SURPRISE! Nao Games and poncle launch Berserk or Die, the keyboard-bashing hack-and-slash game, out today on Steam

8 June 2025: Berserk or Die, developed by Nao Games and presented by poncle (the creators of Vampire Survivors), is out now on Steam! Revealed during The PC Gaming Show, the action slash ‘em up features a unique keyboard-smashing control scheme where the more keys you press, the more powerful your attacks become. Replacement keyboard not included.

Berserk or Die is available to buy on Steam now for £2.99 / $3.99 / EUR3.99 (please check local pricing).

• Visit the Steam page here
• Watch the trailer on YouTube here
• Read the developer’s Steam News post here

About Berserk or Die

In Berserk or Die, players take on the role of a lone soldier left standing on a ravaged battlefield, fending off the hordes of enemies swarming from left and right. To survive, players must buy from peddlers, hit the training grounds, and mash as many keys on their keyboard as possible without voiding their warranty. Movement in each stage is controlled entirely by attacks, so players don't need to reach a specific destination, just survive the onslaught. The more keys you press, the more devastating your attacks will become - and if keyboards aren’t for you, controllers work just as well, plus further accessibility options.

But really, Berserk or Die is all about the satisfaction of landing a perfectly-timed hit and watching foes fly across the screen in a flurry of pixels time and time again.

Game Features

• Fight against hordes of enemies as the last soldier standing on battlefields from both history and fantasy
• Strike your keyboard left and right to attack; the more keys you strike, the wilder and more powerful your moves
• The keyboard is used not just as a controller, but as an extension of the player's movements, allowing them to face off against multiple enemies with their own hands
• Once your special gauge is full, shake your mouse to use your special move and wipe through the enemies on screen in one dramatic move
• Browse the wares of peddlers at nightfall, buying magical items to heal and power up
• Visit the training grounds to learn powerful new skills that transform you into a force to be reckoned with
• Experience all of the action in a unique pixel art style synonymous with the game’s creator, Nao Shibata
• Original soundtrack by Vampire Survivors composer, Filippo Vicarelli
• Accessibility options available for controls, in addition to the main keyboard and mouse setup

Nao Games & poncle

Berserk or Die is developed by Nao Shibata, otherwise known as Nao Games, a Japan-based solo dev with a unique approach to game design and visuals that have become his signature. Nao Games’ previous titles include the action platformer Ninja or Die: Shadow of the Sun.

“I created this game with the goal of making something completely new,” said Shibata. “I believe it offers an experience that no other game can provide. Not only have I been able to bring my unique ideas to life, but I've also had the pleasure of meeting some amazing people along the way.”

Berserk or Die is published by poncle, a UK studio best known for the award winning, genre-defining and critically-acclaimed Vampire Survivors. poncle's founder, Luca Galante, discovered Berserk or Die at BitSummit during a trip to Japan and fell in love with the game’s gorgeous visuals and unique control scheme. Since then, poncle has worked alongside Nao Games, with support and advice direct from Luca during development.

"NaoGames shares the poncle spirit of making games that are immediately accessible, affordable, and a bit out of the ordinary; for fun.” said Galante. “When I first met Shibata-san and played Berserk or Die, I knew this was a game that deserved to be seen and played by more people. I’m really happy we got to support Shibata-san and hopefully make that happen."

Berserk or Die is the first of more projects from poncle this year, as the studio takes its first steps in the world of publishing. For more information, visit https://x.com/poncle_games