Action RPG

The First Berserker: Khazan Impresses in Crucial Ways Despite its Flaws

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In contrast to a scarcity of Soulslike action games, this genre seems to be thriving and brimming with activity within the gaming industry currently. Besides FromSoftware’s periodic releases, numerous other studios are also contributing their own creations to this genre. The latest addition is “The First Berserker: Khazan,” a Soulslike action RPG spinoff with a revenge theme that takes place in the ongoing “Dungeon and Fighter” universe from Neople and Nexon, which has recently been launched.

As a passionate gamer and an ardent follower of GamingBolt’s reviews, I must admit that The First Berserker isn’t without its flaws. In fact, as our review echoed and many others have pointed out, there are certain aspects that hinder the game’s overall potential. Some of these issues are quite substantial, which is why Neople’s foray into this genre doesn’t quite reach the pinnacle of masterpieces like Lies of P, a game often held in high regard among Soulslike enthusiasts and action gamers alike.

However, it’s important to note that despite these shortcomings, The First Berserker isn’t without its merits. As our review suggested, there are aspects that make it worth exploring for fans of Soulslikes or action games in general. In other words, while it may not be in the same league as some of the greats, it still offers experiences that are worth diving into for those who appreciate these genres.

It’s best to address potential concerns upfront, as there are several points worth discussing and they’re not the type that can be overlooked easily – it would make for an uncomfortable ride to ignore them. One of the notable areas needing attention is its narrative and storytelling. While it might seem unusual to criticize a Soulslike game in this regard, especially considering the genre’s history, it’s important to note that this is a title that aspires to offer a more traditional narrative experience compared to what we’ve seen in the past from games within this genre.

The First Berserker: Khazan

The story revolves around the enigmatic and somber character, Khazan, who serves as our title character. After being severely disfigured, betrayed, and left in disgrace following his service against the Berserk Dragon, Khazan seeks vengeance with the aid of a spectral ally known as the Blade Phantom and his newly acquired supernatural abilities. On paper, this setup promises an entertaining, if somewhat clichéd, revenge action narrative. However, it falls short in every aspect, delivering a generic plot, foreseeable twists, and an underdeveloped protagonist. Despite Ben Starr’s voice acting from Final Fantasy 16 lending some credibility to the character of Khazan, the overall story fails to live up to its potential.

In terms of gameplay, “The First Berserker” struggles with elements like enemy repetition and uninspiring side missions. However, its most significant flaw might be its overly linear design approach, which affects the overall exploration experience. The game follows a hub-based linear layout similar to “Demon’s Souls,” but each location you visit seems somewhat limited for exploration. With few opportunities for exploration and not much else to keep players interested beyond what the game intends them to interact with, “The First Berserker” can feel excessively repetitive and monotonous, as expected, once you delve deeper into the game, and indeed, a sense of repetition does start to emerge.

As an enthusiast, I can’t help but express my delight when The First Berserker: Khazan truly shines. What makes it stand out is its exceptional focus on the aspect that many would agree is most vital in a game like this – the combat. This combat, the challenge, the feeling of progression, and the boss fights are essentially why we flock to Soulslikes, and remarkably, The First Berserker delivers in nearly every one of these areas. It skillfully incorporates elements from various other titles such as Dark Souls, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Nioh, and even Black Myth: Wukong, culminating in a hard-hitting and satisfying action game. The combat is not only tough but also rewarding to master, particularly when facing off against its impressive lineup of boss fights.

In the game, every fundamental aspect of a Soulslike system reminiscent of Sekiro is skillfully incorporated. This includes blocking, dodging, parrying, and mastering perfect blocks and perfect parries. There are also unblockable attacks that can be countered with more challenging, riskier parries. The game uses a stamina and stagger system, where repeatedly successful blocks and parries build up stagger, causing the enemy to momentarily lose their guard, providing an opportunity for you to inflict severe damage and launch aggressive attacks.

In a more relaxed and conversational tone:

Combat systems that rely heavily on quick, aggressive actions can lead to incredibly exciting gameplay when executed well, and The First Berserker: Khazan certainly achieves this. While the narrative may not fully convey the intended themes of anger and vengeance, it excels at infusing its battle mechanics with the very essence of those emotions. As one might expect, the enemy designs play a crucial role in this as well. Even if the gameplay mechanics are flawless, they won’t be enjoyable if the enemies don’t motivate you to actively engage with them. And let me tell you, The First Berserker truly knocks it out of the park when it comes to compelling enemy designs.

Nothing illustrates this point more clearly than its leaders, which we’ve discussed earlier. Each leader challenges you to grasp and excel in various aspects of gameplay and presents a formidable skill test that you won’t be able to pass unless you pay close attention – and, indeed, improve your skills. The well-crafted boss battles are visually striking and, more crucially, offer exceptional fight design, with unique move sets that are fun to decipher and manage, and demanding and diverse challenges that are incredibly rewarding to conquer after a challenging battle.

In my gaming adventure, I was taken aback by how The First Berserker provides a broader path for player advancement than initially apparent. It’s loaded with choices that cater to your unique playstyle. Each of the three main weapon categories offers a distinct feel, making mastery an exciting journey. Furthermore, dedicated skill trees for each weapon type expand your combat possibilities – like focusing on dodges if nailing the parry timing isn’t always my strong suit.

There’s also character attributes to boost, gear to optimize, summonable skills, allies to bring into battle, and more. The First Berserker is no walk in the park (though there’s an easy mode for those seeking a more lenient experience), but its progressive mechanics provide a surprising array of strategies to overcome tough challenges.

In the sea of Soulslike games, finding one that truly stands out can be tricky, as many are exceptional in their own right. However, The First Berserker: Khazan might not be the absolute standout like Lies of P or Nioh, but it offers an intense, quick-moving action experience with remarkable combat, captivating boss encounters, and engaging progression systems. It does have its shortcomings, and they are not trivial, but for fans of the genre, this game is definitely worth exploring.

*Please remember that the opinions expressed in this piece belong solely to the writer. They do not reflect the collective viewpoint or position of GamingBolt as a whole.*

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2025-04-02 04:41

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