Bloody Bastards for iPhone

Quick summary

Bloody Bastards is a free physics-driven melee fighter for smartphones, created by indie studio Tibith. It’s presented in a 2D side-on style and set in a rough medieval world where timing, momentum, and limb control matter as much as which weapon you pick.

What makes it different

• An innovative control scheme that hands you direct authority over each arm for strikes, blocks, and grabs.
• Large assortment of weaponry and armor to mix and match so you can tailor your combat style.
• Realistic, physics-based reactions that affect how characters move and how hits land.
• Online competitive matches so you can pit your builds and skill against other players.
• A simple presentation — side-view 2D battles with a gritty medieval theme from developer Tibith.

How the combat works

The core of the experience is the physics system: swings, parries, and collisions behave according to momentum and positioning instead of fixed animations. You don’t just press “attack” — you manipulate limbs and leverage to create openings or punish mistakes. Matches emphasize timing, footwork, and using inertia to your advantage.

Controls and getting comfortable

At first the separate-hand controls feel awkward. Expect a short learning curve while you adapt to:

• coordinating both hands for combos,
• timing blocks and parries with momentum in mind,
• reacting to how your opponent’s strikes alter your balance.

After some practice you’ll move from flailing to deliberate, effective strikes and counters. The game rewards experimentation: try different grips, weapons, and tempos to discover what fits your playstyle.

Game modes and progression

Campaign-style encounters take you through multiple arenas and increasingly tough foes — each rival tests a different aspect of your skillset. In addition to the single-player progression, there are head-to-head online matches for more unpredictable competition. Difficulty ramps up steadily, encouraging you to upgrade equipment and refine technique.

Gear, customization, and variety

You can unlock and equip a wide range of swords, axes, shields, helmets, and other medieval gear. Choices affect reach, speed, and how clashes resolve in the physics system, so swapping loadouts can dramatically change how a fight plays out.

Final thoughts

If you like brawlers that emphasize physics and player-driven movement, Bloody Bastards offers a fresh, challenging take on medieval combat for mobile devices. The control scheme is its standout feature — initially awkward but ultimately rewarding — and the variety of weapons and modes keeps matches engaging. Recommended for players who enjoy hands-on, skill-based fighting games.