The First Berserker: Khazan Review – A Deep Dive into a Familiar Yet Exhilarating Soulslike Experience

The landscape of action role-playing games (ARPGs) has been profoundly reshaped by the enduring legacy of FromSoftware’s Souls series. What once felt like a niche, albeit highly influential, subgenre has blossomed into a full-fledged phenomenon, with developers worldwide embracing and adapting its challenging combat, intricate world-building, and rewarding progression. In this increasingly crowded arena, new titles must offer something truly compelling to capture player attention. The First Berserker: Khazan, the latest offering from Gaming News, steps onto this stage, and while it may not reinvent the wheel, it certainly polishes it to a dazzling sheen, delivering an experience that is both remarkably familiar and intensely satisfying.

Our journey into the world of The First Berserker: Khazan reveals a game that confidently borrows from the titans of the soulslike genre, particularly drawing inspiration from the rhythmic precision of Nioh and the aggressive defensive mastery of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. While this approach might initially raise concerns about a lack of originality, the execution is so masterful, so finely tuned, that it transcends mere imitation. Instead, it crafts a potent cocktail of combat mechanics that feels fresh and exhilarating, proving that sometimes, the most compelling innovations lie in the artful refinement of established principles.

Unveiling the Core Mechanics: A Synthesis of Soulslike Excellence

At its heart, The First Berserker: Khazan is a game that understands the fundamental appeal of the soulslike experience: the dance of death, the meticulous learning of enemy patterns, and the ultimate triumph born from overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds. The combat system is the undeniable star of the show, a complex yet intuitive framework that rewards patience, precision, and strategic aggression.

Mastering the Flow: The Nioh Influence on Combat

The echoes of Nioh are most apparent in Khazan’s intricate combat system. Players will find themselves engaging with a robust selection of weaponry, each offering a distinct moveset, attack speed, and strategic application. From the swift, graceful arcs of a katana to the devastating cleave of a colossal axe, the variety ensures that players can tailor their approach to suit their playstyle and the challenges presented.

What truly elevates this system is the emphasis on stamina management. Every dodge, every block, and every attack consumes precious stamina, forcing players to think critically about their actions. Overextending oneself can lead to a swift and brutal demise, a core tenet of the soulslike genre that Khazan embraces wholeheartedly. This dynamic interplay of offense and defense, where timing is paramount, creates a captivating rhythm that keeps players on the edge of their seats.

Furthermore, the game incorporates a stance system, reminiscent of Nioh’s Sacred Water and Combat Arts. Players can fluidly switch between different combat stances, each offering unique benefits and attack properties. Mastering these stances, understanding when to adopt an offensive posture for rapid strikes and when to shift to a defensive stance for superior blocking capabilities, is crucial for survival. This adds a significant layer of depth, transforming combat from a simple button-mashing exercise into a strategic ballet. The sheer variety of weapon types, combined with the stance system, provides an impressive amount of replayability and allows for a truly personalized combat experience. Each weapon feels distinct, with its own weight, impact, and visual flair, contributing to the overall immersion.

The Art of Retaliation: Sekiro’s Parry System Reimagined

While Nioh’s influence is undeniable, The First Berserker: Khazan also masterfully integrates a Sekiro-esque parry system. This is not merely a defensive maneuver; it is an offensive opportunity. Perfectly timing a block to deflect an incoming attack not only negates damage but also builds up the enemy’s posture or stagger gauge. Once this gauge is filled, the enemy is left vulnerable to a devastating riposte or critical hit, capable of dealing massive damage and often turning the tide of a difficult encounter.

This emphasis on deflective offense encourages an aggressive, proactive defensive playstyle. Instead of simply dodging away from danger, players are incentivized to meet attacks head-on, to read enemy tells, and to execute precise parries. The visual and auditory feedback for a successful parry is incredibly satisfying, providing a tangible reward for mastering the timing. This system adds a thrilling element of risk and reward, where a mistimed parry can be fatal, but a perfectly executed one can lead to a glorious victory. The animation polish on these parries is exceptional, making each successful deflection feel impactful and earned. The game’s commitment to this mechanic means that even the most formidable bosses can be overcome through sheer skill and timing, fostering a deep sense of player agency.

World and Narrative: A Setting Forged in Shadow and Resilience

Beyond its exceptional combat, The First Berserker: Khazan invites players into a world steeped in a dark fantasy aesthetic, a realm scarred by conflict and populated by formidable adversaries. While the narrative might not be the primary draw for all soulslike enthusiasts, Khazan offers a compelling backdrop that enriches the gameplay experience.

The Ruined Realm of Khazan: Lore and Atmosphere

The game plunges players into the desolate lands of Khazan, a kingdom brought low by a catastrophic event, leaving behind a fractured society and a populace struggling to survive. The environmental storytelling is particularly strong, with meticulously crafted levels that speak volumes about the kingdom’s tragic past. Crumbling architecture, forgotten relics, and the lingering presence of defeated foes all contribute to a palpable sense of history and decay.

The narrative, while often delivered through cryptic item descriptions and sparse environmental cues, focuses on the journey of Khazan, a formidable warrior tasked with confronting the forces that have ravaged his homeland. The personal stakes of his quest, intertwined with the fate of the realm, provide a driving force for progression. Players will uncover fragments of lore that piece together the kingdom’s downfall, adding depth and context to their relentless struggle. The character design of the enemies is varied and often grotesque, hinting at the corruption that has seeped into the land. Each new area feels distinct, with its own thematic elements and environmental hazards, further enhancing the sense of exploration and discovery.

