Age of Barbarian Extended Cut

75%
Game Brain Score Based on 396 reviews
  • graphics
  • gameplay
  • story
Age of Barbarian Extended Cut Game Cover
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"Age of Barbarian Extended Cut" is an action-packed hack 'n' slash game inspired by 80s fantasy and sword-and-sorcery genre. The game, set in a world where reality blends with dreams, features digitized sprites and an epic soundtrack. Players will control big muscular barbarians, fight bloodthirsty monsters, explore zones, avoid traps and solve small riddles.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

75%
Audience ScoreBased on 396 reviews
graphics46 positive mentions
stability41 negative mentions
  • The game captures the essence of 80s sword and sorcery films, with fantastic character designs and a nostalgic atmosphere.
  • Combat is satisfying and gory, with a variety of finishing moves and dismemberments that enhance the gameplay experience.
  • The developers are actively patching the game and addressing bugs, showing commitment to improving the player experience.
  • The controls are clunky and unresponsive, making combat and platforming frustrating at times.
  • The game is riddled with bugs, including game-breaking issues that can halt progress and require restarting levels.
  • Boss fights can be unbalanced, with some being overly difficult while others are trivial, leading to inconsistent gameplay experiences.
  • graphics115 mentions

    The graphics of the game are a polarizing aspect, with many praising its unique 80s barbarian aesthetic and vibrant art style reminiscent of classic fantasy artworks by artists like Frank Frazetta. While some players appreciate the nostalgic, retro visuals and the way they evoke the feel of old-school games, others criticize the graphics as dated and low-budget, with clunky animations and occasional graphical glitches. Overall, the visuals are seen as a strong point for fans of the genre, despite their technical shortcomings.

    • “The aesthetic is the best thing ever.”
    • “The art style is fantastic and violence over-the-top.”
    • “The overall art style aims to bring the iconic style of 80s fantasy art to life (heavily inspired by Frank Frazetta's work) and it does a great job, while also evoking the memories of fantasy B-movies from that era.”
    • “The gameplay is shallow and clunky, the graphics are, well, you see the trailers, right?”
    • “The graphics are pretty poor and blurred, and the gameplay is very bad.”
    • “Controlls, graphic and sound are absolutely catastrophic.”
  • gameplay76 mentions

    The gameplay of "Age of Barbarian" is characterized by a mix of clunky mechanics and retro-inspired design, leading to a divisive experience among players. While some appreciate its nostalgic charm and simplistic hack-and-slash mechanics, many criticize the unresponsive controls, frustrating boss fights, and numerous bugs that detract from the overall enjoyment. Despite its flaws, the game offers a fun, albeit shallow, adventure for those who embrace its campy aesthetic and old-school gameplay style.

    • “The story is simple, yet surprisingly compelling, and the gameplay is extremely fun, despite the clunky controls, which are far from great, but aren't as horrific as many reviewers would have you believe.”
    • “It seamlessly merges cinematic 2D platforming with combo-based beat-'em-up gameplay, and lets you replay previous levels at any time to search for treasure, hidden paths, and damsels in distress that you might have missed the first time through.”
    • “Gameplay-wise, it's also a throwback to the 80s/90s, both in the good and the bad.”
    • “I tried, multiple times, uninstalled, reinstalled, was hoping for a patch to improve it, but in the end, my verdict is that this is among the crappiest gameplay I've experienced in a gaming career that spans 3 decades now.”
    • “The gameplay is shallow and clunky; the graphics are, well, you see the trailers, right?”
    • “Stay away from this; the gameplay is something that should have died with the arcade cabinet they found it in.”
  • story52 mentions

    The game's story is generally viewed as simplistic and often cringeworthy, with many reviewers noting its reliance on cliché elements typical of 80s fantasy narratives. While some appreciate the humor and charm in its execution, others criticize the lack of depth and poor writing. Despite these shortcomings, the engaging atmosphere, character arcs, and entertaining gameplay contribute to a compelling experience for those who enjoy a light-hearted, action-oriented adventure.

