Berzerker 2012 XP

Released in 1980, when video gaming was still in its infancy and The Bee Gees were cutting edge, coin-op shooter Berzerk caused quite a stir.

Not only did it boast intense blasting action and responsive controls, but it also boasted synthesised speech - something that was new and exciting 30 years ago.

It should therefore be unsurprising to learn that Berzerk has a fairly robust following even today, with many hardcore gamers fondly recalling the Atari 2600 port, which launched in '83.

Berzerker 2012 XP on the Xperia Play is best described as a well-intentioned tribute rather than an officially sanctioned update. While it boasts the same core gameplay and similar visuals, it doesn't have the blessing of the original developers.

Like the game from which it takes its inspiration, Berzerker 2012 XP places you in a maze packed with deadly electrified walls and bloodthirsty robot adversaries.

The ultimate aim is to light up every tile in the maze by walking on it while simultaneously taking out your android foes. Your character is equipped with a laser gun, which you can fire in eight directions.

Going berzerk

Initially, this setup seems quite enjoyable - the main character moves well, and the 3D visuals enhance the look of the original. However, after only a few tries it becomes abundantly clear that Berzerker 2012 XP suffers from some game-breaking issues, most of which can only be attributed to the developer not properly testing the game prior to release.

The least damaging issue is the 3D viewpoint, which is set to 'dynamic' by default. The camera tracks your movement, attempting to give a cinematic perspective on the carnage. The problem is, it also makes it hard to properly aim your laser blasts, leading to some annoying deaths.

Switching off the dynamic camera doesn't help, either - the only other viewpoint is locked too closely to the main character, meaning you can't see off-screen enemies or avoid their fire.

Of even greater concern is The Baiter, who assumes the role of Evil Otto from the original Berzerk. Back in 1980, Otto was used as a means of speeding up the gameplay and keeping the player on his toes.

If you spent too long clearing a maze, Otto would emerge and mercilessly hunt you down. He was also invincible, which made his appearance even more frightening.

In Berzerker 2012 XP, The Baiter fills the same role, but its participation in the game essentially results in instant death. Unlike Otto - whose speed was determined by the number of robots remaining in each maze - The Baiter moves at top speed from the very start, and fires three laser bolts which are almost impossible to avoid.

Stop intruder

The final, fatal straw is that The Baiter often appears right at the start of a level, which smacks of shoddy programming and essentially breaks the game completely, as it makes it impossible to finish that stage.

Other failings - such as shoddy presentation and ropey menu transitions - further damage Berzerker 2012 XP's appeal. Only the excellent music is able to claw back any respectability.

The Xperia Play's control interface makes things a little more palatable, but not much. The D-pad is used for movement instead of the analogue pad, as the main character's movement is locked to eight directions.

Even if you're a hardcore fan of Berzerk, we'd advise you avoid this ham-fisted attempt at updating the concept. In fact, if you consider yourself a dedicated fan of Stern Electronics's famous blaster then coming into contact with this half-finished game is likely to send you into a rage - which is perhaps fitting, given the title.