The Art of Exploration: Navigating Dangerous Terrrains

Exploration in The First Berserker: Khazan is a perilous but rewarding endeavor. The interconnected level design, a hallmark of the genre, means that players will often find themselves retracing their steps, discovering new pathways, shortcuts, and hidden secrets. This non-linear approach to progression encourages thorough exploration and rewards those who venture off the beaten path.

The game’s world is filled with challenging platforming sections, environmental hazards, and, of course, countless enemies guarding valuable resources and hidden lore. Finding a new bonfire-like checkpoint after a grueling trek through a treacherous dungeon provides a profound sense of relief and accomplishment. The sheer density of secrets and optional challenges ensures that players who invest time in thoroughly exploring the world will be richly rewarded with powerful gear, valuable consumables, and crucial lore insights. The meticulous attention to detail in the level design creates a world that feels lived-in and consequential.

Progression and Customization: Forging Your Own Path to Power

A cornerstone of any successful ARPG is a robust progression system that allows players to tailor their character to their preferred playstyle. The First Berserker: Khazan excels in this regard, offering a deep and satisfying system for character growth and equipment customization.

The Path of the Berserker: Skill Trees and Character Builds

As players defeat enemies and overcome challenges, they will earn experience points and resources. These can be invested in various skill trees, allowing for specialization in different combat styles, attribute enhancements, or the unlocking of new passive abilities and active combat arts. Whether you prefer to be a swift, agile duelist, a heavily armored tank, or a master of ranged combat, Khazan provides the tools to build your ideal character.

The synergy between different skills and attributes is crucial, and experimentation is highly encouraged. Discovering potent builds that complement specific weapon types or combat strategies is a significant part of the game’s long-term appeal. The sheer number of potential character builds ensures that replayability remains high, as players can tackle subsequent playthroughs with entirely different character archetypes. The game also features a class system that provides an initial specialization, but the open nature of the skill trees allows for significant deviation and personalization.

Armaments of War: Weapon and Armor Upgrades

Complementing the character progression is a deep equipment customization system. Players can find, purchase, or craft a vast array of weapons and armor, each with its own stats, unique properties, and visual design. These items can be further enhanced through an upgrade system, requiring specific materials found throughout the world.

The ability to infuse weapons with elemental properties or to socket armor with potent runes adds another layer of strategic depth. This allows players to fine-tune their equipment to exploit enemy weaknesses or to shore up their own defensive vulnerabilities. The sheer variety of gear available, combined with the extensive upgrade paths, means that players can constantly strive to optimize their loadout, ensuring that their character is always growing in power and resilience. The visual impact of different armor sets is also noteworthy, allowing for a truly personalized aesthetic.

Boss Encounters: The Ultimate Tests of Skill and Resolve

No soulslike would be complete without its challenging boss encounters, and The First Berserker: Khazan delivers in spades. These epic confrontations are the crucible in which player skill is truly forged, demanding mastery of the game’s core mechanics.

Monstrous Foes and Strategic Duels

The boss design in Khazan is a testament to the developers’ understanding of the genre. Each boss is a unique entity with its own distinct attack patterns, weaknesses, and phases. Learning these patterns, identifying openings, and executing the correct counter-strategies is paramount. Some bosses might be susceptible to aggressive parrying, while others require a more patient, hit-and-run approach.

The sheer scale and visual spectacle of these encounters are awe-inspiring. Facing a colossal demon or a lightning-fast warrior, with the fate of your current playthrough hanging in the balance, creates an unparalleled sense of tension and excitement. The satisfaction of finally conquering a boss that has repeatedly bested you is one of the most profound rewards the genre offers, and The First Berserker: Khazan provides these moments in abundance. The AI for these bosses is sophisticated, often employing feints and unpredictable attack sequences to keep players guessing.

The Importance of Preparation: Gear and Strategy

Success against these formidable foes often hinges on meticulous preparation. Ensuring your character is adequately leveled, your equipment is upgraded, and you have the right consumables equipped can make the difference between victory and defeat. Experimenting with different weapon types, stances, and even invoking allies (if the game features such mechanics, which is common in the genre) can provide a crucial advantage. The game often presents optional mini-bosses that serve as excellent training grounds for upcoming major encounters, allowing players to refine their strategies in a lower-stakes environment.

Our Verdict: A Resounding Success in the Soulslike Pantheon

In conclusion, The First Berserker: Khazan is a remarkable achievement. While it may not be the most original title to grace the soulslike genre, its masterful execution of established mechanics, its deep combat system, and its atmospheric world-building make it a standout experience. The developers at Gaming News have crafted a game that is both a loving homage to the titans that inspired it and a compelling adventure in its own right.

The fusion of Nioh’s intricate combat with Sekiro’s aggressive parry system creates a gameplay loop that is endlessly engaging and deeply rewarding. The sheer amount of content, from the challenging combat to the extensive progression and customization options, ensures that players will find themselves immersed in the world of Khazan for hours on end. For fans of challenging ARPGs, The First Berserker: Khazan is an absolute must-play. It delivers the punishing difficulty and the profound sense of accomplishment that the genre is known for, all wrapped in a package of exceptional polish and engaging design. We can confidently say that The First Berserker: Khazan has earned its place among the best soulslike titles available today. It’s a testament to the power of refinement and a thrilling addition to an already beloved genre. The developers have clearly poured their passion and expertise into every aspect of this game, and it shows. From the satisfying thud of a perfectly timed parry to the triumphant roar after defeating a seemingly insurmountable boss, The First Berserker: Khazan consistently delivers moments of pure gaming bliss.