Sword of the Berserk: Guts' Rage Pundit Review

Before the U.S. got its hands on the Berserk Manga, we had Sword of the Berserk. A hack 'n slash where you play as the titular Guts to rage your way through a mysterious plant-based plague in one of the few games that stayed exclusive to the Sega Dreamcast.
How well does the game reflect the Manga? How well does it fit in to Miura's grand story? I hope you've got time to find out.
Slight edit: The game takes place after volume 21, not 22. But the video itself contains spoilers up to volume 22.
Next video on the PS2 game is here: • Berserk: Millenium Fal...
All gameplay footage was captured from an actual Dreamcast.
Black Sun Over Midland clone:
skullknight.net...
Number of times Sony Vegas crashed during production: 57

[@jhostmusic]

Damn, that story is actually pretty good. Really does feel like something that could be in the manga.

[@pacharakongmuang7087]

It's because the original writer (Miura Kentaro) is one who designed it. So it's technically canon.

[@dolphwang5063]

@@pacharakongmuang7087 its not cannon but yeah the writing is still top quality

[@EvelynDayless]

Still better 3d animation than Berserk (2016)

[@punishedbrak4255]

Awesome job, man. I loved this game as a kid. It's what got me into Berserk to begin with, not seeing the anime until 2002 in a Blockbuster and not knowing anything about a Manga until the wonder of horrible Scanlations around 2008 or so. Fun fact, the guy Voicing Guts in the game, Michael Bell, Voices Raziel in Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver/ Defiance. R.I.P Miura; his work has meant so much to so many and his legacy will never die.

[@DarkArtistKaiser]

I saw a lp of this game done by supergreatfriends. I remember thinking that the jpegs of the Godhand aren't really the godhand and they just sent a bunch of cardboard cut outs to him with a message saying something like "Hello,we are busy at the moment, but your fall from humanity is important to us. Please wait while we get to you."

[@waititsmyfirstyear6433]

I cannot believe that these videos haven't been viewed more. I'll be responsible before bringing it to 100000

[@jhostmusic]

"I'M JUST A GIRL WHO CAN'T SAY NO! CAN'T SEEM TO SAY IT AT ALL!" - Griffith 1997

[@CoffeeMaus]

For context, in the original movie adaptaion Griffith's voice actor would randomly start singing, making for some pretty funny blooper scenes. You're welcome.

[@GokuBlackZamasu_]

Perfection

[@colechung7806]

I had no idea Yukes developed this game damn only thought Yukes developed wrestling titles

[@JuliusCaesar103]

This was a great video, and I agree the music is just sublime, A Sister's Story is my personal favorite OST, although choosing between Forces 2 and Indra is quite tough. The story is also quite good and the detail you mentioned about how *ahem* Balzac's situation is a parallel to Guts' made me appreciate the story a whole lot more. I'm left wishing now that Berserk was way better represented in videogames and even other media, oh well at least we didn't get some bullshit fighter game that every anime seems to get. Great job on the video, liked and subbed. I love Berserk to death

[@swif4114]

damn, didn't expect a story of that caliber. It's like the perfect Berserk short story. Well, minus Zodd turning up, but that animation of Guts being impaled on his horn is too cool. can't wait to hear about the PS2 one

[@blakechildress944]

I've got a soft spot in my heart for Dreamcast era graphics and an even bigger love for Berserk. Even though the gameplay and voice acting doesn't hold up to others I for some reason adore this Berserk spinoff game. I don't consider it canon but any extra Berserk content is good enough for me.(Except for Berserk2016-17)

[@ZachCG]

damn, you're making hella good content for somebody so unknown

[@alrswhtx4920]

Can watch any video no matter how long if its related to Berserk, good shit man, catch this like and subscription.

[@Jak132619]

20:29, the Japanese sound for 'r' or 'l' is very similar, so they can be considered interchangeable when translated from English. This is also why you can say both 'behelit' or 'beherit'. Great video, as a berserk fan and an avid gamer this review was a real treat.

[@Variabull]

I'm pretty confident Eriza was supposed to be Eliza, since it fits better with the European theme of names, unfortunately I just can't say for certain. In the case of the 'behelit', I've read several sources saying that 'beherit' is the Syriac word for 'devil' or 'Satan' (though I can't confirm if that's true). It's never been confirmed by Miura as far as I know, so it could just be a coincidence, but the Japanese spelling is ベヘリット which transliterates to 'beheritto' so it seems to me the 'r' is the intended sound. One thing's for sure, it's listed as a 'beherite' in the world tab, which is definitely wrong. Thanks for watching, glad you like it!