    • “Vibes, setting, story, narrative, music, aesthetic: S tier, amazing, 10/10, need more like this.”
    • “The story is simple, yet surprisingly compelling, and the gameplay is extremely fun, despite the clunky controls, which are far from great, but aren't as horrific as many reviewers would have you believe.”
    • “Good story, graphics and world are gorgeous, the exploration is excellent, with many different paths and the game does not hold your hand, you have to find them yourself.”
    • “The story is badly written and poorly narrated, although I'll give it a pass for content as, while pretty bad, it's the kind of thing you'd find in a Conan novel.”
    • “The story is weak.”
    • “The plot is simply a basic revenge story, but it works.”
  • stability41 mentions

    The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and unresponsive controls that detract from the overall experience. While some players have noted that the game is still enjoyable despite these issues, many have encountered game-breaking glitches that require restarts and have expressed frustration with the lack of polish. However, the developers are actively addressing these problems with frequent patches, leading to some improvement over time.

    • “I've run into several glitches and there is very little to redeem this garbage.”
    • “This game is so full of glitches it is unplayable.”
    • “The game has bugs, glitches, and lacks polish, but I've found it highly playable and enjoyable.”
  • humor25 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as crass, campy, and reminiscent of low-budget B-movies, often eliciting genuine laughter through its over-the-top scenarios and dark, gore-infused comedy. Players appreciate the charmingly janky execution, with many noting that the absurdity of the bugs and clunky mechanics adds to the overall hilarity, making it a fun experience despite its flaws. Overall, the game is celebrated for its entertaining blend of cheesy humor, adult content, and nostalgic references, appealing particularly to fans of fantasy and beat 'em up genres.

    • “It's crass and gross in a funny B-movie way, and the combat is actually really fun and weighty once you get the hang of it.”
    • “Yes, it is camp, politically incorrect, and laughs at itself with dark gore humor... and all of that is good in the freedom of creating a game.”
    • “It completely evokes the spirit of some Roger Corman genre film that you know is rubbish, but is such hilariously over-the-top sincere rubbish it's hard not to smile as a sexy, mostly naked barbarian woman guts a pig man as they scream in agony.”
  • music21 mentions

    The music in the game has received high praise for its fitting and exciting soundtrack, often compared to classic 80s power metal and sword & sorcery films, creating an immersive atmosphere. However, some players noted a lack of variety in tracks, with repetitive music during gameplay, and technical issues such as loud menu music and sound control problems. Overall, while the soundtrack is celebrated for its quality, there are calls for more diverse and consistent audio experiences.

    • “They do a great job with the setting, soundtrack, and overall feel of the world.”
    • “The soundtrack in this game is actually quite good and the storytelling, for a lack of any better word, is amazing.”
    • “A perfect tribute to the power metal-fueled sword & sorcery films/books/music of a different era :)”
    • “The game does have a few very obvious issues: the voice acting alternates between a bad narrator and a text-to-voice that is incredibly annoying, the soundtrack is serviceable but average, and there are a few bugs that can be very annoying.”
    • “The music on the menu screen is way too loud, and every time I start a level, the game crashes.”
    • “There is an option to choose the volume for music, but it does absolutely nothing in the game menu.”
  • atmosphere17 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its nostalgic and immersive qualities, effectively capturing the essence of 80s sword and sorcery films with a cheesy, barbaric vibe. Players appreciate the detailed world and the cold, surreal ambiance, which enhances the overall experience despite some criticisms regarding controls and story depth. Overall, the atmosphere stands out as a significant strength, making it a compelling choice for fans of the genre.

