Once I began into Berzerk: Recharged, I used to be shocked. There have been no robotic voices.

Berzerk was a 1980 arcade title, which suggests it existed earlier than good graphics have been invented. Whereas one thing like Pac-Man might typically be thought of a greater recreation, Berzerk had one factor going for it: the robots talked. They’d draw from a sequence of phrases and phrases that will get pasted collectively into taunts. Issues like “Rooster! Struggle like a robotic!” or “Get the humanoid!” Creativeness was leaned on to fill in a whole lot of graphical blanks in these days, and having the robots converse with one another and actively taunt the participant actually helped get you within the headspace.

If there are not any robotic voices, what are we even doing right here?

Berzerk: Recharged (PC [Reviewed] Xbox One, Xbox Sequence X|S, PS4, PS5, Swap)
Developer: Sneakybox
Writer: Atari
Launched: November 10, 2023
MSRP: $9.99

Berzerk wasn’t a really sophisticated recreation, however attempt to do not forget that this was two years after Area Invaders and the identical 12 months as Pac-Man. The evolution of video video games was going to be kicked into excessive gear for the following 20 years, however 1980 was nonetheless fairly early.

Largely, the sport simply concerned you operating round electrified mazes, capturing at hostile robots (in eight instructions! Fancy!) You’d get additional factors for those who cleared a display earlier than continuing to the following, but when issues go too sizzling, it was at all times higher to duck by means of a doorway. In the event you lingered too lengthy on a single display, Evil Otto would present up. Hilariously, Otto was simply depicted as a ball with a smiley face, however he was invulnerable, so you possibly can solely actually run.

Berzerk: Recharged is just about nonetheless simply that. You’re a bit dude, you’re in a maze, and also you shoot robots. The largest distinction right here is the addition of power-ups and twin-stick capturing. Additionally, co-op, however who has buddies on this economic system? Does that make an enormous distinction? No, not likely. It’s not the key overhaul that Quantum: Recharged provided. However Quantum didn’t age in addition to Berzerk’s easy gameplay, so it possibly wanted it extra.

Get the humanoid!

I’m a bit shocked by the visuals in Berzerk: Recharged. I really feel they’re an affordable interpretation of the unique’s graphics, however on the identical time, the Recharged sequence has at all times struck me as being extra trendy. Sneakybox has continuously reinterpreted older video games as being extra Tron-like, utilizing numerous neon-heavy minimalistic designs. 

In contrast, Berzerk: Recharged is much more cartoon-like. If I used to be feeling notably imply, I’d say that it seemed like a Flash recreation from the ‘00s. I’m not, so I’ll simply say that it doesn’t have the identical edge as different video games in Sneakybox’s remake sequence.

The soundtrack, nonetheless, is excellent. Sneakybox has continuously tapped Megan McDuffee of River Metropolis Ladies fame to compose for the Recharged video games, and he or she has outdone herself right here. It nonetheless has a cyber-pop sound to it, however the hooks are excellent.

In the meantime, the gameplay doesn’t actually shake up the method all that a lot. There are dashes and power-ups, however you possibly can flip these new talents off to achieve a lift to your rating. I performed with out them, and actually, Berzerk: Recharged doesn’t want them. It performs mainly the identical for those who simply use your normal pea-shooter and human legs.

The robots additionally don’t discuss as a lot. I do know that’s a small criticism, however I’ve already mentioned how essential the robo-jabber is.

Get the intruder!

Atari has made no secret that the Recharged sequence is generally for the followers. Alongside it, they’re doing extra feature-packed remakes like Lunar Lander Past and Haunted Home. They’re typically good snack video games. Even for those who dive in to try to plumb out each certainly one of its achievements, you possibly can most likely be accomplished with it in a day. So long as you already know what you’re entering into, you’ll most likely have a great time.

However, I really feel like most Recharged video games supersede their inspiration ultimately. Even when they aren’t explicitly higher, they’re an affordable substitute. I don’t actually really feel that manner about Berzerk: Recharged. To me, it’s no substitute for the unique, which, with all its limitations, nonetheless managed to current a enjoyable and unusually atmospheric expertise. The remake is extra disposable, and that’s a disgrace since I couldn’t readily inform you the place you will get an arcade-perfect port of Berzerk.

Nonetheless, Berzerk: Recharged is a enjoyable expertise for so long as it lasts. It doesn’t fairly seize the appeal of the unique, and there are lots of higher selections now when it comes to twin-stick shooters. Nonetheless, these video games don’t have a lethal grinning ball that follows you till it witnesses your dying. Its gleeful grin, trying down at your robot-ravaged physique, reveling in its victory. No, you might be protected from that nightmare in your pathetic human video games.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}