All About The Rock You can try to distinguish bands through compartmentalisation when you’ve got THIS style evolving into THAT style Despite genres these days feeling torn between being a rabbit hole and a convoluted flow chart of meaningless nuances we have to go back and appreciate true pioneers Separate the craftsmen from the caricatures Gary started off with TUBEWAY ARMY in the late 70’s as a punk-inspired band originally before they dabbled and divulged in electronic He found chart success both in the UK and the USA industrial and a darker means of his song writing style winning him over with a more Gothic audience as well as a solo artist He’s inspired everyone from TRENT REZNOR to MARILYN MANSON while being inspired by them themselves in his later career and has even found himself being an inspiration for SUGABABES Not to mention starting his own label in the 80’s for the first physically released remastering of 1984’s “Berserker” and see just how well this has stood the test of time Let’s dye our hair blue and go a bit berserk We begin with the title track and it’s the first descent into a fictional post-apocalyptic dystopia where Numan has created this sonic landscape of uncertainty Sci-Fi in essence but rooted in aspects of Numan’s reality and here he’s simultaneously warning you of the journey ahead but still inviting you along There’s a deep level of discomfort hidden with the bassy synths aided by the almost ghostly backing vocals It’s hauntingly hypnotic stuff while retaining the catchy synth-pop elements of the era We follow this up with “This Is New Love” and its quite unsettling truth be told Take away the very PRINCE inspired funk-laced instrumentation that surrounds the tracks core Take away the incredibly 80’s rich jazzy saxophone segments strip back everything that is undeniably fun and appealing here and you’ve got this incredibly dark piece of song writing helped only by the fictional artistic narrative of the album Lyrics like “These boys of passion will rule the world scream of a toxic interpretation of masculinity It’s a nod to societal issues and Numan here acknowledges hedonistic misogyny “Picture the man when his heartbeat stops”…he is a cold-blooded animal Tracks like “My Dying Machine” continue along the vein of using synthetic percussive layers and rich electronica for another slab of lightly industrialised pop The dystopian qualities shine bright blue here as Numan essentially asks He’s highlighting the pedantry escalating in the world around him through a nihilistic mindset The machine; whichever way you want to interpret it “Cold Warning” showcases Numan’s willingness to explore creative ideas by including a sense of middle eastern string instrumentation to bolster the heavily regimented “The God Film” returns to a slightly deeper slower core piece of electronica with vocal distortion and at times you can hear where artists like GOST (No “The Hunter” then incorporates a more guitar-driven delivery for an edgier honestly sounds like something JIM JOHNSTON would pen for a golden era WWF(E) wrestler or promotional package It’s easy to imagine Vince McMahon thunder-throating his way through a Survivor Series card with this playing in the background Rick Martel spraying his arrogance everywhere…wrestling isn’t homo-erotic I promise…Gary is now reading this completely befuddled sombre offerings like “Rumour” and “Empty Bed and the primarily instrumental “This Ship Comes Apart” The album hasn’t necessarily aged brilliantly in terms of sound but there’s enough post-retro nostalgia within mainstream charts AND alternative music today to get an idea of where inspirations come from Don’t get me wrong the 80’s was a hot bed for synth-laden has always been a little more of a darker soul when it comes to his creativity few of them were as pioneering at the time With his last two albums both reaching a very fucking respectable number two in the album charts and being booked for this year’s Glastonbury and with more Numa Records releases expected to get this same treatment a lot of younger generations can discover Gary Numan for themselves and appreciate how bold and unabashed he was and is as an artist This special physical remaster does come with extended versions of the original album so it’s certainly one for the long-time fans and collectors “Berserker” showcased a confidence and an evolution for frankly one of alternative pop’s most underrated names that would get us cancelled in this day and age but it’s a rekindled relationship with an original new-romantic electronica and synth-wave to really go back and listen to one of the finest to ever do it Now…how long will this blue hair dye last We Take Mystery (to Bed) (White Noise Live) You must be logged in to post a comment This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 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Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive and I’ve often had to step away in frustration one often expecting near-perfection in its toughest encounters this Soulslike extension of developer Neople’s Dungeon & Fighter universe broke me down and built me back up into a lethal weapon that was prepared to take on whatever hellish nightmares it had in store Even when I hit seemingly insurmountable roadblocks for hours at a time I somehow found myself reveling in battles that enjoyably took me to the brink of my abilities The First Berserker: Khazan is a classic revenge tale is betrayed by his empire and labeled a traitor After being gravely injured while apprehended he is revived and possessed by a melded legion of vicious warrior spirits who antagonize him into doing their bidding is more concerned with advancing the objectives of the underworld from which it hails while Khazan is out for the blood of those who wronged him tying grounded medieval politics to the occult forces leeching their way into the world but the story after that is mostly thin and underwhelming Khazan’s tour of vengeance is mission-based rather than giving you an open or branching area to explore freely and he will routinely return to a sparse hub area known as The Crevice between them Outside of being visually interesting as a floating stone sanctuary with mysterious broken staircases and far-off platforms there’s not a lot to do apart from manage your inventory from time to time before pressing on to the next mission and more add some minor connective tissue to the ongoing plot but overall there’s shockingly little to learn here it’s more a mechanical necessity to pick up optional quests or craft and augment gear for Khazan than an area to foster further flavor Khazan has a handful of tools at his disposal to slaughter his enemies – although it took a long time before I felt like I was on his perceived level of capability An early mission introduces you to The First Berserker’s three types of weaponry: You can choose to use the powerful but slow and defensive greatsword or the whirling assault of the dual blades I enjoy how unique each weapon type is from the others offering transformative move sets ranging from defensive and methodical to all-out aggressive Each weapon is further expanded with a full skill tree that enhances Khazan’s effectiveness in battle Nodes on these trees modify your basic attacks like altering how your charged Potent Blow (or heavy attack) works changing the stamina depletion for actions like dodging and blocking or providing new moves entirely that spend a resource called Spirit Points in combat My Khazan felt way different to play by the end of the roughly 85-hour campaign than he did at the start but it took dozens of hours to get to that point and plenty of experimentation There are a lot of ways to kit out Khazan as you level him up and it’s rather fun figuring out which moves and perks best fit my playstyle to help me slice my way out of its hardening conflicts The First Berserker lets you swap between your three weapons freely, but with little overlap between their various abilities, what’s normally a quick switch is actually a dramatic change and a hassle. For instance, in Dark Souls most weapons boil down to having light and heavy attacks with maybe a special ability available when switching to a two-handed grip allow for up to six of the previously mentioned Spirit attacks and further optimization of their skill trees It’s too much to deal with when equipping what is essentially a bespoke class That’s why I dedicated myself to the dual blades during my playthrough which I continued to tweak and learn about with every big fight I picked if I did ever want to make the big jump to the greatsword or spear but the process is just obtuse and annoying enough to make doing so on the fly unappealing Once you embark on any of The First Berserker’s mainline missions the structure is extremely close to what’s expected in a Soulslike plays out similarly: You’ll slay dangerous enemies patrolling the area figure out how to survive with limited healing items and use them to level up at this game’s version of a bonfire It’s an overly familiar formula that’s certainly inoffensive in its design with levels smartly built to weave back to prior respites via shortcuts making each level more about getting from point to point There’s a lack of cool optional areas to stray into or bosses to stumble across while adventuring that could have given main levels some much-needed spice Capping off each mission is a tooth-and-nail fight with that area’s boss each of which represents a potentially substantial roadblock before you can continue to enjoy The First Berserker The first big encounter I struggled with was the end boss of Mission 2 a manifestation of souls like the ones inhabiting our newly possessed hero Its aggressive melee attacks would quickly kill me and after several unsuccessful attempts and unforeseen weapon swaps from my adversary I needed to try another strategy to finally break through a bipedal goat demon wielding a flaming spike and hammer caused plenty of grief as well by hitting hard and often occasionally lighting the battlefield ablaze with a carpet of flames I tried to grind weaker enemies around the level to collect Khazan’s version of souls to boost my stats and give myself a better chance of living but ultimately didn’t do enough to tip the scales I then took a close look at my gear and opted for a tankier build Once I finally rolled credits, I fired up my New Game+ save file and was greeted with a whole new class of weapons not available in the first playthrough. These options grant elemental statuses to attacks, which would have been a blast to build around up until this point. While I get that the post-game requires a new spin on gearing to make it more fun or challenging, I wish more items in my initial run provided unique effects like this to inspire drastic changes in my approach to combat. I've got enough to play without that kind of rage 😂 but I am not sure I want to dedicate that kind of time The IGN comment community is always interesting This game is part of a genre whose selling point is being difficult how did it take this review to make then realize it isn’t for them (Given they will be back for the next souls-like review to say the same thing) Souls like games have massive pay off from developing a skill The dopamine rush from beating a boss you’ve been stuck on for an hour is better than most other gaming experience Almost a week later -- guess he couldn't make the cut Next time get someone familiar with the genre I play games to have fun not to be a brutal mind numbing slog of overpowered bosses I will be glad when this gaming fad dies out I'll be getting this after I beat AC Shadows and Kingdom Come 2 I also realize that by the time I beat Shadows Expedition 33 will have come out and I'm more hyped for that one \"A brutally difficult soulslike that often expects near-perfection in its toughest fights.