Berserk Boy

90%
Game Brain Score Based on 187 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.
Starting at $8.10Buy now
Get on Steam

"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
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

90%
Audience ScoreBased on 187 reviews
music51 positive mentions
grinding3 negative mentions
  • Berserk Boy combines fast-paced action with fluid movement mechanics, reminiscent of classic platformers like Mega Man and Sonic.
  • The game features stunning pixel art and an electrifying soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
  • Each ability feels unique and adds depth to gameplay, encouraging exploration and replayability through hidden collectibles and alternate paths.
  • Some players have reported issues with level design, particularly with repetitive enemy encounters and certain abilities feeling less useful than others.
  • The story and character development are considered weak, with some dialogue feeling cringeworthy and lacking depth.
  • There are complaints about the lack of a map and the necessity to backtrack for collectibles, which can detract from the overall flow of the game.
  • music91 mentions

    The music in "Berserk Boy," composed by Tee Lopes, has received widespread acclaim for its energetic and catchy tracks that enhance the gameplay experience. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, praising its ability to capture the spirit of classic games while providing a unique identity. Overall, the music is described as a perfect complement to the game's visuals and level design, making it a significant draw for players.

    • “The energetic soundtrack perfectly complements the dynamic stages, creating a thrilling experience that leaves players eager for more.”
    • “The soundtrack is wonderful and iconic; I immediately fell in love with it.”
    • “The music fuels the frenzy, with beats that complement every jump, attack, and new discovery.”
    • “The voice audio is too low, and can't be fixed in the settings as there's just music and master volume.”
    • “A bit of impact from all the shouting is taken away when it's drowned out by the music, and lines and quips are barely audible as is.”
    • “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.”
  • gameplay75 mentions

    The gameplay of "Berserk Boy" is widely praised for its smoothness, fluidity, and engaging mechanics, reminiscent of classic platformers like Mega Man. Players appreciate the variety of forms and abilities that enhance combat and mobility, although some express concerns about repetitive enemy designs and the need for more checkpoints. Overall, the game delivers a satisfying and fast-paced experience, making it a strong contender for fans of the genre.

    • “Berserk Boy is a gem for platformer enthusiasts, bursting with vibrant retro visuals and electrifying gameplay.”
    • “Despite a simple story, Berserk Boy shines with its satisfying combat and polished platforming mechanics, making it a must-play for fans of the genre.”
    • “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.”
    • “There's just problems with the core gameplay, really.”
  • story55 mentions

    The story of "Berserk Boy" is generally viewed as simplistic and cliché, often compared to classic titles like Mega Man, with a familiar plot involving an evil antagonist and a quest to stop him. While some players find the narrative engaging in a lighthearted, retro way, many criticize it for being underdeveloped, with forgettable characters and a lack of depth that detracts from the overall experience. Despite its shortcomings, the story serves as a backdrop to the game's strong gameplay mechanics and vibrant presentation, making it a secondary focus for most players.

    • “The story is fun but about what I'd expect of this kind of game so far.”
    • “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.”
  • graphics41 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received praise for their vibrant retro visuals and detailed pixel art, reminiscent of classic 90s titles while incorporating modern sensibilities. Many reviewers highlighted the beautiful hand-drawn artwork and the overall aesthetic, though some noted inconsistencies between different art styles used in cut-scenes and gameplay. Overall, the visuals are considered a strong point, contributing to an engaging and enjoyable gaming experience.

    • “Berserk Boy is a gem for platformer enthusiasts, bursting with vibrant retro visuals and electrifying gameplay.”
    • “The graphics in this game are absolutely gorgeous.”
    • “Graphics are retro in a good way (SNES-esque), the colors are vibrant, the details are on point, and the characters are well done in terms of their looks/aesthetic.”
    • “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.”
  • replayability5 mentions

    The game offers significant replayability, encouraging players to revisit missions for higher scores and unlock upgrades, while also featuring collectables and secrets that enhance the experience. Players appreciate the challenging gameplay and the opportunity to learn from mistakes, alongside the engaging level design and varied playstyles reminiscent of classic platformers. Overall, the combination of satisfying mechanics and a rich environment contributes to a highly replayable experience.

    • “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.”
    • “There is massive replay value to be had and even though it is a bit tough, there is something to learn from mistakes.”
    • “The levels have a lot of replay value as well and what makes it an additional plus is how long each level is; it's not a game you can just rush through in like 2 minutes (if you're playing casually at least).”
  • character development5 mentions

    Character development in the game is highlighted by its fun and quirky character designs, which draw inspiration from various sources while maintaining a cohesive aesthetic. Players appreciate the engaging visuals and the overall enjoyment they bring to the gameplay experience, complemented by a strong soundtrack. However, some users express a lack of enthusiasm for the character designs, indicating a mixed reception in this area.

    • “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.”
    • “Amazing platformer, great character design, and an absolute blast to play.”
    • “Not a big fan of any of the character designs.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth.”
    • “I found the characters to be one-dimensional and unrelatable.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Players generally find grinding in the game to be tedious and boring, with some feeling it detracts from the overall experience. While other elements like story and upgrades are viewed neutrally, the grinding aspects, particularly related to icon collecting, are seen as unnecessary and a chore.

    • “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.”
    • “Other aspects like story characters, story plot, grinding for shop upgrades were all 'fine' by me and were neither a clear 'strength' or 'weakness', so I didn't dedicate any section for them as I had 'neutral feelings' towards those aspects for the most part.”
  • 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 blend of cheesy storytelling and immersive level design, noting that the music fits each environment perfectly and contributes to the overall enjoyment and replay value of the game.

    • “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, ensuring a fair and enjoyable experience through well-designed challenges. Players appreciate that the game remains engaging without additional costs.

    • “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.”
    • “The game offers a complete experience without pushing for additional purchases, making it refreshing in today's market.”
    • “I appreciate that the developers focus on gameplay rather than monetization, allowing players to fully enjoy the game without distractions.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Players feel that the game effectively resonates emotionally, drawing on nostalgia from 90's and early 2000's pop culture, which enhances their connection to the 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.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

82% average critic score

Buy Berserk Boy

Videos

Similar Games