Barony

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"Barony is a first-person dungeon crawler with a unique atmosphere, featuring permadeath and cryptic levels inspired by classics like Ultima Underworld. Play solo or with up to 4 players in cooperative multiplayer, selecting from 13 diverse classes and battling against supernatural forces. With roguelike elements, deep RPG systems, and a plethora of loot, Barony offers countless hours of replayability and humor, despite some bugs."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,949 reviews

gameplay172 positive mentions

grinding26 negative mentions

gameplay
551 mentions
31 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of *Barony* is characterized by its deep mechanics and challenging roguelike elements, offering a blend of first-person dungeon crawling with RPG features. Players appreciate the complexity and variety of gameplay styles, though many note a steep learning curve and punishing mechanics that can lead to frequent deaths, especially for newcomers. While the game provides options to tweak difficulty and disable certain mechanics, some players find the core gameplay loop repetitive and marred by frustrating elements like the hunger system and random traps. Overall, *Barony* is praised for its engaging mechanics and replayability, particularly in multiplayer settings, despite its initial difficulty and some clunky controls.
- “The gameplay is incredible even if punishing... you might even say that it being punishing is what makes it even more fun.”
- “It delivers an immersive, unforgiving experience that will resonate with fans of intricate systems and high-stakes gameplay.”
- “The gameplay loop, while difficult at the start, becomes super fun once time is given for a better understanding of the game.”
- “Unfortunately, the core gameplay loop doesn't have as much depth as the levels, and a lot of the mechanics can be overwhelming in their complexity and underwhelming in their capabilities.”
- “The mechanics are hard to grasp without completing the tutorials, which can add to the frustration of first-time players.”
- “The gameplay is a bit different, and I find myself hating the differences at times, but it's really fun.”
graphics
257 mentions
25 % positive mentions
69 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the charming voxel art style that evokes nostalgia for retro gaming, despite its simplicity and occasional comparisons to Minecraft. While some find the visuals lacking and reminiscent of older titles, others argue that the graphics effectively complement the gameplay, making it an enjoyable experience overall. Ultimately, the consensus suggests that while the graphics may not be cutting-edge, they serve the game's aesthetic and mechanics well, and players are encouraged not to overlook the game due to its visual presentation.
- “Graphics aren't as bad as they seem at first glance and actually end up being quite charming, making it more of an art style than a graphics quality.”
- “The style of the game, the menu, the artwork, and the general feel of the UI is just so good.”
- “The art style totally matches the vibe of the game; I would recommend it 10/10 to everyone.”
- “This game is horrible; it is not an RPG, it has no story, the combat is garbage, and the graphics are of irreparable quality. They look like a ripoff of Minecraft. Do not buy under any circumstances.”
- “Very old school (lazy) graphic art; it could've definitely been improved, at the very least some of the textures rather than the modeling.”
- “The graphics are ugly, Minecraft-like, which may bother you or not. While this is not a problem in Minecraft itself, Barony doesn't have any noteworthy texture packs available, so the placeholder-quality textures, ugly UI elements, and low-res voxel models are just there to stay.”
humor
125 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is frequently highlighted as a standout feature, with players enjoying its whimsical and often absurd moments, especially during multiplayer sessions. Many reviews mention the hilarity of unexpected deaths, quirky character interactions, and amusing mechanics that lighten the otherwise challenging gameplay. While some players find the humor inconsistent, the overall consensus is that it adds a delightful layer of fun, making the game enjoyable even in the face of frequent failures.
- “This game is brutally difficult but very funny with friends.”
- “The amount of variety and encounters in this game is just astonishing, nearly every run me and my friends did each had their own gameplay and quirks, with many hilarious moments happening throughout.”
- “You'll get frustrated for sure, but it's one of those games that somehow makes it hilarious, annoying, and fun to die, all at the same time.”
replayability
122 mentions
52 % positive mentions
46 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The game boasts exceptional replayability, driven by diverse class and race options, random dungeon generation, and engaging multiplayer mechanics. Players appreciate the depth and variety that encourage experimentation with different builds, although some note a decline in replay value after completing the main content. Overall, it is highly regarded for its addictive gameplay and potential for endless fun, especially in cooperative play.
