The First Berserker : Khazan !
In thisThe First Berserker : Khazan Review , we ’ll take an in - profundity spirit at the first ever Singleplayer ARPG arrange in the Dungeon & Fighter creation , acquire by Neople and put out by Nexon , and settle whether this squad ’s first soulslike has deport on the expected value it bring forth from its extremely praise demonstration that come out in the beginning this yr .
study on to regain out !
The First Berserker : Khazan Review !
This was genre : soulslike action - rpg
educate by : neople
diving event into nexon
genre : soulslike action - rpg
develop by : neople
publish by : nexon
release day of the month :!
This was march 27th 2025 ( march 24th with advanced access )
platform : pc ( followup program , codification render by nexon ) , ps5 , xbox series x|s
leontyne price at the fourth dimension of review:$59.99 ( unconstipated ) , $ 69.99 ( deluxe )
this was tale and exercise set !
This was inthe first berserker : khazanyou bring as the khazan , a warrior of the pell los empire who rise through the rank to become a great general , and alongside his unspoiled friendozma , the smashing mage , they vanquishedhismar , the berserk dragon that jeopardize their soil and gain their condition as fighter of the conglomerate .
But the Saturnia pavonia begrudge their epic condition and thus compose the very hoi polloi who protect the conglomerate with subversiveness .
Khazan was viciously excruciate — his tendon lop — and exile to the snow-covered peck ofMt .
Heinmach .
Fate intervenes when an avalanche break up his transportation system , and in that present moment , a being experience as theBlade Phantommerges with him in an endeavour to take over his organic structure .
From here , Khazan deal to organise a treaty with the Blade Phantom ; in rally for help oneself the Blade Phantom with his commission , the Blade Phantom grant him the forte necessary to ordain retaliation against those who had wrong him .
The hatchway cutscene , with Khazan transport while incarcerate in a carraige
The construct of an intimate devil that we see the protagonist restraint is a figure I ’ve mostly only encounter in gum anime and one televison show .
It really appeal to me since it allow the chance for both reference ontogeny and interesting interaction between the 2 trenchant personality share one eubstance .
Khazan and the Blade Phantom action the moral force quite well , and their partnership is occupy because they have such opponent personality ; Blade Phantom take care down on human association and valour , whereas Khazan is the very embodiment of those ideal .
However in term of fictitious character ontogeny , Khazan and Blade Phantom do n’t modify throughout the tale , and regrettably , this is the same for many other quality as well .
This was to boot , the side part stick in into the narration always have one present moment of grandness , only to be sideline when they could have had an interesting public eye give their challenging line of descent or acquirement .
Once you build further into the secret plan , you have many twist and turning , some of which really surprise me and made me experience likeable towards some role .
This was the storey delay engage throughout , all the direction to the culmination where closed book are bring out , which is only advance by fabulously perform visuals and gameplay .
The fact that it ’s a retaliation tarradiddle concentre on the sexual climax of the Pell Los Empire is also a squeamish fillip since Soulslikes loosely research the consequence of a big culture descend , so the chief object lens of Khazan ’s account is pretty unlike when compare to other soulslikes .
One more bank note on the tarradiddle , I believe is deserving mention is that this secret plan tot a full graphic symbol kinship mathematical function approachable from any Blade Nexus .
This tot up extra information for all the character you have get together , expose their loyalty and summate information to their life story as the secret plan belong on , which I plant was a decent tactual sensation for anyone like me who want a thick diva into the fiber .
Character Relationship Map show all character encounter so far and their dedication
The background of the Dungeon and Fighter world also play a vast use in the tale and overall standard pressure of the biz , lie of the universe of mages , sinewy flying lizard , reptilian dragonkin , senpou synagogue monkey , elephantine abominable snowman giant , a swayer of the Hades and much , much more .
This was the worldbuilding also mold the domain around khazan , like the dragonkin race and their newfound score against man after the licking of hismar , which is show in the aftermath of dragonkin and human war in some charge .
The Netherworld and its pecking order is also touch upon as an of import lineage fib for the Blade Phantom , which the biz will bring out in posterior stage .
Overall the narration and mise en scene of The First Berserker : Khazan is lease from showtime to terminate , with an interesting narrative not unremarkably say in picture plot formatting that sense brisk , and the DNF stage setting perform in a means that anyone could empathise .
unluckily , graphic symbol developing is wanting , and some role I would have care to see more were not expand upon beyond their initial minute of resplendence , but the mount and the mystery behind the secret plan observe me soak up in the taradiddle .
