Introduction

Yo what up gamers Leo here your local LA game guru droppin some knowledge on a new joint that just hit the streets. Ive been clockin in hours on this one and I gotta tell ya its somethin else. Get ready to dive into The First Berserker Khazan

This New Game is Totally Fire

Listen up cause this aint your average walk in the park. The First Berserker Khazan is a hardcore actionRPG. Its set in the Dungeon Fighter Online universe so if youre down with that world youre already in the know.

But even if youre a newbie like some of my homies this game brings the heat. Its a Soulslike experience through and through. That means tough battles thatll test your skills for sure.

Now Ive seen a grip of games try to bite FromSoftwares style you know those super challenging games like Elden Ring and Sekiro. But Khazan?

This one stands out. Its got this animeinspired art style thats straightup dope. But dont get it twisted under that fresh look its a familiar Soulslike grind.

Expect intense fights where you gotta bring your Agame. Trust me Ive tackled my fair share of gnarly bosses and this one brings the pain in a good way though.

Pick Your Poison The Weapons

When you jump into Khazan you get to choose your weapon. There are three main types each with its own flavor. Youve got heavy weapons that hit like a truck.

Then there are faster dualwield weapons for when you wanna get all up in your enemys face. And each weapon has its own skill tree. This lets you unlock special attacks and snag helpful bonuses.

The cool thing is the game throws skill points at you often enough. So you wont feel stuck with a weapon youre not vibin with. You can experiment and find what clicks for your playstyle.

Personally Im a big fan of those greatswords in Soulslikes they just feel right you know? But I definitely switched to the dualwield now and then for a change of pace.

As a seasoned gamer I appreciate the flexibility to adapt my approach.

Parry Like a Pro The Combat Vibe

The combat in Khazan? Its got this Sekiro feel to it big time. Parrying attacks is super important. Enemies have these stamina bars. You gotta parry and strike to drain em.

When their stamina is gone theyre wide open for a devastating blow. Some skills even let you deal damage with your parries. Talk about satisfying

The parrying window feels pretty generous in this game. So even if youre not usually the parry king you might dig it.

Trust me Ive fumbled my fair share of parries in other games but Khazan gives you a decent chance. It makes those tough fights a little more manageable and when you nail a perfect parry it feels so damn good.

This parry focus adds a unique flavor to the Soulslike formula setting it apart from just dodging all day.

Borrowing Ideas But Makin It Their Own

Okay so Khazan definitely took some notes from the FromSoftware playbook. Theres a poison swamp you know how it is.

And theres even a boss that feels heavily inspired by one of those memorable Elden Ring baddies. Yeah sometimes it can feel a little derivative. But honestly? Its not necessarily a bad thing.

Think of it this way FromSoftware nailed this formula. Khazan is basically saying If it aint broke dont fix it. And they deliver a polished and exciting Soulslike experience.

All the classic elements are there. You risk losing your XP if you die and dont make it back to your body. The level design has shortcuts that make exploring easier.

There are Blade Nexuses basically bonfires that respawn enemies but let you refill your Netherworld Energy (thats their version of the Estus Flask).

And of course there are a ton of superdifficult bosses ready to mess you up. As someone whos been through the Soulslike wringer I can appreciate when a game nails these core mechanics.

Difficulty Levels? Dont Get It Twisted

Heres a surprise Khazan actually has difficulty options. You can pick between Normal mode and Easy mode. Now in true Soulslike fashion Normal is BRUTAL.

And Easy while more accessible is still no joke. I even tested both being the dedicated gamer I am.

And as someone whos 100% completed multiple FromSoftware games Im tellin you Khazans Easy mode can still feel tougher than some of those games. Some bosses are just straightup roadblocks.

So if youre thinkin Easy mode will be a chill stroll think again. It doesnt really make the Soulslike experience all that much easier for folks who arent into the extreme challenge.

Even on Easy you gotta learn the ropes and git gud as they say. This shows that Khazan stays true to its hardcore roots even with the inclusion of an easier option.

Finding the Sweet Spot Balance in the Chaos

Compared to some other Soulslikes out there Khazan does a solid job of finding balance. Yeah some bosses are crazy hard. But theyre all beatable.

You just gotta learn their attack patterns and master when to dodge parry and strike. Its not all insane difficulty all the time though. Some fights are relatively easy.

But there are definitely battles that will push even the most seasoned Soulslike veterans to their limits. And when you finally conquer those tough bosses?

That feeling of accomplishment is seriously addictive. For me this balance keeps the game engaging without feeling unfair all the time.

