ARENA an Age of Barbarians story

The devs purposedly made the menu to start a game as slow as humanly possible, where you forced to watch cutscenes and wait until it reads you the name of the game. There is a versus mode that don't work because the movement keys are disabled (for both players) and the attack keys for player 1 controls attacks for both players at once too. Some arenas works on 30 fps, others on 60, another works on 60 but feels like 25 fps. The roll not only to dodge but to move faster than the run key, you have a run key which is pointless because it always leads to getting hit for free, also every time the enemy rolls through you, you're stuck in an animation where you need to turn to the other side, since the computer does that all the time you're like most of the time trying to figure out when you're going to be able to control your character again. It feels like their roll covers more distance than the attack so the bot will do it perfectly in a way you are always out of range to try attacking and their roll always ends behind you, so you're stuck in the turn back animation while the bot is able to attack. There are some moves that are not listed like crouching by pressing down twice, sometimes it crouches sometimes it deals some weird animation that i don't even know what it does, there is more dedication in trying to make the game look like one of those arcades nobody play, like for example there is a 10 seconds animation to slowly center the camera in the arena and also show an eye looking into the fight before the fight starts than explaining people how to do anything, i am not expecting a tutorial but since there is a move list, instead of telling us how to button mash random attacks tells us basic ♥♥♥♥ like dodging crouching and what the other crouch does. But to be fair arcade games like snk always had a tutorial explaining about how to grab and such, also bots can push around id on't even know how to do that. There is a weapon clash thing where it don't even tell you what key you need to mash to stop, it happened once but they thrown a bomb bottle at us, my character got stuck in an animation flying to the corner for the entire game so i had no choice but to close the entire game which is faster than navigating to the main menu through the slow motion menu and pointless animation. Also you can't even close the game with alt+f4 gotta use task manager or deal with their ♥♥♥♥ menu with slow motion animations and input delay. Most times the audience is throwing potions directly on your enemy so you can't kill them because they keep healing, there is an arena map where the audience covers your screen so it's really hard to tell if they thrown a healing or explosive potion. When they throw an explosive potion near you the bot keeps rolling around you getting you stuck in place so you can't dodge it. There are many unfair fights like for example fighting zombies that keeps healing passively while they keep spamming healing potions on their head, meanwhile my character is getting tired all the time, once the zombie corners you it keeps spamming grabs that apparently will never break free because they just grab you again, if you roll to the other side it might trigger a second zombie and then they start spamming acid taht will hit you even if you dodge, and if you don't dodge it's like 80% health lost and poisoned. They have massive health and they also spamming bombs on you all the time forcing you to stay away from them so they can get more time to heal. At some point you fight 2 guys at once, one of them rolls all day or randomly attacks the air all day while the other stays behind parrying everything you do so if you attack one you get parry'd instantly and get hit by the 2 of them at once, if you hit one of them he just spamms rolling waiting to be healed by potions that only spawns on top of their head apparently. If you keep distance they keep healing and healing, also this game is so ♥♥♥♥ and broken that you can only fight one of them at the time while the other just stays there interrupting the fight. With this i mean your character is forced to face one of them even if that one is on the other corner of the arena while the other is next to you beating you up. The only possible way to attack them is if tehy're one on each side and when they do thay can lock you in an infinite combo. If you kill the main guy in the 2 vs 1 fight your character get stuck spinning in circles unable to move until the first character that died disappears from the screen. After each fight you might have to deal with some long boring minigames with traps that kills you with one hit or you run from a stone or dinosaur, there is a hint during loading screen that gives you over 2 seconds to lread the mechanic, if you didn't read then good luck. There is one where you just button mash for like 30 minutes, they feel like bonus stage but you get nothing for completing them but wasting time, especially once you figured how to play them they just more like a chore (And i said once you figure them out becuase the hint goes so fast it can't even be read). Between arenas there are some walking areas that sometimes they have no traps sometimes they have dumb traps and sometimes they have traps that are so blend in the background that you can't see them, sometimes you see them and dodge but the damage area is inconsistant and you die anyway or character will jump with random delay messing the jump. There is a fight with a dinosaur where the screen won't stop shaking and sliding back and forth whenever the dinosaur moves, of course the dinosaur also has potions healing it forcing you to button mash as you have no time to think of anything because if you get at certain distance you're permanently stun locked in tail attacks taht apparently can't be parry'd, if you dodge you roll you lose soo many stamina you won't be able to dodge enough to leave the tail infinite combo area, i was about to kill it it only had like 10 seconds and i rolled away and for some reason it was 100% health all out of the sudden, potions don't heal that much. You can only hit the dinosaur with the overhead attack which drains soooooo much stamina so you either attack and be lucky from max range and be lucky it doesn't do the tail or you just roll trying to leave the tail range before you get stunned for lack of stamina. (if your character has short range you're ♥♥♥♥♥♥ in this fight). I think the devs of this game tried to make the game "hard" to be "retro" but they forgot the basic stuff like making the game functional. Yes you can play on easy and beat all AFK enemies but then it's not fun, most of the problems with this game is dumb ways to shove those "boss fight" attempts and traps that might or not have a working hitbox and controls randomly having input delay. By the way if you want to continue after dying you have to press the taunt key which makes no sense, it took a while to figure out. I also bought the other age of barbaria game, but this one is so bad i won't even try it as they have the same developer team, probably full of bugs and bad deveolpment choices.

