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Berserk Boy

Berserk Boy's platforming action manages to eclipse its inspiration, leading to an experience that is an absolute must for fans of the genre.
86%Game Brain Score
music, gameplay
grinding
90% User Score Based on 474 reviews
Critic Score 82%Based on 20 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchNintendo SwitchPCPCSteam DeckSteam DeckWindowsWindows

About

"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.

Berserk Boy screenshot
Berserk Boy screenshot
Berserk Boy screenshot
Berserk Boy screenshot
Berserk Boy screenshot
Berserk Boy screenshot
Berserk Boy screenshot
Berserk Boy screenshot
Berserk Boy screenshot
Berserk Boy screenshot
Berserk Boy screenshot
+3

90%
Audience ScoreBased on 494 reviews
music137 positive mentions
grinding10 negative mentions

  • Berserk Boy features fast-paced, fluid gameplay that combines elements from classic platformers like Mega Man and Sonic, making it a nostalgic yet fresh experience.
  • The game boasts a vibrant art style and an electrifying soundtrack composed by Tee Lopes, enhancing the overall atmosphere and enjoyment.
  • The variety of transformations and abilities keeps the gameplay dynamic and engaging, allowing players to approach challenges in multiple ways.
  • Some levels require backtracking to collect items or unlock areas, which can disrupt the flow of gameplay and feel tedious.
  • Boss battles can be underwhelming and repetitive, lacking the challenge and excitement expected from a game of this genre.
  • The story and character development are minimal, which may leave players wanting more depth and engagement in the narrative.
  • music
    254 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in "Berserk Boy" has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its energetic and immersive soundtrack composed by Tee Lopes, known for his work on "Sonic Mania." Players find the music to be a standout feature that enhances the gameplay experience, perfectly complementing the game's fast-paced action and vibrant visuals. While some noted minor issues with audio mixing, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack is a major highlight, making it a must-listen even outside of the game.

    • “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 fuels the frenzy, with beats that complement every jump, attack, and new discovery.”
    • “The soundtrack is phenomenal, the visual presentation is incredibly charming and the story is... there I guess?”
    • “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, and 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.”
  • gameplay
    203 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Berserk Boy features fast-paced and exhilarating gameplay that excels in its smooth mechanics and variety of transformations, making it a standout for platformer enthusiasts. While the core gameplay is engaging and responsive, some players noted issues with repetitive elements and a lack of depth in enemy design, suggesting that additional complexity and checkpoints could enhance the experience. Overall, the game is praised for its vibrant visuals and satisfying combat, though some aspects may benefit from further refinement in future iterations.

    • “Berserk boy is a gem for platformer enthusiasts, bursting with vibrant retro visuals and electrifying gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is where Berserk boy truly shines.”
    • “If you’re a fan of the genre, you’ll have an absolutely great time here as there is lots to love; Berserk boy is a delight to control, the core gameplay loop is brilliant, with the game truly at its best when you are zooming through levels and firing yourself into the path of enemies ahead of you.”
    • “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 2nd 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.”
  • story
    136 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Berserk Boy" is generally viewed as simplistic and cliché, revolving around the protagonist Kei's quest to collect berserk orbs and stop an evil antagonist. While some players find the narrative engaging in a lighthearted, retro style reminiscent of classic games, many criticize it for being underdeveloped, with forgettable characters and a lack of depth. Overall, the story serves more as a backdrop to the gameplay rather than a focal point, with players often prioritizing the action and mechanics over the plot itself.

    • “It's story is also interesting and kept me wondering what will happen with Kei and the rest of the resistance since 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.”
    • “5) The story is pure incoherent garbage.”
  • graphics
    109 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Berserk Boy" are widely praised for their stunning pixel art style, vibrant colors, and fluid animations that evoke a nostalgic retro aesthetic reminiscent of classic Game Boy games. While the visuals are generally considered gorgeous and well-executed, some players noted inconsistencies between the cut-scene art and in-game graphics, which detracted from the overall experience. Overall, the game's visuals, combined with its engaging gameplay and soundtrack, create a captivating experience for platformer enthusiasts.

    • “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.”
  • replayability
    19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game offers significant replayability through its engaging gameplay mechanics, collectibles, and the challenge of improving scores on previous missions. Players appreciate the opportunity to revisit levels for upgrades and secrets, although some note that repetitive encounters and a lack of narrative depth may slightly diminish the experience. Despite these criticisms, many find the game enjoyable enough to warrant multiple playthroughs, especially for speedrunning enthusiasts.

    • “Extremely satisfying gameplay and great replayability with collectibles and secrets that you can open with weapons you unlock 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.”
    • “There’s even a Metroidvania-style aspect to the gameplay when revisiting previous levels to get all of the collectibles, so there’s plenty of replay value on offer if you want to get everything.”
    • “While the lack of narrative depth, repetitive boss encounters, and questionable replayability may detract slightly from the experience, the game's unique berserk orb mechanics outweigh its shortcomings.”
    • “[repetitive enemy encounters, lack of narrative depth, limited replayability]”
    • “[tedious exploration, lacks little touches to help replayability]”
  • character development
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is highlighted by its vibrant and quirky character designs, which draw inspiration from various sources while maintaining a cohesive aesthetic. While some players express mixed feelings about specific design choices, the overall consensus appreciates the fun and engaging visual style that complements the gameplay. The soundtrack further enhances the experience, creating an enjoyable atmosphere for players.

    • “After firing up the game for the first time and being greeted by a Toonami-esque cartoon intro, myself and my cat 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.”
    • “Amazing platformer, great character design, and an absolute blast to play.”
    • “Not a big fan of any of the character designs.”
    • “Character designs are a little over-obsessed with curtain bangs.”
  • grinding
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and unengaging, often detracting from the overall experience. While some elements like story and gameplay are well-received, the repetitive nature of grinding for upgrades and collectibles is seen as a significant drawback, with many wishing for a more integrated approach to rewards.

    • “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 how much better it would be if that lame upgrade shop had its rewards hidden in the levels instead.”
  • emotional
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, feeling nostalgic for the retro gaming era while appreciating its modern enhancements. The fast-paced action and unique transformations evoke a sense of excitement, though some frustrations with controls can disrupt the overall experience. Overall, the game resonates well with fans of 90's and early 2000's pop culture, striking a balance between nostalgia and contemporary gameplay.

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

    The atmosphere of the game is significantly enhanced by the pulse-pounding soundtrack by Tee Lopes, which resonates well with players and complements the vibrant sprite work and engaging combat. Reviewers appreciate the blend of cheesy yet charming storytelling and the replayable, lengthy levels, all of which contribute to an immersive experience. Overall, the music, visuals, and gameplay elements work harmoniously to create a captivating 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.”
  • optimization
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is highly optimized, delivering flawless performance across various systems without any bugs. Players appreciate the scoring system that allows for upgrades, enhancing the overall experience.

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

    The game features a monetization model free from microtransactions and mandatory updates, ensuring a fair and enjoyable experience for players. All challenges are designed to be engaging, contributing to a consistently fun gameplay package.

    • “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.”
  • humor
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is well-received, with players noting its funny elements that enhance the overall experience. Coupled with fun gameplay, great music, and visuals, the humor contributes to the game's high replay value.

    • “This fun action platformer is packed with great music, stunning visuals, and a delightful sense of humor that keeps you coming back for more.”
    • “The humor in this game is top-notch, making every level a joy to play and ensuring great replay value.”
    • “With its witty dialogue and hilarious character interactions, this game delivers laughs at every turn.”

82%Critics’ scoreBased on 20 critic reviews

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