\" I downloaded the demo and played through the first level I am getting a little tired of the predictability of these souls like games and I find myself using the same strategies of every other souls like game I've played especially in the beginning when you're still training your skills But the souls formula is there in how you encounter enemies Ive never understood the appeal of these Souls-likes I play games to unwind at the end of the day If I had a hard day with bad or annoying people Experiencing further stresses from a video game just doesnt interest me Id rather explore the world and have some moderately challenging fights/kills For some people I suppose its like a sport...and for others I suppose they simply dont have much of a life outside of gaming 40-60 hours for someone skilled in this sort of game is just too much Read that even on easy it’s pretty difficult but that’s a great thing for me personally… heard the story was meh but ultimately a fun game and this \"bosses are hard\" speech means nothing but it's what I'd expect from these types of games My only suggestion for people that feel frustrated is to have another game to bounce to when this has become frustrating Progress is measured by how much HP the boss has left and you'll see how that progress bar continues moving Worst moments are when you've been struggling you can beat a boss you've struggled against almost without taking damage for people that say you've got few hours to play remember that the point of videogames is to have fun I've only played the demo due to not having enough money to purchase the full game yet and my lack of knowledge of the existence of the game previously but this game is by far my favorite game ive played in the past couple of years just from the demo I don't think this game is anywhere near as brutal or punishing as people are saying (and I have never had the pleasure of saying this about any soulslike I've played) Your exp is waiting for you in front of the arena when you die as well as a bonus exp payout for attempting the boss you can continue to level up as you fail to help you The attribute points you gain can be reset at any point for free to help you switch up your tactic in case something isn't clicking The perfect guard window is much more forgiving than in games like Lies of P and if you're feeling gutsy you can attempt different parries that stagger and eat a big chunk of stamina But no boss has felt like a cheat or an unfair encounter The key for me is changing the ability moves for different bosses And for anyone saying the greatsword is underwhelming it's alllll about where you spend your attribute points Easily my favorite soulslike game of all time which is unfortunate because the art design looks stellar here I just watched FightinCowboys review (which is awesome btw) and he was praising the game throughout the whole video I have read a few articles on the games \"easy mode\" Sounds like it may make it more accessible Allows you to do more and take more damage Stamina drain is greatly reduced and you have more points of elemental resistant off the bat \"Has a game ever been so hard you stopped playing entirely?\" Anyone who played Battletoads or the first TMNT on NES knows this pain Good for people that enjoy the patience that comes with these games But with 4 kids and a mortgage as well as a wife I don’t have the time to learn new strategies and patterns Xenoblade chronicles X will take me well over 8 months to finish beating while I play other genres as well The demo wasn’t too difficult though but I know how these go 😂 hope yall enjoy I didn't recognize IGN without an Assassin's Creed: Shadows ad The First Berserker: Khazan plays like an amalgamation of all the spin offs of the Souls genre the dark fantasy roots of Berserk and Bloodborne If you can name a motif that’s been inspired from Miyazaki’s seminal series to call The First Berserker: Khazan a mere imitation of other titles would be to do it a massive disservice a mistake I’d implore people not to make Not only is this game set in the Dungeons & Fighters universe it’s a brutal and rewarding action RPG in its own right It feels right at home within the “sum of its parts” school of thinking where it draws inspiration from many sources before crystalising into its own Netherworld of moody atmosphere and slam your head against a wall difficulty I entered into Khazan’s world unaware of much of its history I’m leaving it feeling a sense of disappointment at my own ignorance What makes The First Berserker: Khazan a Souls-like worth embarking on a journey of revenge for Prepare to take on the souls of the damned with me Khazan’s got that murderous glint in his eye who only just recently slayed a mythically powerful creature threatening the land Instead of being rightly heralded as a hero we take control of our long-haired protagonist in quite an alarming state Khazan is saved only thanks to some other-worldly influences whereby he clambers across the Phantom Blade a force of the Netherworld that enjoys cooperation in the same body about as much as a tiger loves sharing its food The journey you embark on is therefore one of revenge Righting the wrongs of those who have betrayed you The First Berserker: Khazan’s story is a moody There are a handful of interesting moments like the revelations of a character’s motivations or a betrayal that later turns out to be anything but Khazan’s tale is a relatively straightforward dark fantasy odyssey though well-voiced by the excellent Ben Starr doesn’t develop a whole lot within his arc despite the events taking place being relatively seismic of whom you’ll acquire on missions and find dotted about The Crevice (your hub world) They each get a cutscene or two and then one instance of novel dialogue after each mission they’re effectively quest providers or merchants There’s likely a lot more here for fans of the Dungeons & Fighters universe with plenty of background flavour text and exploration detail to uncover for fans The First Berserker: Khazan is quite welcoming (despite his rather angry demeanour) as it’s a self-contained story that doesn’t rely too heavily on prior knowledge of the series and there is still a decent enough effort given to contextualising the narrative that it doesn’t feel wasted I would have liked a bit more time making these characters feel a more integral part of the story As Khazan embarks on his mission to tear those who’ve wronged him limb from bloody anime limb so too will you be taking part in said slaughter The First Berserker: Khazan follows a mission based structure with a multitude of smaller side missions which re-use those locations which serves as Khazan’s central base including merchants who can craft new gear augment his equipment and provide stores to purchase or sell consumables and loot items to uncover and foes to cross swords with will take you three times as long as the entire mission did before it you’ll know what to expect from Khazan’s design within the first few missions The developers demonstrate an adept level of knowledge about enemy placement Just because you know there’s a boss at the end of a mission doesn’t mean you have any idea what you’re in for Maybe it’s a manic mercenary with a sledgehammer that converts into a flamethrower perhaps it’s a giant spider that’ll poison and plague you to the point you’re the abomination I had the perfect love-hate relationship with The First Berserker: Khazan’s boss gauntlet I love how intense and brutal the battles of attrition are mastering timings and pulling off no-hit combos that make me feel like I’m amazing at video games Then said boss would switch into its second phase pulverise me in the time it takes to breathe and leave me retching back at the checkpoint Khazan is straight up brutal in most instances A majority of bosses took a minimum of five efforts (with the first two often being throwaway “attempts”) I’ve met politicians less stubborn and rigid than these colossal demons (I haven’t) the combat mechanics are that satisfying and well implemented I was never deterred from dusting myself off and rolling up again That’s where the magic sauce resides for The First Berserker: Khazan The great general Khazan isn’t just a moniker our avatar is given by chance as his combat attuned nature could match any of the genre’s best There are three weapon types to select from at any time – Dual Wield (speed) there are going to be some turned off by the limited weapon pool Investing into these unlocks a variety of powerful skills and fundamentally shifts how you engage your opponents Khazan has a variety of abilities at his disposal Phantom mode (this iteration’s stand in for a rage mode) and brutal attacks ripped wholesale from the Bloodborne book of “most satisfying” smacks in video games because you’ll need almost all of his kit if you want to even have a chance of making it through parries and counteracts feels absolutely perfect and you’ll be launching into a flurry of assaults like the possessed madman you are The First Berserker: Khazan encourages both slower as well as the bloodthirsty aggression playstyle Cannon fodder enemies can be swiftly dealt with if you’re on the front foot rushing in will have you on the end of a barrage of arrows in no time whereby learning the enemies patterns will allow you to see moments where aggression will reap rewards or learn when to back off to land a perfect string of parries to break their posture this is probably my favourite combat system in the genre tearing flesh from limb on bosses and reaping Khazan’s revenge with a merciless vigour Everything feels so finely tuned it’s almost impossible not to be sucked into the vicious enjoyment of it all I can see some lamenting the limited pool of weapon variety and intensity of the playstyles it demands but The First Berserker: Khazan makes up for that and then some with stellar mechanical precision and I want to circle back to The Crevice now as it’s pertinent to some of my less favourable moments with The First Berserker: Khazan this is where you’ll spend a ridiculous amount of time sifting through and dealing with all of your acquired loot Khazan’s pockets must be from the school of Mary Poppins because my lord this dude can accumulate more junk than a recycling center variety and attribute incentives of gear and armour it becomes