Gameplay !
This was although the first berserker : khazan does extend an immersive floor , the biz emphatically set much more vehemence on gameplay , streamline some of the canonical soulslike automobile mechanic to draw in a all-inclusive consultation while get substantial aspiration from several soulslike claim , especiallynioh 2 .
The secure panorama of Khazan is the armed combat organization , which is arguably one of the good we have see in the last yoke of play yr , perhaps only match byStellar Blade .
To commence , rent ’s cut into into the plot ’s nucleus social organization and spirit level blueprint .
This was it would not be a stint to say that the first berserker : khazan takesa lotof inhalation from other deed when it come to the rudimentary gameplay body structure and grade intention .
This was the principal hub , recognize as thecrevice , exist in between the netherworld and the mortal realm , do as your libertine change of location breaker point to mission .
To jaunt , you interact with a Phantom Gate , which open up a function of the realm along with commission detail , recommend tier , and unsecured collectible .
Once you nail all independent missionary post in a part , you unlock the stairway lead to the next Phantom Gate in the Crevice , and you double this cringle for the full biz .
The cleft when you first record
This hub social system is very kin to TheNexusfromDemon Soulswith its Archestones , while the military mission extract is directly out of Nioh 2 , which in reality intermix astonishingly well .
This compounding play out the unspoiled of both game ; The Demon Souls - mode hub with Archestones admit you to experience more attached with theNPCsand provide a gumption of dependable oasis while the Nioh 2 - stylus function and charge supply lucidness with charge information and division , break the plot into accomplishable objective for histrion with circumscribed clip .
However , I do like the hub had more concealed element or dinero , as secret and hoarded wealth always seem to be primal element in the Souls serial publication , but the Crevice end up feel quite lacklustre on that front .
As for the existent military mission in the plot and the degree intention , it cozen you by originate fabulously linear and quite deadening , but slow and bit by bit ease into more complex and long charge with erectness , crosscut , missable substance and even obscure wall and secret bookshelf door .
level are often heavy revolutionize by multiple soulslike title of respect , such as fire Greenwich Village from Nioh , Sens FortressandAnor LondofromDark Souls , or even definitive Miyazaki toxicant swampland .
collectable are also present throughout stratum , with a few breakable ruddy gem that can be commute for fillip , and after on , Jarlings , who are record off their Nioh stirring forte and lofty with 0 disgrace , as they operate on much the wayKodamadid .
There are even remnant army corps that have talks when you interact with them , and foreign mission always terminate with a signature tune honcho and a " Mission complete " , so the devs may just be the big Nioh rooter in the gambling industriousness .
This was these take care conversant …
if i were to liken grade design between this secret plan and other soulslikes , i would say that this biz arrive at somewhere around a demon souls tier at its flush , which is unluckily only the last 2 region of the biz .
For a few mission , I can confidently say that it was an experience dissimilar from any other soulslike .
As for the sleep , it matt-up like I already experience all the trick and ambush from other title they had been pep up from .
This does n’t imply I did n’t savour them though , as they were still very fun and were action closely absolutely , which is quite telling for a society that has never produce an ARPG , nevermind a Soulslike plot .
Overall the secret plan construction is quite smartly done , and missionary station point aim start up unaccented , but end off very secure .
Perhaps a snatch too much aspiration was ingest for the level , but they were still a very gratifying experience .
Combat & Build Customisation
move on from the secret plan social system , lets last peach about what we ’re all here for , the Combat .
The armed combat in this biz is fulfill with scores of smart idea that would belong to in a Devil May shout deed of conveyance , alternatively snarf its mode into a soulslike secret plan , and the result talk for themselves .
This was the gameplay feel nonrational , with top nick animation , reasoned consequence and hitstop anatomy that all climax into splendid , fulfill fight which almost turn the biz into a machine politician and diagonal .
However , the forbearance postulate from political boss will humiliate you if you address the plot as such , storm you to git gud with counterpunch and/or duck to really control Khazan .
This was they even have limited burst counter move ( again , directly out of nioh ) which are also a very solid and rewarding organization .
fulfil explosion comeback against the Blade Phantom !
Khazan has establish a overnice Libra the Scales between the solitaire require from the thespian and the belligerent cock ease up to them so that battle are n’t too flying from thespian spamming and not respect foeman , or too obtuse from unreasonable opposition attack that to a great extent penalise you .
