Berserk
Boy

Berserk Boy (2024) is a running and jumping game that updates the classic retro formula by letting you switch between different elemental abilities as you battle through pixelated levels. Play focuses on fast-paced movement and attack combos while you juggle your elemental forms to best tackle each enemy. It recreates the exuberant feel of arcade platform games, while cleverly diversifying how you fight and traverse each level.

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You play Kei, a rookie fighter transformed by mysterious orbs into Berserk Boy, capable of changing between Lightning, Fire, Earth, Air and Ice forms. You are tasked with saving the world by defeating the evil Dr. Genos and his Dark Energy Army. To do this, you must utilise each form's abilities (the lightning form’s dash attack and the fire form’s tunnelling drill for example) to traverse dangerous areas, beat bosses and rescue civilians. Killing enemies with combo attacks fills your Berserk meter, allowing you to “go berserk” and unleash your form’s most powerful attacks.

As you progress you unlock new and upgraded attacks for each form, such as a charge slash for your fire form and an air clap for your lightning form. Each form offers a different approach to movement and combat, for example, the lightning form favours speed and agility, whereas the air form features sleek gliding. Over time you grow familiar with these playstyles and perfect switching between forms often to adapt to the specific challenge you are facing.

The result is an action-packed game where your choice of elemental form is vital in overcoming the challenges of traversal and fighting. Managing your Berserk meter adds a high-risk, high-reward element of strategy to achieving fluid and successful gameplay.

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Our examiner, Jake Kendall, first checked Berserk Boy a year ago. It was re-examined by Thom Robertson and updated 11 days ago.