Berserk Boy

Berserk Boy is a great modern take on Mega Man style gameplay and one of the better recent attempts to bring the 16-bit era into the 2020s. Its story is lacking somewhat but it's got it where it matters, with solid platforming and satisfying combat.

Berserk Boy is a dashing action platformer that borrows from the greats, and builds frantic, ever-changing movesets on top.

Its very reasonable price tag isn't the main selling point of Berserk Boy. Rather, it's a very competently made indie action adventure that has the feel of a 16-bit title, powered by the oomph of current-day consoles. It's far more arcadey than both Mega Man and Gunvolt; faster, and altogether more interesting owing to its multiple character forms and deft stage design. Its hub world is easily navigable, and the upgrade shop, Metroidvania backtracking, and prisoner liberating side-missions encourage players to squeeze the most from the experience. There are minor, trivial aspects that could have been tightened up slightly, and the independent development aspect isn't entirely in the background. For what it attempts, however, Berserk Boy is very successful, regularly showing up larger development studios with its creativity, and comes easy to recommend to 2D action enthusiasts.

Berserk Boy is a fine side-scrolling adventure that's elevated by its high-speed movement and fast action, which takes it above being another Mega Man-style clone. The inclusion of some light exploration elements also gives the game some legs to make it more than a mostly straightforward adventure. However, the overall low difficulty is a little disappointing, while the need to be a near-completionist to get any ending is irksome. It remains a good game, but it could've been better if some of those quirks had been ironed out.

For fans of Mega Man, Sonic the Hedgehog, and a host of platforming classics, it's hard not to recommend Berserk Boy. The plot may not turn heads, but the fluid controls and presentation should. Will this game make you "Go Berserk?" Perhaps. Here's hoping for an 8-bit demake to follow.

Berserk Boy is an uncomplicated and highly colorful retro adventure that combines the nostalgic experiences of the Mega Man days with touches of classic Sonic the Hedgehog adventures.

Berserk Boy is a love letter to games like Mega Man Zero and ZX, as well as to similar games of the time. The pixelated yet highly detailed aesthetics and art direction behind the sets and characters are an incredible and much appreciated tribute. There's no shortage of action, and despite its forgettable writing, short duration (6 to 8 hours) and times when difficulty may be uneven, it remains a game that absolutely must be played.

All in all, Berserk Boy turned out to be exactly what I had hoped it would be when I saw the previews of early development. It is hot-blooded, high-octane action platforming excellence that the layman will enjoy the run, but enthusiasts of the genre will find a thrilling test of their skills and innovation as you try to keep that combo up and get the highest score possible. A great price point, an awesome developer, and a TON of talent on display make this a must-have for any fans of the genre.

Berserk Boy is a magnificent game. Only its length keeps Berserk Boy from getting the full stamp of approval; experienced players finish it quickly in under 5 hours.

When I heard about Berserk Boy initially a few years ago, I instantly was curious. Strong art direction and gameplay channeling two franchises, Sonic and Mega Man, is such a strong concept. Building on X’s Dash ability and giving it that Sonic attitude, I couldn’t wait to play this. Being given the opportunity to review this was amazing and it lived up to my lofty expectations. Minor audio issues with the voice action do very little to stop this storm. Strong core gameplay, impressive level design, striking 16-bit art direction, and an amazing score all come together to create one of 2024’s best games. I can’t wait to see how Berserk Boy Games builds on this strong foundation for their next classic in the making.