Comparison

SubBuster vs The Spearman

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

SubBuster

Features
Read full description

SubBuster is back, rebuilt from the ground up in 3D. Steer your gunboat across the surface, hold to aim and lob depth charges at the fleet below. Sink every enemy to clear the sea — then the next one is waiting, a little tougher. There is no last level: the rules keep tightening until nobody can go further. How deep can you go? • Hunters that chase you with homing torpedoes, minelayers, armored ironclads, cloaked phantom subs, drone swarms and the giant Leviathan every tenth level • Sharks carrying bombs, octopuses that grab your boat and jellyfish that shock it • Arcade mode: one sea, endless enemies that get faster and more numerous with every kill — with its own leaderboard • Power-ups: twin charges, mega blasts, rapid fire, shields and repairs • Chain explosions and combo multipliers reward clever shots • Every level is generated from its number, so level 12 is the same sea for every player • Four biomes and changing times of day, from sunrise to starry nights • Global leaderboard for score and time, and shareable result cards • Touch controls, keyboard and game-pad keys; no ads, no tracking

About

The Spearman

Engage in a physics-based combat game where you control a stickman warrior. Aim and throw spears to defeat various enemies like archers, swordsmen, and magicians. Upgrade your character with new gear and skills to survive increasingly challenging waves.

Highlights
  • Ragdoll physics combat
  • Target and throw spears
  • Defeat diverse enemies
  • In-game store for upgrades
  • Healing and defensive skills
Features
Read full description

"The Spearman" is a new timekiller based on ragdoll physics. The spear is a throwing, piercing or piercing-chopping polearm weapon. With the help of a spear, a warrior will be able to effectively counter a lot of enemies. Control the Stickman to throw spears at other stickmans. You will be confronted by many enemies: archers, javelin throwers, armored swordsmen and even magicians. Simply drag and drop your finger for targeting and throwing. The power of throwing a spear is always the same, so you only need to aim and specify the direction of the throw. Enemies die from one hit of a spear in the head and body or from two hits of the spear in the legs. In the game there is a store with helmets, several defensive skills and an apple for healing. Write in the comments of your impressions of the Spearman game. Have a good game!

Screenshots

SubBuster4 screens
The Spearman4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SubBuster at none against The Spearman's 12. SubBuster also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 4 days vs every 17 months). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. The Spearman sells 12 one-off in-app purchases. SubBuster asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SubBuster ships an update every 4 days, The Spearman every 17 months. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and November 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
SubBuster versus The Spearman: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSubBusterThe Spearman
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.6 (1.4K ratings) — better
Positive reviews—75.4% of reviews
Number of ratings—1.4K — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 days — betterEvery 17 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.014.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB155 MB
Age rating12+12+
DeveloperIcey ABBYV

Bugs and requests

SubBuster

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

The Spearman

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Helmets don't protect against face shots
  • Rag dolls interfere with crucial throws
  • Spears going through enemies next to each other
  • Sound issues on iOS

Requested features

4 requests
  • Deflecting arrows mechanic
  • Ability to buy new spears
  • Nerf wizard and swordsman enemies
  • Endless mode with sword-wielding enemies

In-app purchases

None

SubBuster

No in-app purchases

12 purchases

The Spearman

One-time12
  • Disabling advertising$0.99
  • 5000 Coins$1.99
  • 15000 Coins. Discount$1.99
Show 9 more
  • Starter pack$2.99
  • 20000 Coins$3.99
  • 15000 Coins$3.99
  • 50000 Coins. Discount$3.99
  • Elite Pack$3.99
  • 50000 Coins$7.99
  • Frozen King$7.99
  • God Power$7.99
  • 100000 Coins$11.99

Questions

Is SubBuster free?
SubBuster is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is The Spearman free?
The Spearman is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do SubBuster or The Spearman have ads?
The Spearman shows ads; SubBuster does not.
Which is updated more often, SubBuster or The Spearman?
SubBuster ships an update every 4 days, and The Spearman every 17 months. Most recently, SubBuster was updated on October 29, 2026 and The Spearman on November 2, 2026.

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