[@Skullkan6]

Behelit also just sounds cooler

[@lemetams6972]

Good stuff my dude, why do you only have 5k subs? Your content is god tirer.

[@ashcan6]

Well done, well done. I was a collector of weirdo anime Dreamcast stuff, and haven’t found many that remembered this here champion of a game. I recommend (also) RECORD OF LODESS WAR and LAST BLADE 2 if you are a Dreamcast anime fan. Thanks!

[@shallbeknown]

I remember this game, I had not read or watched the anime yet, makes more sense now

[@abc4781]

Read the manga!!!!!!!

[@kamen_mann]

So something tells me Miura planned for Casca's condition to be triggered by the sight of Guts... 😬 From that ending. And the last couple chapters...

[@tikareilu]

How does this video not have at least 50K views. Great video!

[@bestofmusicchannel]

When i first played Sword of the Bersek on Dreamcast i almost cried on entry video with Forces 2 song for a reason, i dont know why. In the ending almost the same feeling with Indra song in the ending titles. Those 2 tracks were the most memorable video game OST trhacks i ever heard at the time.

[@abc4781]

Could also play Berserk and the band of the hawk on ps4 and vita to catch up to a certain point in the manga.

[@EdenElectorate]

Knight of skellington is the best character.

[@GMHX77]

Good to see ya back man i need that Warcraft 3 review it's been a year haha

[@Variabull]

It's being worked on, don't you worry. This series of games is a bit of a passion project I've had my heart set on making for a while now, but any time I find a little extra time to spare I try to put it towards Warcraft III. Just drawing up the pictures for the backstory has been a monumental task. I don't like to make promises, but once the next 2 videos for this series are released, Warcraft III should follow. Hopefully.

[@nosilverharbinger]

What you said at 03:36 is accurate as best as I can recall. I bought (and still own) this game from waaay back when the dreamcast was discontinued and the shelves were being cleared out. No one at the time thought much of the console. Everything about it was largely considered to be garbage next to the playstation. I bought it for $5.00 as I kept the price stickers and such with it. At the time I had watched the 1997 series (on fansubbed VHS and VCD copies), but almost no one else had. All to say that in the late 1990s/early 2000s this was a niche game for what was an insanely small niche audience in the US. Things have (somewhat) changed since then.

[@Variabull]

That's cool, that was the case my research seemed to indicate (but I was too young at the time to know anything about it). Even when I bought the game for this video it was only about $15, but has since climbed to about $100. Very recently seems to have become a collectible. One of few games that is still genuinely exclusive to Dreamcast, too. Certainly is a curiosity.

[@Pan_Z]

31:48 If the game looked like that, I'd scour the depths of Amazon for it.

[@PazuChill]

If Guts' name is supposed to have a German sound to it, then "Guts" would be pronounced differently, though. The same is true for "Götz", by the way. In German, we'd read "Guts" not with an "a" sound but with the same "u" sound that would be used in Japanese (う). Also, "Götz" is not pronounced "Gotz" here. The "ö" is similar to the "e" in "German" or the "ea" in "learn". This is a comment on the original concept for Guts' name, though. I think the official reading has been established with the "あ" sound regardless.

[@Pan_Z]

Looking forward to your video on the sequel.

[@Superschokokeks]

waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaait people are cured after the source is slayed. "Gatsu" didn't slay monster. .. he slayed people, who could be save/go back to normal..

[@Variabull]

It is a mistake to think that Guts is anyone's savior. He is no stranger to killing innocent people to get what he wants.

[@Superschokokeks]

alright, everything is an excuse just to kill more demons.

[@emperorleachy6435]

The voice of Zodd is Peter Lurie who voiced Vulcan Raven in Metal Gear Solid

[@nazishhussain2712]

He is also one of naruto members of orchimaru group

[@thebiggestmelonyouneversee1366]

Great video as always, keep it up bullby!

[@BakedSalmonNetwork]

You have a nice writing style. Can I assume you intentionally stated 'neutralized' as 'neuter-alyzed', as it had been a reference to Balzac(ball sack)?

[@apostlenik809]

I like Michael Bell's interpretation of Guts (he's not exactly Marc Diraison, but eh, what can you do, still pretty good), but considering some of the MGS greats lending their voices to the characters, I'd really love to hear David Hayter as Guts (though I have a creeping suspicion it wouldn't have been too different from Snake). On that note, can you fucking imagine Cam Clarke and David Hayter as Puck and Guts having codec conversations about some stupid shit like feeding cheese to the behelit or something, that sounds great to me.

