Vampire Survivors studio Poncle has expanded its portfolio by publishing its first game, Berserk or Die. Developed by solo creator Nao Shibata under the name Nao Games, this innovative "action slash-’em’-up" game introduces a unique control scheme that allows players to control their character using their keyboard and mouse in a non-traditional way.
During its reveal at the PC Gaming Show, Berserk or Die showcased its distinctive gameplay mechanics—players can select movement and execute attacks by slapping the left and right sides of their keyboard. The force of each slap determines the attack’s power, while shaking the mouse activates the character’s special abilities. To ensure inclusivity, the game also offers accessibility options, including a more conventional controller-based control scheme.
When not engaged in battle, players can spend time shopping with nighttime peddlers to heal and replenish magical abilities, or head to training grounds to learn new skills for future combat. The game features unique pixel art created by Nao Games and a musical score composed by Filippo Vicarelli, known for his work on Vampire Survivors.
Berserk or Die marks a significant milestone for Poncle, which gained recognition in 2023 with the success of Vampire Survivors. The studio has hinted that this is just the first of several projects in their publishing endeavors for the year.
The game is currently available on PC.
