Berzerk: Recharged is another amazing arcade addition to this wonderful series. I’ve enjoyed Centipede: Recharged and the other titles from this franchise. However, this relatively straightforward affair appears too simple for my tastes. The other titles in this series are complex, hectic, and tough to complete. This game, however, didn’t push me too hard and that was disappointing.
This dual-stick shooter was developed by SneakyBox and published by Atari. Furthermore, it can be enjoyed alone or cooperatively with a friend. This flexibility is perfect if you are struggling with the latter missions. Alternatively, maybe you would like a little friendly competition to see who is the greatest gamer. Either way, you’ll enjoy destroying every robot that you encounter.
Berzerk: Recharged tells a grim tale.
I’m not one for conspiracy theories, but this got me thinking. Humans escaping their robot overlords, and death, violence, and destruction at every turn! These are the things that nightmares are made of. Furthermore, this is the plot of Berzerk: Recharged. The hero is a pawn in a sadistic game of cat and mouse. Accordingly, he must run, shoot, and run some more if he wishes to stay alive.
This wonderful reimagining of the 1980s classic will get your heart pumping. Moreover, your skin will tingle as you dodge, weave, and avoid every projectile. Evil Otto and his deadly robots are out for revenge. As such, you must navigate a labyrinthine world of danger and every projectile. This is easier said than done as Evil Otto will stop at nothing to get its robotic arms around your throat.
Rudimentary gameplay.
The action is split into 2 distinct game modes. First, you may tackle the arcade option. Here, players are expected to survive for as long as possible. As you navigate the deadly maze, your score increases with every kill you make. However, you have limited health and death is all but assured. Thankfully, there are power-ups, health boosts, and other useful items to get you through. Just remember, Evil Otto is always on the prowl and this demonic entity cannot be stopped.
The second option is the mission mode. Unlike other Recharged games, this takes a rudimentary approach. Effectively, you are asked to kill a certain number of robots. If you can do this and avoid Evil Otto, then you’ll unlock the next mission. This isn’t easy as your robotic foes are fast, aggressive, and cruel. As such, you must stay alert and use your surroundings to your advantage.
Both game modes utilise similar mechanics. Consequently, once you master the basics, you can sit back and enjoy the mayhem that unfolds. I would have preferred something more complex, but this would have moved too far away from the original action and the developers didn’t want that to happen.
Berzerk: Recharged is vibrant and clean.
Though the action lacks complexity, the visuals are fantastic. The vibrant colour palette is striking and garish. Moreover, the excellent level design adds some tactical elements to each playthrough. The clean lines and smooth animation make it easy to plan your approach. Subsequently, this modern take on an 80s classic is beautifully polished without undermining the original action.
Megan McDuffee’s original soundtrack sounds as good today as it ever did. The synth music works perfectly with the robotic and sci-fi theme. Furthermore, the cold nature of each song creates a daunting edge that adds further pressure. This is then complemented by the loud but basic sound effects. I adored the crashing and banging of each weapon. The cacophony of noises was uncomfortable, but it added drama to every mission.
Simple controls.
Berzerk: Recharged is ridiculously easy to play and master. The simple controls are perfected in moments and the responsive inputs help you to avoid every projectile. As such, this can be enjoyed by gamers of all abilities.
Where this falls short is its potential for replay value and longevity. The basic ideas and simple concepts may be too underwhelming for some. Furthermore, once you hammer through the missions, there is little reason to return. However, if you enjoyed the original or like mindless but violent action, you’ll probably tackle this as a casual experience.
Berzerk: Recharged is fun, violent, and wonderfully 80s.
80s arcade titles have a special place in many veteran gamer’s hearts. These rough but enjoyable games are wonderfully basic but fun simultaneously. Berzerk: Recharged captures the essence of the original title. Furthermore, it has a brilliant modern edge that will make younger gamers want to play it. Though I have my complaints, I enjoyed it and recommend buying it here! Evil robots are assholes! Navigate the maze, collect the power-ups, and try to survive.
