If you’re a fan of punishing combat, epic boss fights, and dark fantasy settings, The First Berserker: Khazan might already be on your radar.
Developed by NEXON and Neople, this soulslike action RPG throws you into the role of Khazan, a legendary general betrayed by his own people and left for dead. Now, armed with the power of the Phantom Blade, he sets out on a brutal path of revenge.
But the big question is—does this game stand out in an already packed genre, or is it just another soulslike wannabe? Let’s break it down.
Combat That Hits Hard—And Punishes Harder
One of the first things you’ll notice is just how deliberate combat feels. Every move you make—every attack, dodge, and parry—has weight to it. You’re given three weapon choices:
- Dual Blades – Fast, balanced attacks for those who like a mix of speed and control.
- Greatsword – Slow but devastatingly powerful swings that punish enemies who leave themselves open.
- Spear – A mid-range option that focuses on breaking enemy stamina with quick thrusts.
Mastering parries and dodges is essential because enemies hit like a truck. If you manage to deplete an enemy’s stamina, you can execute a “Brutal Attack,” dealing massive damage—very reminiscent of Sekiro’s posture system.
But here’s the thing—boss fights are where the real challenge begins.
Boss Battles: A Test of Patience and Skill
If you live for epic one-on-one duels, Khazan has you covered. Every boss has unique attack patterns, demanding precision and patience. Some require perfect parries to defeat, while others force you to rely on quick dodging and spacing.
That said, be warned—some bosses have massive health pools, which can make fights feel a bit drawn out. If you’re not a fan of long endurance battles, this might frustrate you.
Thankfully, the game respects your time: checkpoints are right before boss fights, so you won’t have to run through an entire level just to get back to the action. Plus, even if you die, you still earn “Lacrima” (the in-game currency used for leveling up), making each attempt feel like progress rather than pure punishment.
A Soulslike That Respects Your Time (Mostly)
One of the biggest criticisms of soulslike games is that they can be too punishing. Khazan finds a nice balance—while it’s still brutally difficult, it doesn’t waste your time.
✔ No long runbacks before bosses. You get right back into the fight.
✔ Dying still rewards you. You’ll earn currency even if you lose, which helps progression.
✔ There’s an easier mode. If the challenge is too much, you can switch to a more forgiving difficulty—though doing so disables certain achievements.
However, some platforming sections can be a pain. Falling off ledges due to awkward controls can feel unfair, which might frustrate you if you’re used to more polished traversal mechanics in games like Sekiro.
The World and Visuals – A Brutal, Bleak Fantasy
Visually, The First Berserker: Khazan goes for a 3D cel-shaded art style, giving it a gritty anime look. If you’re a fan of Berserk (RIP Kentaro Miura), you’ll appreciate the dark, medieval fantasy vibes.
The environments range from snowy ruins to burning villages and gothic cathedrals, but some areas do feel a bit repetitive, with lots of grays and browns dominating the color palette. Still, the atmosphere is moody and immersive, drawing you into Khazan’s bloody journey.
Verdict: Should You Play It?
If you love challenging combat, rewarding progression, and dark fantasy storytelling, absolutely. The First Berserker: Khazan delivers an intense, skill-based experience that fans of Dark Souls, Sekiro, and Nioh will appreciate.
However, if long boss fights and occasional frustrating platforming turn you off, you might want to wait for patches or reviews addressing these issues.
Final Score: 8.0/10
🔥 Brutal, satisfying combat
✔ Fair progression system
⚔ Epic boss fights
⚠ Some fights feel like health-bar marathons
⚠ Occasional frustrating platforming
So, are you ready to step into Khazan’s blood-soaked path of vengeance? Or will you let the challenge scare you away? Let me know in the comments!
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