Bardbarian for iOS Combines Strategy and Tower Defense, Review

Gear Diary is independently owned and operated. We receive compensation through advertising and from the companies whose products we review, usually in the form of the reviewed product. We test the products supplied to us, and the opinions expressed are our own.

Gear Diary is also reader-supported. When you buy through links posted on our site, we may earn a commission at no cost to you. You can learn more by clicking here.

Bardbarian

Gamers love tower defense games, and fantasy action-combat games. Bardbarian has all of this and more. Based around the hero Brad and his Axe guitar, this light-hearted romp has you summoning companions and special attacks as you work to fend off the invaders and protect your village. For a bargain price you will get loads of fun!

Type of app: Action-Tower

Platform/where to buy: iPad / iPhone; available in the iTunes App Store

Developer: TreeFortress / BulkyPix

Description:
Here are some of the features:
• Unique, hybrid, genre-bending gameplay
• Hand-drawn original artwork and awesome rock/metal
soundtrack
• 12 unlockable characters! Customize your party loadout,
over 200 possible combinations
• Collect loot from your fallen enemies and upgrade Brad, the town, and your units in the shop!
• 4 intense boss battles

image

Major features:

For fans of the tower defense genre, things have been getting interesting lately – Aspects TD allows you to attack as well as defend, and with Bardbarian you get a hybrid game where you can actually move around like in an action game. This gives you a different level of control.

You create companions rather than towers, and can choose power-ups to help you gain an edge. But otherwise this is a fairly standard game – you start low-level with weak companions, and slowly everything builds and you have more options and power.

You play as a Bard, so you are definitely using music – in fact in the introduction you craft a special axe-guitar that is your means of summoning companions and special attacks.

Of course the enemies get smarter and stronger as well, so it makes for some tense gameplay keeping your town intact and advancing through stage after stage. By using all of your companions and powers, you can make it through!

image

Ease of use/Overall performance: I found that this game to play differently on iPhone compared to iPad – because the smaller screen felt cramped and I occasionally had to grab a second time to get my hero moving.

Once I adapted to the differences, I found that I preferred playing on the iPhone, because it is a classic ‘time waster’ game. It is all about combat and upgrades and power-ups and dealing with waves of enemies.

Would use again/recommend?: Definitely! If you are a fan of the tower defense genre and have played through the most popular games, this is definitely one to look at – and the price is right at $0.99!

Suggested changes/wish list for updates: Nothing.

Price: iPhone/iPad Universal version – $0.99

Here is the trailer:

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks for your support!

About the Author

Michael Anderson
I have loved technology for as long as I can remember - and have been a computer gamer since the PDP-10! Mobile Technology has played a major role in my life - I have used an electronic companion since the HP95LX more than 20 years ago, and have been a 'Laptop First' person since my Compaq LTE Lite 3/20 and Powerbook 170 back in 1991! As an avid gamer and gadget-junkie I was constantly asked for my opinions on new technology, which led to writing small blurbs ... and eventually becoming a reviewer many years ago. My family is my biggest priority in life, and they alternate between loving and tolerating my gaming and gadget hobbies ... but ultimately benefits from the addition of technology to our lives!

1 Comment on "Bardbarian for iOS Combines Strategy and Tower Defense, Review"

  1. Mike Gaboury | January 18, 2014 at 3:35 pm |

    Thanks so much for reviewing our game 🙂 Glad you enjoyed it!

Comments are closed.