- “Addictive mechanics and insane replayability potential. If you like games that are defined by their longevity, then Barony is an excellent choice. So many class and race options, and it can be played with friends; this game is immensely fun.”
- “This game has almost endless replayability. The variety of items and map particles make for a lot of replayability.”
- “I can't stress enough how much replayability this game has, from challenge dungeons to legendary weapons and sidekicks, which is somewhat necessary since you will be forced to run through the same corridors at nauseum.”
- “The biggest issue I have with the game currently is the lack of replayability.”
- “Usually once you beat this game once or twice (which on its own is very difficult to do) there's not much else left other than to hunt for Steam achievements, which is where most of the replayability comes from (especially with DLCs).”
- “It lacks replayability a bit though because once you play through and defeat all the bosses and endings, the gameplay is effectively the same each new playthrough.”
music
81 mentions
51 % positive mentions
46 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising its atmospheric quality and ability to enhance the overall experience, fitting well with the game's dark and immersive themes. While some players find the soundtrack outstanding and nostalgic, others criticize it for being repetitive or lacking variety. Overall, the music is generally considered a strong aspect of the game, contributing positively to the gameplay experience.
- “The music in the game is also extremely well done.”
- “Soundtrack is immersive and incredible, great multiplayer game for late night fun or any fun.”
- “The music is nostalgic and fits the themes of each of the area locales well.”
- “The music sounds like a 3-year-old kitten slamming on the keyboard synthesizer, like anyone could do that. You are not special or deep or cultivating a whimsical, enchanting environment of wonder, mystery, and fantasy.”
- “Also, the new soundtrack in my opinion seems worse. I only played the first floor, but I found myself immediately missing the mysteriousness of the original track that would play.”
- “The music is a little droning... but I'd give this a 7.5/10.”
story
56 mentions
23 % positive mentions
70 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The game's story is often described as minimal or non-existent, with many players noting that it lacks a substantial narrative, focusing instead on gameplay mechanics. However, some reviews highlight the presence of intriguing lore and whimsical storytelling elements that can enhance the experience for those who seek them out. Overall, while the story may not be a central feature, it offers optional depth for players interested in exploring the game's world.
- “Barony also manages to capture visual novel storytelling incredibly well, hooking you in with this weird tale about slaying some princess and time loops.”
- “The story is intriguing and the world is excellently crafted.”
- “The graphics and story are whimsical, yet the gameplay is more nuanced than it would seem at first.”
- “This game is horrible; it is not an RPG, it has no story, the combat is garbage, and the graphics are of irreparable quality. They look like a ripoff of Minecraft. Do not buy under any circumstances.”
- “Not a great game at all; no story, hard in an irritating way.”
- “Non-existent story.”
atmosphere
41 mentions
63 % positive mentions
29 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in Barony is widely praised for its immersive and tense qualities, reminiscent of classic dungeon crawlers like Doom, with a blend of charming pixel art and haunting audio design that enhances the sense of danger. Players appreciate the game's ability to create a claustrophobic and eerie environment, filled with unpredictability and a constant feeling of peril, making each dungeon dive a thrilling experience. Despite some critiques regarding gameplay mechanics, the overall ambiance is described as captivating and deeply atmospheric, successfully drawing players into its dark yet whimsical fantasy world.
- “I'm honestly blown away by the atmosphere and tension that this game creates.”
- “Perchance, its beautiful pixel art, engaging gameplay, procedural generation, haunting atmosphere, and depth of customization all blend together seamlessly, creating a memorable and enchanting adventure.”
- “The game isn't humor-centric - in fact, the atmosphere is pretty grim.”
- “Their use of sound effects have a way of creating a creepy atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere is just dark enough to compel the player into feeling a true sense of fear while scrambling to survive all of Barony's unique surprises.”
grinding
29 mentions
3 % positive mentions
7 % neutral mentions
90 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, often leading to frustration due to frequent deaths and the loss of progress. While some appreciate the depth of skills and items available, many feel that the grinding required to master them detracts from the overall experience, making it feel more like a chore than an engaging challenge. Overall, the grinding mechanics seem to clash with the expectations of a roguelike, leaving players divided on their enjoyment.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “If you like dying repeatedly in the blink of an eye after grinding for an hour and losing all of your progress, this game is for you.”