[@kristianbeqiraj3340]

Great video, glad you're back❤

[@ariagorji3779]

"recognize the brand" nice pun

[@aevvah_flxwer8550]

End edit was perfect lmao xD

[@nicofettuccine2785]

Please make more videos. I love them

[@marcov1516]

OMG I have this game. Found it at a flea market for 5 dollars

[@Spike294]

Holy...An hour of Variabull? On a Berserk game?

[@Ouiigee]

holy... If it wasn't KZbin's bell I wouldn't know you're back e.e

[@Variabull]

Sorry about that. hopefully the length of this one helps make up for that!

[@Mike4Lifexx]

*weren't :P

[@nerodragon8703]

Great video bro

[@Ironclad17]

5:25 "ZODDO" God damnit 20:54 "No word on what became of the dog though." Oof

[@xavieruribe6529]

15:28 holy shit I haven't laughed this hard in daaaaays

[@38siddhiwinayaks58]

Why tf isn't this the talk of the Berserk community?? It's basically canon because MIURA wrote it. But I (and probably 80%) of the community/fans don't know of this part of the story.

[@shallbeknown]

Loved the video!

[@mienski0]

17:44 never forgetii :(

[@Variabull]

No more shinshin, only poppo now.

[@FKYT]

Thanks for the video.

[@TheYired]

Excellent video

[@HomieGeeDAawg]

Amazing video

[@aevvah_flxwer8550]

I second this! ^^

[@strengthcolossal5538]

The game: *TA BIEN!* 👍🏻

[@technomancerhammerballs8816]

this game may not have the depth of the ps2 game, but it still has some there, you just need to interact with the mechanics more, experiment a little y'know?

[@TusSk]

36:35 Please people, where do this comes from? Which anime?

[@Variabull]

Berserk (2016) Episode 16 - Forest of Demonic Beasts. That particular scene appears about 20 minutes in.

[@larkija]

ahah his name is ballsack!

[@magtegi2]

its band of the falcon ? damn but i like saying band of the hawk much easier to say and beherit just sounds off to me i know it has something to do with an indian word for hell i think ? but saying behelit just sounds better i dunno maybe listening to the golden age trilogy and the 1997 anime really messed that up lol

[@peytonbayne2491]

Warcraft 3 review

[@theequitableprose]

Lost children directly lead into the events of conviction? How can you say it didn't have any bearing on the the story? Never mind that it shows guts as the monster that edgy protagonists wish that they could be. He fucking shreds some kids intestines in his teeth. That's s how the holy see found him.

[@theequitableprose]

13:45 no. Lost children was extremely important to the story.

[@theequitableprose]

The story delivers on rickerts story and the flesh balls in golden age.

[@Michaeluj]

As someone who never experienced Berserk in any form before, I very easily lost track of who is who. The only ones I could readily understand were those who received an etiological segment, like Guts, Ballsack, and Eriza. I think spending just a bit more time on who the characters are would benefit the video.

[@Variabull]

Yeah, its a tricky tightrope. I was quite keen on keeping things brief to help shorten the video length, unfortunately this can lead to me glossing over some things. Making a video like this kinda turns you into an expert on the subject so it can be difficult to identify when you haven't introduced something properly enough. When I talk about a character I try my best to arrange the clips so that they're in-frame at that moment, and hopefully that helps click things into place. Other things I just have to take for granted, like the relationships between Guts, Puck, Casca, and Griffith, since the game doesn't make it obvious and it would eat up a lot of time to explain it, hence the "Read the Manga/watch the anime" recommendation at the beginning. Can't say I didn't warn you about that one. But still, thank you for the feedback. I felt while making this it was leaning a lot towards a video for Berserk fans, so I'll see if I can help clear things up for the layperson going forward. Thanks for watching!

[@tsartomato]

what's the joke with the Balzac?

[@Variabull]

'Balzac' sounds very similar to 'Ball sack' which is English slang for a man's testicles. ;D

[@funcounting]

Good shit but what makes you a pundit tho?

[@gurriato]

3:25 You said the West when you really meant to say the US.

[@schmebulockjizz]

1:35 that is simply not true. The first anime is nothing but garbage. They managed to fuck up merely animating still images.

[@shayoko6]

eh...not a fan of the series. i find it really boring. like more boring than the average slice of life boring. so i'll pass. i can do a lot with that much time.

[@Blz8]

???? 🤔🤔🤔

[@blakechildress944]

To think Berserk is more boring than an average slice of life anime must mean you have a very short attention span. Maybe the themes aren't your thing which is understandable, but it's far from boring even to the average reader.

[@technomancerhammerballs8816]

do you have the attention span of a goldfish??

[@IHateDubstep]

Totally love this game haha

[@SNIPERTHATSUCKS]

eyyyyy you are still alive!