Developer: Dormidin Studio
Publisher: Selecta Play
Genre: Metroidvania
Price: $14.99
Release Date: Sep 9, 2026
Where to buy: Steam,
Barbarian Saga: The Beastmaster is an indie 2D action-Metroidvania developed by Spain’s Dormidin Studio and published by Selecta Play. Drawing inspiration from classic ’80s sword-and-sorcery media—such as The Beastmaster film, Conan the Barbarian, and Frank Frazetta dark fantasy artwork—the game delivers a retro-inspired, hand-drawn adventure. Players step into the sandals of Ren, a pit-fighter barbarian and shapeshifting Beastmaster, as he traverses a war-torn world to seek vengeance and shape the fate of a broken realm.
The narrative centers on the realm of Arborea, a land recovering from the devastating Portal Wars. Hostilities break out anew when the King of Imperia aligns with the Holy Kingdom to eliminate all non-human races, plunging the realm back into chaos. Ren, orphaned as a child and forced into gladiatorial combat, acquires the cursed, soul-devouring broadsword known as the Heart-Eater. Guided by the sentient weapon and ancient prophecies, Ren sets out across Arborea’s biomes to battle imperial forces, rogue arch-mages, and monstrous warlords.
Core gameplay blends side-scrolling platforming, Metroidvania exploration, and fluid hack-and-slash combat. Rather than relying solely on traditional movement power-ups like air dashes, progression is tied to Ren’s Beastmaster abilities. Defeating specific beasts grants Ren the ability to absorb their souls and transform into animal forms—such as a ferret or beast of burden—to navigate narrow crevices, cross hazard pits, or break down barricades. Additionally, players customize stats using a Ritual Necklace system, equipping amulets, beads, and animal fangs to modify physical attacks, vitality, and mana usage.
Visually, Barbarian Saga: The Beastmaster stands out for its vibrant, hand-drawn 2D aesthetic, reminiscent of a Saturday-morning dark fantasy cartoon. Environments range from overgrown ancient forests and derelict ship-graveyards to clockwork industrial cities populated by steampunk constructs. While the presentation and distinct 1v1 fighting-game-style boss duels receive praise, critics note that non-linear map navigation can feel directionless and combat balancing occasionally suffers from erratic flying enemies and awkward platforming controls.
In Conclusion, Barbarian Saga: The Beastmaster serves as a nostalgic homage to classic pulp fantasy and 16-bit action-platformers. While its deliberate lack of objective markers and rougher mechanical edges may test modern players’ patience, its hand-drawn art, shapeshifting progression, and heavy-metal atmosphere offer a distinct entry in the indie Metroidvania landscape.
