‘Berserk Or Die' Review: A Smashing Indie Action Game
Luca Galante almost gave up on the idea of creating video games. He moved from his home in Rome to London where he got a job flipping burgers at McDonald's. Making the roguelike shooter game, Vampire Survivors, began as just a hobby he did in his spare time alone at home. He had no idea it'd go on to sell millions when he released it in 2022. He certainly didn't expect it to pip God of War Ragnarok and Elden Ring to the best game gong at 2023's Bafta Games Awards.
That success has afforded him his own studio, Poncle, which is based in England's capital with a modest 36 employees working alongside him. After expanding Vampire Survivors with new features over the last few years, Galante has now dipped his toes into publishing. The game? Berserk or Die, an explosive 2D action title made by a Japanese solo developer, Nao Games.
Understanding what to do in Berserk or Die is quite simple as it's all in the name: you either slaughter everything around you or you perish on the battlefield. We play as a lone Roman soldier to begin with (although other characters like an Egyptian Princess can be unlocked later along with more levels and weapons). The aim is to survive as many day and night cycles as possible by fighting off wave after wave of enemy warriors. They flood both sides of the screen and vary from typical sword-wielding grunts to archers.
The more you progress, the more complicated staying alive becomes. Spears rain down from above. Bosses like a chariot race across the screen and will take you down unless you time an attack perfectly. Fortunately at the end of each fight, a merchant appears and offers you the typical cocktail of upgrades from health refills to more varied weaponry. This is all paid for by coins you take off of fallen foes.
So far, the game shares an uncanny synergy with Vampire Survivors. The act of traversal is where they differ. Galante's game is all about movement. Stop running for even a millisecond to scratch your nose and you'll be overrun with ghouls and creatures of the night. In Berserk or Die, movement is a luxury.
The only way to get around is to perform a lunging attack to the left or right. Doing this will cost you stamina, so picking the right moment to strike is crucial. Once you see gold spilling out on the ground, it's hard to resist the urge not to throw yourself forward to scoop it up, but doing so leaves you vulnerable if you mistime your move. Die and you'll be back to square one, albeit with some upgrades you accrued along the way.
Poncle, Nao Games
In an unusual twist, you have to physically smash your keyboard to attack. The more keys you hit, the more powerful your attack will be. Shaking the mouse will unleash a special manoeuvre. The game also runs adequately on a Steam Deck where you use the rear triggers to attack instead. It may even just save you a few dollars on a keyboard replacement should you get too enthusiastic.
All of this chaos is set in front of a stunning pixelated background. Each location (ranging from the plains of Italy to the deserts of Egypt) is wonderfully crafted, accompanied by a great soundtrack inspired by the environment. The only question with Berserk or Die is whether or not it'll be able to establish the longevity Vampire Survivors has with regular updates and fresh ideas. But for four dollars, even if it doesn't manage that, it's money well spent.
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