- “Not difficult because it's challenging, but difficult because it's tedious.”
- “All of this sums up to a ridiculously tedious, maddening experience.”
stability
25 mentions
16 % positive mentions
4 % neutral mentions
80 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag; while it runs well on various systems, including Linux, many players report frequent bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, particularly during multiplayer sessions. Some users have noted that minor issues can be resolved by saving and resuming, but significant game-breaking glitches remain a concern, leading to a lack of recommendations in its current state. Despite these issues, players see potential for improvement with future updates.
- “Runs great on my Linux system.”
- “Easily some of the best $7 I have ever spent. I'm going on to every social network I have and sending them the link to this game. I highly recommend it; there are little to no errors in the game, no glitches that I have found so far. A well-written story, solid gameplay yielding great rewards, a great magic system, and all loot you find is beneficial or negative to your character, so you have to appraise it using your appraisal skill. Every level is random, except the intro level. The enemies are tough but manageable, and you have to manage your character realistically by finding food to eat (that's not rotten or moldy) and try to stay alive.”
- “The game is relatively bug-free, but some of them can be pretty brutal.”
- “Then freezes when players are trying to access inventory menus simultaneously.”
- “This would easily be one of the most recommended co-op games if it didn't have so many frequent game-breaking glitches.”
- “In its current state, it's a fairly buggy mess with ugly at every corner, but after some digging the devs are hyping a release that'll include checkboxes to disable traps, cows, hunger, and many more hindrances, as well as a graphical overhaul so it doesn't look so flat.”
optimization
15 mentions
53 % positive mentions
27 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is generally praised, with smooth performance on a variety of systems and charming graphics. However, players report significant performance drops and frame rate issues in the latter half of the game, which can hinder gameplay, especially for overpowered characters. While the base game runs well, some UI and keybinding decisions are not fully optimized for PC, and further improvements in optimization could enhance the experience.
- “DLCs are very cheap for the content they add, while not hindering performance or base game content.”
- “Graphics are very charming and the game will run smoothly on pretty much anything.”
- “It is also very well optimized; you could probably run it on mom's MacBook from 2011.”
- “This performance drop is significant and there are a lot of frame drops/stutters in the second half of the game, to the point it is nearly unplayable and sometimes can cause a good run to end.”
- “Not all of the UI decisions and keybindings are optimized for PC play.”
- “Good game, you can get pretty fun runs, but the problem I found is that if you are overpowered, in the last levels the performance makes it hard to finish the run.”
emotional
8 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players report a strong emotional impact from the game, often leading to tears due to its touching moments and interactions with friends. The blend of humor and darker themes, such as the challenges posed by gnomes and cursed objects, contributes to a unique emotional experience that resonates deeply with players. Overall, the game elicits a mix of laughter and sadness, making it memorable and impactful.
- “This game made me cry.”
- “Gnomes are harder to kill than demons, both physically and emotionally.”
- “10/10 would cry again.”
monetization
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
150 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized for its complex and exploitative nature, likening it to a form of "microtransactions-as-taxation" that preys on players during economic hardship. Users express concern over the introduction of gambling elements and the overall commercialization of gameplay, suggesting it reflects broader societal issues rather than enhancing the gaming experience.
- “The monetization in this game feels exploitative, with constant pressure to spend money on microtransactions that don't enhance the gameplay experience.”
- “It's frustrating to see a game that could be great bogged down by aggressive monetization strategies that prioritize profit over player enjoyment.”
- “The in-game purchases are overwhelming and make it hard to enjoy the game without feeling like you need to spend extra money to keep up.”
character development
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
-150 % neutral mentions
150 % negative mentions
The character development system is praised for its detail and the evident care put into it, though players express a desire for additional choices, such as selecting a deity to worship or incorporating mutations, as well as more optional exploration opportunities.
- “The character development system is very detailed, and you can tell a lot of care was put into the game.”
- “I would love to see more character development decisions, such as choosing a deity to worship or exploring mutations, along with more optional areas to discover along the way.”
- “The character development system feels shallow and lacks meaningful choices that impact the gameplay.”
- “I found the character progression to be linear and uninspired, making it hard to feel invested in my character's growth.”
- “There are limited options for character development, which makes the experience feel restrictive and unengaging.”