I doubt the developer is gonna read this but I like this game and the previous one. The story is very immersive and i like it a lot. But the crashes in the game ruin the whole experience, you get into it, you spent between 10-15 minutes on a run when you know the whole game and you try speed running it, just to see end cinematics which you can never see because it crashes on literally the end. I have spent 5 hours trying to get Xula and Deathbringer and it's mental. Please for the love of god and a small lepricon fix the f*cking crashes to at least let people enjoy what you have made. Game is enjoyable if not crashing.

Less story and RPG elements than the previous game. This is a more linear hack and slash brawler. pick it up on sale and have a good time

Мусор.

I thoroughly enjoyed the original AoB game so I had to try this one as well, and while I like the overall concept of Arena, and would still recommend the game, I must say that the practical execution is weaker than the original. But first, let's start with the good: Visually, Arena is a worthy successor to the original game, delivering more than enough of the basic ingredients of any barbarian inspired media: violence and nudity. Thanks to the faster paced gameplay, both racy and gory scenes are more frequent than in the original. The Arena, the namesake of the game is superbly designed, with varied and exciting levels, none of which fail to capture the gritty feel that we all enjoy. Same goes for the enemies you will encounter in the Arena, be they wild beasts, fierce Amazons or ruthless Barbarians, they all look the part for this savage world. Simply put, the atmosphere is flawless, 10/10. While the storyline plays second fiddle to the visuals and atmosphere in this kind of game, I really like it, as it serves as the perfect introduction to Yanah and Xodan, the protagonists of the upcoming AoB Chronicles game, which we will hopefully see released soon. Another strong point of the game is the introduction of multiple playable characters, some of them familiar faces, others completely new. The versus mode, which lets you fight in a singular match against the AI or another player is also a welcome addition. Now, to adress the elephant in the room, this game is CLUNKY, and this will unfortunately ruin many of the good things I listed above. While the gameplay is faster paced than the original and the controls are slightly different, not to mention the fact the game wasn't designed to be easy to beat, none of these are the culprits for the clunkyness, the game is simply janky in itself and sometimes it's borderline unplayable, especially in the infamous trap rooms. I felt that some of the reviews of the original game overstated the bad mechanics, but when it comes to Arena, these criticisms are perfectly on point, the gameplay can be hell. If you like the original game, and sword and sorcery in general, I'd definitely recommend getting a taste of this, but adjusting to unpolished mechanics will give you a hard time, no matter how good you are.

This is completely unacceptable. The game crashes every , making it impossible to play. The controls are also terrible. The game's frame rate is awful, and the controls feel like they belong in an arcade game.

