Bardbarian

 iOS
  • Publisher: Bulkypix
  • Release Date: Jan 16, 2014
  • Also On: PC
Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
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  1. Pocket Tactics
    Jun 18, 2018
    60
    Bardbarian has a great genre-bending idea and amusing aesthetic but suffers in the execution.
  2. Grab It Magazine
    May 2, 2014
    90
    Bardbarian is one of the most cheerful and engaging games I’ve played in a while. Even after dying repeatedly, it didn’t blunt my enthusiasm and desire to master the game. Its merging of tower defence strategy with RPG-like elements is a fun combination. [Episode 4, April 2014]
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  3. Digitally Downloaded
    Mar 6, 2014
    60
    While Bardbarian's gameplay isn't innovative, it's tight enough to warrant your attention. The game would have been far more enjoyable as a shorter, five hour title but as is, getting the upgrades needed for progression can take twice that long, and that's more patience than a lot of casual gamers should be required to have.
  5. Gamer.nl
    Feb 3, 2014
    75
    Bardbarian is very addicting. So much so, that it’ll have you wonder whether you’re actually playing it to enjoy yourself. Thankfully, this doesn’t matter on the commute. A game of Bardbarian is a great time waster.
  6. Post Arcade (National Post)
    Jan 31, 2014
    85
    Push these qualms aside and Bardbarian is just about everything I want in an iOS game: quirky, quick, cheap, fun, and habit-forming.
  7. Gamezebo
    Jan 31, 2014
    100
    In every way imaginable, Bardbarian steps up as the perfect mobile experience, and it has everything you could ever want in a video game, for that matter: a fun-loving presentation, a seamless blend of different gameplay types, and an addictive balance of challenge and progression that will always keep you coming back for more.
  8. Slide to Play
    Jan 28, 2014
    75
    It’s a repetitive game, but there’s a lot of fun to be had here.
  9. Multiplayer.it
    Jan 28, 2014
    83
    Offering an intriguing mix of genres, Bardbarian is equally original and fun to play.
  10. Gamers' Temple
    Jan 27, 2014
    90
    The game manages to hit that sweet spot for mobile games where a simple concept is made both fun and challenging; running around the screen dodging attacks while jamming on a guitar is a blast.
  11. Arcade Sushi
    Jan 22, 2014
    90
    If there is one thing that really holds Bardbarian back from being a truly perfect iOS game, it’s the fact that it’s so challenging. While the difficulty may be fun for fans of the genre and people like me who just generally enjoy a challenge, it kind of hampers the story a bit and may cause other gamers to lose interest.
  12. Pocket Gamer UK
    Jan 21, 2014
    80
    An intriguing mix of genres that gel together brilliantly, Bardbarian is a breath of fresh air.
  13. TouchArcade
    Jan 20, 2014
    100
    Bardbarian is a game that just feels right in a lot of ways, and with a low price on top of that, you really need to pick it up, post haste.
  14. 148Apps
    Jan 16, 2014
    80
    Combining many popular genres pays off for this original and fast-paced game.

Awards & Rankings

72
#72 Best iOS Game of 2014
43
#43 Most Discussed iOS Game of 2014
66
#66 Most Shared iOS Game of 2014

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 17 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 17
  3. Negative: 5 out of 17
  1. Zaraf
    Jan 20, 2014
    10
    Quite a gem by an indie group. It has a fun art style which works quite nicely for them (characters have no neck, arms and legs, floatingQuite a gem by an indie group. It has a fun art style which works quite nicely for them (characters have no neck, arms and legs, floating head, hands and feet) and is very smooth in its animations. If you like classical rock, this game has it with some very nice tracks. Hopefully soon they will have a way to download the soundtrack. The setup is also nice with lots of things to unlock, and they stay away from the overdone "3 star levels" system. Rather, the game plays almost like an endless game, but instead with actual progression taking the form of progressing through the course of one day (morning, afternoon, etc). The various kinds of units you can unlock and upgrade are varied and provide a fun variation that you can experiment with to find the play style that suits you best. The game is cheap, and I highly recommend getting the golden axe IAP (gold doubler) since it's also cheap and developers put such high quality work together should be supported. The game has had it's initial release bugs and problems, but it's nothing that can't, and hasn't already been taken care of. Looking forward to future updates of this game, and maybe even Bardbarian 2! Oh, and the name is awesome. If nothing else, you have to try the game cause of the awesome name "Bardbarian".… Full Review »
  2. FrostGames
    Jan 20, 2014
    9
    Great mix of genres plus a great sense of humor shown everywhere on the app, the story itself is hilarious, lots of upgrades and veryGreat mix of genres plus a great sense of humor shown everywhere on the app, the story itself is hilarious, lots of upgrades and very generous. For 0.99 cents, its very hard to find better games than Bardbarian on the AppStore. 5 stars.… Full Review »
  3. jaredbell
    Jan 20, 2014
    10
    Super fun gameplay with a surprising amount of depth and an addictive quality. Love the attention to detail throughout and all of the homagesSuper fun gameplay with a surprising amount of depth and an addictive quality. Love the attention to detail throughout and all of the homages to games past and present.… Full Review »
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