Berzerk: Recharged

I'm not sure what the issue is but there doesn't seem to be any joystick support on the Windows version of this. It's all good to design a game to be mouse-and-keyboard first, but it seems crazy to me not to have a joystick option. Worse, there's no way to remap the controls so you're stuck with WASD and the extra keys of the devs' choosing. The UI is also poorly implemented. There are wonky issues with feedback that make it hard to know if you've properly made a selection. Regarding the game, it's okay. I love the original arcade game but this is essentially an early prototype of Enter the Gungeon and doesn't feel like the original Berzerk. This isn't worth $10, $5 at best. I got it with Humble Bundle so I got my money's worth. Not much to recommend but it's not a "bad" game so if you've got the cash and the time, give it a shot.

I loved Berzerk in the Arcade. I do not love this. So far most of the recharged games are really good, but not this one. It's a shame because it was so popular in the Arcades.

Berzerk: Recharged which was developed by SneakyBox and published by Atari is a total blast from the past redone with a bit of a modern flare. Playable with what XBox One controller the game offers quite a bit of replaybility and challenge which will keep any Arcader intrigued and entertained.

Played this one for 76 minutes, got all the achievements, and will never play it again. A very soulless and rather buggy remake of the original Berzerk with very disappointing power-ups. I got it on sale and I still feel ripped off. Developer SneakyBox is known for releasing games and leaving them to die, so don't expect to see any bug fixes or quality-of-life improvements for their games. You're also stuck with the controls the devs have decided for you -- they can't be remapped.

Never played the original but I do love these recharged series games, and i'm a sucker for a twin stick shooter. I bought this a while back and just found it again having never played it. lol Really enjoyable, lots of missions and its 2 player as well which is great. Love the new art style as well.

[h2]Fun remake of the original but lacks replayability[/h2] SneakyBox could have taken this game much further. Procedurally generated levels alone would have given it far more replay value. The music is great, the visuals are vibrant and stylish, and the core gameplay is fun. Unfortunately, it's also far too easy. Out of all ten of Atari's Recharged games, Berzerk Recharged was by far the quickest and easiest for me to 100% complete. I'd recommend picking it up as part of a bundle rather than on its own. There's just not enough content here to keep you coming back. I've played through most, if not all, of Atari's Recharged series. If you're curious what I thought of the rest, you can find them on my curator page or in the full Recharged list below. [h2]7/10[/h2] [h3][url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/45905648-Gork%2527s-Game-Grind/list/173782]My Recharged Series Reviews[/url][/h3] [h3][url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/45905648-Gork%2527s-Game-Grind/]Check out my curated list of games[/url][/h3]

REVIEW #95 Berzerk: Recharged ---------- As I write this, Steam user reviews for Berzerk: Recharged are closely split between positive and negative. Being a fan of both the arcade and Atari console versions of the original Berzerk game, the feedback from other players almost deterred me from trying this title out until I took time to read what was being said. It seems like many are turned off based on nostalgia-fueled expectations and how this game failed to meet them versus the actual quality of what's presented here. In light of this, let me start with this disclaimer: if you're expecting an almost-exact replica of Berzerk with maybe just a shiny coat of paint on top, you will not find what you're looking for here. However, if an action game that takes the themes and gameplay elements of the arcade classic and works with them just enough to be similar to the source material but also manage to feel like a unique experience AND still be a heck of a lot of fun to play sounds interesting to you, then I encourage you to give Berzerk: Recharged a try. With that out of the way, let's get a bit more into the nitty gritty of what's offered here. Berzerk: Recharged is a top-down(ish) twin-stick shooter with 2 variations: arcade mode and challenge mode. In both variations, players must navigate a maze full of robotic adversaries and environmental hazards with the goal being obtaining the highest score that they can. Challenge mode has 20 preset maze configurations, whereas arcade mode randomly generates a maze layout every time and continues endlessly until the player runs out of health. The players and some of the robot enemies can shoot projectiles, and the game can often feel like a bullet-hell title, which makes gameplay feel tense and fast-paced. There's also a time-based score multiplier which gives the player incentive to keep moving if they want to quickly rack up points. Power-ups and a dash ability are included, but disabling these features (as well as the player's health bar) will result in hefty scoring bonuses being added to a game's final total. Presentation-wise, Berzerk: Recharged is okay. There's nothing offensive or subpar as far as sound design or graphics are concerned. In fact, the bright color scheme works well with the game's sense of style, and everything animates well. However, there are some odd design choices here. For example, the robotic voice samples are very low in the overall sound mix, which makes it often hard to tell what's being said. Also, the protagonist looks like Ronald McDonald going out on Halloween as a space cowboy, an impression that's especially due to the character's red/yellow/white/black color palette. That isn't a deal-breaker by any means, but it's a bit distracting and certainly looks out of place from the rest of the game. Also, while I don't exactly count this as a major negative, the general presentation of the game did sometimes feel weirdly like I was playing an Original Xbox Live Arcade title, which not all players might vibe with. Technically, while bugs have been reported by other Steam users, Berzerk: Recharged has been running almost rock-solid for me (except for one minor glitch that causes Evil Otto's face to vertically invert sometimes). Controlling the main character also feels smooth and responsive, especially with an Xbox One controller. In the end, what really works for Berzerk: Recharged is how it plays, and it feels to me like an addictive arcade-style shooter that I definitely would've been pumping plenty of quarters into if I found it in an arcade in the '80s. It took me all of 10 minutes to decide that I really like this addition to Atari's Recharged series, and if the trailer and screenshots on the store page interest you, then I suggest picking this one up. NOTE: local co-op is available but was not evaluated for this review.

