Berserk Boy Preview
Are you a fan of Mega Man? This is going to be a real treat for you.
HOW COOL WAS THAT??
Berserk Boy is a retro game and anime-inspired action platformer that offers a full story-based experience with an entire roster of moves to upgrade as you traverse through 6 incredibly unique and stylish worlds. Take on standard enemies, puzzles, and fun boss battles.
Enjoy the combination of Mega Man-esque platforming and ability unlocks with the exploration and secrets of a Metroidvania coupled with SPEED.
There is something for everyone here. Retro gamers and fans of platformers will have a blast while completionists will enjoy the many secrets to be discovered.
Enjoy a soundtrack done by the Sonic Mania composter Tee Lopes who also was behind TMNT, Streets of Rage 4, and Metal Slug Tactics to name a few.
Releasing on March 6th for PC and Nintendo Switch - check out the demo available NOW on Steam.
Personally, I think it will be very welcoming to newcomers to the genre while providing a challenge in the way of exploring all areas and beating your own clear times. For example, I blitzed through the very first level. I cleared most enemies and collecting what I could but if I missed a pickup, I did not double back. When I got the end of run summary, I only grabbed 1/5 medals. On a subsequent replay, I ended up with 3/5 medals. While the combat and movement around the map makes it seem like everything most move at the speed of light, you can slow things up and explore or double back. There are multiple checkpoints in each level that also allow for teleporting to any of the previous checkpoints.
In Berserk Boy, you are the weapon. The game feels reminiscent of Mega Man but attacking is done via dashes and dives into enemies versus shooting them. If you manage to finish the demo (it’s only 2 stages and a mini-event), you unlock the Flame Drill which is a new form for Berserk Boy. Similar to Mega Man, you can swap on the fly between “weapons” but there is no energy requirement here. You can remain in each form for however long you want without worrying about ammo/energy/mana/etc. to power said weapons. The forms are also used in traversing the stages. You begin the game (well the demo) and you only have access to lightning which comes in handy as there are switches to trigger and barriers to pass through requiring this form. When you gain access to the Flame Drill, you will need to swap between forms to trigger those switches or stay in drill form to “dig” through other areas.
This is a different take on a tried and true genre that works extremely well. It will be exciting to see the different forms Berserk Boy can take on and the high likelihood that this game will be featured repeatedly in Games Done Quick. Grab the demo now while it is up this week.
