Review: Berserk Boy

The Nostalgia Train.

In recent years, we have seen many indie studios heavily relying on the “nostalgia” factor, bringing back the side-scrollers from the 90s. The source of inspiration is easily recognizable, with Sonic and Mega Man usually being the titles chosen for inspiration, and Berserk Boy is no exception to this rule.

From the creative minds of BerserkBoy Games, a studio formed by passionate indie and fan game developers, comes a vibrant and exciting adventure. Prepare yourself for an electrifying challenge in what is the small studio’s debut game, which tests the skills of experienced players while also offering a welcoming experience for those who prefer a more relaxed pace.

Cliché Story, Frantic Action!

In Berserk Boy, we embark on a straightforward and generic adventure, typical of the 90s. However, this simplicity will not deter fans of the genre. We take on the role of young Kai, a courageous boy who, along with his friend Dizzie, seeks the Berserk Orbs, magical objects that grant powers to their bearers. Together, they join the Resistance, a group that fights against Dr. Genos, a scientist obsessed with power. During an enemy attack, Kai and Dizzie are separated. It is at this moment that the boy meets Fiore. Together, they unite to stop Dr. Genos, who poses a great threat to the city of New Hope (Star Wars reference?).

In Berserk Boy, the adrenaline is pumping! Prepare yourself for a frantic pace of action and platforming, where every step requires total attention. Relentless enemies and treacherous traps, such as spikes and bottomless pits, test you at every second.

To overcome the challenges, you have to master the diverse skills of the protagonist and utilize elements of the environment to your favor. Acrobatic maneuvers and intelligent strategies will be essential to achieve victory. Many times I felt unstoppable with the consecutive maneuvers to avoid traps and enemies, the fluidity of the character and the controls give a fantastic sense of control over the character, crucial for this genre.

The Resistance HQ in Berserk Boy is more than just a simple starting point, it serves as a central hub, allowing you to revisit completed stages and explore every corner of this futuristic world. Each world as 3 levels you can visit, in a total of 5 worlds.

Art & Audio Immersion.

Initially, I expected to see some 3D elements in the animations or even particles, common in many modern 2D platformers. However, that wasn’t the case. While I was initially disappointed, I quickly realized that it wasn’t due to a lack of time. It was simply the artistic direction the team chose for this project.

Pixel art in Berserk Boy is not just a visual style, but an essential tool for storytelling and creating an immersive experience for the player. Each pixel is carefully placed to create fluid animations, expressive characters, and vibrant environments.

Memorable audio is a hallmark of great games, and Berserk Boy delivers. The soundtrack is immersive and unforgettable, transporting you to the heat of battle and the excitement of adventure with a vibrant world of sounds and catchy melodies. It’s no surprise that Tee Lopes, the composer behind the audio for Sonic Mania and TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge, is behind this creation.

While Berserk Boy is a great game, it’s not without its flaws. One noticeable issue is the overuse of reused sprites. This lack of enemy diversity can lead to a feeling of repetitiveness after a while. Another frustrating aspect is the random appearance and disappearance of text boxes. It’s unclear whether this is a bug our not, but it can be quite disruptive and confusing.

Return to the 90’s.

This indie game brings back everything we loved about weekend afternoons in the 90s. Agile and challenging gameplay, captivating art, and audio that will make you nod your head lightly without even realizing it. It’s perfect for Mega Man fans and classic platformers, and the portability of the Switch version makes it a perfect travel companion.