Mobile gaming is one of the busiest in particular with many different genres, however perhaps no longer as a great deal because it has carved an area of interest for itself within side the "Idle RPG" genre: Get all of your upgrades and advancements without having to play frequently. One of the newer entries in this jam-packed genre is Animal Busters, which hopes to combine a healthy dose of cute stylization with tactical elements. By giving different animals anthropomorphic forms of strong warriors, the game tries to appeal both casual and RPG game players. But it has its advantages and disadvantages like every game; with which the general user experience is defined.

Animal Busters' greatest immediate appeal would have to be its presentation. An animated, cartoonish art style defines the game and its cast of furry characters. From mighty lions swinging great swords, to speedy rabbits dancing around with little daggers the character design is whimsical and has universal appeal. Coupled with this aesthetic appeal are very smooth animations and colorful skill effects, making even the automated battles satisfying to watch if you're not actively partaking.

Moreover, the accessibility of the game is also very well done. Keeping with its "Idle" roots, the core loop is as low-stress. Allowing players to accumulate resources, experience points etc even when they log off the game creates a feeling of continuity. Which means it will make for a fantastic option if you're an overworked busy bee who just wants to quietly RPG on your commute or lunch break. The overarching progression system is pretty forgiving too, as you've got a reliable flow of rewards to collect & level-ups along with new gear that tickle the brain's reward centers.

While it looks cute, Animal Busters isn't without its issues, many of them endemic to the free-to-play mobile space. The criticism is mostly related to the monetization model. Eventually, after spending a brief period of time advancing through the game players will hit these so called "paywalls" where they slowly grind and do nothing unless real cash is invested. The game inundates you with pop-ups for "one-time deals," battle passes, and resource packs that can mock the UI and feel predatory depending on your level of engagement.

Plus, the same gameplay can get repetitive. Since battles are automated, the player has little agency apart from team composition and stat upgrades. As with many different visual novel-type games, when the immediate novelty of capturing new animals wears off and you realize that very little effort has gone into active combat mechanics.

All in all, Animal Busters is pretty polished and captivating to look at which makes it a decent time waster. This succeeds in doing just that, creating a warm and comforting low-stakes place for players to exist. But it cannot shake off the same sort of aggressive monetization and rinse-and-repeat loops that blight the genre. This is best for those who on the lookout for a casual, side-game to chill out with; those seeking deep, active gameplay or purely free-to-play may find it frustrating.

By Jerry | Copyright © GameHola - All Rights Reserved