Unruly Heroes in IOS

Action

Walkthrough, Guilds, Tips on this special game

Our Site Score

88/100

Unruly Heroes is a breathtakingly beautiful 2D action-adventure that feels like playing through a hand-drawn animated film. Inspired by the legendary 'Journey to the West', the game allows you to seamlessly switch between four distinct characters: Wukong, Sanzang, Kihong, and Sandmon. Each hero brings a unique playstyle—Wukong and Sandmon excel in heavy combat and double jumping, while Sanzang and Kihong offer long-range attacks and gliding abilities. This character-swapping mechanic isn't just a gimmick; it’s essential for navigating the game’s intricate platforming sections and solving environmental puzzles.

The level design is a standout feature, blending traditional platforming with clever puzzle-solving and rhythmic parkour. One moment you’re battling a screen-filling boss, and the next you’re shrinking down to navigate a miniature world or possessing enemies to use their powers. The combat is fluid and satisfying, complemented by a gorgeous art style that makes every frame look like a masterpiece. While the difficulty can spike in later stages, the responsive controls and generous checkpoints keep the experience from becoming frustrating. It’s a rare gem on mobile that captures the depth and polish of a high-end console title.

Reviewed on: Wed Feb 26 2025
Dinsun Avatar

Dinsun Review

Dinsun here. Unruly Heroes is a rare case where the mobile port actually tries to maintain the integrity of its console predecessor. The art direction is exceptional—Rayman Origins levels of quality. But let's be realistic: a precise platformer on a glass screen is an exercise in frustration. Even with the four-character swap mechanic, which adds some much-needed variety, the controls feel floaty when they should be tight.

It’s a 'real' game, which I appreciate in an App Store full of garbage. However, the difficulty spikes are uneven, and the boss fights can feel like a chore rather than a test of skill. It’s worth a look if you have a controller, but if you're relying on thumbs, you’ll find yourself fighting the interface more than the monsters. A decent effort, but flawed in its execution for this platform.

Overall Stats

Pros & Cons

  • Incredible hand-drawn art style
  • Varied character abilities
  • No predatory microtransactions
  • Frustrating touch controls
  • Uneven difficulty curve
  • Occasional physics glitches

Technical Report

Performance: Occasional frame drops on older hardware during heavy action; 60fps on newer chips.

Accessibility:
  • Customizable control layout
  • Visual cues for sound effects

Audience Fit

Buy if: You love high-quality 2D art and have a Bluetooth controller for your iPhone.

Skip if: You get easily frustrated by imprecise virtual joysticks.

Similar Games:
  • Rayman Legends
  • Oddmar
  • Hollow Knight

Reviewer Context

  • Reviewer: Dinsun, 40-year-old conservative critic
  • Hardware: iPad Pro (M2)
  • Playtime: 15 hours
  • Status: Finished Main Campaign

The Game

Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod

Version 3.2Thu Apr 15 2021

- Bug fixes and optimisation

- Modify UI and improve user experience


"Unruly Heroes” is a 2D action-adventure mobile game developed by the indie team at Magic Design Studios and published by Perfect World. The story is inspired by China’s first mythological novel "Journey to the West” and strives to bring players an innovative experience through a fantastical art style and hilarious plot.

Since the dawn of time, Buddhist scripture held the balance between Heaven, Earth, and the myriad creatures. However, as Evil’s wickedness began to grow, this delicate balance was thrown into chaos when the divine scripture was torn to pieces and scattered across the land. Those creatures that have encountered the mythical power of the fragments inherited unprecedented power. In doing so, this newfound strength kindled their heart’s innermost wickedness, turning them into horrifying monsters. With a world in chaos, a master and his three disciples accept Guan Yin’s decree and set out to reunite the fragments into a new scripture.

The game follows the journey of a master and his three disciples as they fight, solve puzzles, collect loot, parkour, platform and more on their mystical demon-slaying adventure. You must capitalize on their special attacks and holy relics in a battle of wit and bravery against demons to complete their pilgrimage in reuniting the scripture.