This barely reached recommendation for me. The original and Recharged are fun bullet hell games, but the original is definitely better. Either I can't hear them, or the robots don't talk, but they are patching it. The achievements for this is also broken, considering I got achievements while playing, but Steam doesn't show it. While people are understandably against the graphics, they are a bit nice, and the music is nice as well. The graphics could be darker though and be more dystopian. As for the modifiers, you can make it just like the original, but again, the original is vastly better. Still, I recommend it, but I also suggest playing the original and getting this on a sale. "Chicken, fight like a robot."

love the game BUT you Must give the player the option to set the time evil Otto joins the game from as it is now to never looking forward to this in the next update

Berzerk: Recharged serves as a contemporary revival of the classic 1980 arcade game, bringing fresh life to the fast-paced maze shooter while honoring its original spirit. Developed by SneakyBox and published by Atari, the game retains the core mechanics that made the original a cult favorite—navigating tight, maze-like arenas while fending off relentless waves of hostile robots. This modern iteration expands on the foundational gameplay with updated controls, visual enhancements, and new features designed to appeal to both nostalgic players and newcomers looking for a challenging arcade experience. At its heart, Berzerk: Recharged centers around survival in labyrinthine levels filled with aggressive robots that pursue the player relentlessly. Players must use twin-stick shooter controls to dodge enemy fire while strategically firing back. The game introduces a variety of power-ups such as spread-shots, railguns, and shields, which significantly deepen the gameplay by providing tactical options that weren’t present in the original. These additions encourage players to adapt their playstyle depending on the power-ups collected, injecting variety and strategic nuance into the classic run-and-gun formula. One of the standout features of Berzerk: Recharged is its cooperative mode, allowing two players to team up locally. This not only doubles the firepower but also adds a layer of coordination and camaraderie, making the game a more social and engaging experience. Playing alongside a friend raises the stakes and fun, as players must work together to navigate the maze, avoid enemy robots, and survive increasingly difficult waves. This co-op mode effectively broadens the game’s appeal, transforming a solitary arcade challenge into a shared, fast-paced adventure. Visually, the game retains the original’s top-down perspective but is updated with modern, polished graphics that evoke a neon-lit, retro-futuristic aesthetic. The environments and enemies have been redesigned with vibrant colors and smooth animations, striking a balance between honoring the old-school style and providing a visually appealing experience for contemporary players. The sound design features energetic music and sound effects that drive the pace, though some players have noted that the signature robotic voice effects from the original can be difficult to hear unless the music volume is lowered, which can disrupt the audio balance. Reception to Berzerk: Recharged has been mixed, with praise often directed at its faithful recreation of classic arcade action combined with the added depth of power-ups and co-op gameplay. However, some critics feel that the game loses a bit of the original’s charm and intensity, especially with the omission of certain iconic elements like the original voice synthesis and the somewhat simplified enemy AI. While it may not fully capture the raw thrill and personality of the 1980 classic, the reboot nevertheless provides an accessible and enjoyable arcade experience that can satisfy both retro enthusiasts and modern gamers. In summary, Berzerk: Recharged successfully reintroduces a legendary arcade title with contemporary enhancements that enrich gameplay without abandoning the essence of what made the original beloved. Its improved controls, new power-ups, and cooperative play breathe new life into the frantic maze shooter formula, offering a fast-paced and engaging challenge. Though it may not eclipse the nostalgic impact of its predecessor, it stands as a worthy homage that invites players to dive back into the deadly corridors of robotic mayhem. Rating: 6/10