《狂暴男孩》(Berserk Boy)是充滿懷舊氛圍與現代節奏感的2D動作平台遊戲，由英國與德國團隊組成的BerserkBoy Games開發，並於2024年3月7日在Steam平台正式推出。以經典名作《洛克人》（Mega Man）、《音速小子》（Sonic the Hedgehog）、《Gunvolt》與《Pulseman》為靈感來源，融合像素美學、快節奏戰鬥以及多形態變化的能力系統，帶來既懷舊又熱血的新時代橫向動作冒險。

故事背景設定在遙遠的未來，地球正面臨毀滅性的危機。邪惡的捷諾斯博士（Dr. Genos）被「狂暴之力魔法球（Berserk Force Orbs）」的能量所腐化，率領黑暗軍團對人類展開侵略。當抵抗軍在絕望中苦戰時，一名年輕的新兵—小凱（Kai）意外與魔法球融合，化身為「狂暴男孩（Berserk Boy）」。這股新力量讓他擁有操控雷電、火焰、土、空氣與冰的力量，他必須學會駕馭這份力量，阻止捷諾斯博士，拯救瀕臨毀滅的地球。

在劇情中，小凱的旅程不只是打倒敵人，更是一場自我成長的冒險。隨著劇情推進，他將面對戰友的犧牲、敵人的誘惑，以及力量失控的危機。透過簡潔的像素動畫與高節奏劇情節奏，營造出熱血少年漫畫般的氛圍，讓玩家在每場戰鬥中都能感受到“從普通人到英雄”的燃燒感。

在操作與玩法方面，強調速度與節奏感。以流暢的橫向捲軸設計為基礎，透過跳躍、衝刺、滑行與連段攻擊穿越關卡，並在戰鬥中不斷變換不同的狂暴形態。每種形態代表一種元素力量：

• 雷電形態能釋放高速閃電攻擊，適合迅速清除小型敵人；
• 火焰形態擁有爆炸性的範圍攻擊，能破壞障礙物；
• 土系形態則強調防禦與重擊；
• 空氣形態能進行高空滯留與快速位移；
• 冰系形態能凍結敵人或製造冰面滑行通路。

藉由連擊與命中率提升「狂暴值（Berserk Meter）」，當能量槽蓄滿時，就能釋放出每個形態獨有的必殺技，造成全屏震撼的破壞效果。隨著遊戲進行，還能透過升級系統強化攻擊、加快技能冷卻，或解鎖隱藏技能，使戰鬥策略層次更加豐富。

舞台設計多樣且極具節奏感。在充滿霓虹色彩的「新希望市（New Hope City）」穿梭，探索廢棄工廠、天空要塞、地下實驗室與冰封山脈等場景。關卡中隱藏著多條路線與秘密道具，熟練操作者可以嘗試Speedrun（快速通關）挑戰，重現90年代街機遊戲的爽快節奏。

在視覺與音樂方面，成功復刻16-bit時代的像素風格，同時以現代特效與動畫表現加以升級。色彩鮮明、動作流暢的角色動畫，讓整體畫面在復古與現代之間取得完美平衡。音樂由《Sonic Mania》的知名作曲家Tee Lopes負責創作，全程採用16-bit風格的合成音樂與搖滾節奏，每個關卡的配樂都與動作節奏完美契合，營造出強烈的懷舊與熱血氛圍。

市場反應方面，在推出後於Steam平台獲得廣泛好評。玩家普遍讚揚遊戲的操作手感極為流暢、動作節奏明快，並且成功捕捉《洛克人》系列那種“學習與挑戰並存”的精髓。許多復古遊戲愛好者認為它是「近年最正統的動作平台回歸之作」。部分評論指出遊戲在難度曲線上略顯陡峭，尤其在後期Boss戰中要求極高的反應與時機掌握，但也因此增添重玩價值。

在銷售與發行層面，原先僅以數位版登場，但因玩家反響熱烈，發行商Soft Source 宣布將於2025年12月25日推出Nintendo Switch與PlayStation 5的實體盒裝版本，這也成為眾多收藏玩家引頸期盼的聖誕節特典之一。

整體而言，《Berserk Boy》是將懷舊精神與現代設計融合的熱血動作遊戲。繼承90年代2D平台經典的靈魂，卻又以更華麗的視覺與更緊湊的節奏重新詮釋“英雄誕生”的王道故事。對喜愛《洛克人》、 《Sonic》 或《Gunvolt》這類高速戰鬥平台遊戲的玩家而言，這是不容錯過的復古新星。

In October 2025, a diplomatic and labor cooperation issue drew international attention after India began sending thousands of skilled and semi-skilled workers to Russia under newly signed bilateral labor agreements. This move was part of a broader strategic partnership between New Delhi and Moscow, as Russia continues to face an acute labor shortage due to its prolonged war in Ukraine, economic sanctions, and declining domestic workforce.

The agreement allows Indian nationals — particularly welders, construction workers, machine operators, and engineers — to work in Russian industrial zones, oil fields, and infrastructure projects. Officially, the Indian government framed this as a mutually beneficial initiative to provide employment opportunities for Indians while supporting Russia’s reconstruction and industrial needs. However, reports quickly emerged that many Indian workers were being sent under misleading promises, or even to war-adjacent regions, raising concerns about human rights and safety.

Indian media revealed that some recruitment agencies, allegedly linked to private intermediaries in both countries, had promised high salaries and safe working conditions. Yet, upon arrival, several workers found themselves assigned to harsh environments, including areas near conflict zones in Ukraine. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs later confirmed that it had received complaints from families of missing workers and promised to investigate unauthorized recruitment practices.

From Russia’s perspective, the import of foreign labor is critical. Since 2022, hundreds of thousands of Russian men have been mobilized or fled the country to avoid conscription, causing severe shortages in industries like construction, logistics, and energy. Moscow’s outreach to India reflects a pragmatic approach to sustaining its wartime economy and large-scale infrastructure efforts despite Western sanctions.

For India, the situation is more delicate. New Delhi has maintained a neutral stance on the Russia–Ukraine war and continues to rely heavily on Russian oil and defense supplies. However, sending Indian citizens to work in a country at war has raised ethical and political questions domestically. Critics accuse the government of prioritizing diplomatic and economic ties over worker safety, while supporters argue that the program strengthens India’s global labor presence and strategic independence.

The controversy deepened after reports surfaced that a small number of Indian recruits were allegedly forced or tricked into supporting Russian military logistics, though both governments have denied any direct involvement. Human rights groups and opposition parties in India have since demanded stricter oversight of overseas employment schemes and full transparency in bilateral agreements involving high-risk destinations.

This labor export arrangement underscores the changing dynamics of global alliances in the post-Ukraine-war era: India, seeking to balance between Western and Russian interests, is now entwined in one of the most politically sensitive labor migration programs in recent years — one that blurs the line between economic cooperation and geopolitical risk.