    • “I really love the atmosphere of the game and all the cheesiness the game has on offer.”
    • “Completely captured the atmosphere and feel of all those 80's sword and sorcery films and the Conan world.”
    • “The mechanics are pretty simple, but the amount of details in the world and the overall atmosphere makes this game a great experience.”
    • “Has a very specific, cheesy barbaric atmosphere.”
    • “The cold atmosphere is all around you.”
    • “Bringing back the surreal 80s atmosphere and nullifying the weakling political correctness of this generation.”
  • grinding7 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious rather than challenging, with many expressing that it becomes less necessary after reaching level 8, where most abilities are unlocked. While the game offers alternate paths to encourage replayability, some users note that technical issues can exacerbate the grind, making certain levels feel repetitive and frustrating. Overall, the grinding experience is mixed, with some enjoyment derived from the game despite its tedious elements.

    • “Sometimes this game can be tedious, not so much hard, just tedious but I adore it nonetheless and it is not as punishing as it may feel at first.”
    • “Maybe the idea is that you're a super tough character who cannot be stopped by mere mortals, but you can accomplish that without making combat tedious.”
    • “So while you can reach as high as level 30, there really isn't a point to grinding once you reach level 8 since you've unlocked all the attacks.”
  • replayability6 mentions

    The game offers a moderate level of replayability, enhanced by multiple pathways, hidden items, and bonus objectives that encourage exploration. While some players find replaying with different characters or increasing difficulty adds value, others feel limited by game updates that affect their experience. Overall, the combination of engaging combat and varied scenarios contributes positively to its replay value.

    • “Levels with multiple pathways, hidden items, and bonus objectives give this game an extra degree of replayability. The developer, Crian Soft, has done a great job maintaining this ode to Howard.”
    • “There's some replayability in increasing the difficulty level; it actually forces you to play better as hacking mindlessly becomes too risky.”
    • “For me, the combat, the scenario, and the replay value are the best things about the game.”
    • “Overall rating: 80/100. First run through with each character: (replayability) 5/100 considering their game update disabled my trainer...”
    • “2nd playthrough notes: there's some replayability in increasing the difficulty level; it actually forces you to play better as hacking mindlessly becomes too risky.”
    • “But it's certainly not all bad; you should also expect fantastic sword-play mechanics, cool graphics, nice references to the swords-and-sandals genre throughout, fun things in the story, hidden items, areas and encounters, two characters, and replayability value.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    Reviewers express a desire for a game that balances retro themes and style with modern graphics, akin to titles like Hollow Knight or Ori, while questioning whether such polish would maintain the emotional authenticity and heartfelt tribute to its origins. Overall, the emotional aspect is seen as a blend of nostalgia and a longing for deeper connection within the gameplay experience.

    • “I like to imagine a game of this genre with the polish of Hollow Knight or Ori, but then I wonder if it would still end up true to its nature, or as heartfelt as a tribute to that era.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed feedback, with some players experiencing frequent slowdowns, particularly during battles, which can detract from the overall experience. Despite these performance issues, many still find enjoyment in the game, indicating that its appeal may outweigh its technical shortcomings. Additionally, the limitation of equipping only one weapon can impact character performance, adding another layer of complexity to gameplay.

    • “Even though my computer isn't up to snuff in terms of graphic performance, I still enjoy this game despite experiencing frequent slowdowns, including during battles. That says a lot about the game's appeal.”
    • “I appreciate the weapon upgrade system, as your character can only equip one weapon at a time, which can significantly affect performance, sometimes in unexpected ways.”
    • “Even though my computer isn't up to snuff in terms of graphic performance, Age of Barbarian experiences frequent slowdowns, including during battles, which makes some aspects tedious.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development in the game is criticized for being overshadowed by suggestive character designs, while technical issues like poor frame rate detract from the overall experience.

    • “The character development feels shallow and uninspired, leaving me disconnected from the story.”
    • “I expected more depth in the characters, but they all seem one-dimensional and forgettable.”
    • “The lack of meaningful choices in character progression makes the experience feel linear and unengaging.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

10hMedian play time
9hAverage play time
3-13hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 3 analyzed playthroughs

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