We’ve certainly had our fair share of retro-inspired indie platformers over the last decade or so. In that sense, Berserk Boy is no different from the chiptune, pixel art-infused adventures set in colourful anime worlds that we’ve come to expect – but perhaps originality is overrated.
This title excels by taking a tried and true formula and doubling down on the best bits; tightly refined controls and spectacular powerups are your tools for exploring a stunning assortment of whimsical levels, and with the sublime tunes of Tee Lopes scoring your journey, you’ll enter a flow state that’s difficult to pull yourself out of.
Berserk Boy successfully overcomes the challenge of wringing a fresh experience from a pallet of 16-bit legends; the game is a reminder that ideas from 30 years ago are just as intrinsically fun as ever. It’s a bit short and can be a little easy in parts, but given how consistent the experience is overall, I’d wager that most fans of the genre will find plenty to enjoy here.