Following its release on Steam and consoles, the mobile edition of “Unruly Heroes” is now available!

Highlights:

Fantastic hand-drawn art style—Rich and in-depth level design illustrates a vivid sense of realism.

Switch between the master and disciples—Effortlessly switch between the four characters both in and out of combat to overcome puzzles and obstacles.

Rich and varied gameplay—Over ten different gameplay elements including: fighting, puzzle solving, loot collecting, parkour, platforming and more.

Awards

“Unruly Heroes” won the 47th Annie Award for best game character animation.

Facebook: @UnrulyHeroesGame

Developer Info: Magic Design Studios

Official website: www.magicdesignstudios.com


Requires iOS 9.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

"Unruly Heroes” is a 2D action-adventure mobile game developed by the indie team at Magic Design Studios and published by Perfect World. The story is inspired by China’s first mythological novel "Journey to the West” and strives to bring players an innovative experience through a fantastical art style and hilarious plot.

Since the dawn of time, Buddhist scripture held the balance between Heaven, Earth, and the myriad creatures. However, as Evil’s wickedness began to grow, this delicate balance was thrown into chaos when the divine scripture was torn to pieces and scattered across the land. Those creatures that have encountered the mythical power of the fragments inherited unprecedented power. In doing so, this newfound strength kindled their heart’s innermost wickedness, turning them into horrifying monsters. With a world in chaos, a master and his three disciples accept Guan Yin’s decree and set out to reunite the fragments into a new scripture.

The game follows the journey of a master and his three disciples as they fight, solve puzzles, collect loot, parkour, platform and more on their mystical demon-slaying adventure. You must capitalize on their special attacks and holy relics in a battle of wit and bravery against demons to complete their pilgrimage in reuniting the scripture.

Following its release on Steam and consoles, the mobile edition of “Unruly Heroes” is now available!

Highlights:

Fantastic hand-drawn art style—Rich and in-depth level design illustrates a vivid sense of realism.

Switch between the master and disciples—Effortlessly switch between the four characters both in and out of combat to overcome puzzles and obstacles.

Rich and varied gameplay—Over ten different gameplay elements including: fighting, puzzle solving, loot collecting, parkour, platforming and more.

Awards

“Unruly Heroes” won the 47th Annie Award for best game character animation.

Facebook: @UnrulyHeroesGame

Developer Info: Magic Design Studios

Official website: www.magicdesignstudios.com


Ratings & Reviews

4.4 out of 5 with 96 Counts
Age Rating 13+

Screenshots

Unruly Heroes screenshot 1Unruly Heroes screenshot 2Unruly Heroes screenshot 3Unruly Heroes screenshot 4Unruly Heroes screenshot 5Unruly Heroes screenshot 6Unruly Heroes screenshot 7Unruly Heroes screenshot 8Unruly Heroes screenshot 9Unruly Heroes screenshot 10Unruly Heroes screenshot 11Unruly Heroes screenshot 12Unruly Heroes screenshot 13Unruly Heroes screenshot 14Unruly Heroes screenshot 15Unruly Heroes screenshot 16

Unruly Heroes is a 2D action-adventure inspired by the classic Chinese novel 'Journey to the West'. Players control a master and his three disciples, switching between them to utilize unique abilities in combat and puzzle-solving. The game features spectacular hand-drawn art, fluid character animations, and diverse gameplay including platforming, parkour, and boss battles.

Features

1

Stunning hand-drawn art style

2

Switch between 4 unique characters

3

Rich 2D platforming and combat

4

Epic boss fights and puzzles

Tips

Promotion Videos

Unruly Heroes Mobile Trailer

Related Videos

Recommended Links

TouchArcade Review

Deep dive into the mobile port quality.

Review

News on this game

Perfect World gears up overseas expansion to integrate worldwide resources

Perfect World Co Ltd, a leading Chinese gaming and movie conglomerate, is gearing up its overseas expansion as it looks to gain an edge in the global gaming...

China Daily - Global Edition - Fri Feb 28 2020

Gameplays

Q&A

Yes, it is a single-player journey where you control all four characters.

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