tedious to constantly sort out after every mission It wouldn’t be as problematic if the game’s difficulty didn’t demand you to keep up I tried to maximise the potential of my character more in this one than I would typically in a Souls-like experience but even then I found it overbearing at times For a game that’s all about intensity ferocious speed and spine-tingling violence having to grind all of that momentum to a halt every level to get myself on an even keel again felt disarming This won’t be everyone’s feel towards it and I do very much like the bonuses attached to armour sets The Crevice is also where you can visit vendors for items owing to the abundance of loot you’ll always be hoovering up you can boost Khazan’s abilities for returning to past missions or levels as well as buff the Spirits of Advocacy – summonable NPCs that will fight alongside you against bosses The First Berserker: Khazan gives the player a wealth of options to make their journey more or less arduous whereby you acquire tokens by defeating their counterparts is a fantastic way of normalising their use they’re not powerful enough to even solo a boss for longer than a minute meaning they’re a helpful benefactor dying repeatedly to a boss will continuously acquire you Lacrima (levelling up currency) meaning you can continue levelling even if you’re being swatted dozens of times but it rewards persistence and discourages you from giving up to go and grind before returning The First Berserker: Khazan is undoubtably a significant challenge that’s unwavering in its brutal nature but it simultaneously gives you tools and keeps you motivated to keep going I mentioned it earlier but I want to labour the point around The First Berseker: Khazan’s visual appeal this game feels like an inspired love letter to Kentaro Miura’s magnum opus When I walked out into a frozen boss arena suspended in the air Striking a foe with a brutal attack hits the fury of bone and sinew being obliterated with the ferocity of Khazan’s strength surrounded by waves and flowing water transcends with a beauty and elegance a game like this has no business displaying so well There are a handful of less exciting environments the kind we’re used to as staples in fantasy titles – mines but even these are relatively elevated by the depraved creativity of the creature and enemy designs It’s the kind of game where you can spot an Elite enemy type from one look To have that kind of visual artistry requires an immense amount of talent and The First Berserker: Khazan is overflowing at every turn with it the technical performance can’t always match that incredibly high bar I had four instances of crashing happen within my playtime and I was never able to discern the reason for them but for a Souls-like where you can lose significant chunks of progress since your last checkpoint that you may have fought tooth-and-nail to get to but the other two happened after 10-20 minutes of hard fought progress It reached a point where my nervousness and anxiety about progressing was less about the raft of vicious foes in front of me and more about whether I’d overcome them only to have the game kick me to the menu and make me want to launch my TV out of my front door I’m sure this will be fixed relatively quickly but it is a significant problem in a game that requires chunks of time without progress being saved the game runs flawlessly on performance mode on a base PS5 We all have our favourite blend of the Souls-like coffee it’s always been Bloodborne and games with the pace of Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty The First Berserker: Khazan has now usurped almost all the other non-FromSoft titles to take its place at the head of them all When it comes down to what we play games for – to feel entertained I can think of few that had me so entranced as this one within the genre After being thoroughly beaten down and battered so many times I simply could not stop coming back to try again That’s a testament to how Neople have absolutely nailed the combat fundamentals the progression and sense of personal achievement is fantastic Where it stumbles is in the areas of story development loot micro-management and technical performance which hamper Khazan and the player’s ability to blaze forward and carve through this exquisitely crafted it’s still a superb entry into the genre one that deserves your persistence and commitment will you need those qualities in abundance to overcome its obstacles Take up Khazan’s blade in his quest for vengeance however and you’ll find it to be a cathartic and empowering journey to decimate all that fell on the wrong side of this general’s ire Disclaimer: In order to complete this review, we were provided with a promotional copy of the game. For our full review policy, please go here If you enjoyed this article or any more of our content, please consider our Patreon Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" modern games have figured out how to do exploration properly They guide the player just enough to keep… I’m a bit surprised you didn’t see the breakup as an issue I’ve been playing Sit-Back Attack as well if you like idle rpgs I think it’s worth checking out Why didn't you marry the other one as well After the moderate success of the first game’s remaster Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny is back to carry on the series’ lineage GameTyrant is a game news and culture from the team at GeekTyrant Covering video games on consoles like PlayStation Khazan came out of absolutely nowhere and blown me away with a bloody and challenging adventure that left me enthralled In a time where Soulslike games are coming out in droves it can be difficult to weed out the trash from the treasures but let’s be clear I won’t spoil the story elements as they are wonderful to unravel spread between bits of journals and notes to collect in the world but also some stunning cutscenes I will say that this is a classic tale of revenge mixed with some supernatural and hardcore anime elements the gameplay is sublime with an array of weapons ranging from a huge slow-swinging greatsword to fast spear-like weapons It’s all so smooth and silky but the massive swings of difficulty seem uneven at best some enemies are brutally difficult while others are so easy this is a game that any Soulslike fan should play Khazan is a gorgeous game both visually and aurally The mix between anime styles and realistic environments is a sight to behold effects and character models are also extremely well done With DLSS and Frame Gen available on the PC version Music is subtly used but effective and sound effects are sharp It would definitely be in the 9 range if it weren’t the crazy difficulty swings that most Soulslike games do struggle with to be fair and memorable romp but also isn’t for the faint of heart Khazan is a brutal yet beautiful Soulslike everyone should play and is another early title in an already fantastic year of gaming that continues to amaze Dustin has been gaming hardcore since 1982 starting with the Atari 2600  After several years with a ColecoVision Dustin now dabbles in hardware and tech reviews 4K PC gaming and the occasional console title when duty calls All names, trademarks, and images are copyrighted by their respective owners   ///   Copyright / DMCA NoticeCopyright © 2015-2022 GameTyrant Entertainment LLC All Rights Reserved ///   Privacy Policy Some of you might read that and think this anime-eyed action RPG sounds derivative There’s absolutely nothing original about The First Berserker: Khazan It might also be the most fun I’ve had playing a soulslike in years a once-celebrated veteran who has been framed for treason by a cowardly emperor After the tendons in your arms are severed you unwillingly make a pact with a big bloke called the Blade Phantom who grants you the power to cheat death From here you set out on a quest to punish those who framed you and restore your name Yeah, it’s hardly Macbeth. The story is one of the game's weakest elements, a by-the-numbers tale of revenge that sees you tear through a bunch of forgettable one-note villains and expendable allies. Worse still, the majority of the plot is divulged through narrated slideshows. To give the writers some credit, they seem hamstrung by the fact that this is a prequel (of sorts) to Dungeon Fighter Online a free-to-play beat 'em up by the same developers But I can’t imagine even diehard fans of that will find themselves invested The main story missions are straightforward enough Fight through some enemies and mini-bosses light some bonfires and unlock shortcuts along the way then beat the snot out of the boss at the end another of Khazan’s shortcomings - everything up until those boss fights feels like a formality They try to mix it up occasionally by introducing puzzles but mostly you’re just going from point A to point B and killing everything along the way There's a sense of sameiness to enemies that gets worse the longer you go on Fighting a bunch of lizardmen was fun the first time but by the time they featured as the primary antagonists of a fourth main mission It’s not just the types of foes that get tiring either the way in which they’re arranged throughout levels makes the whole affair feel tedious I lost count of the number of times the game threw a bulky mini-boss at me Even when you try to milk a little extra variety from side missions these mostly just feel recycled from the main story Some of the maps are repurposed in interesting ways by adding puzzles or opening up new routes that were previously inaccessible very few of these missions add unique enemies and every one I played just had a reskinned version of a main story boss at its end One side quest went out of its way to justify this by insisting the boss was the twin brother of the last guy I fought Khazan – I know you just put a helmet on the last boss model and dusted your hands But while bosses can reappear more than you'd like they do make up for it in one significant way: they are absolute menaces there are combo strings that are ten attacks long grabs that are only signified by audio cues attacks that build a negative status effect even when you block them area-of-effect swipes that almost fill the entire arena Khazan's icicle yetis and hammer heaving demons throw everything at you Hardcore fans of the genre might think I’m burying the lede here but this genuinely might be one of the hardest soulslikes I’ve played Ultimately, however, they are still fair. Khazan balances its aggressive nonsense by giving you a massive bag of defensive tools. Granted, there are only three weapons - the Dual Wield, the Greatsword, and the Spear - which compared to Elden Ring might sound like a huge limitation But this more closely resembles the ideas of Nioh All three weapons feel distinct from one another and thanks to the skill tree’s steady progression I never felt burnt out when simply sticking to the Dual Wield for the majority of my playthrough The cleverness comes in how you use these blades There are four different ways you can counter enemies: you can dodge and you can use the