Tools of the Trade Gearing Up for Success

The good news is Khazan gives you plenty of ways to upgrade your character. Theres a rewarding loot system.

Youre constantly finding better gear and taking down tougher enemies gives you even sweeter rewards. You can also find limiteduse healing items for those moments when your Netherworld Energy runs dry.

You can upgrade your summon put points into your skill tree and improve your stats directly.

One clever thing the game does is give you some XP even if you lose a boss fight. So even when youre gettin your butt kicked youre still making progress towards getting stronger.

This helps keep the frustration levels down and motivates you to keep tryin. As a player I appreciate these systems that provide a sense of progression even when facing tough challenges.

Side Quests Extra Loot Same Old Hood

Khazan also has side quests that can give you an edge. Some of these quests reward you with significant gamechanging stuff like access to a blacksmith.

Others let you fight powerful enemies and earn XP. But heres the sketch part most of the side quests are just remixes of areas youve already explored in the main story.

They even recycle bosses just with a few tweaks to make them a little harder. Still theyre worth doin for the loot and the benefits you unlock for The Crevice which is Khazans hub world.

But yeah some more variety in the side content wouldve been nice. Ive definitely seen this kind of repetition in other games and it can feel a bit lazy.

The Crevice Your Home Away From the Fight

The Crevice is the hub area you visit between the main levels. You can get there from any of the Blade Nexuses which are like the bonfires in Dark Souls. When you first arrive The Crevice is pretty bare. But as you progress through the story and do side quests new features get added.

This includes the blacksmith where you can craft rare armor break down old gear for materials and make consumables. Theres also a merchant who sells helpful items. And an NPC who lets you augment your weapons and armor so you can boost your favorite gear.

It wouldve been cool to warp directly between Blade Nexuses but visiting The Crevice is still important.

The NPCs you collect there are key characters from the world and they sometimes have interesting lore to share. So its worth chitchattin with them now and then.

These hub areas are crucial in Soulslikes providing a moment of respite and a place to prepare for the next onslaught.

Story Time? Maybe Not So Much

Now if youre lookin for a super deep story like in FromSoftware games or even just a traditionally exciting one you might be a little disappointed with Khazan.

The setup is that General Khazan gets captured and almost dies but then a powerful ghost possesses him and gives him powers but with its own agenda.

The characters arent super fleshedout or interesting. And while there are some visually cool cutscenes Khazans story doesnt really grab you.

Hardcore Dungeon Fighter Online fans might feel differently though. Plus a lot of the cutscenes are more like motion comics than fully animated which feels kinda cheap.

For me a compelling narrative can really elevate a game and Khazan seems to fall a bit short in this department.

Looks Can Thrill The Visuals

Its a bummer that some scenes get the motion comic treatment because Khazans unique art style is seriously eyecatching.

It mixes an animeinspired look for the characters with dark more realistic environments. This creates a cool contrast that makes the game a treat to look at.

And the action is super smooth. While the character designs might be a bit generic anime the bosses and enemies look pretty creative and pop against the backgrounds. Visually Khazan definitely has its own vibe going on.

Some Fresh Ideas in the Mix

While a lot of Khazans game design feels generic it does have some interesting twists. The summoning system is particularly cool. You can fight against phantoms to earn currency.

This currency lets you summon phantoms to fight alongside you during boss battles or upgrade your phantoms to make them more effective.

These summons can be a huge help in those tough fights. Just gotta make sure the bosses stay focused on you or your phantom buddies will go down quick. This summoning mechanic adds a strategic layer to the boss encounters.

The Final Verdict Worth the Ride?

The First Berserker Khazan might not be the most original game out there. But it delivers an exciting and rewarding Soulslike experience.

The combat feels weighty and the bosses are definitely challenging. If youre a fan of the genre you should definitely check this one out.

But if youre turned off by the high difficulty in Soulslikes and hopin Easy mode would be your ticket in maybe try the demo first.

Released on March 27 2025 for PC PS5 and Xbox Series X The First Berserker Khazan brings the heat with its intense battles and unique style. So there you have it my take on this new banger.

If youre lookin for a tough but fair challenge with a fresh anime look Khazan might just be your next obsession. Peace out and happy gaming

About Author  Yo Im leo a gamer enthusiast based in the heart of Los Angeles. With a passion for reviewing killer games Ive got a couple of years under my belt bringing visions to life with style and flair.. Catch me chillin at 3215 Overland Ave Los Angeles California(CA) 90034.

Resource

https://www.metacritic.com/game/the-first-berserker-khazan/

https://gamerant.com/first-berserker-khazan-review/

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