A savage yet compelling entry into the genre, The First Berserker: Khazan pushes players to their limits with its relentless boss encounters—but perseverance pays off in spectacular fashion.
A Gauntlet of Pain and Growth
Few games inflict such a brutal toll on the mind and body as The First Berserker: Khazan. Extended play sessions result in aching hands and mental fatigue. Yet through this crucible of pain, it transforms its audience into calculated warriors capable of surviving any torment it throws at them. Though despair looms during the most grueling battles, a strange satisfaction arises from confronting these seemingly insurmountable trials and emerging victorious.
This punishing action RPG is grounded in a timeworn tale of betrayal and vengeance. Once a revered general, Khazan is framed by his own empire, left for dead, and ultimately reanimated by a legion of aggressive spirits known as the Blade Phantom. These spectral forces compel him to execute their mysterious will, while Khazan seeks revenge against those who betrayed him. While the setup blends occult mysticism with political intrigue, the narrative beyond the introduction feels sparse and lacks consistent momentum.
A Structured World with Limited Exploration
Khazan’s vengeful path is split into discrete missions, returning each time to a central hub called The Crevice. This floating stone haven, visually intriguing with its fractured staircases and hovering platforms, serves primarily as a place to manage equipment or initiate side quests. While a few side characters add minor connections to the plot, the hub doesn’t significantly enrich the world or characters. Its primary function is mechanical, not narrative.
Diverse Combat Styles with Deep Customization
Khazan, being a vessel of war, is equipped with three distinct weapon types: the slow but powerful greatsword, a swift stamina-draining spear, and the agile, chaotic dual blades. Each weapon provides a unique playstyle, from deliberate defense to relentless offense. Combat depth is further enhanced by branching skill trees that tailor basic attacks, resource usage, and even unlock new abilities powered by Spirit Points.
By the end of the lengthy 85-hour campaign, Khazan’s combat style can evolve dramatically based on the skills chosen and refined over time. Crafting the ideal loadout becomes a mini-game of its own, encouraging experimentation and adaptation to conquer increasingly intense challenges.
Weapon Switching and Combat Complexity
Though switching weapons on the fly is technically possible, each comes with an intricate set of Spirit attacks and skill optimizations, making such swaps less convenient and more of a full reset in strategy. This complexity discourages quick changes and nudges players toward specializing. Dual blades, for instance, may become the go-to choice simply due to the hassle of reconfiguring everything mid-mission. Fortunately, reallocating skill points is possible, albeit through a slightly tedious process.
Familiar Level Design, Lacking Discovery
Each mission mirrors the expected structure of a Soulslike: linear progression through hostile environments, scarce healing resources, challenging enemy layouts, and the return of familiar rest points—here called Blade Nexuses. Level design efficiently loops back on itself with shortcuts, maintaining tension without overstaying its welcome. However, the lack of secret areas, hidden bosses, or off-path discoveries leaves exploration feeling shallow. The focus remains on linear progression rather than meaningful deviation.
Boss Battles That Redefine the Experience
Every mission culminates in a boss encounter that demands total focus and strategic prowess. Early on, the game introduces antagonists capable of wiping out the unprepared, such as an aggressive soul-infused foe at the end of Mission 2 or a flame-wielding goat demon who turns the battlefield into a fiery deathtrap. Defeating these enemies requires careful adaptation, whether through stat grinding, gear optimization, or even complete strategy overhauls.
These bosses serve as massive difficulty spikes and offer no shortcuts. Where other titles might allow overleveling to brute-force past walls, The First Berserker demands skill development. The unforgiving learning curve initially causes frustration, but eventually these encounters become the game’s defining highlight. Learning attack patterns, mastering dodges and blocks, and experimenting with tactics transforms these battles into deeply satisfying triumphs.
Brutality That Rewards Persistence
The harsh boss fights are not without their own subtle assistance. Two key systems help offset the constant death. First, players are rewarded with Lacrima even if they fail, with partial boss damage converting into usable resources. Second, skill points are earned separately through combat engagement, offering new moves that may turn the tide in the next attempt. These mechanics provide steady, tangible progress even in defeat.
As the story progresses, outfitting Khazan with stronger gear becomes crucial. Weapons, armor, and accessories offer numerous stat boosts—resistances, stamina improvements, and damage mitigation. Set bonuses add even more incentive, often encouraging specific playstyles, such as the aggressive Beastslayer set that amplifies direct attacks and enhances particular skills. These sets add a degree of visual flair and mechanical incentive, even if they don’t fundamentally transform gameplay approaches.
Optional Missions That Deepen the Experience
Following each main mission, side quests unlock through NPCs or tied to previous bosses. These remixed challenges feature new enemies and alternative boss variants. While their primary rewards include crafting materials and upgrades, they also expand the world by revealing more about Khazan’s past and the individuals who inhabit it. This narrative layering adds sorely needed depth and context absent from the core storyline.
New Game+, New Possibilities
Completing the campaign opens up a New Game+ mode, introducing a fresh arsenal of elemental weapons not available in the initial run. These new tools offer potential for playstyle experimentation that would have added value during the first journey. Although their absence in the main playthrough is felt, they offer an exciting reason to return and explore new builds.
Final Verdict
Though daunting at first, The First Berserker: Khazan ultimately earns its place as a standout in the Soulslike genre thanks to its incredible boss design and satisfying combat depth. Its narrative may fall flat, and its structure leans toward the familiar, but those who embrace its unforgiving nature will discover a rewarding loop of challenge and mastery. The first few hours may feel like a brick wall, but with enough time and grit, the game transforms from punishing to exhilarating.
Fans of punishing action RPGs—or those merely curious—will find a worthy trial in Khazan’s blood-soaked campaign. It’s not for everyone, but for those willing to learn and endure, The First Berserker: Khazan delivers one of the most intense and rewarding experiences of the year.