Barbarian Saga: The Beastmaster

Barbarian Saga: The Beastman is a clunky, disjointed Metroidvania that struggles to find a smooth rhythm, bogged down by sparse abilities, missing control settings, and a frustrating sense of direction. While its tiny file size, forgiving checkpoint system, and cheap entry price might tempt hardcore platforming fans looking for an easy platinum trophy, the tedious grind and chaotic progression mean most players will find their patience wearing thin long before the credits roll.

I was really on the fence between a 7 and an 8 for Barbarian Saga: The Beastmaster. That might sound like small beer, but I think those scores hold very different perceptions. I went for a 7 in the end because, while I mostly enjoyed my time in Arborea and the environments and characters are gorgeous, there were significant elements that felt clunky and/or derivative, but these could be fixed with some tweaking and patching over time.

Barbarian Saga: The Beastmaster brings some interesting ideas, mainly in the use of transformations and animal-related powers. However, these are ultimately hampered by an execution that falls short in fundamental aspects of a Metroidvania game, such as combat, progression, exploration, and enemy variety.

Barbarian Saga: The Beastmaster is a good Metroidvania with a strong identity and interesting ideas, though it occasionally stumbles on the technical and narrative fronts.