counterattack skill to deflect unblockable attacks you can use their “brink” variants These will help you regenerate stamina or reflect damage back at your foe This results in big battles that are satisfying in a way that no other boss fights have felt to me since Sekiro There is great satisfaction in perfectly reflecting a beast's 30-second-long combo Or parrying a hulking monstrosity and shaving off half of its stagger bar There are no cheesy strategies or exploits to be found you simply have to lock in and play a perfect game every single time but there is an unmatched feeling of having to surpass a perfectly timed and intensely lethal game of Dance Dance Revolution I can forgive so many of Khazan’s defects because of this fierceness But I can’t deny that the game has plenty of weaknesses outside of those pitched battles If it was a more concise adventure (a full playthrough will set you back around 80 hours) a lot of the issues I’ve mentioned might not seem like such a big deal I'm caught between lamenting its laborious (and often rehashed) campaign There are some bruising boss fight treasures buried in Khazan for any tough-knuckled soulslike fans it’s just a shame you have to dig through mounds of uninteresting levels and scores of samey enemies to reach them This review is based on a review build provided by the publisher No part of this website or its content may be reproduced without the copyright owner's permission Rock Paper Shotgun is a registered trademark of Gamer Network Limited the once mighty warrior Khazan awaits his death at the hands of those he once risked his life for The First Berserker: Khazan is an action-RPG set within the Dungeon Fighter Online universe beyond fooling around with DNF Duel for a few hours but after playing The First Berserker: Khazan He’s then possessed by the ghost of the Blade Phantom an amalgamation of the souls of great warriors working to keep the balance of the Netherworld in check and instead of taking over his body completely they form a pact: The Blade Phantom provides Khazan with his power to get revenge on those who wronged him and Khazan helps the Blade Phantom figure out what’s causing issues in the Netherworld and set it right The voice acting and characters are pretty strong across the board I was interested in the NPCs and their stories though: Khazan’s revenge plot feels realistic There’s some pretty clear soulslike inspiration at play with the gameplay and level design but it does a good job setting itself apart from the more traditional soulslike formula This is primarily in its character progress and buildcrafting which is more in line with a more traditional action-RPG The combat is a more methodical action game initially with a deflect mechanic similar to Lies of P Getting hit or blocking normally while out of stamina leaves you stunned Brink Guard (guarding at the last second) not only reduces the enemy's stamina a small amount but meaning it’s a great risk-reward tool for those more tense moments Reducing an enemy's stamina also allows you access to a Brutal Attack a high-damage attack which restores your stamina when done from the front or deals more damage and staggers the enemy longer when done from the back There’s a myriad of upgrades for Brink Guard which can help define a more aggressively defensive playstyle This is far less risky but leads to less reward and even Brink Guarding attacks with Status Effects leads to a small amount of damage and status buildup as far as core defensive mechanics are concerned This is a system that you’re required to use to counter specific strong moves Light and Heavy attacks — labelled Swift Attacks and Potent Blows in the game — didn’t chain into each other all that well This is alleviated as soon as you begin earning Skill Points These can be spent on both weapon-specific Skill Trees having skills which can be utilised by all of them with a lot more moment-to-moment decision-making than many of its contemporaries which are active abilities that can be used by spending Spirit Khazan also can access Phantom Form later on in the game This transformation grants additional boosts to his moveset make for some surprisingly deep options in combat I found fights in most of the main levels to be a tad underwhelming though: the enemies themselves aren’t all that interesting to fight but the boss encounters and core level design make up for this The bosses are incredibly capable and are pretty damn difficult in their own right I never found myself at a complete loss with some of these fights either; they often have a couple of unique gimmicks to keep an eye on meaning you really have to interact with each fight differently These encounters also always have a checkpoint right outside The mission locations themselves are a lot of fun to explore and most of the enemy encounters aren’t all that interesting but the level design at least makes it fun to explore which take you back to areas from the main story with some alterations; different enemies The RPG mechanics and player progression are a bit of a mixed bag ranging from fantastic to functional but uninteresting There’s a multitude of options to improve Khazan's abilities from the previously mentioned Skill Tree to levelling up stats using the Soulstones to increase other stats Stat boosts I also don’t have an issue with; it’s boring You retain all Skill Points and progression to the next so your progression isn’t completely hampered by repeated failure It makes even failed attempts at bosses feel rewarding Soulstones are items you can find around each mission and destroy which can then be spent to increase a couple of your stats by a very small amount; it doesn’t feel necessary or particularly noticeable I’m also not all that fussed about the Phantom upgrades: you can equip one at a time and they’ll provide small buffs to a single aspect of Khazan such as increased stamina or increased damage from specific attacks These can also be upgraded just by using them or awakened by giving each one a specific item It’s simple and provides a nice boon to your builds The biggest progression mechanic is arguably the gear system and equipping multiple pieces of a set grants Khazan bonuses and effects allowing the player to focus more heavily on the playstyle they like So much gear doesn’t belong to any of these sets which makes it feel pretty useless and finding gear for sets you don’t intend on using is also pretty common and makes looting oftentimes feel underwhelming The Blacksmith can craft Gear from specific sets so it doesn’t help if the set you want to craft doesn’t give the recipe until later on in the game I began to lose touch with this system pretty early but it finds its footing much more as you progress I adore the presentation with The First Berserker: Khazan and while it isn’t the highest raw fidelity the art style is gorgeous and really works for the game’s atmosphere The music and sound effects complement this One of the biggest things I noticed was the performance: it’s absolutely flawless finding a game that runs so smoothly on launch is an absolute blessing The First Berserker: Khazan is genuinely fantastic and the story isn’t breaking any new ground It's not an obsession if it counts as work.. The First Berserker Khazan takes the strongest soulslike mechanics and weaves them into a worthwhile If you enjoyed Sekiro's parry-heavy combat and Nioh’s mission-based structure The First Berserker Khazan will likely work for you Even with few new ideas of its own and often unexciting levels its build variety and brutal boss fights more than make this soulslike worth the effort Follow us for daily PC games news, guides and reviews on X, Facebook, Google News, and Steam. Or sign up to our free newsletter Despite somewhat samey missions and a flat protagonist Khazan's combat and boss design are some of the best I've seen in a soulslike Do you remember the moment that Sekiro forced you to start playing by its rules I was trundling through the game like I was playing Dark Souls when I hit the Lady Butterfly boss and suddenly there was no room for doubt: if I didn't properly learn these new combat mechanics It's something I've always admired about Sekiro—how it pits you against bosses that force you to engage with its systems It's also what I love most about The First Berserker: Khazan Khazan apes quite a few of Sekiro's more-than-familiar combat mechanics—whether deflecting to build a gauge and stagger a boss or avoiding unblockable attacks that flash red But more than perhaps any other soulslike I've played Khazan successfully adds its own meaningful twists to these timeworn mechanics while providing a lineup of fantastically designed bosses who make you dance like a monkey as you learn them this edgy ghost is voiced by Anthony Howell of Margit/Morgott fame it is amazing having the Fell Omen pop up and tell you how much you suck when a boss flattens you the game is a series of linear missions that you portal to via a hub battling between each Blade Nexus (checkpoint) to open up shortcuts until you reach a final boss Khazan actually has a lot more in common with Black Myth: Wukong Its three weapons—a dual-wield sword and axe and a greatsword—each have dedicated skill trees and its armour uses the same bonus system when equipping multiple pieces from a set Its combat follows a similar resource model as you attack and deflect to accumulate Spirit; points you then use to perform weapon skills Where Khazan really distinguishes itself is with its strict stamina system you use them to supplement attacking and defending like little cheats letting you throw out combos almost like a fighting game to deal as much damage as you can in a short window Many of Khazan's bosses have fixed stamina bars that you slowly chip down to perform a brutal attack but others have stamina bars that fluctuate as they attack—just like they're using stamina It means that though bosses unleash long deadly combos they're most vulnerable to a stagger right after them—a nice little reward for staying alive and a very smart idea Speaking of nice little rewards; another of Khazan's genius features is that it gives Lacrima (souls to level stats) and skill points for fighting bosses "How is that not entirely broken?" you ask you can only earn so many skill points through each boss but it's nice to successfully deflect a tough boss combo for the first time and get a little message saying "Skill point obtained"—it made me feel far more content taking my time to learn each boss Khazan has some of the best designed bosses I've seen in a soulslike Especially when it wants you to engage with a new system such as dodging and dealing with status effects Khazan uses the red unblockable attacks from Sekiro but here you can actually parry them with a counterattack to deal massive stamina damage provided you're willing to take a risk on tricky timing you can use reflection to parry normal attacks It's up to you to work out which and weave that into your strategy (Image credit: Nexon)(Image credit: Nexon)(Image credit: Nexon)(Image credit: Nexon)(Image credit: Nexon)And if you don't like