9 Years of Shadows vs Berserk Boy: Which Action Platformer Is Right for You?

Quick answer

Pick 9 Years of Shadows if you want a moody, exploration-driven action platformer with a slower, more deliberate pace. Pick Berserk Boy if you want fast, momentum-heavy combat and a brighter, more arcade-like feel. Both are indie action platformers, but they scratch different itches, so the right choice comes down to whether you want atmosphere or adrenaline.

9 Years of Shadows and Berserk Boy get grouped together because both are modern indie action platformers with pixel-adjacent art and a Switch/PS5 release. That grouping is fair, but it hides how differently they play. One leans into atmosphere and methodical exploration; the other leans into speed and combo-driven combat.

This comparison sticks to what the games actually are and who each one suits. It is not about which is objectively better, because there is no such answer. It is about matching the game to the way you like to play, so you do not buy one expecting the other.

The core difference in one sentence

9 Years of Shadows is an exploration-first action platformer. You move through a connected, atmospheric world, and the pace is slower and more considered. Combat matters, but so does finding your way and soaking in the mood.

Berserk Boy is a momentum-first action platformer. It is built around speed, chaining attacks, and keeping a flow going. The tone is brighter and more energetic, and the game rewards players who like to move fast and stay aggressive.

• If you like to explore and take your time, lean toward 9 Years of Shadows.
• If you like to go fast and stay in motion, lean toward Berserk Boy.

Tone and presentation

9 Years of Shadows is the moodier of the two. Its world is darker, its pacing is more deliberate, and it is the kind of game you play with the lights down. That atmosphere is the point, not a side effect.

Berserk Boy goes the other way. It is colorful, loud, and upbeat, with a Saturday-morning energy. If you want a game that feels like a shot of caffeine, that difference matters more than any spec sheet.

• Moody and atmospheric: 9 Years of Shadows.
• Bright and high-energy: Berserk Boy.

Combat feel and difficulty

Berserk Boy is the more immediately satisfying game for players who like combo systems. Its combat is built around stringing moves together, and the fun comes from improving your flow and speed. It is approachable but has room to push yourself.

9 Years of Shadows asks for more patience. Encounters are part of a larger exploration loop, and the game is less about chaining moves for a score and more about surviving and progressing through a hostile world. If you bounce off slower combat, that is the main thing to know.

• Want combo-driven action? Berserk Boy.
• Want exploration-driven pacing? 9 Years of Shadows.

Platforms and availability

Both games are available on Switch and PS5 through Limited Run Games. If platform is your deciding factor, you are covered either way, so the choice really does come down to the game itself.

One practical note: Limited Run releases are often open pre-orders for a limited time. That means the window to order can close, and after that you are looking at the secondary market. If either game appeals to you, it is worth deciding before the pre-order window ends rather than assuming it will be easy to buy later.

• Both are on Switch and PS5, so pick by game, not platform.
• Check the pre-order close date before you commit.

Which one should you buy first?

If you can only get one, start with the one whose tone you actually want to spend ten hours in. That is a better predictor of enjoyment than any feature list. 9 Years of Shadows rewards players who like atmosphere and exploration. Berserk Boy rewards players who like speed and combat flow.

If you genuinely like both styles, there is no harm in getting both. They are different enough that they will not feel redundant on your shelf, and they cover two distinct moods.

• Buy the tone you want to live in for a full playthrough.
• If you like both styles, they complement rather than duplicate each other.

The trade-offs, side by side

• Atmosphere vs. energy: 9 Years of Shadows trades brightness for mood, while Berserk Boy trades mood for momentum. You are choosing a feeling, not a feature. Pick the feeling you want for a full playthrough.
• Exploration vs. combo flow: 9 Years of Shadows puts more weight on moving through and understanding a world. Berserk Boy puts more weight on chaining attacks and keeping speed. Explorer? Shadows. Combo player? Berserk Boy.
• Patience vs. immediacy: 9 Years of Shadows asks for patience and rewards it. Berserk Boy gives you a faster payoff and rewards aggression. If you have limited time and want quick fun, Berserk Boy is the safer pick.
• Pre-order timing: Limited Run releases are often open pre-orders for a limited time, and the close dates are fixed. Missing the window changes how you buy the game. Check the close date before you decide to wait.

Product facts

• Momodora: Moonlit Farewell Standard Edition (Switch, PS5): Momodora: Moonlit Farewell is region-free. This is an open pre-order for a limited time. Pre-orders close on Sunday, March 2, 2025 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. If you are comparing action platformers, this is another Limited Run title with a hard pre-order cutoff, so the same timing advice applies: decide before the window closes.
• GEX Trilogy Tail Time Edition (Switch, PS5, Xbox, PC): GEX Trilogy is region-free. This is an open pre-order for a limited time. Pre-orders close on Sunday, July 6, 2025 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. GEX Trilogy includes the original 2D platformer, GEX, and the two 3D sequels: GEX: Enter the Gecko and GEX 3: Deep Cover Gecko. If you want a platformer collection rather than a single modern indie, this shows what a multi-game Limited Run package looks like and why its pre-order date matters.

Who each game is for

Best for

• Players who want a moody, exploration-driven action platformer
• Fans of atmospheric indie games who do not mind a slower pace
• Collectors who want a Limited Run Switch or PS5 release with a distinct tone

Not for

• Players who want fast, combo-heavy action from the first minute
• Anyone who bounces off slower, exploration-first pacing
• Players who want a bright, arcade-style energy rather than a dark mood

There is no wrong answer here, only a wrong expectation. 9 Years of Shadows is the atmospheric, exploration-first pick. Berserk Boy is the fast, combo-driven pick. Choose the one that matches the mood you actually want, check the pre-order window, and you will end up with the right game for you.