes, spells, and game wins, I just need to cough up some cash. Of course I won’t.
As the wins dwindle, the battle pass meter starts ticking, and the time between real rewards stretches, it becomes clearer how Squad Busters was designed with microtransactions in mind. Whether it’s draped in anonymous yet charmingly colorful environments, or the character designs and catchy music. It’s too greedy, and I feel like I just want to return all the packages, gifts, and rewards for a truly authentic experience. Because beneath the false kindness, there is simple, smart, and charming gameplay that kept me entertained for nights on end and will likely continue to do so in brief duels. But not on these terms. This is insane.
Squad Busters: A Review of Supercell’s Latest Mobile Game
The Allure of False Kindness
I’m not usually a mobile gamer. The predatory monetization models, clunky controls, and the inevitable dilution of the experience in most mobile titles deter me. But every now and then, I’m lured back into the fold. My recent foray into Squad Busters, Supercell’s latest offering (the Finnish studio behind hits like Clash of Clans and Brawl Stars), reminded me why mobile games often feel like a fever dream.
From the moment you start, the game throws a barrage of "gifts," "money," "confetti," and endless cheer your way. It’s like being bombarded with a forced birthday party, even as a weary 32-year-old gamer. The game’s attempt at a warm welcome felt almost deceptive, though I mightn’t help but be drawn into the initial fun.
Gameplay: Simple Auto-Battle With a Twist
After acquiring my first class, a band of rambunctious barbarians, I jumped into my first match. The objective is simple: navigate a small map from a bird’s-eye view, collecting gems before the four-minute timer expires. Nine other teams vie for the same prize, creating a frantic, competitive environment.
The core gameplay is straightforward: your team automatically attacks and collects gems, but strategic team building and timing are crucial. Each second matters. Building and balancing your team in the middle of a chaotic battle is exhilarating. For example, if your team needs more damage output, you can summon barbarians. Need a boost to gathering gems? Goblin’s your man. Want to hold the line once morest aggressive opponents? El Primo will come to the rescue. And for speed, there’s always a trusty chicken.
As you progress, you unlock a diverse array of classes, each with unique strengths and weaknesses. This adds depth and complexity to the gameplay, allowing you to adapt and optimize your team for specific situations. By strategically deploying spells and upgrading classes, you can carve a path to victory.
The Shadow of Greed: When Fun Turns Sour
While Squad Busters initially provides a satisfying dose of dopamine with frequent wins and the promise of more, the game’s monetization model soon rears its ugly head. The initial honeymoon period of wins and rewards inevitably fades, and a stark reality emerges: to truly progress, you need to spend real money.
The game is designed to subtly nudge you towards microtransactions. The pacing of rewards slows down, the battle pass meter ticks relentlessly, and the allure of unlocking powerful characters and upgrades is always present. The game’s initial charm starts to feel like a facade, masking a system built on extracting money from players.
Despite the Greed, There’s a Kernel of Fun
Despite its predatory monetization, Squad Busters holds a charm. The core gameplay is undeniably engaging, and the game’s fast-paced action and strategic depth provide a satisfying challenge. The character designs are quirky, and the music is catchy.
The constant barrage of rewards and the fast-paced gameplay can be addictive, even if the experience is ultimately tainted by the knowledge that the game is designed to manipulate you. And while I can’t ignore the insidious nature of the monetization, I can’t help but find myself returning to Squad Busters for the occasional quick fix of gameplay. It’s a struggle between wanting to enjoy the game for what it is and the frustration of its manipulative tactics.
The Bottom Line: A Fun, but Fleeting Experience
Squad Busters is a well-designed and entertaining auto-battler. The game is accessible, fast-paced, and engaging, but its predatory monetization model overshadows its initial charm. The constant nudges towards spending money leave a sour taste in your mouth and ultimately detract from the overall experience.
Whether you choose to indulge in Squad Busters is a personal choice. If you’re willing to accept the game’s manipulative strategies, then you’ll find a fun, albeit short-lived, experience. But be warned, the fun is often fleeting, and the temptation to spend money to stay ahead can quickly become overwhelming.