parrying or deflection Each weapon has a whole skill section dedicated to dodge and post-dodge attacks and you can even use some skills in place of a dodge to enhance their effectiveness Another way Khazan encourages these experiments is with no respec costs for skills change your entire build right outside the boss door even change weapons if you want to—they each have their own distinctive playstyle Tanky bosses and limited healing mean that if you don't use the skill system or strategize and try stuff out Khazan doesn't feel like a game you can brute force it has some of the best designed bosses I've seen in a soulslike The biggest shame with Khazan is that the missions between each boss feel kind of samey—about two thirds in I found myself wishing I could just jump to the next boss instead of trekking through yet another mission to get there I definitely appreciate Khazan not perpetuating the genre's worst tendencies; putting hidden dogs around every corner and enemies who constantly push you off ledges—cough cough Lords of the Fallen and verticality—Khazan can't jump—means that fighting through similar environments and enemies starts to grate Don't get me wrong; the combat is still very well designed and 90% of missions primarily consist of that so if you're enjoying smacking enemies around it might not bother you too much It's more that having been spoiled by all the accoutrements of the modern soulslike—elaborate NPC quests exploration—Khazan and its no frills linear structure can feel basic at times (Image credit: Nexon)(Image credit: Nexon)(Image credit: Nexon)(Image credit: Nexon)(Image credit: Nexon)Khazan does a fantastic job showcasing its anime-esque art style with dramatic boss sequences and cutscenes but some of its areas feel strangely drab and I can't work out if this is just because of the colour palette It's not like the game is badly optimised or anything and it ran perfectly for me but sometimes it does feel a bit like the only places you ever visit are mines At least Khazan does the most important thing with its anime art-style: gives us a greatsword that feels amazing so we can pretend it's Berserk actually—at least in the fact that he says very little—and this is a revenge story after all and I'm sure it'll be enjoyable for Dungeon Fighter Online fans but Khazan is too damn flat and unexpressive as a protagonist for me You might think that's a weird criticism considering the genre—there are more important considerations than story—but that tale is front and centre in this game and far more prominent than in your regular soulslike If you're still unsure whether to pick this up one thing I will say is the game has a very poor intro in terms of showcasing its best qualities try out the demo (if it remains available up to release) and get to the Blade Phantom boss after the first couple of missions—this is the point where you'll get a sense of what it's really about and it'll all click into place if it's going to Sean MartinSenior Guides WriterSean's first PC games were Full Throttle and Total Annihilation and his taste has stayed much the same since When not scouring games for secrets or bashing his head against puzzles you'll find him revisiting old Total War campaigns or still trying to finish the Horus Heresy you will then be prompted to enter your display name Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more It isn’t every day that two major brands in the EDC space work together on a collection That goes double when the names are as big as GoRuck and Carryology here we are with the brands’ third team-up travel and outdoor giants — a top-tier bagmaker and an authority in carry-specific product journalism — have collaborated on a limited-edition carry series Called the GoRuck x Carryology GRXC3 Berserker Viking Collection this rugged-yet-luxurious drop celebrates resilient and refined craftsmanship from master artisans across Europe and the USA this isn’t the first time GoRuck and Carryology have teamed up — it’s not even the second The GRXC3 Berserker Viking Collection marks the pair’s third collaboration If the first two launches in the GRXC line are any indication this third one is poised to be an instant hit It will also likely sell out extremely quickly and achieve grail status among EDC appreciators and collectors alike This latest collab went through a painstaking two and a half years of development So what’s special about this third team-up it celebrates and honors the top-tier craftsmanship in the American EDC market as well as traditional Norse materials and techniques the brands worked with Swedish master axe-maker Nils Ogren and Icelandic artist Chip Baskin of Reykjavik Ink on the collection there’s more to this collaboration than just its ethos and the folks who worked on it It also focuses on specific craftsmanship and materials across five different products (some with multiple sizes) the collection’s flagship product is GoRuck’s GR1 backpack has been redone in USA-made 3 mm-thick leather This is the first time a GoRuck and Carryology collaboration has utilized leather as its primary material The bags also include hand-forged steel Viking patches Other details include custom interior linings My love for you is like a truck, Berserker. If you had asked me which property, of all the cool IPs out there, would get a major push to new genres, I would never have guessed that Dungeon Fighter would be an option in 2025. The First Berserker - Khazan was reviewed on PC, using a code provided by the developer. It's available for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S on March 27. © 2025 VG247 a brand of IGN Entertainment, Inc. 18 Mansell Street Level 3, London, E1 8AA, United Kingdom.All rights reserved. No part of this website or its content may be reproduced without the copyright owner's permission. VG247 is a registered trademark of Gamer Network Limited, an affiliate of IGN Entertainment, Inc. The First Berserker: Khazan reviewed by John Carson on Xbox Series X, also available on PC and PlayStation 5. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that The First Berserker: Khazan provides this option after finishing its campaign for the first time If you want to know how this popular feature works in this challenging adventure read on to learn how to start New Game Plus and to know what’s different in your second playthrough and beyond it’ll be time to decide if you’re ready to move on to New Game Plus or if you’d like to stay in your current playthrough so that you can finish any bonus missions or grind any weapons and armor you haven’t scored yet you can start New Game Plus by speaking to the Phantom in the Crevice and choosing “Begin the next journey.” Just be aware that moving to New Game Plus is a permanent choice Screenshot: Neople / Billy Givens / KotakuAdvertisementWhat’s different in New Game Plus?New Game Plus in The First Berserker: Khazan functions how genre fans have come to expect you’ll need to work way through the entire game again on your quest to get even stronger While you’ll retain all of your powerful gear and levels you’ll face a much more formidable challenge in New Game Plus Enemies and bosses will hit harder and take even more damage than they did in your first playthrough ensuring that you’ll have to be even more adept at dodging and finding attack windows than ever before but there is one unexpected thing locked behind New Game Plus: You’ll now have access to transmog options by interacting with a mannequin at the Crevice This allows you to wear your most powerful gear while sporting your favorite look from another set If you decide to go for a third run of the game you’ll also gain access to crafting Legendary gear on NG++ which is currently the game’s highest tier of weapons and armor but it’ll be worth it if you’re the type of person to want the very best gear a game has to offer The First Berserker: Khazan is available now on PS5 Straight from the pages of Kentaro Miura’s beloved dark fantasy the threads and armors of iconic characters from Berserk can soon be yours Celebrate Berserk with limited-time cosmetics you can earn and collect so your characters can walk in the footsteps of these legendary figures Kentaro Miura’s iconic manga comes to life within the bloodied chaos of Estuar Visit the in-game shop and defeat powerful demons to earn darkly glorious in-game cosmetics worthy of the Black Swordsman Femto’s unyielding rage burns bright in his mind leaning on a sword almost too big to be called a sword He scans his surroundings; mountainous peaks fracture the sky Smoke rises in the distance to anchor this moonless night his eye catching a most curious artifact amidst the blood-streaked frost A small egg with the makings of a face writhes in agony He listens as the roar of frenzied monsters fill the air his Brand of Sacrifice bleeding from their demonic presence for he’ll hunt and kill all those wretched monsters Slaying powerful elite enemies in-game has a chance to drop sinister Behelits oviod creatures which grant audience to powerful demons capable of terrible sacrifice These Behelits can be collected and then used to earn Berserk themed cosmetics Trade in Behelits to the Berserk Reliquary to claim items befitting the will of Godhand themselves which houses the shackles that once held the fallen knight Griffith captive the honorable Skull Knight’s Heraldry Mount Armor The Foretold Eclipse Headstone evokes the great sacrifice that devoured the Band of the Hawk to exalt their most trusted Commander you’ll earn the Od of the Berserker Emblem a potent symbol that aligns with the unflinching violence of its wearer For more information on the in-game Reliquary, please visit our blog here The loyalty of the ill-fated Band of the Hawk’s Mercenaries was only matched by their bravery in combat Become the legend of the Black Swordsman and don the Barbarian’s Berserker Armor avenge your fallen brethren as you swear vengeance on Femto while cleaving demons by the hundred Wander together next to Chimimoryo Schnoz Pet You have from May 6 to June 3 to visit the in-game Shop to alter your destiny and purchase these premium cosmetics for your own The Schnoz Pet bundle includes the Mask Rakshas Mount Trophy The Warhorse of the Hawk bundle includes the Fantasia Mount To celebrate the collision of Diablo IV and Kentaro Miura’s Berserk we will have a Support a Streamer initiative for the Skull Behelit Mount Trophy For more information related on how to earn this otherworldly cosmetic There is a lot of excitement around The First Berserker: Khazan in the subset of gamers enjoying that most rarified of genres the Soulslike: sharp-eyed heroes with better reflexes than a battle-hardened warrior eager to get their hands on what could be their next brutally challenging experience the closest I came to those upper echelons was my few hours playing Bloodborne despite quickly consigning it to the depths of the game pile in favour of more accessible fare Such is the life of an RPG fan as I try to catch up with the Trails and Like A Dragon series here is an overview of what you can expect from this title especially