Anime Souls or Brutal Betrayal?
I first remember seeing the subject of today’s review in an Xbox showcase back in 2024, immediately intrigued by the look and promise shown off in the trailer.
What I didn’t know at the time though is that The First Berserker: Khazan from Neople and Nexon Korea Corporation is actually part of another game’s wider universe, that of Dungeon Fighter Online; Nexon’s flagship title.
I’ve not previously taken that universe in, I hasten to add, but after the experiences I’ve had playing The First Berserker: Khazan, I may well have to look it up! So, come with me to a world of Souls style combat as we take in what is on offer.
Intriguing Origins and Striking Presentation
If we take the presentation first, the news is excellent.
Best described as almost “Anime Souls”, The First Berserker: Khazan features a striking cel shaded look, and while the world is 3D, it has a wonderful hand drawn vibe to it. The design of Khazan, his friends and enemies is all top notch, and some of the bosses are nothing short of both very large and very scary indeed. The animation of the enemies is also extremely well done whilst the fighting moves of Khazan, especially once you’ve leveled him up a bit, looks absolutely breathtaking.
Further, the various environments that we find ourselves exploring, while all discrete levels (no open world shenanigans here) all look good, the maps coming in at a decent size, ripe for exploration with shortcuts to discover, and secrets to find.
The sound is also very good, with fully voiced cutscenes being well acted and believable, helping to bring the characters to life. The battle sounds are equally as on point, with the clangs of swords clashing all being present and correct. All in all, I have been impressed by the presentation of the game, enjoying watching the game in motion. It’s certainly easier doing that than surviving, that’s for damn sure!
Khazan’s Compelling Narrative
But why are we running around picking a fight with anything that looks at us funny, I hear you ask?
Well, it turns out that Khazan was the Emperor’s most trusted general, and after defeating the Dragon King Hismer, he was betrayed by the nobles of the court. They convinced the Emperor that Khazan was a traitor, and his best friend with him. While his mate was executed, Khazan had the tendons in his arms cut, sentenced to exile. Into this sorry tale comes a spirit who tries to take over Khazan, and the rest is a story of revenge and ultra violence.
You’ll not get any more of the narrative passing through my typing fingers for fear of spoilers, but suffice it to say that the story is strong enough to draw us in and keep us trying to advance. With the emphasis on ‘trying’!
Parry and Punish
While The First Berserker: Khazan feels Souls-like, the actual gameplay is much closer to Wo Long or Sekiro in style.
Let me explain. The Wo Long reference is in relation to the parry based gameplay – you really need to get used to blocking at the right time (called a Brink guard in this game) as this will not only stop you getting hurt, but it will also reduce your enemy’s poise. Once their poise has been broken, they are left wide open to a brutal attack (again, the game’s phrase, not mine, although they certainly do make you wince) and you don’t need me to tell you that they will easily dish out a lot of damage.
The longer boss battles revolve around this mechanic, and that means learning attack patterns is absolutely vital, so the rhythm of blocking attacks needs to become second nature. Of course, what is good for the goose is good for the gander, and if you exhaust your stamina by attacking and then try to block, the enemies can then turn the tables on you. Keep an eye on your stamina at all times.
There is a whole host of customisation built into The First Berserker: Khazan, allowing you to experiment. There is not only more armour than you can shake a stick at, with every piece interchangeable, but also sets of armour that can be equipped. Each piece of a set that you equip brings a bonus with it, and there can be up to five bonuses, such as increased damage or better stamina recovery that can be stacked up. It is worth considering not only the damage reduction of the armour piece you are looking at, but how they interact with each other as well.
The weapons fall into three categories. There is the one we start out with, a dual wielding pair of sword and axe, and these are very much a close up, in-your-face style of weapon. There is also a great sword category, which does what it says on the tin: think of Cloud’s Buster sword in Final Fantasy VII and you won’t be far off. These are a very slow weapon, but anything you manage to hit will stay hit. Finally, my favourite is the spear; a fast and slightly longer range weapon than the other two. It makes up for its overall brilliance by dealing slightly less damage than the other two.
Each weapon class also has its own skill tree, where you can get new attacks and power ups. With these choices and the armour, making Khazan your own is pretty easy.
Khazan’s Unique Summoning System
There is no multiplayer in The First Berserker: Khazan, but you don’t have to face the bosses alone: it is possible to summon spirits to assist in the boss fights. In order to summon a friendly spirit, you need a particular item and this can only be obtained by summoning unfriendly phantoms (which are dotted around the levels, in easy to spot red icons floating over the landscape). This system really keeps you on your toes, as making sure you have an adequate supply of the items is vital, as they can also be used to make your summoned spirit stronger. Basically, fight as much as you can!
A Stupendous Souls-Like Triumph
The First Berserker: Khazan is a stupendous game. The combat is fast, flowing and very smooth, and while it is undeniably hard, it never feels unfair. Even the camera, which is traditionally a weak point with these affairs, is rock solid and helpful.
All in all, this is one of those games that demands to be played and while you may be left with bleeding fingers, the feeling you get as you finally take a boss down on the 28th attempt is nothing short of amazing.
Your Links
Unleash the Fury as The First Berserker: Khazan Lands on Xbox, PlayStation and PC – https://www.thexboxhub.com/unleash-the-fury-as-the-first-berserker-khazan-lands-on-xbox-playstation-and-pc/
Buy The First Berserker: Khazan on Xbox – https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/the-first-berserker-khazan-standard-edition/9NH8P6S460LD/0017
Or maybe go Deluxe? – https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/the-first-berserker-khazan-deluxe-edition/9PFFF6HD7VVK/0010
