Berzerk: Recharged

45%
Game Brain Score Based on 30 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • story
Berzerk: Recharged Game Cover
Slightly above average or simply inoffensive. Fans of the genre should enjoy them a bit, but a fair few will be left unfulfilled.
Starting at €9.75Buy now
Get on Steam Get on Xbox Games Store

"Berzerk: Recharged is a thrilling reimagining of the 1980 arcade classic, where you must navigate a maze filled with evil robots and defeat their invincible overlord, Evil Otto. With twin-stick control, power-ups, and local-co-op, players can chase high scores in arcade mode or complete hand-crafted challenges. Megan McDuffee's original soundtrack adds to the intense atmosphere of this exciting space station shootout."

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

45%
Audience ScoreBased on 30 reviews
emotional2 positive mentions
graphics2 negative mentions
  • Berzerk: Recharged offers a fun and fast-paced gameplay experience, reminiscent of classic arcade shooters, with a modern twist.
  • The game features various enemy types and power-ups, enhancing the gameplay and providing replayability.
  • Local co-op mode is available, adding to the enjoyment of playing with friends.
  • Many players feel the game strays too far from the original, lacking the nostalgic elements and charm that made Berzerk a classic.
  • The audio design is criticized for low volume on important sound cues, making it difficult to hear robot taunts and other key elements.
  • Numerous bugs and glitches, such as clipping issues and inconsistent hitboxes, detract from the overall experience and make gameplay frustrating.
  • gameplay9 mentions

    The gameplay of "Berzerk: Recharged" is characterized by fast-paced, bullet-hell mechanics that offer a unique twist on the classic arcade experience, making it enjoyable for both newcomers and seasoned players. While the twin-stick shooter format and cooperative play enhance the fun, some players feel that the introduction of new mechanics detracts from the original's charm. Overall, the game successfully combines nostalgic elements with modern gameplay, though opinions vary on the effectiveness of its new features.

    • “However, if an action game that takes the themes and gameplay elements of the arcade classic and works with them just enough to be similar to the source material but also manages to feel like a unique experience and still be a heck of a lot of fun to play sounds interesting to you, then I encourage you to give Berzerk: Recharged a try.”
    • “The players and some of the robot enemies can shoot projectiles, and the game can often feel like a bullet-hell title, which makes gameplay feel tense and fast-paced.”
    • “It's a fun twin-stick shooter that sticks with the theme of Berzerk, but changes the gameplay from being slow and methodical to something faster and bullet-hell-ish.”
    • “I'd argue most of the new twists they added negatively impacted the gameplay experience.”
    • “What developer SneakyBox tried to do here actually distracts from gameplay.”
    • “Some of Berzerk's (and even Frenzy's) mechanics aren't present until later levels (including electric and destructible walls), which is a fair trade to help newcomers and seasoned players adapt to the new gameplay style.”
  • graphics5 mentions

    Overall, the graphics are generally considered acceptable, with no major flaws noted, though some players find the artistic style mismatched with the game's theme. Comparatively, the graphics and sound are significantly advanced beyond older systems like the Atari 2600, which now appear simplistic by modern standards.

    • “The 2600 was innovative and great for its time, but by today's standards, the graphics on the best games look like something a 4-year-old drew, and the sound was rudimentary.”
    • “The perspective is weird and the type of artwork just does not fit the game.”
    • “Firstly, the graphics and sound blow away anything on the 2600.”
  • story5 mentions

    The game's story is minimal, primarily focusing on an endless arcade mode and straightforward mission levels that lack clear objectives. Critics note that the missions are repetitive, centered solely on defeating robots, and fail to capture the original's atmospheric depth. Overall, the narrative feels underdeveloped and lacks guidance for players.

    • “Someone saw the source material and put a modern twist on it with blur and bloom effects, adding a mission mode without even implementing the foreboding and ominous atmosphere of the original. This, along with the aforementioned issues, is quite disappointing.”
    • “While the mission levels in other games have tended to have varied goals, in this one you are only tasked with killing all the robots on each level.”
    • “You can play arcade or missions, though there's no explanation of what you're supposed to do in the missions.”
  • music3 mentions

    The music in the game is generally considered good, complementing the fun and fast gameplay, but some players find it too overpowering, making it difficult to hear important audio cues like Evil Otto's voice. Overall, while the music fits the game's style, it may detract from the overall experience due to its volume and clarity issues.

    • “Fun fast gameplay, 2-player option, good music; it feels just like any other conversion of the Recharged series.”
    • “Evil Otto still speaks, but in a low monotonous tone that you can barely hear over the music, and the music isn't that good.”
    • “I will occasionally hear the game's attempt at something like 'Destroy the Intruder', but it's so difficult to hear even with the music dialed all the way down.”
  • stability3 mentions

    The game experiences notable stability issues, including bugs when entering rooms and various glitches, suggesting it may have been rushed in development. However, players are hopeful that future patches will address these major problems.

    • “It's a little buggy entering into rooms.”
    • “There are a few glitches, and the game feels like it was a little rushed, but I'm sure a patch will come out to fix some of the major bugs.”
    • “Glitches.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    While the game includes challenges and local multiplayer options, many users feel that the overall replayability is limited, suggesting that it could be improved despite the presence of achievements.

    • “They also added a bunch of challenges and local multiplayer, but there isn't much replay value here, even with achievements.”
    • “I feel the replay value could be a bit higher, though it's not a bad game.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by the tension created through the risk of damage from certain elements, such as walls and the character Otto, which evokes a sense of vulnerability and urgency in players. This dynamic fosters a deeper connection to the gameplay experience, as players navigate the emotional stakes of survival.

  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game has been criticized for lacking the foreboding and ominous qualities of the original source material, with modern visual effects failing to compensate for this loss. Additionally, the introduction of a mission mode has not effectively integrated into the overall ambiance, detracting from the intended experience.

    • “It feels like someone took the source material and added a modern twist with excessive blur and bloom effects, but completely missed the foreboding and ominous atmosphere of the original.”
    • “The atmosphere is lacking; it seems like they added a mission mode without capturing the tension and dread that made the original so compelling.”
    • “Despite the modern updates, the game fails to evoke the chilling atmosphere that fans of the original were hoping for.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

69% average critic score

Buy Berzerk: Recharged

Videos

Similar Games