for newcomers to this type of self-described “hardcore” game The First Berserker: Khazan is set in the universe of Dungeon Fighter Online an astonishingly popular online fantasy game featuring hack-and-slash combat which has purportedly (according to Wikipedia) raised at least $22bn in lifetime revenue you play General Khazan of the Pell Los Empire Khazan is framed for a crime he didn’t commit His resulting punishment is having the tendons in his arms severed as shown during the opening cutscene (no pun intended) in a suitably gory fashion He is trundling along inside a wheeled cage when his caravan becomes stuck in an avalanche and his cage hurtles to its destruction Khazan manages to survive with the aid of supernatural intervention He strikes an uneasy bargain with a mysterious entity that imbues him with immense power supplementing his already extensive combat skills the combat system is not for the faint of heart or slack of finger and each input reduces it by differing amounts If you manage to empty your stamina bar (which is not hard to do) you cannot take further action and leave yourself open to receive immense damage from your foes so you need to watch that little gauge constantly Lack of stamina is as much your implacable foe as anything else There are ways around this; executing a perfect guard by hitting the button just before an attack reduces the amount of stamina used and you can perform it even if there’s no more juice left in the tank as Khazan traipses through snowy mountains encountering his former captors I often relied on holding down that guard button this is a brilliant strategy until it isn’t Effective guarding reduces the enemies’ stamina ending in a “brutal attack” where Khazan lives up to his Berserker sobriquet leading to anxious confrontations as you try to beat opponents down to put them in a vulnerable state before they can recover My neighbours could almost certainly hear my despairing wails as one fluffy button press ruined a tonne of good work relying on guard alone in no way promises a good time Dodging is much harder to execute successfully with a perfect dodge awarding you increased moments of invulnerability Dodging is your best plan when the other side throws mountains of fire or poisonous goop at you It’s not something that came naturally to me Cue multiple occasions of Khazan flailing headfirst into an attack killing enemies gifts you with Lacrima (cough experience.) If you gain enough of this scarlet bounty you can use it to level up and increase one of Khazan’s attributes The game usefully illustrates the benefit of the potential level-up options with the downside that I frequently agonised over where to place that precious plus mark it’s skill that gets you through the toughest encounters you lose all your stored experience if you fall between save points although you can retrieve it if you make it back to the site of your demise are spaced evenly enough apart to avoid frustration while still being a source of relief whenever you spy one on the horizon There is always one available immediately before a boss fight (thank you oh fickle gods of Souls) which makes everything feel much more player-friendly without sacrificing challenge The First Berserker: Khazan offers an Easy difficulty mode Selecting this allows you to progress a touch more smoothly You won’t suddenly think you’re playing Kingdom Hearts Careless play is still off the table for those who want to progress and the eternal cry of “git good” is still king I am conflicted about this; on the one hand those tempted to play on Easy look for a more forgiving time perhaps hoping to see content that might otherwise be locked behind too high a skill barrier but time is a precious commodity for gamers (particularly for RPG aficionados,) and there is no way of assessing how much of it you might sink into a game where success is never assured Khazan taught me the joy of conquering a troubling situation after you’ve invested mountains of time into it and it’s difficult to argue this isn’t central to the experience I think the developers made the right call although perhaps adding a third difficulty mode would be a better choice The First Berserker: Khazan offers a performance and a quality mode Now is the time for me to admit that I prefer quality modes in most games I happily flipped to quality mode during my first twenty minutes with Khazan The juddery mess that greeted me was more horrifying than any of the multilimbed monstrosities Khazan confronted in my time with the game Perhaps the PS5 Pro offers better optimisation The world of Khazan is depicted with striking cel-shaded graphics It is a change of pace to have a true Soulslike game with an anime aesthetic I can’t remember many outside of Code Vein sacrificing no intensity just because it doesn’t have the “realistic” style of something like Elden Ring The creatures you battle include rabid-looking bears all of which have suitably grim demeanours The gameplay is as responsive as you would hope working your way through minor antagonists becomes swift and satisfying You gain skill points through mastery of your weapons and this opens up new abilities that increase your combat repertoire you start stringing together quick and strong attacks for differing effects but I spent most of my time with the spear but Khazan encourages you to shake things up through its varying enemy patterns there are occasions when foes back you into a corner and no amount of attacking or dodging allows you to escape which is frustrating and something that I would like to see addressed Khazan and the other characters he meets are not compelling Khazan is a man of few words at the best of times resulting in wasted use of Ben Starr’s wonderful vocal talent conducted through letters and notes scattered around with each offering a unique design and moveset They utilise different abilities to mix things up and multiple phases enhance the feel of these pivotal moments This is a good thing because some of these encounters take a large amount of time especially when you get hit with a status effect that drains your health as you frantically try to survive I recommend Khazan to anyone who is willing to put in the effort to conquer its high entry barrier If you think this might be a Soulslike for beginners Paul Skevington Paul first started gaming at the dawn of time on the ZX Spectrum playing text adventures such as Zork and The Hulk He would be introduced to the world of JRPGS in his teens with the likes of Mystic Quest and Secret of Mana Final Fantasy VII cemented his love for the genre he's on a quest to play all the major titles that he missed in the past but is also looking forward to the wonderful titles that lie ahead You must be logged in to post a comment RPGFan is a gaming website focused on roleplaying games and related genres such as graphic adventures Advertise on this site. © 2025 Emerald Shield Media LLC | Designed by Valkyrie Studio and MPT Creative LOOKING FOR ROCCAT? CLICK HERE .cls-1{fill:#121212;stroke-width:0}LoginClick the button to redirect to the login page and we'll send you a login code The First Berserker: Khazan is the latest title to hit the Steam store and it's one that fans have been anticipating for quite some time The hardcore action RPG is similar to souls-likes and players who are interested in the game are going to want to know if they can run it on PC the great general of the Pell Los Empire who will seek to overcome all odds throughout his journey While the combat is the shining star of the game and you'll meet some noteworthy characters In the meantime however, be sure to get geared up for the new release by checking out our Vulcan II TKL Pro keyboard.   Giveaways, gaming gear, our discord channel and more: © 2025 Turtle Beach. All rights reserved. but the Crimson Fiend Set has one of the most barbaric styles And if you’re a Greatsword user who has spec’d into Mortal Blow Here’s what to know about the Crimson Fiend Set and where to find the Crimson Fiend’s Scroll so the blacksmith can craft it for you which should be a fairly common part of the combos you unleash with your big ‘ol sword The extra stamina recovery when using Mortal Blow or charged attacks is quite nice which can be started at the Heart of Pell Los portal which is encountered fairly early on in the mission then take the next set of stairs on your right to enter an area with trees that can infect you with Plague You’ll want to proceed through here carefully to avoid having your health chunked off by this annoying status effect Screenshot: Nexon / Billy Givens / KotakuAdvertisementMove through the linear path until you enter an open section with a large skeleton archer and various other enemies then check the leftmost corner of the area to find the Crimson Fiend’s Scroll on the ground Remember to take it back to the blacksmith and have him craft you a set of this bloody armor Neople and NEXON's The First Berserker: Khazan became an exemplary title in the soulslike industry the game still sees over a dozen concurrent players despite its release late last month (a timeframe that's surprisingly long for modern AAA experiences) the team has put up a few stats for players to check out giving them a look at what sorts has been affecting everyone worldwide From deadliest boss encounters to total number of deaths and most famous weapons this takes a look at everything that curious lovers of the game might want to learn Fans are raving about being able to learn more about the stats within the game and it gives fellow players a look at how everyone else has struggled and proves the deadly capabilities of The First Berserker: Khazan's boss fights (notably who is nearly double the runner-up for most lethal bosses) Caitlyn Pauley The First Berserker: Khazan officially launched on March 27 single-player action RPG experience set in the universe of Dungeon Fighter Online Developed by Neople and published by Nexon the game reimagines the sprawling lore of DFO into a gritty mission-based structure loaded with fierce boss encounters Khazan isn’t just another Soulslike clone — it’s a focused stylish take on the genre with an emphasis on parry timing and character customization that draws comparisons to both Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and Nioh Neople has been actively tuning the experience based on player feedback the developers rolled out a significant update that introduced several balance changes Neople has teased even more content updates on the horizon hinting at expanded endgame missions and possible story-based DLC Fans are already speculating about a rumored new faction that could introduce additional weapons and skill trees Critics and players alike have praised The First Berserker: Khazan for its high-stakes combat system It demands precision but rewards aggressive play offering a refreshing alternative to the slower defensive pacing seen in many other Soulslike games Rock Paper Shotgun praised the weapon variety and boss designs but critiqued the game’s “fairly linear” progression and somewhat underdeveloped lore delivery The First Berserker: Khazan sits at a solid 82 on Metacritic as of late April 2025 with fans celebrating it as a must-play for hardcore action RPG enthusiasts The story of The First Berserker: Khazan follows the titular General Khazan a legendary hero betrayed by the very empire he helped build Khazan is saved only by merging with the Blade Phantom — a spirit born from the anguish and rage of countless fallen warriors they set out on a brutal journey of revenge uncovering the web of corruption and betrayal that rots the heart of the empire Khazan battles not only soldiers and beasts but also otherworldly horrors that feed on despair filled with grim world-building and supernatural twists fits perfectly alongside the game’s visceral combat and oppressive atmosphere giving players a tangible sense of struggle and resilience The First Berserker: Khazan launched into an already competitive year for action games standing alongside titles like Black Myth: Wukong and Rise of the Ronin and focus on a personal revenge-driven story help it carve out its own brutal and a growing community sharing builds and boss strategies hard-hitting RPG to test your reflexes and your resolve The First Berserker: Khazan is already one of the year’s breakout hits The First Berserker: Khazan is a hardcore action RPG set in the Dungeon & Fighter universe launching on March 27, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. This ambitious title blends challenging combat mechanics with rich world-building The First Berserker: Khazan positions itself firmly in the action RPG genre with strong Soulslike elements hardcore combat that requires precision and strategy The gameplay keeps players constantly engaged with responsive controls and challenging encounters offering tough and memorable battles that will test players’ abilities These encounters serve as both skill checks and narrative milestones throughout the adventure The combat system appears to be deeply layered The game aims to balance accessibility with depth allowing players to develop their combat style as they progress through the adventure Set in the established Dungeon & Fighter universe The First Berserker: Khazan builds upon the rich lore of this fantasy world The game appears to focus on the character Khazan likely exploring their origin story as the first berserker The narrative unfolds in a dark fantasy setting filled with dangerous creatures Players can expect to discover ancient ruins and settlements populated by distinct characters The storytelling seems to blend environmental narrative with traditional exposition Players will piece together the world’s history through exploration This approach creates an immersive experience where players actively participate in uncovering the world’s secrets rather than passively receiving information The First Berserker: Khazan is being developed through a collaboration between Nexon and Neople two studios with significant experience in the gaming industry Neople originally created the Dungeon & Fighter universe Nexon brings publishing experience and resources to the project helping to bring this ambitious title to a global audience This partnership combines Neople’s intimate knowledge of the source material with Nexon’s production capabilities The development team appears focused on creating a faithful extension of the Dungeon & Fighter universe while pushing the boundaries of what players might expect from the franchise Their approach seems to balance respecting the source material with innovating on gameplay mechanics This collaborative effort suggests a commitment to quality and a desire to establish The First Berserker: Khazan as a standout title in the action RPG genre The First Berserker: Khazan delivers a hardcore action RPG experience that balances challenging combat with character growth opportunities The game draws players in with its responsive controls and strategic depth Khazan’s combat system focuses on precision timing and strategic decision-making Players must master both light and heavy attacks while managing a stamina bar that prevents button mashing The game features a unique “Rage” mechanic that builds up during combat it temporarily boosts damage output and unlocks special abilities unique to each weapon type Defensive options include dodge rolls with invincibility frames and parries that create counterattack opportunities as mistimed dodges leave players vulnerable Players can choose between massive greatswords Each weapon category comes with its own move set and special abilities The game world features interconnected areas with shortcuts that unlock as players progress. This thoughtful design encourages exploration while reducing frustration after difficult encounters Environmental hazards add another layer of challenge and trap-filled corridors keep players alert even between combat scenarios Boss fights serve as skill checks that test everything players have learned Each major boss has multiple phases with changing attack patterns and increasing intensity Character development follows a flexible path where players allocate attribute points to strength This allows for diverse build options from tank-like warriors to glass cannon spellcasters The skill tree branches into three main paths: Berserker (physical damage focus) Players can mix elements from different paths to create hybrid builds Equipment upgrades play a major role in character growth Weapons and armor can be enhanced using materials found throughout the world The game includes a crafting system for consumables like healing items and temporary buffs Mastering this system becomes essential for overcoming the game’s most challenging content The First Berserker: Khazan came out across multiple gaming platforms on March 27 Players have several options to experience this action RPG depending on their preferred gaming system The First Berserker: Khazan will be available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S at launch Both next-gen consoles will likely offer enhanced performance options allowing players to prioritize either graphical fidelity or smoother framerates The PS5 version is expected to take advantage of the DualSense controller’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers to enhance combat immersion Xbox Series X should deliver 4K resolution capabilities while the Series S will likely run at a lower resolution but maintain solid performance Xbox One) nor Nintendo Switch have been announced as supported platforms The focus on current-gen hardware suggests Neople is developing the game to take full advantage of modern console capabilities PC gamers gained access to The First Berserker: Khazan through Steam on the March 27 release date No Mac version has been announced at this time The game’s demo will be available starting January 16 with the notable feature that saved data can be transferred to the full game upon release This provides a smooth transition for early adopters Players should watch for announcements about: The simultaneous multi-platform release shows NEXON’s commitment to reaching a wide gaming audience regardless of their preferred system The First Berserker: Khazan weaves a complex narrative filled with political intrigue, betrayal, and a quest for revenge The story unfolds in the rich world of Arad drawing from the established Dungeon & Fighter universe while creating a unique standalone tale whose journey is driven by revenge after being betrayed by those he once trusted players will experience Khazan’s transformation from loyal warrior to vengeful berserker The narrative takes place before the events of the main Dungeon & Fighter storyline serving as a prequel that explores the origins of the Berserker class This approach allows both newcomers and fans to engage with the story without needing extensive knowledge of the franchise Key characters include allies who aid Khazan in his quest and antagonists connected to the conspiracy that led to his downfall Each character has their own motivations and backstories that players will uncover throughout the journey The Pell Los Empire serves as a central political entity in the game’s world with various factions vying for power within and against it Players will navigate a web of alliances and betrayals as they uncover the truth behind Khazan’s fall from grace The game explores themes of treason and conspiracy with political machinations driving much of the conflict Different factions represent competing ideologies and interests: These political elements create a dynamic backdrop for Khazan’s personal quest for vengeance Players’ choices may influence these power dynamics affecting how the story unfolds and which factions gain or lose influence throughout the narrative The First Berserker: Khazan features a distinctive visual approach that blends cartoon-inspired design with moody atmospherics The game’s unique art direction creates an immediately recognizable world that enhances its storytelling and gameplay experience Khazan’s art style stands out with its captivating and intriguing visual elements The game employs unique animation techniques that give characters and environments a distinctive look while maintaining the dark themes central to the berserker narrative The cartoon design elements don’t diminish the game’s serious tone but rather enhance it through stylized contrasts This artistic direction creates memorable visuals that help define the game’s identity in the crowded action-RPG market Character designs feature bold silhouettes and dramatic proportions that make them instantly readable during fast-paced combat sequences Environmental art reinforces the game’s mood through careful color palettes and lighting choices The reveal trailer showcased at Gamescom 2024 offered viewers an impressive look at the game’s visual storytelling capabilities. The trailer highlighted both cinematic sequences and in-game footage demonstrating how the art style translates across different presentation formats The extended gameplay footage revealed the first 15 minutes of gameplay spotlighting Khazan’s battles against various soldiers These combat sequences displayed fluid animations and visual effects that emphasize the berserker’s powerful abilities Special attention was given to impact moments in the trailer with dramatic camera angles and particle effects enhancing key story beats The cinematics blend seamlessly with gameplay segments suggesting a cohesive visual experience throughout the full game The First Berserker: Khazan has generated significant interest among gaming enthusiasts particularly fans of soulslikes and action RPGs The recent demo release for The First Berserker: Khazan has been met with overwhelmingly positive feedback the demo is “tearing it up” on Steam with high review scores and impressive player counts This strong performance indicates growing excitement for this action RPG Players have particularly praised the game’s combat mechanics and visual style The soulslike elements appear to resonate with fans of the genre who appreciate the challenging gameplay and responsive controls Gaming publications have begun featuring preview