# Barnard's Star — Turn-based tactical skirmishes > Turn-based tactical multiplayer battler with no microtransactions or random chance. (iPhone/iPad app by Pollywog Games.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barnards-star/id1556427846 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Pollywog Games](https://appshunter.io/developer/1383938094) - Category: Games, Board, Strategy - Price: $3.99 - Rating: 4.70/5 from 46 App Store ratings · 21 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 9+ - Requires: iOS 13.0 · 122 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2022-06-06 - Data updated: 2026-09-02 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barnards-star/id1556427846/reviews.md ## What is Barnard's Star? Snipe your friends, electrocute your enemies and rain down acidic slime in the Barnard’s Star system, 6 light years from Earth. A multiplayer, turn-based tactics battler with no micro-transactions and no random chance — ingenuity is the only way to victory! Features: - Choose between 3 warring factions: Humans, Robots, and Critters - Do battle with 30 characters using dozens of unique attacks and abilities - Conquer 18 different maps set on space stations and intergalactic ships - Play offline vs. AI or locally against a friend - Challenge friends and strangers with online multiplayer ## Key features - Multiplayer turn-based tactics - No micro-transactions or random chance - 3 warring factions (Humans, Robots, Critters) - 30 characters with unique attacks - 18 maps on space stations and ships - Offline vs. AI and local multiplayer - Online multiplayer challenges ## Chart rankings - #103 in Top Paid · Board (US App Store) ## Recent user reviews (10 of 21) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/barnards-star/id1556427846/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Fun strategy game with friends *2025-06-30, version 20e* We have a group thread of 6 of us and play this all the time on team or solo matches. Takes strategy but also has an “undo” so you can try out different moves until you find the one you want to do. Also the developers are very active on discord so it’s great to get quick feedback. ### 5/5 — Stellar (hehehe) *2024-12-25, version 20c* Wonderful theme awesome game! Made by a couple people that I think have a knack for fun ideas. I love that it is a single purchase with some progression unlocking stuff as you play. Really enjoy that the strategy is pretty deep. Excited to get this player count up. Telling all my friends and family about it this Christmas! ### 1/5 — Don’t buy this cheap c$&p *2024-06-14, version 19e* This game is a joke. Poor quality graphics, the way the controls feel is pretty bad too. They could of put a bit more of an effort if they planned on charging people money for this. The fact that I paid more than $2 is disappointing. To be honest i wouldn’t pay anything knowing how bad this game is. ### 5/5 — Great Tactics game! *2024-06-11, version 19e* I love this game. Takes me back to FFTs and Disgaea, but I like that it is based on classes like starcraft and that it is game to game rather than a level-up system. Something new and fun. Their game Card Crusade is also great. ### 5/5 — Great game and super cool dev *2024-03-08, version 19e* Just got this game, and I’m having a ton of fun with it! It’s a super enjoyable strategy game with tons of different loadout varieties. Not only that, the dev of the game is a super cool and nice person. Amazing. ### 5/5 — Is good. *2023-12-13, version 19e* Who is Barnard? Nobody knows. ### 5/5 — Amazing Strategy Game *2023-07-23, version 18g* Amazing strategies, creative chemistry between characters, asynchronous turns gives you time to think. I love this game a lot (favorite one on my phone 🙂) ### 5/5 — Chinese *2023-04-12, version 18c* would u add Chinese，plz ### 5/5 — Top Tier strategy gaming *2023-03-01, version 17d* Hands done the best Async PvP strategy game on mobile. If chess is your thing and you want something different, this is it, hands down. Additionally the Dev is one of the nicest and open minded I have ever met in my life. This game will take off mark my word, get ahead of the curve ### 5/5 — As good as into the breach *2022-12-06, version 17d* 作为一名中国玩家，偶然间看到了你们的这款游戏，非常非常的喜欢。我非常喜欢战棋游戏，目前ios上在玩uniwar，好像没有更好的online战棋了。虽然into the breach也非常惊艳，但只能单机，一直希望他可以出online对战。 然后，然后你们就出现了，你们真的很像into the breach 的对战版，各种人物非常有特色，希望你们可以一直做一下，平衡好各兵种，建立好对战平台。 