Berserk or Die is a new game published by Poncle, creators of Vampire Survivors

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Over the chaotic Summer Games Fest weekend, the makers of Vampire Survivors unveiled their latest creation at The PC Game Show.

The game, called Berserk or Die, was developed by Nao Games and is being published by Poncle. Previously, when I wrote about Poncle’s strange and intentionally confusing Vampire Survivors roadmap in January, a mention of something other than Vampire Survivors appeared, and it seems this is the long-awaited reveal.

I’ve had the pleasure of playing the game for a few hours before its announcement, and as you might guess, it’s completely outrageous (and fortunately, only $3.99!).

What is Berserk or Die?

If you like the relentless and batsh*t gameplay of Vampire Survivors, you’ll love this.

In the game “Berserk or Die”, you find yourself as a solitary soldier on a ruthless battleground, flanked by adversaries pouring in from every direction. Your assaults propel you forward. There are no set destinations to reach. Instead, your goal is simply to endure, build up your power, and leave a trail of pixelated casualties behind.

The excitement lies in the fact that you’ll be frantically pressing your keyboard to amplify your attacks. The harder you press, the stronger the impact. Consider your keyboard as a weapon (and please note: Poncle or Nao Games does not provide replacements for broken keyboards).

Quick list of everything you need to know

  • Slam as many keys as you can to unleash more powerful, over-the-top attacks. Or use a controller if you’re not ready to sacrifice your hardware.
  • Between waves, spend your hard-earned loot on magical gear and upgrades.
  • Learn new abilities and evolve from humble soldier to ultimate keyboard warrior.
  • Fill your meter, shake your mouse (literally), and wipe the screen in glorious destruction.
  • The soundtrack is delivered by Vampire Survivors composer Filippo Vicarelli.
  • There’s a range of accessibility options to make sure everyone can go ‘berserk’.

Poncle and Nao Shibata collab

The individual developer, Nao Shibata (also known as Nao Games), hailing from Japan, possesses a unique and unbridled artistic flair. He single-handedly crafted Berserk or Die with an aim to make it stand out uniquely in the gaming world.

Luca Galante discovered this precious gem during BitSummit in Japan and recognized its immense potential right away. Now, Poncle is assisting in sharing it with a worldwide audience.

This is only the start, though. Poncle is venturing into publishing now, and Berserk or Die is the first of many exciting projects to come.

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2025-06-09 00:09