An undisputed basic from the golden age of the arcades, Berzerk deserves higher than this limp Recharged providing from Atari. When my 2600 cart provides extra choices and selection, I need to query how this reimagining hopes to achieve a excessive rating. It might be wonderful sufficient as a brand new sport (briefly stretches), however as a Berzerk revival, it’s subpar.
This replace feels fairly darn totally different, with a twin-stick setup. It’s not inherently poor (I take pleasure in loads of twin-stick shooters), however calling this Berzerk is a stretch proper out of the gate, gameplay-wise. These sufficiently old to have performed Berzerk within the arcade or on the VCS are used to a single joystick, which gave the sport a problem and elegance that’s lacking right here. Sure, Berzerk Recharged retains the single-screen maze-like layouts, with loads of robotic heavies to shoot. And Evil Otto remains to be a smiling/invulnerable looming menace. I noticed him a lot earlier and extra typically than I anticipated.
The Rechared staples are right here, however is {that a} good factor? Single life setups. Missions which are principally the identical (“Destroy all enemies”). Music that’s good however overly acquainted. Energy-ups which are first rate however don’t add a lot substance. Settings for brand spanking new (admittedly welcome) options like inverted controls, leaderboards, and vibration, however not for sport variations from 30-plus years in the past. On the danger of repeating myself from early critiques of Recharged video games, should you’re going to revive a basic, don’t attempt to disguise what made it a basic from the outset.
Berzerk: Recharged lacks the one-more-time vibe of the unique. I ought to’ve busted this evaluation out weeks in the past, apart from my struggles to play it for various minutes at a time. I ought to stress that whereas Atari has let the PN staff down with the Rechared sequence as a rule (besides David), high-score chasers who don’t know these authentic classics will take pleasure in them extra. The identical is true with Berzerk. So, if you wish to view the PN staff as “previous males yelling at clouds,” that’s truthful sufficient.
I’ve genuinely tried to click on with Berzerk: Recharged (and the Recharged sequence total). However, after many weeks, it’s clear I by no means will. This sport doesn’t ship what it guarantees, which is a “revival of an arcade basic.” Not solely does it not really feel like the unique, however it’s lacking lots of the choices and selection provided by the basic dwelling port. Gamers who by no means skilled Berzerk within the ’80s will benefit from the shallow twin-stick capturing of this reimagined take for a time, a minimum of (much more so when enjoying with a buddy), however that is a mean sport at finest. Atari’s curious strategy with the Recharged sequence continues for higher or worse, and it’s more and more main in the direction of the latter. Evil Otto is smiling, however I’m not.