说几点我的建议：1，跟电脑对战，可以选择电脑的Faction；2，提升电脑难度；3，网上对战时，会出现bug，比如双方互换，敌人的兵变成我的，我的兵变成敌人的；4，可以出中文版吗，感谢啦～ ## Frequently asked questions about Barnard's Star ### What kind of game is Barnard's Star? Barnard's Star is a turn-based tactical battler focused on multiplayer skirmishes. It emphasizes strategic thinking and skill, with no reliance on random chance or in-app purchases for progression. ### What are the key features of Barnard's Star? Key features include choosing from three distinct factions (Humans, Robots, Critters), utilizing 30 characters with unique abilities, battling across 18 diverse maps, and playing offline against AI or locally with friends. It also offers online multiplayer. ### How is Barnard's Star monetized? Barnard's Star is a paid application. It explicitly states there are no micro-transactions or random chance elements, meaning all content and progression are part of the initial purchase. ### Can I play Barnard's Star offline or with friends? Yes, you can play Barnard's Star offline against an AI opponent or locally against a friend. The game also supports online multiplayer to challenge other players. ### Who is the target audience for this game? This game is designed for players who appreciate deep strategic gameplay and competitive multiplayer experiences. It appeals to those who prefer skill-based victories over luck-driven outcomes and enjoy a sci-fi setting. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 20f — 2025-09-12 Adds mini ability demos to help visualize what abilities do before you use them! Long press on any ability icon to view them. This release also adds some balance changes and new abilities! Check out the in-game patch notes for details. ### 20e — 2025-02-22 You can now play online games against bots! Use the "Add Bot" button from a game lobby to add a bot player to your game. Two new mutations have also been added: Clone Wars, where all units on each team are the same unit. And Units from All Factions, where Human, Robot, and Critter units can play alongside each other. The Map Editor has had several improvements: Selection tool, Cover multi-select, and easier view movement. Additionally, there have been several balance changes and bugfixes. ### 20d — 2025-02-17 You can now play online games against bots! Use the "Add Bot" button from a game lobby to add a bot player to your game. Two new mutations have also been added: Clone Wars, where all units on each team are the same unit. And Units from All Factions, where Human, Robot, and Critter units can play alongside each other. The Map Editor has had several improvements: Selection tool, Cover multi-select, and easier view movement. Additionally, there have been several balance changes and bugfixes. ### 20c — 2024-11-12 The Map Editor is new this update! Create your own maps, and play on tons (60+) of new maps from other players. This update also adds support for 5 and 6-player games, plus Fast-Forward while watching replays. The Automechanic unit (now Chembot) has been reworked! Try out its dangerous new abilities, which give newfound synergy with other Oil/Fire-producing units. Version 20c also adds flavor text for each unit (thanks Marzeltine!) and fixes several bugs. ### 20b — 2024-06-27 The Map Editor is new this update! Create your own maps, and play on tons of new maps from other players. This update also adds support for 5 and 6-player games, plus Fast-Forward while watching replays. Season 4 has begun, with accompanying balance changes and bugfixes. The Automechanic unit has been reworked -- its new name is Chembot. Try out its dangerous new abilities, which give newfound synergy with other Oil/Fire-producing units. ## Apps similar to Barnard's Star | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Insignia: Tactics](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/insignia-tactics/id1546036466) | 5.0 (18) | $4.99 | Games | | [Warbits Plus](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/warbits-plus/id1477425198) | 4.8 (168) | $4.99 | Games | | [Blacken Slash](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blacken-slash/id1604646442) | 4.8 (60) | $4.99 | Games | | [Dungeons of Aether](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dungeons-of-aether/id6448353046) | 4.8 (28) | $4.99 | Games | | [Mysterious Castle](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mysterious-castle/id465647954) | 4.5 (29) | $9.99 | Games | | [Deliverance & Reign](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/deliverance-and-reign/id6450877456) | 4.5 (11) | $4.99 | Games | ## More apps by Pollywog Games - [Card Crusade](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/card-crusade/id1383938095) All apps by Pollywog Games: https://appshunter.io/developer/1383938094 --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-02.*