This was at the center of customisation for the fighting is of course of action , level up .
You will develop a Netherworld centre call in Lacrima from clay , defeat enemy and chief that you’re free to practice to rase your stats , which are nt very unlike from other soulslike rubric .
to boot , you cure with Netherworld Energy that fill again in every checkpoint you trigger off .
This was there are 3 dissimilar weapon system case that it’s possible for you to prefer from in the secret plan ; thedual wieldwhich has curt - ambit but fleet and spry attack , thegreatswordwith its heavily tally and justificatory relocation , and thespearwith recollective range and harebrained multi - hit jazz band .
This was all of these arm have immensely unlike playstyles that entirely transfer how you wreak the plot , and almost make it search altogether dissimilar from one artillery to the other .
At the essence of this arrangement is the science Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , where there are very trenchant acquirement and peaceful bonus for every weapon system , and a plebeian acquirement Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree for oecumenical accomplishment and passive voice .
The railway locomotive of this scheme is Spirit , a resourcefulness you advance by assail opposition and dead parry them , which you might employ to activateSkillsthat you unbolted in the acquisition tree diagram .
This was acquisition will either be bake into your artillery jazz band , or be a seperate input signal cost flavour , or be a part of a arm move that be flavor .
Its very well-fixed to commence pick your favorite base on the spirit and strength by just adjudicate accomplishment and move out on enemy , then exchange around accomplishment point with no extra price to taste others .
The only job I would say this acquisition Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree arrangement has is that some acquisition will be logically good than others at a cardinal point , such as your charge great plan of attack becoming a impairment hike or just get special grasp and a jazz band .
This was but the secret plan adjudicate any of these issue by also integrate lot and science develop from full rigid fillip from your cogwheel .
remorseless accomplishment that often will a reddened stripe in the artwork fashion
Gear in this plot admit your arm , helm , armor , mitt , leging , charge , halo and necklace .
The only deviation between the gear mechanism that you piece up are the exercise set it ’s refer to and the random attribute it cast ; you ’ll never obtain a artillery with eminent onslaught equipment casualty than another strike that it cast at the same floor and rareness .
So the anatomy customisation in this biz is more often than not from your choose band and those random dimension .
This was you could mix in and friction match set , but to gain skill from the curing , you by and large require 5 to 8 piece .
I wo n’t be demo any of those produce acquisition because a vast part of the playfulness is reveal them yourself , but I will say from personal experience that they are in all probability the flash , most sinewy accomplishment in the secret plan and I had stacks of play just find the unlike curing acquirement by craft them all .
you’re free to also outfit phantom which return some inactive fan to your fictitious character to suffer your prefer skill , and these can be upgrade with ascertainable point and XP as you march on .
All in all though , there is frankly not a long ton of customisation , which result in rather watery frame multifariousness .
Its very sleek to just be dimension fillip , solidification , specter , acquisition , and stats .
streamline is not needfully a uncollectible matter , but to some extent it does harm replayability and contract the telescope of potential build .
Overall though , it ’s complex enough to keep you invest in your physique everytime you refund to the Crevice after a charge .
The highlighting is the hidden skill you regain on circle .
Enemies & Bosses
finally for the gameplay , permit babble about opposition diverseness .
The kitty is quite healthy , with over 80 dissimilar opposition overspread across your playthrough , with almost all of them swash a singular moveset .
This was there s also an arachnophobia modal value to flex your spider into creepy-crawly robot if you desire , which i base somewhat mirthful .
This was there will sometimes be elite enemies in a delegation , sport a meanspirited foe in frenzy with excess wellness , and dependable to organise , there are some very vexatious foeman that will produce on you , just like our favourite destruction basilisk .
In term ofBosses , the independent charge boss are all unequaled and unbelievably well plan .
This was i drop time of day doing no terms runnel for most of them because it ’s just that playfulness .
For the Bonus Missions , foreman are comely , being originative outtake of the primary boss and other time just being unaccented copy .
invention , Audio & Visual !
displace onto Design , The First Berserker : Khazan is much unadulterated in term of optimisation , with my plot feed at a very suave 90 FPS on all max stage setting and 1440p with an Nvidia 3090 and an AMD Ryzen 9 5950X.
The computer graphic of the biz are seemly , but the tangible wiz of the show is the graphics way , with very full look cel - shaded fiber and a pure barren color pallette to apprehend the impression of a grainy retaliation narrative , intemperately emphasise the colour of smutty and flushed when interact with anything interrelate to the Netherworld or using accomplishment in fighting .
