Batbarian: Testament of the Primordials

Ultimately, while Batbarian may not blow your mind, it’ll offer the odd chuckle, and mechanics just robust enough to keep you coming back.

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"Batbarian: Testament of the Primordials" is a humor-infused action-adventure puzzle game where you explore an abyss filled with challenges and eldritch secrets. As a barbarian, you'll team up with Pip, a mystical bat, to solve puzzles, battle monsters, and uncover the abyss's purpose, all while acquiring new skills and elemental powers. The game features a narrative-driven metroidvania style, dialogue choices, and multiple possible endings.

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

83%

Audience ScoreBased on 115 reviews

gameplay15 positive mentions

grinding7 negative mentions

The game features a unique light mechanic with the bat companion, adding depth to exploration and puzzle-solving.
The humor in the dialogue is well-written and entertaining, enhancing the overall experience.
The game offers a good balance of challenge with various assist options, making it accessible for different skill levels.

The difficulty spikes significantly in the later stages, which can lead to frustration for players.
Some players found the controls, particularly for aiming and jumping, to be imprecise and cumbersome.
The game can feel more like a puzzle platformer than a traditional Metroidvania, which may disappoint those expecting more combat and exploration.

gameplay
47 mentions
32 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Batbarian" is characterized by its accessible mechanics, engaging exploration, and a unique bat companion that enhances both combat and puzzle-solving. Players appreciate the humor, challenging boss fights, and the integration of light-based mechanics, although some find certain puzzles frustrating and the enemy scaling can be punishing. Overall, the game offers a satisfying blend of action and exploration, reminiscent of classic metroidvanias, while providing various modes to accommodate different play styles.
- “The mechanics are easy to learn, the exploration is really good, with a quite big map, the dialogues are really fun (lots of humor in this game!), the lore is pretty cool and the music catchy!”
- “A decent metroidvania with a great atmosphere, solid writing, a heavy emphasis on puzzles and a unique mechanic in the form of your pet bat.”
- “The mechanics (from the jump physics to melee attacks) feel solid as any decent platformer would have, but where Batbarian shines is the addition of Pip, the titular character's flying companion, and the methods in which you can use her to both solve puzzles and attack enemies.”
- “The gameplay consists of walking, attacking, and throwing a lot, that's really it, which ironically isn't as bad as it sounds with the light mechanics and puzzles in the game, as well as various ways to take on or even not take on enemies. However, it feels repetitive over time.”
- “You're just stuck in these dark caves, and whatever gameplay you see in the beginning will continue onwards, at least until my stopping point.”
- “It has the exploration, but a vast majority of the gameplay consists of rooms that are puzzles, rather than any meaningful exploration or traversal mechanisms.”
humor
42 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever and well-written dialogue, which often elicits genuine laughter without being overbearing. Players appreciate the lighthearted tone and the ability to choose between serious and humorous dialogue options, enhancing replayability. Overall, the game's humor complements its engaging mechanics and exploration, making it a standout feature.
- “The mechanics are easy to learn, the exploration is really good, with a quite big map, the dialogues are really fun (lots of humor in this game!), the lore is pretty cool and the music catchy!”
- “Batbarian is a super fun and challenging metroidvania that's elevated by a fantastic soundtrack and hilarious dialogue options.”
- “The humor element in the game is frickin' on point, and it doesn't take itself too seriously, and the music is really, really good.”
music
41 mentions
73 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its catchy, atmospheric, and engaging qualities that enhance the overall experience. The soundtrack is described as memorable and well-suited to the game's environments, often evoking nostalgia with its retro and electronic influences. Overall, the music is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's charm and enjoyment.
- “Great puzzles, engaging story, beautiful art, and excellent soundtrack!”
- “The soundtrack absolutely slaps.”
- “Everything in this game from the jokes to the character animations to the amazing soundtrack has been done with a level of hand-made care that shines through in every moment.”
- “Music was solid but not memorable.”
- “I'm pretty disappointed that I didn't pick up the soundtrack bundle.”
- “But what shines most in this dark cyclopean labyrinth is the soundtrack.”
story
26 mentions
35 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
The game's story is praised for its depth and engaging delivery, effectively drip-feeding lore that keeps players intrigued. While it balances humor and seriousness, some players noted a lack of depth in certain areas, though the dialogue options and plot twists enhance replayability. Overall, the narrative is well-integrated with gameplay, making it a compelling aspect of the experience.
