Let's address it immediately: Treasure Buster [$0.99] is obviously inspired by Mixi's Monster Strike [Free]. Much like this developer's previous game, Slayin [$0.99], this game initially comes off uncomfortably similar to the object of its homage. Luckily, also like Slayin, Treasure Buster ultimately differentiates itself well enough to transcend the copycat label and settle in as an interesting variation on a tried and tested mechanic. In fact, I would say that this game ditches a lot of what makes Monster Strike so much fun, choosing to create its own brand of enjoyment by adding a number of gameplay elements that Monster Strike doesn't have. As usual for a game published by FDG, Treasure Buster also looks and sounds great, fusing a bang-on retro presentation to a very modern gameplay structure.
The game features two modes. In Arcade Mode, you take your chosen hero through dungeons composed of randomized rooms of enemies, culminating in a boss battle that leads into the next stage. Each of the characters has their own ending in this mode, and it's pretty fun to play through with all of them. Endless Mode is basically what it says on the tin. You'll choose a character and battle room after room of enemies, flipping a coin after each one to see what kind of challenge you'll be tackling next. Your goal here is simply to get as far as you can and rack up a big score. The core gameplay doesn't change much between modes, but your overall approach will likely be different.
If ...