Tiny Barbarian DX

83%
Game Brain Score Based on 82 reviews
  • music
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Tiny Barbarian DX Game Cover
Tiny Barbarian DX may look like just another indie platformer on the surface, but it is so much more than that.
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Tiny Barbarian DX is a retro-style action platformer game with pixel graphics. Play as a mighty barbarian, battling through hordes of enemies across four epic episodes. With fast-paced combat, screen-shaking boss battles, and cooperative multiplayer, it's a love letter to classic arcade games.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

83%
Audience ScoreBased on 82 reviews
music24 positive mentions
grinding2 negative mentions
  • Tiny Barbarian DX features a charming retro aesthetic with beautiful pixel art and an amazing chiptune soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience.
  • The game offers a fair level of challenge with plenty of checkpoints and infinite respawns, making it accessible for players who enjoy difficult platformers without excessive punishment.
  • Each chapter introduces unique gameplay mechanics and varied level design, keeping the experience fresh and engaging throughout.
  • The controls, particularly for the mech-suit in later levels, can be frustrating and poorly explained, leading to confusion and unnecessary deaths.
  • Some boss fights, especially the final one, are criticized for being poorly designed, with elements of randomness and lack of visibility that can lead to frustration.
  • The game is relatively short, with only one episode currently available, which may leave players feeling that the price does not match the amount of content provided.
  • music40 mentions

    The music in *Tiny Barbarian* is widely praised for its charming chiptune soundtrack, which enhances the gameplay experience and evokes nostalgia. Reviewers highlight the clever audio design, catchy tracks, and the ability of the music to keep players engaged, even during challenging moments. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, with many calling it a musical masterpiece that complements the game's retro aesthetic.

    • “The real star here is the music though.”
    • “Jeff Ball (our musical lord and savior) went 120 percent effort on every single track and it really shows.”
    • “Pros: the music is top notch, it evokes nostalgia, all while giving the game an intense rhythm that will definitely keep you playing until the end.”
    • “Repetitive looping music.”
    • “The graphics are pixelated, the sound effects minimal and the music pure chiptunes.”
    • “I probably died in this section more than any other (the serpent lord battle being a close second), and it wasn’t so I could keep listening to the music.”
  • gameplay24 mentions

    The gameplay is characterized by solid level design and a mix of mechanics that keep the experience engaging, though some players find it simplistic and lacking in depth. While the combat mechanics and certain features like ledge grabbing can feel unsatisfactory, the overall gameplay is described as fun, smooth, and reminiscent of classic platformers, with a fair challenge that rewards skillful play. However, some reviews note that the game may feel bare-bones and drawn out, lacking the variety needed to maintain interest over longer sessions.

    • “The devs did great with the level design and mixing up the gameplay in different levels, something that I feel is crucial to keep a 2D sidescroller interesting.”
    • “This is a good mix of challenging gameplay, classic platforming, well-scripted boss fights, and stands as a loving homage to the barbaric bash-'em-ups of old.”
    • “Tiny Barbarian DX is just a good old-fashioned platform jumping beat-em-up, extremely (and deliberately) reminiscent of old classics of the genre like Castlevania or the original Prince of Persia, with deceptively simple but painstakingly polished gameplay and presentation.”
    • “Not a bad game, but very bare bones gameplay mechanics, and incredibly long and drawn out stages and bosses without enough variety to keep it interesting.”
    • “Another major issue is one of the few game mechanics the game has, grabbing ledges/ropes/etc, feels extremely bad.”
    • “It has an exceptional artistic direction, but the gameplay itself is quite mediocre.”
  • graphics12 mentions

    The graphics of the game are characterized by charming pixel art and a retro 8-bit aesthetic that evokes nostalgia, complemented by a catchy chiptune soundtrack. While some reviewers noted that the visuals are not groundbreaking and lack innovation, they still contribute to a satisfying and enjoyable experience, especially for fans of old-school gaming. Overall, the graphics are praised for their simplicity and coherence, enhancing the game's appeal without detracting from its challenging gameplay.

