From developer and publisher Berserk Boy Games comes Berserk Boy. A massive slice of 16-bit action-platforming action that is heavily inspired by the Mega Man franchise. But, I guess the big question is, is it any good?

“BERSERK BOY is a high speed action packed Platformer, with Metroidvania elements. Packed with vibrant and stylish pixel art. Go Berserk! as you change into different forms and use the power of Lightning, Fire, Ice, Air, and Earth to save the planet! With music by Sonic Mania composer Tee Lopes.”

If I’m being honest, I’ve never really been much of a fan of the games that Berserk Boy has been influenced by. While the Mega Man homage is clear to see, there’s also a wee bit of Sonic the Hedgehog thrown in here too, and I never understood the appeal of either game. Yeah, yeah I know, sacrilege and all that. How can I, an old-timey gamer who grew up in the heyday of gaming, not be a fan of two massively popular franchises? I was just more of a Super Mario fan than a Sonic the Hedgehog one, and the Mega Man games I did try just never really gripped me. So then, I may not be the best-equipped person to review a game that is inspired by two franchises I never really cared for.

What you get with Berserk Boy is a throwback to 16-bit action-platformers that takes the gung-ho, shooty-shooty stuff of Mega Man, and blends it with the speed of Sonic. Oh, and there is just the slightest soupçon of a metroidvainia game. You know what? I really like it too. What really helps to sell Berserk Boy is its combo system. You’ll be jumping, blasting and slashing your way through enemies with a variety of attacks, based on whatever power you have equipped, trying to string together multiple attacks, and it is immense fun too. You gain powers by defeating bosses (very Mega Man-esque) and said powers can even open up new areas of previous levels, this is where the soupçon of a metroidvainia game comes in as you can revisit previously complete stages and explore to find any hidden areas and secrets.

Out now on Steam and Switch for around £16, Berserk Boy really hits the spot. If fast and frantic gameplay is a joy to experience, and you even get to choose between playing a modern mode that gives you unlimited lives, or you can try your luck with a retro mode that limits your lives and takes you back to ’90s gaming with a bump. The controls are smooth and responsive and the titular Berserk Boy has some impressive moves up his sleeve, including a classic wall-jump or even grinding over certain platforms. Each power that you obtain also comes with its own move-set and specific skills, each of which you can upgrade between stages. Honestly, I went into this not expecting to like it, given the fact that I’m no fan of the game that inspired it. But, I was genuinely surprised by just how much I enjoyed playing through Berserk Boy in the end, and it felt like it was 1995 again.