Until now there hasn’t been a true multiplayer arena-based fighting game since the addictive Power Stone. But with just mediocre features, Barbarian weighs in as just an average brawler. Barbarian is a typical in-your-face fighter set in the Dark Age when husky bearded giants fought with scantily clad sorceresses. Each of the 10 playable pugs are equipped with their own light and heavy attacks, can cast magic spells, and have the ability to pick up objects and use them as weapons. With up to four people playing at once, the action can get heated, but slow button response and unblockable combos make gameplay frustrating. Even in the single-player Quest mode, which is steeped in overly dramatic story lines, the enemy A.I. disposes of you with cheap hits, taking the enjoyment out of the entire adventure. Visually, Barbarian looks more like a high-quality PlayStation game—the bland, drab environments aren’t sharply detailed and are far from eye appealing. Still, levels are big and have hidden areas for you to discover. The usual shrieks, yells, and grunts complete a solid soundtrack. Barbarian is good as a one-night party game renter—playing more than that will just make you aggravated at the gameplay.