Great old school 80ties sword and sorcery fun. Be warned the game is quite hard and unforgiving

ARENA an Age of Barbarians story developed and published by Crian Soft is a ferocious side-scrolling action title that embraces the raw intensity of classic sword-and-sorcery pulp. Set in the same brutal universe as Age of Barbarian, this standalone chapter narrows its focus toward gladiatorial combat and high-impact brawling, delivering a skill-driven experience rooted in reflexes and precision rather than RPG progression or elaborate storytelling. From the outset, the game establishes its tone with a simple but effective premise: an oppressed land ruled by dark forces, an ancient prophecy, and a barbarian warrior determined to fight through blood and steel to restore balance. Combat defines the entire structure of the experience. Players engage in relentless melee encounters that demand timing, positioning, and awareness. There are no complex stat systems or equipment management trees to lean on; success depends almost entirely on player execution. Attacks are heavy and deliberate, dodges must be carefully timed, and enemies often punish reckless aggression. The pacing encourages mastery of patterns and strategic spacing, especially when facing multiple foes at once. Finishers and brutal takedowns amplify the visceral impact of combat, reinforcing the game’s commitment to exaggerated, pulp-inspired violence. Unlike traditional action RPGs that emphasize exploration and gradual leveling, the design here feels closer to an arcade gauntlet. Encounters unfold in structured stages, often culminating in boss battles that test reflexes and pattern recognition. These bosses are imposing and frequently unforgiving, demanding repeated attempts to fully understand their attack rhythms. While some players may find the difficulty spikes abrupt, the challenge aligns with the game’s old-school philosophy, where persistence and learning through repetition are central to progression. Character variety adds replay value. Multiple playable fighters offer distinct move sets and special abilities, subtly altering combat flow depending on choice. Each character feels tuned for a slightly different approach—some favor aggressive offense, others balance mobility with defense. This variation encourages experimentation across playthroughs and gives players incentive to revisit stages with alternative strategies. The inclusion of branching outcomes and multiple endings further reinforces replayability, rewarding those willing to explore different paths. Visually, the game leans heavily into exaggerated barbarian fantasy aesthetics. Muscular warriors, grotesque monsters, and blood-soaked arenas define its identity. The environments range from desolate battlegrounds to grim, enclosed arenas that evoke gladiatorial brutality. Stylized gore and dramatic effects amplify the spectacle, while optional retro-inspired visual filters nod to the grindhouse cinema and 80s fantasy films that inspired its creation. The aesthetic is unapologetically bold and embraces the campy intensity of its influences. The soundtrack complements this tone with driving heavy metal tracks that elevate the energy of each encounter. The music amplifies tension during boss fights and reinforces the relentless forward momentum of the campaign. Sound effects—clashing steel, guttural enemy roars, and explosive impacts—add further texture, creating a sensory experience that matches the on-screen carnage. While the game excels in delivering concentrated bursts of action, its focused design may feel limited to players seeking expansive exploration or narrative depth. The story functions primarily as a framing device rather than a central pillar. However, this simplicity is intentional; the title positions itself as a tribute to arcade-style brutality and skill-based combat rather than modern cinematic storytelling. Ultimately, the game stands as a passionate homage to barbarian action and retro beat-’em-ups. It prioritizes mechanical mastery, unapologetic violence, and stylistic intensity over complexity or polish. For players drawn to challenging melee combat and the over-the-top theatrics of classic sword-and-sorcery tales, it offers a focused and energetic experience that remains faithful to its pulp-inspired roots. Rating: 6/10

서양 고전 스타일 젖보똥과 하드고어. 그리고 쓰레기같은 조작감을 버무린 벨트스크롤 2D 다크소울 처음 맛볼땐 구린내에 정신 못차리는데 먹다보면 오기생겨서 엔딩까지 맛보게되는 청국장같은 게임입니다 첫 엔딩은 2~3시간이면 충분하구요 정 못하겠다 싶으면 구르기랑 대쉬 강공격만 써도 엔딩까진 무리없습니다 게임 자체는 비추천과 추천 사이의 무언가이지만 요즘의 서양에선 멸종해버린 헐벗은 아마조네스들이 등장하는 부분에서 따봉 드리겠습니다

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