Berzerk: Recharged

54%
Game Brain Score Based on 65 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.
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"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

54%
Audience ScoreBased on 65 reviews
gameplay4 positive mentions
graphics3 negative mentions
  • Fun and fast-paced gameplay that offers a nostalgic experience with modern twists.
  • The game features a variety of enemy types and power-ups, enhancing replayability and challenge.
  • Good music and sound effects that contribute to the overall enjoyment of the game.
  • Controls feel clumsy and unresponsive, making gameplay frustrating at times.
  • Significant bugs and glitches, including issues with hitboxes and wall interactions, detract from the experience.
  • The absence of iconic elements from the original game, such as robot taunts and the menacing presence of Evil Otto, leaves fans disappointed.
  • gameplay19 mentions

    The gameplay of "Berzerk: Recharged" is characterized by fast-paced, twin-stick shooting mechanics that evoke a bullet-hell experience, appealing to both newcomers and seasoned players. While the game introduces new elements and a two-player option, some players feel that these changes detract from the original's charm and can lead to a frustrating experience due to bugs and repetitive visuals. Overall, it offers a fun, albeit familiar, take on the classic arcade game.

    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “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 manage 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.”
    • “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.”
    • “[Contains some odd and frustrating bugs, unchanging visuals get kind of bland, simple gameplay doesn't do much new]”
  • graphics11 mentions

    The graphics have received mixed feedback, with some praising their quality compared to older systems like the Atari 2600, while others criticize the aesthetic choices and perspective as mismatched with the game's theme. Although there are no major complaints about the graphics or sound design, some players find the visuals repetitive and lacking innovation, leading to a somewhat bland experience. Overall, the graphics are seen as competent but not groundbreaking.

    • “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.”
    • “[contains some odd and frustrating bugs, unchanging visuals get kind of bland, simple gameplay doesn't do much new]”
    • “Firstly, the graphics and sound blow away anything on the 2600.”
  • story10 mentions

    The story aspect of the game has been criticized for lacking depth and clarity, with players noting that the mission mode fails to capture the original's ominous atmosphere and offers little guidance on objectives. The arcade mode is described as endless, focusing solely on defeating robots without varied goals, which detracts from the overall narrative experience. Overall, the modern reinterpretation of the source material has not resonated well with players seeking a more engaging story.

    • “The arcade mode is apparently endless, so you just play to see how far you can get, while the game also offers the usual mission levels we see in the recharged series.”
    • “Someone saw the source material and put a modern twist on it with blur and bloom effects, added a mission mode without even implementing the foreboding and ominous atmosphere of the original. Just for that alone, and the aforementioned issues I have.”
    • “You can play arcade or missions, though there's no explanation of what you're supposed to do in the missions.”
    • “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.”
  • music7 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the entertaining and engaging soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience, others find it lacking, with complaints about it being too low in volume and overshadowing important audio cues. Overall, the music contributes positively to the fast-paced action, but its execution leaves room for improvement.

    • “Fun fast gameplay, 2 players option, good music, feels just like any other conversion of the recharged series.”
    • “[Entertaining twin-stick shooting fun with plenty of challenge, excellent music and effects, each mode requires different strategies.]”
    • “Evil Otto still speaks, but in a low monotonous tone 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.”
  • stability6 mentions

    The game exhibits notable stability issues, particularly with bugs when entering rooms and various glitches throughout. Many users feel it seems rushed, but there is optimism 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.”
  • replayability4 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is considered limited despite the inclusion of challenges and local multiplayer options. While some players appreciate these additions, many feel that the replay value could be significantly improved.

    • “I feel the replay value could be a bit higher, though, but it's not a bad game.”
    • “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.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by the intense feelings of vulnerability and frustration players experience when facing invulnerable enemies and damaging obstacles, creating a sense of tension and urgency throughout gameplay.

  • atmosphere2 mentions

    Reviewers express disappointment with the atmosphere, noting that the modern enhancements, such as blur and bloom effects, fail to capture the foreboding and ominous tone of the original source material. The addition of a mission mode further detracts from the intended ambiance, leading to a less immersive experience.

    • “Someone saw the source material and put a modern twist on it with blur and bloom effects, added a mission mode without even implementing the foreboding and ominous atmosphere of the original. Just for that alone, and the aforementioned issues I have.”
    • “Someone saw the source material and put a modern twist on it with blur and bloom effects, added a mission mode without even implementing the foreboding and ominous atmosphere of the original. Just for that alone, and the aforementioned issues I have.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

69% average critic score

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