Hello, fellow Tarnished, or should I say Berserkers? I’ve been diving into the closed technical Beta of The First Berserker: Khazan, and I’m excited to share my first impressions with you.
Where to begin? Well, it’s different, but it has to be – doesn’t it? Gone are the days of exploring every nook and cranny of an open world. Instead, it feels more like navigating one of those massive dungeons in Shadow of the Erdtree, which isn’t a bad thing at all. The path is more structured, with some twists here and there. But let’s start at the beginning, shall we?
As the game opens, you get a brief backstory about our hero-in-the-making, imprisoned in a carriage. A short cinematic sequence follows, showing the Phantom Blade (our future ally) freeing Khazan and possessing his body. Then it’s your turn to learn the controls and set off on your revenge quest against those responsible for your suffering. As they say, revenge is a dish best served cold – perhaps that’s why we’re trudging through an icy, snowy landscape? I expect we’ll learn more about the story and gather background information as we progress.
Speaking of snowy landscapes: I’m a big fan of the anime-inspired art style and find the graphics splendid. Imagine cel-shaded characters in semi-realistic environments – an unusual mix that works surprisingly well. The game looks like a playable anime movie, with combat scenes where the art style truly shines… and where you’ll get your ass kicked multiple times. The vibrant colors and expressive animations make each fight dynamic, engaging, and let’s not forget – frustrating, nerve-wracking, and heart-pounding. You get the idea.
One thing I miss is jumping. After being used to leaping around the Lands Between, suddenly being unable to climb even the smallest rock feels odd – but I suppose you get used to it. Dodging is now a quick backward jump, but you can also dash in any direction – so no more rolling. One thing hasn’t changed, though – I still die a lot. The good news is you simply respawn at the last checkpoint without losing all your progress. However, you do lose all your Lacrima (the leveling currency), with one chance to reclaim it. Oh, and no more “You Died” screens; although “Khazan has fallen” doesn’t change the outcome.
Is the game challenging? Absolutely – at least for me, whose first Soulslike was Elden Ring. Maybe you Souls veterans will find it a walk in the park, but as the developers intended the game to be very difficult (to give players a strong sense of achievement by overcoming tough challenges), my walk in the park feels more like Purge Day.
Initially, healing is limited to three uses and doesn’t restore much health, but I assume this improves later. Then there is your stamina. Stamina is a precious and limited resource, depleting faster than a Torrent-turbo-charge. I’ll really need to invest time in mastering perfect parries and dodges to save this precious good. Maybe I can blame my struggles on the unfamiliar controller layout – I’m pressing all the wrong buttons out of habit, and my muscle memory seems to have a mind of its own. Can you relate?
I’m curious about the build variety the game really offers, as we are very spoiled by Elden Ring in this matter, but that will have to wait until the next post about Khazan, as I have to gather more game experience and impressions first. The same goes for the skill tree. As you level up, you earn skill points to unlock and improve abilities. How will this affect gameplay? I look forward to sharing more next time.
What about you? Have you registered for the Beta? What do you like or dislike? What needs improvement? Share your experiences in the comments below, if you like.
So, to all you Berserkers out there: remember, mastering the art of parrying and managing your stamina will be crucial to your survival. Embrace the difficulty; each setback is a stepping stone toward victory. May your journey be filled with epic battles and unforgettable moments (I really need someone telling me theses words from time to time…)!
By the way, before trying the game, I posted an enthusiastic article about what to expect – check out “Prepare for Khazan: The First Berserker is Coming!” and compare expectations with first impressions.
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