Berserk Boy

90%
Game Brain Score Based on 237 reviews
  • music
  • gameplay
  • story
Berserk Boy Game Cover
Berserk Boy's platforming action manages to eclipse its inspiration, leading to an experience that is an absolute must for fans of the genre.
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"Berserk Boy" is a high-speed action game set in a future where a mad scientist and his army of darkness threaten to enslave humanity. Players control Kei, a rookie hero transformed into Berserk Boy, who must use Orb energy to defeat enemies and save the world. The game features new abilities, combos, and special attacks, as well as exploration of New Hope City and beyond.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

90%
Audience ScoreBased on 237 reviews
music65 positive mentions
grinding4 negative mentions
  • Berserk Boy features fast-paced, fluid gameplay that combines elements from classic platformers like Mega Man and Sonic, making it a thrilling experience.
  • The game boasts a fantastic soundtrack composed by Tee Lopes, enhancing the overall atmosphere and enjoyment of the gameplay.
  • The pixel art and character designs are vibrant and charming, contributing to a nostalgic yet fresh aesthetic that appeals to fans of retro games.
  • The game suffers from some design inconsistencies, particularly in boss battles and enemy variety, which can lead to repetitive gameplay.
  • The requirement to collect a significant number of medals to unlock the final zone can feel tedious and detracts from the overall pacing of the game.
  • Some players may find the story and character development lacking, as it doesn't provide a strong narrative to complement the gameplay.
  • music120 mentions

    The music in "Berserk Boy" has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its energetic and immersive soundtrack composed by Tee Lopes. The soundtrack not only enhances the gameplay experience but also captures the spirit of classic 16-bit games, making it a standout feature that elevates the overall enjoyment of the game. Despite some minor issues with audio mixing, the music is consistently described as phenomenal and a major highlight of the title.

    • “On top of that, the soundtrack perfectly complements the game’s intensity, creating a fully immersive experience in the world of Berserk Boy.”
    • “The music is absolutely phenomenal, done by Tee Lopes!”
    • “The energetic soundtrack perfectly complements the dynamic stages, creating a thrilling experience that leaves players eager for more.”
    • “The volume of the voice clips that accompany the dialogue boxes is too low and is often drowned out by the music.”
    • “Some music seems to just straight up not loop properly; the boss theme has a distinct pause between the music stopping and starting again.”
    • “Not all dialogue was voiced, and even the ones that were voiced none of them were memorable to me. My biggest problem was that most of the voiced lines were too low volume-wise and most of the time the area music played over those lines, making it very difficult to listen to what the characters were saying.”
  • gameplay97 mentions

    The gameplay of "Berserk Boy" is widely praised for its fast-paced, smooth mechanics and engaging combat, making it a standout title for platformer enthusiasts. Players enjoy the variety of transformations and abilities that enhance mobility and combat options, although some critique the repetitive nature of enemies and level design as the game progresses. While the core gameplay is exhilarating and polished, suggestions for improvement include adding more complex mechanics, varied enemy designs, and additional checkpoints to enhance the overall experience.

    • “Berserk Boy is an exhilarating and adrenaline-filled experience that stands out for its fast-paced gameplay and the variety of transformations it offers.”
    • “Berserk Boy is a gem for platformer enthusiasts, bursting with vibrant retro visuals and electrifying gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay in Berserk Boy is very smooth and satisfying.”
    • “Final level is both heavy on 'wait' mechanics and sparse checkpoints.”
    • “I thought the berserk form would get a projectile or something as an upgrade to make its gameplay more varied, but it really only has one function and I understand the whole game's level design is designed around it, but it got really boring by the second zone.”
    • “After clearing nine levels, defeating multiple bosses, and getting three new forms, you're doing the exact same things you did in the first five minutes of gameplay.”
  • story68 mentions

    The story of "Berserk Boy" is generally viewed as simplistic and cliché, often feeling like a backdrop to the gameplay rather than a focal point. While some players appreciate its lighthearted, retro-inspired narrative and character interactions, many criticize it for being forgettable and lacking depth, with characters that fail to leave a lasting impression. Overall, the game prioritizes action and mechanics over storytelling, which may appeal to fans of the genre but leaves those seeking a compelling narrative wanting more.

    • “It's story is also interesting and kept me wondering what will happen with Kei and the rest of the resistance since the introduction.”
    • “Berserk Boy is a wild ride of a game — super tight platforming, stellar level design, gorgeous artwork, a Saturday-morning-cartoon story, and an absolutely brilliant soundtrack.”
    • “You can really tell the love and attention that have gone into this game, from the artwork, soundtrack, gameplay, and story that I have experienced so far; it all comes together to create a masterpiece which I am glad I decided to give a go.”
    • “The story isn't strong enough to make them plot strong, and playing hide and seek in a big, annoying hub world sucks.”
    • “The story is about as cookie-cutter as it gets and the presentation and voice work could both use some TLC.”
    • “There's some silly lore video you can watch in your room to give a tiny amount of context to the story, but it's still bad and it's clear no serious thought went into it.”
  • graphics50 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning pixel art style, vibrant colors, and fluid animations that evoke a nostalgic retro feel reminiscent of classic Game Boy titles. While the visuals are generally considered gorgeous and well-executed, some reviewers noted inconsistencies between the cut-scene art and in-game graphics, as well as a few repetitive elements in later stages. Overall, the combination of excellent visuals, engaging gameplay, and a captivating soundtrack contributes to a highly enjoyable experience for fans of the genre.

