The First Berserker: Khazan is a new entry in the souls-like genre that delivers heavy-hitting combat along with a unique character progression system. The game embraces the familiar features of the genre, including a checkpoint system reminiscent of bonfires and the risk of losing experience points upon death. Players experience a blend of influences, drawing from games like From Software’s Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and Team Ninja’s Nioh, while also carving out its own identity through a multifaceted gameplay style and a distinctive cel-shaded art aesthetic.
In this tale, players take on the role of Khazan, a falsely accused general who once saved his empire from the fearsome Berserk Dragon. Betrayed and tortured, Khazan escapes to a treacherous snowy landscape, where he forms a pact with the Blade Phantom, gaining supernatural abilities to pursue vengeance.
While the game’s setting in the Dungeon & Fighter universe provides context for fans, newcomers may find the story somewhat lacking. Character development is minimal, and plot twists feel underwhelming, making the narrative serve merely as a structure to frame gameplay. The linear level design, though challenged by a variety of combat encounters, detracts from the sense of exploration typical of the best souls-like experiences. Main missions prove more engaging than optional side missions, which tend to recycle environments with minor variations.
Combat is where The First Berserker truly shines. Players engage in fast-paced battles using a combination of light and heavy attacks, dodging, and blocking, with an emphasis on parrying mechanics. Successfully executing blocks can stagger enemies, leading to heavy damage opportunities. The game features three distinctive weapon types, each with its own skill tree, allowing for a degree of customization in combat styles.
While gear looted from enemies includes random attributes that promote different playstyles, crafting options are also available to create gear that enhances gameplay experience. Players collect experience points that can improve stats and unlock various Phantom allies, providing further avenues for character growth.
The game’s difficulty can be quite punishing, demanding players learn from their mistakes, particularly during boss encounters that test skills acquired throughout their journey. Art direction, striking a balance between realism and stylization, adds an anime-inspired flair to the design of both characters and environments.
Despite its shortcomings in storytelling and level design, The First Berserker: Khazan stands out in the crowded souls-like genre thanks to its satisfying combat mechanics and intricate progression system, delivering an overall exhilarating experience.
