Elite Online Mag Elite 86 | Page 205

Playable characters include some of Berserk’s more monstrous creatures. Where Berserk does differ from other Warriors titles is with its fittingly graphic violence. The Berserk series is known for its gore, and Omega Force’s game doesn’t hold back in this regard, with fountains of blood and body parts flying around the battlefields. It matches the bleak tone of its source material, and mixes the grim fantasy and demonic horror elements of the saga expertly. Your mileage with the game will largely depend on your attitude towards the other Warriors games, unsurprisingly. If, like me, you find the 1 vs 1000 combat and surprisingly deep strategy to the stages a thrill even after dozens of hours, you’ll get a great deal out of Berserk. If you’re a Berserk fan wanting to experience the saga in a new way, the game will satisfy, and the inclusion of content post the Golden Age arc will certainly be of interest. If you’re a fantasy fan who wants something dark and gory to sink their teeth in to, Berserk’s story will engage you even if its combat doesn’t. Berserk and the Band of the Hawk might not be the finest Warriors game to date, but its certainly an enjoyable one. 7/10 The Golden Age Kentaro Mirua’s Berserk manga series has been running since 1988, and is still going today. Guts’ adventures have seen several adaptations over the years, most prominently a 1997 TV series, a 2013 movie trilogy, and a 2016 follow-up TV series. In gaming, Sword of the Berserk: Guts’ Rage was released for the Dreamcast in 1999, with a 2004 PS2 followup that was only released in Japan. Berserk and the Band of the Hawk is the first time the Golden Age story arc has been depicted in a game, though. The series is renowned for its bleak tone, graphic depictions of violence, and strong sexual content. www.eliteonlinemag.com 204