content highlighting the unique aspects of Khazan’s world and gameplay systems Many reviewers note the game’s potential to stand out in the increasingly crowded soulslike market 2025 has provided valuable insights into player preferences and expectations Community forums and social media discussions reveal enthusiasm for the game’s brutal combat system and atmospheric world-building Some players have shared gameplay videos and strategy guides building a supportive community around the title The game’s presence on Game Pass Day One has also generated additional excitement as it will be accessible to subscribers immediately upon release Steam forums show active discussions about build strategies and combat techniques Players who enjoyed previous soulslikes are comparing elements of Khazan to established titles while appreciating its unique attributes has been responsive to player feedback from the demo suggesting potential refinements before the final release The First Berserker: Khazan has traveled a lengthy development path before reaching its March 27, 2025 release date. The hardcore action RPG set in the Dungeon & Fighter universe has been showcased at multiple gaming events with increasing detail about gameplay and features the developer behind The First Berserker: Khazan has maintained a steady development schedule with regular updates to the community The game entered full production after receiving positive feedback from early concept testing with DNF players A significant milestone occurred on January 17 when a playable demo was released to the public This demo allowed players to experience the combat system and boss encounters that will define the full game experience The development team has focused on balancing the hardcore action elements with accessibility features Character progression systems were refined multiple times based on internal testing results The First Berserker: Khazan made a notable appearance at Gamescom 2024 where NEXON announced the 2025 worldwide launch window attendees were able to play an early build of the game on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles IGN Fan Fest 2025 featured an exclusive trailer showcasing action-packed gameplay and formidable boss encounters The trailer generated significant buzz among action RPG enthusiasts Development team members participated in several interview sessions providing insights into design philosophies and technical challenges These behind-the-scenes glimpses revealed how the team approached adapting the DNF universe into a standalone adventure The First Berserker: Khazan offers a blend of challenging combat and skill systems that cater to both hardcore gamers and newcomers The game provides two difficulty settings while maintaining its Soulslike DNA Equipment plays a crucial role in character progression and customize their gear to match their preferred playstyle Armor sets provide both defensive stats and special bonuses that complement different combat approaches The Imperial Forces faction offers unique weapons with special properties while equipment inspired by the Dragonkin provides resistance to elemental attacks Players can mix and match equipment to create builds that overcome specific challenges in the game The First Berserker: Khazan features a diverse enemy roster with distinct AI patterns Basic enemies appear in groups with coordinated attacks while elite enemies have unique abilities that require tactical responses with multi-phase battles that evolve as the boss loses health uses poison attacks and quick movements that punish careless players Enemy AI adapts to player behavior, learning from repeated tactics. Ranged enemies will maintain distance while melee attackers attempt to flank. This creates dynamic combat scenarios that prevent players from relying on a single strategy The game’s difficulty comes from these intricate AI behaviors rather than simply increasing enemy health and damage values The quest system in Khazan ties directly to its world-building Main story quests reveal the rich history of the Dungeon and Fighter universe while side quests explore character backstories and faction conflicts Dungeons feature environmental storytelling with architecture and artifacts providing context about the world’s past Each dungeon has unique mechanics that relate to its theme – corrupted temples may have cursed areas while ancient fortresses feature traps and mechanisms The game implements a non-linear approach to some quests allowing players to make choices that affect outcomes Faction reputation systems determine access to certain areas and equipment Hidden quests reward exploration and attention to lore details Players who investigate suspicious environments or help NPCs may unlock special dungeons with rare equipment and challenging encounters that extend the game’s hack-and-slash action The gaming community has shown growing excitement for The First Berserker: Khazan since its announcement Players and critics alike have been analyzing trailers and preview information to form predictions about what the game will offer Fans have been actively adding The First Berserker: Khazan to their wishlists across platforms since the release date announcement for March 27, 2025. The game’s unique art style has become a major talking point, with many praising the distinct visual approach Neople has taken for their debut in the hardcore action RPG genre The community has expressed hopes for deep character customization and a challenging combat system that stays true to soulslike traditions Many fans have analyzed the gameplay trailers frame-by-frame noting the fluid combat animations and apparent weight behind attacks Industry analysts predict The First Berserker: Khazan could be a breakout hit for Nexon in the western market The game’s cross-platform launch strategy (PC and Xbox Series X|S) with day one Game Pass availability is seen as particularly shrewd Gaming journalists who have seen early builds suggest the game may fill a particular niche between accessible action games and more punishing soulslike experiences The combat system appears to blend elements from established franchises while adding unique mechanics tied to the berserker theme Some experts have compared what they’ve seen to other successful action RPGs but note that Khazan’s distinctive art direction helps it stand apart The First Berserker: Khazan comes out soon with several key details now confirmed Players can find answers to the most common questions about the RPG here The First Berserker: Khazan launched worldwide on March 27 The First Berserker: Khazan will be released on PlayStation 5 The game has been designed to take advantage of current-generation hardware capabilities No versions for previous generation consoles like PlayStation 4 or Xbox One have been announced While the search results don’t specify an exact price The First Berserker: Khazan is expected to follow standard pricing for new AAA action RPG titles More specific pricing information should become available through official channels closer to the release date or through pre-order listings The current information doesn’t specifically address physical editions of The First Berserker: Khazan Digital distribution has been confirmed across all platforms Players interested in physical copies should watch for announcements from Nexon or check with retailers that offer pre-orders a playable demo for The First Berserker: Khazan will be available on January 6 This will give players a chance to experience the game almost three months before the full release The demo will likely showcase core gameplay mechanics and provide a taste of the action RPG experience The First Berserker: Khazan is described as a hardcore action role-playing game where players become Khazan While the game structure hasn’t been explicitly described as open-world in the available information it’s positioned as a full-fledged action RPG More details about the game world design should emerge closer to release where you can explore a wide range of articles and news covering the latest in technology and entertainment Our content spans from current trends to future developments Feel free to navigate through our categories or use the search function to find information on any topic of interest This site participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com Accessibility | Privacy | Terms | Articles | Sitemap | Contact including the very Skyrim-esque Dragonknight Set which most certainly lives up to its dragon-focused name But getting the ability to craft this armor requires you to first find the Dragonknight’s Scroll which isn’t available until the back half of the game we’ll fill you in on what to know about the Dragonknight Set and where to find the Dragonknight’s Scroll but its increase to your Fire Resistance and rapid Spirit accumulation can make it a solid choice for dealing with areas where Flame and Burn can be an issue Proceed through the mission until you reach the Path of the Fallen Blade Nexus you should spot a door nearby that you can open into a room with one of the game’s most dangerous foes Screenshot: Neople / Billy Givens / KotakuAdvertisementThe Soulbound Knight not only has a lot of health but can also heal his health and stamina when landing hits on you You’ll need to master dodging or using break guards on his attacks to overcome the challenge Take this back to the blacksmith at the Crevice to be able to craft the Dragonknight Set so you can look like a total badass The First Berserker: Khazan delights with its heavy-hitting combat and unusual approach to character progression In terms of story, you play as the eponymous Khazan. Once a legendary general famed for saving the empire from the fearsome Berserk Dragon, he's falsely branded a traitor at the game's outset. After being mercilessly tortured--with the tendons in both of his arms severed--and exiled to a mountainous, snowy tundra, our hero manages to escape and forms an unlikely alliance with a mysterious entity known as Blade Phantom, who grants Khazan otherworldly powers in his quest for revenge. ESCLog in to comment "data-img-src" : imgSrc } = buylink %> />><%= itemTitle %> Sega Corporation released a collaboration illustration featuring a two-shot of Natsu from "FAIRY TAIL" and Khazan from "The First Berserker: Khazan," created by manga artist Hiro Mashima to commemorate the launch of "The First Berserker: Khazan" on Friday PR TIMES you need to connect to the internet and update to the latest version to access languages other than Korean and English 『The First Berseker: #Khazan』キャラクター紹介トレーラー公開記念キャンペーン！ 応募方法?①当アカウントをフォローの上②キャンペーン投稿をリポスト?抽選で1名様に辛ラーメン焼きそば365袋プレゼント?〆切:4/18(金)23:59まで応募規約： https://t.co/oDUCDSLvY5 pic.twitter.com/a3fLfJmG2x — セガ公式アカウント? (@SEGA_OFFICIAL) April 10, 2025 To commemorate the release of the character trailer a campaign was held offering the chance to win a year's supply of "Shin Ramyun Stir Fry," a popular Korean ramen from where "The First Berserker: Khazan" was developed For details on the trailer and campaign, please check the "The First Berserker: Khazan" special website