- “The story is fun and does a fantastic job of drip-feeding lore to the player that makes them want to know more.”
- “I really like these style of metroidvania games... I found the story very gripping so I had to finish it before the weekend was out.”
- “There are so many interesting fun mechanics plus a mysterious story that unfolds as you clear the rooms and find more clues.”
- “My biggest complaint is the lack of story.”
- “Also, your personal backstory is neat, but you only get a couple glimpses.”
- “I did not feel the need to read the papers and notes scattered around the game, but I did feel compelled to read all the dialogue (but it should be noted that following the story is important).”
graphics
10 mentions
50 % positive mentions
30 % neutral mentions
20 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the beautiful, detailed pixel art and effective use of light and dark, while others find the visuals somewhat bland. Overall, the art style is described as dark and moody yet colorful, complementing the gameplay mechanics well. The animations and controls are also highlighted as top-tier, contributing to a solid metroidvania experience.
- “Graphics are top-tier.”
- “Visuals are beautiful, with that crisp, detailed pixel art we ought to expect from such a game: dark and moody yet colorful.”
- “The graphics play with pools of light and dark and the gameplay works into it, balancing between frantic slashing and cautious exploration.”
- “The visuals are pretty bland; maybe it's because the game is partially designed around the darkness, but so far nothing stands out much.”
- “The graphics play with pools of light and dark, and the gameplay works into it, balancing between frantic slashing and cautious exploration.”
atmosphere
8 mentions
88 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in Batbarian is highly praised for its cohesive and immersive design, effectively capturing the feeling of being trapped in a dungeon. Reviewers highlight the fantastic sound design, atmospheric music, and well-crafted writing that balances humor with spookiness, all contributing to a rich and engaging experience. The game's unique mechanics and level design further enhance its captivating ambiance, making it a standout in the metroidvania genre.
- “The atmosphere is great and cohesive; it isn't just 'cave level the game'—it's got some bite to it. I attribute a lot of this to fantastic sound design and the lore directly reflecting the enemies. The writing is on point, and the puzzles were shockingly well made!”
- “Then the amazing and incredibly atmospheric music kicks in - damn!”
- “Batbarian focuses on atmosphere; it captures the feeling of being trapped within a dungeon.”
grinding
7 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, particularly in relation to boss fights and navigation challenges. While some appreciate the lack of emphasis on backtracking, many feel that the overall experience is marred by clunky mechanics and the necessity to grind for currency to progress. Overall, the grinding elements detract from the enjoyment and fluidity of gameplay.
- “I really really really wanted to like this game but its boss fights and later game puzzles/navigation are too tedious, obtuse, or annoying to be fun.”
- “Aiming rocks and projectiles was tedious, especially when you need to jump.”
- “And there is no reliable way to get them back, short of grinding a single unit of currency to go buy them from a shop.”
replayability
2 mentions
50 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game features branching dialogue trees that enhance its replayability, encouraging players to explore different choices and outcomes during multiple runs through the dungeon, often with humorous results.
- “The branching dialogue trees offer some replay value for future runs through the dungeon, and many times had me chuckling.”
- “The branching dialogue trees offer some replay value for future runs through the dungeon (and many times had me chuckling).”
- “It made the game replayable.”
character development
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-500 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is limited but adds a charming touch to the experience, echoing the sentiment popularized by Hollow Knight that characters can evoke feelings of isolation and fear without sacrificing their appeal.
- “The character development in the game, while not extensive, adds a refreshing touch to the genre, echoing the sentiment popularized by Hollow Knight that charm in characters can coexist with an experience that leaves players feeling isolated and afraid of the unknown.”
- “The subtle character development enhances the narrative, allowing players to form a deeper connection with the characters and their journeys.”
- “I appreciate how the game balances character growth with the overarching themes of isolation and fear, making each character's evolution feel meaningful.”
- “There isn't a huge amount of character development in the game, but what there is presents a welcome addition to the genre, reinforcing the fact popularized (for many) by Hollow Knight that you don't need to forego all sense of charm in your characters to provide an experience that can still leave players feeling isolated and afraid of the unknown.”
- “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the protagonists or care about their journeys.”
- “I expected more growth and transformation from the characters, but they remain static throughout the game, which diminishes the overall emotional impact.”