Cursed Treasure 2 is the successor of the popular Cursed Treasure game by Iriysoft. It is a well-designed tower defense game that is available for mobile platforms, Steam and also as a web-based version.
A word on ads and in-game monetization
Cursed Treasure 2 is a game that is light on ads, at least when it comes to the Android and web-based versions, which I played. There are no ads during gameplay or even after levels. You may watch an ad to double the experience gained in a level, but that is about it and completely optional.
An option to make a purchase to remove all ads is provided, but it is unclear how much it costs. Users may want to stay away from that option because of that.
Cursed Treasure 2: the Game
Cursed Treasure 2 follows the main game philosophy of most tower defense games. Players place towers on the map that attack rushing waves of enemies. The main goal of the game is to prevent the enemies from reaching your treasure and stealing all the gems. It is game over for the map when enemies manage to steal them all.
The game lets players place towers nearly everywhere. Some locations are blocked, but the majority aren’t. The three core towers, Den, Temple and Crypt attack enemies with arrows, fire and magic. These can be upgraded and different paths become available for towers. The Temple tower, for example, can be upgraded to shoot two fire beams at enemies or unleash an area of attack damage regularly.
Towers gain experience when they shoot at enemies. Once they reach a certain threshold, they may be upgraded. Upgrading makes them stronger, e.g., by increasing damage or abilities.
The two core currencies in the game are money and mana. Money is used to build and upgrade towers, and to influence some of the independent buildings on the map. Mana is used to influence other buildings and used for spell casting.
Experience points and skills
Players earn experience points while playing the game. They need to complete a level or fail to earn experience.
Experience is used to level up and this awards players with skill points. These points are invested into the three skill trees Orcs, Undead and Demons, which correspond to the three core tower types Den, Crypt and Temple.
Skills fall into several groups. Some improve mana or gold during game start or while performing certain actions in the game. Ancestral Wisdom, for instance, adds 30 mana at start for each invested skill points, which is a lot.
Another group of skills makes placing towers, upgrading towers, cutting trees or casting mana cheaper or more rewarding.
A third group increases random rewards that defeated enemies may drop. The fourth and final group increase damage output. Any invested skill gives the corresponding tower a bonus, such as faster recharge times or increased range.
Spellcasting
Spellcasting plays an import role in the game. Player spells are limited to just two and certain items. The two spells are Meteor and Terror.
Meteor fires a a blazing rock from the sky on the designated target location, hitting all enemies in range. It can be improved with skills, so that it leaves a smoldering pool on the ground that damages enemies who step on it.
Terror frightens enemies in range. Frightened enemies move back the path for as long as they are frightened. Another positive effect of casting terror is that negative effects are removed from towers and that they are protected from effects for three seconds.
Items play a big part as well. There are three scrolls that enemies may drop. Players may activate the scrolls at any time with a tap or click to cast their spell. The spells are polymorph, which transforms enemies into chicken, stasis, which keeps them in place, and thunder, which damages them with lightning.
Enemies may drop coins, mana potions or skulls. Coins and potions give the player money or mana. Skulls allow players to cheat. They may be used to gain lots of gold or mana, return all gems to the treasure or wreak havoc on all enemies on the screen.
The enemies
A tower defense game would be nothing without a good assortment of enemies.
Cursed Treasure 2 delivers in this area. It distinguishes between regular enemies, champions and bosses. Regular enemies range from peasants and guards to enemies with special abilities.
Valkyries can fly over water and lakes, monks heal enemies and paladins are immune to most magic. There is a good variety of regular enemies and the level designers have done a good job at creating the levels and enemy waves.
Champions are special enemies that have more health and usually special abilities as well. The Templar, for instance can’t be frightened, is protected against evil magic and has a spell that halves damage and fire rate of nearby towers.
Bosses are even tougher enemies and they almost always have one or multiple abilities. The General, for instance, is protected by armor, may summon knights and Valkyries, may give mass magic armor to allies and has a final rush ability that breaks the armor but increases the speed of the General.
Gameplay and story
If there is one area in which Cursed Treasure 2 fails to deliver, it is the story. A dark overlord has set sight on the treasures of the kingdom, and it is the player’s task to protect the gems from the evil creature.
Each map adds a bit to the story, but most players may skip reading these altogether, as they don’t miss much.
Gameplay, on the other hand, is excellent. Players who like Tower Defense games will enjoy this game. It is well designed, but never unfair. Some maps may look impossible on first try, at least when it comes to protecting all gems, but all it may take is to add a few more points into skills.
Where to play Cursed Treasure 2
You can play the game online using any modern web browser. Check it out on Crazy Games, Kongregate or Gameforge.
The game is also freely available on Google Play and Apple’s App Store.
Steam gamers may play it on Steam, but it costs $4.99 on the platform.
Cursed Treasure 2 Verdict
Cursed Treasure 2 is an excellent tower defense game. You need to like the genre to enjoy it, but if you do, you will certainly have hours of fun playing it.
It is quick to jump in and play a map, which usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes. The game explains some of its concepts during the first levels, which may help new players understand core game mechanics.