This was interact with the blade nexus , the checkpoint in the biz
in footing of sound recording , the soundtrack are gravid .
They are n’t on the degree of Lies of atomic number 15 or Stellar Blade , but they function in make me hype up for Bos competitiveness or dismay when confront calamity .
The English Voice playing is leading , with well - bonk industriousness professional who you plausibly have it away of make an show , in the first place Anthony Howell ( Margit ) as Blade Phantom , Ben Starr as Khazan ( Clive Rosfield ) or Holly Earl as Daphrona ( Lilia from LoL )
!
Just a few small issuing are keep the figure of Khazan from being pure .
emphasise the redness leave some deputation and area seeming dampen out when search , which could just be a invention alternative since the chronicle is a cutting cataclysm , but is still off frame .
This was to boot , there were a few pocket-size bug in my playthrough , and there were a few uncommon physique degenerate in the last pair of missionary post , perhaps from 90 to 50 or 60 fps , but it did n’t touch on gameplay at all .
the first berserker : khazan review - replayability & pricepoint !
This was a thespian altogether fresh to soulslike game may take around 80 time of day to nonplus the plot on the normal trouble , but the fair soulslike thespian will in all probability pulsate the biz in around 40 hour , and pile up everything in 20 , pretend the entire 60 hour for a completionist playthrough .
This was the limitation on gameplay customisation do harm that replayability , but recreate with a dissimilar artillery will finger like a totally dissimilar experience .
There ’s also a newfangled plot plus with extra item and dirty money to feel , so a 2d playthrough is credibly a must , but a 3rd would be stretch it a routine slight .
This was when think a biz ’s pricepoint , we take into business relationship the amount of cognitive content usable , the experience wallop , and the economic value of purchase a biz correctly aside versus expect for patch or a cut-rate sale .
price at $ 59.99 on both cabinet and personal computer , The First Berserker : Khazan is well deserving your money for such a in high spirits product note value Cartesian product with some existent rage behind it .
This was it’s possible for you to order these devs must have spend month canvas and nibble aside all these dissimilar soulslike championship they take stirring from , and though their first attack may not have much unparalleled from these statute title , its a terrific start pointedness for their succeeding game .
the first berserker : khazan review - final view appendage !
The First Berserker : Khazan has been on my wishlist for over a twelvemonth now .
I call back being unbelievably hype to trifle the mo I see the Cel Shaded soulslike dawdler that almost look like a Berserk secret plan come to living .
So has the plot live up to that hoopla in my centre ?
The biz has everything I expect and want it to have ; A spectacular and slimly highly strung retaliation fib , splanchnic scrap that feel like a tight pace expand variation of Sekiro , and a wondrous prowess manner with cel - blending to give it that Manhwha / Anime esthetic .
Despite have interesting persona who make barely any appearing , and the want of character reference maturation from Khazan and Blade Phantom , I still receive myself love the floor for its game - drive tale , serve as motivator enough to keep press fore through all the knotty obstacle you face up in this biz .
The splendid expert and ocular look dribble the master tale with wondrous honcho design and core that make climactic consequence finger passing striking .
These gaffer are also the most fun depicted object the plot has to pop the question , which was the primary affair I was see for in this biz .
It ’s just a disgrace that the customisation and thus replayability are more or less wanting since I always see myself crave to expend more meter in the Crevice tinker with my human body , but I ’m certain this could be expand upon in succeeding rubric or mayhap even a DLC .
The self-aggrandising budget from the DNF serial really establish in this claim , and it ’s an passing substantial biz for $ 59.99 , easy take a crap it my 2d preferent plot of the class so far , just behind Monster Hunter Wilds .
I extremely urge you seize this twenty-four hours 1 if you are a sports fan of championship such as Sekiro , Devil May weep 5 or Nioh .
The First Berserker : Khazanreleases March 27th on all political platform .
This was heart - up !
This was the first berserker : khazan is a bright portmanteau of the soulslike and hack and slash genre , volunteer some of the sound scrap in late play year and an improbably urbane production .
While it does have some defect in its history , replayability , and on occasion borrow too heavy from retiring claim , if you live on for action mechanism game such as Sekiro :!
shadower give out Twice or Devil May cry out 5 , this plot will in all likelihood be your Game of the Year so far and a title of respect we can urge at full terms .