    • “The pixel art style is stunning, with fluid animations and vibrant colors that bring the game’s world to life.”
    • “Berserk Boy is a gem for platformer enthusiasts, bursting with vibrant retro visuals and electrifying gameplay.”
    • “The graphics in this game are absolutely gorgeous.”
    • “The art-style differences from the cut-scenes and the in-game pixel art scream 'we hired different talented artists for these two things', which is okay sure.”
    • “But the cut-scene and promotional art have this 'fake anime' aesthetic, and the pixel art has this 'every character is wider with chibi-esque proportions' look that feels inconsistent.”
    • “Too many different art styles for the same characters.”
  • character development7 mentions

    Character development in the game is marked by a mix of opinions on design, with some players appreciating the fun and quirky aesthetics inspired by various sources, while others find the designs less appealing. Overall, the character design is noted for its vibrant colors and effective integration with gameplay, contributing positively to the overall experience.

    • “Good character design and a very good soundtrack.”
    • “After firing up the game for the first time and being greeted by a Toonami-esque cartoon intro, my cat and I were already bobbing our heads to the music and grinning at the character design.”
    • “It looks amazing; the character design is fun and quirky with inspiration from a plethora of sources without it feeling too overt or obtuse.”
    • “Not a big fan of any of the character designs.”
    • “Character designs are a little over-obsessed with curtain bangs.”
  • replayability7 mentions

    The game offers significant replayability through its challenging missions, collectible secrets, and the opportunity to improve scores and unlock upgrades. Players appreciate the depth of gameplay, with various unique playstyles and the potential for speedrunning, making it a rewarding experience to revisit levels. Overall, the combination of satisfying mechanics and engaging content encourages players to return for more.

    • “There is massive replay value to be had, and even though it is a bit tough, there is something to learn from mistakes.”
    • “Extremely satisfying gameplay and great replayability with collectibles and secrets that you can unlock with weapons you acquire later on.”
    • “Berserk Boy is a fantastic fast-paced 2D platformer that will most likely scratch that Mega Man/Sonic/Metroidvania itch with tons of replayability and multiple unique playstyles.”
    • “This is where the grind comes in as you will use that replay value to go back to previous missions and get a higher score on them and more points to buy the upgrades.”
    • “Some would say that it lacks replayability, but then I’d have to take a look back at Mega Man X and ask the question: do you need a reason to revisit a fun time?”
    • “Reasonable replay value, especially in the art of speedrunning.”
  • grinding4 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding elements in the game to be tedious and boring, detracting from the overall experience. While some aspects like the story and gameplay are well-received, the grinding for upgrades and collectibles is viewed as unnecessary and could be improved by integrating rewards more seamlessly into the gameplay.

    • “They add nothing, they're tedious and boring, and the game is only better without their inclusion.”
    • “Graphics, sound and gameplay are all great, I enjoyed most of my time with the game, however the icon collecting part at the end just to get to the last boss is tedious.”
    • “It ends up feeling really tedious, and I was constantly thinking to myself of how much better it would be if that lame upgrade shop had its rewards hidden in the levels instead.”
  • emotional3 mentions

    Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, highlighting its nostalgic elements reminiscent of retro gaming while appreciating its modern enhancements. However, some frustrations arise from control issues that disrupt the flow of gameplay, impacting the overall experience.

    • “I could tell almost instantly that this was a game touching the right notes with the 90's/early 2000's pop culture inspiration.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is significantly enhanced by tee Lopes' dynamic soundtrack, which resonates well with players and complements the vibrant sprite work and engaging combat. Reviewers appreciate the immersive experience created by the music and the detailed level design, which encourages exploration and replayability. Overall, the combination of a catchy score and a visually appealing environment contributes to a captivating gaming atmosphere.

    • “But what truly sets the atmosphere is the pulse-pounding soundtrack by Tee Lopes, whose work on Sonic Mania resonated with fans worldwide.”
    • “The music is very nice as well; I love it a lot. It fits every level's atmosphere. If there are three things I like about this game the most, it's going to be the music, the sprite work, and the combat.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The game is praised for its excellent optimization, delivering a bug-free experience and flawless performance across various systems. Players appreciate the scoring system that allows for upgrades, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.

    • “It comes down to patience, and after each stage, you will be scored on your performance, which you can use to buy upgrades for each ability.”
    • “This game is tight as heck and bug-free, with flawless performance on anything I could throw at it.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization model is praised for its absence of microtransactions and mandatory updates, allowing players to enjoy fair and engaging challenges without additional costs. Overall, the game offers a complete and enjoyable experience without the pressure of in-game purchases.

    • “No microtransactions, no mandatory updates, all the challenges are fair and fun, and it's all wrapped up in a package that will always be enjoyable.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

82% average critic score

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