Berserk Boy is a 16-bit throwback that improves on the likes of Mega Man and Sonic with "Metroidvania elements," and I see why it's got 97% positive Steam reviews

GamesPlatformerBerserk Boy is a 16-bit throwback that improves on the likes of Mega Man and Sonic with “Metroidvania elements,” and I see why it’s got 97% positive Steam reviewsWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. GamesPlatformerBerserk Boy is a 16-bit throwback that improves on the likes of Mega Man and Sonic with “Metroidvania elements,” and I see why it’s got 97% positive Steam reviewsWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: BerserkBoy Games) Berserk Boy is an obvious love letter to a wide swathe of the biggest 2D action games of the ’90s, but it’s not just a derivative throwback. Take the relentless speed of Sonic, the Saturday morning sci-fi vibes of Mega Man, and add in just a dash of Super Metroid and you’ve got the makings of a very special little platformer. The big gimmick in Berserk Boy is its combo system, which encourages you to take down enemies at ridiculous speeds. With the basic elemental loadout, you can dash into enemies, dealing damage and creating a lightning chain to any baddies that take more than a single hit. You can then cash in that lightning with a tap of the B button to deal massive damage. I’ve only played about 40 minutes of Berserk Boy, but that’s been enough time for me to fall in love with the risk-reward balance this system offers. I find myself justbookingit through levels, looking at enemies not so much as roadblocks but as little power-ups I can abuse to keep that combo meter going. It’s got all the speed of a Sonic game, but honestly seems to do a better job at letting you become an active participant in the speedrunning. The part I haven’t gotten to yet is where you can switch up your powers with various elemental forms - which, naturally, you pick up from defeated bosses, Mega Man-style. The game’s structured linearly (so no choosing which robot master to fight next), but you can return to previously cleared levels and reach new locations with new abilities. Those are the “Metroidvania elements” mentioned on the game’sSteam page, and while they probably won’t scratch the itch if you’re looking for a true Metroidvania, they do help make poking around the various corners of the levels feel more rewarding. (Here’s a new, gorgeous Metroidvaniathat might be more your speed for pure search-action fun.) It looks like I’m not the only one taken with Berserk Boy, either. The Steam reviews are 97% positive, and the average critic review score is 84, as shown onOpenCritic. The bottom line across all these reviews seems to be that Berserk Boy absolutely understands what made those 16-bit games great - as well as what modern design elements could make them better. If you want to check it out for yourself, you can grab Berserk Boy on both PC and Switch. Thebest retro gamesstand the test of time. 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delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1 Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2 Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 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Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams’ disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams’ disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5 Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”