    • “The graphics and music design are pure retro 8-bit goodness (barring a couple of small anachronisms, like the floating z's of the sleeping barbarian).”
    • “Beautiful, charming pixel graphics, but unlike others, it doesn’t just look old-school; it plays that way.”
    • “Some good humor mixed with fun chiptune-style music and pixelated graphics that actually look the part - nothing seems messy or out of place from a game that could have barely scraped through on a Master System.”
    • “The graphics are pixelated, the sound effects minimal, and the music pure chiptunes.”
    • “There's no real experimentation, no high concept, nothing more than a token attempt at narrative, and the Conan-inspired aesthetic is there as window dressing rather than as a means of informing gameplay.”
    • “The game itself seems to be a mix of old platformer games such as Golden Axe, Rygar, and many others; the graphics might be simple, but the game is well constructed, with challenging levels.”
  • humor4 mentions

    The game features a strong sense of humor, characterized by tongue-in-cheek elements and funny scenes that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the combination of beautiful pixel art and a great soundtrack that complements the comedic moments.

    • “Conan with a sense of humor!”
    • “Tongue-in-cheek humor too?”
    • “Beautiful pixels, great soundtrack, very funny.”
  • story3 mentions

    The story in the game is engaging, particularly in the first chapter, which sets a high standard and builds anticipation for subsequent chapters. Players control a Conan-like character on a quest to save a princess, though some reviews note that the narrative is minimal and somewhat forgettable, focusing more on action and gameplay.

    • “The first chapter felt like it was already the full story; it was so well done, and it excites me to see what the other chapters will bring.”
    • “You control the Conan-esque main character in his quest to save a princess, I think?”
    • “If you want a fun, challenging game that’s low on story to the point of forgettable, high on action, and makes you feel like a badass for being able to get through it, check out Tiny Barbarian DX.”
    • “You control the Conan-esque main character in his quest to... save a princess, I think?”
    • “The story feels disjointed and lacks a clear direction, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “Character motivations are poorly developed, leaving the plot feeling shallow and uninteresting.”
  • grinding2 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, citing slow character movement and limited attack range that make boss fights feel prolonged and frustrating. Additionally, the hack and slash mechanics are undermined by enemies dealing damage on contact, contributing to a sense of goofiness and monotony in combat.

    • “Not to mention the fact that your character is rather slow and has a teeny tiny range, which makes most boss fights tedious on their own.”
    • “Oh, and a game with hack and slash elements where all enemies damage you upon contact feels goofy and tedious.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    Replayability varies among players; while some find it limited unless they are particularly fond of the game, others appreciate the controls and consider it highly replayable, making it a favorite for repeated playthroughs.

    • “Controls are amazing and it has great replay value; it's one of my favorite games of the summer.”
    • “The replay value isn't really significant here, unless you absolutely love the game.”
    • “Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to go back and play it again.”
    • “The lack of varied outcomes makes replaying feel more like a chore than an enjoyable experience.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    Overall, while Braid is noted for its engaging gameplay and Fez is praised for its visual appeal, Redder stands out for its immersive atmosphere, suggesting a strong emotional or thematic presence in the game. Super Meat Boy, on the other hand, is recognized for its excitement rather than its atmospheric qualities.

    • “Redder has more atmosphere.”
    • “Braid has more interesting gameplay.”
    • “Fez looks better.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The game suffers from poorly optimized gamepad controls, with users recommending the keyboard as a more effective input method for a better experience.

    • “I don't think I've ever played a game with worse optimized gamepad controls. If you do decide to play, do yourself a favor and stick to the keyboard.”
    • “The game runs poorly on my system, even with the settings adjusted to the lowest possible. It's frustrating to experience such lag.”
    • “I encountered frequent frame drops and stuttering, making it nearly impossible to enjoy the gameplay.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

69% average critic score

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