When I first booted up The First Berserker: Khazan and was greeted by its incredibly dramatic title screen, I suspected I was in for something special. Fortunately, I’m happy to report that Khazan is a special game that stands out as one of the best Soulslikes on the market.
While taking inspiration from games such as Sekiro and Nioh, this title still manages to carve out its own identity. Outside of the basic gameplay structure, Khazan is somewhat reminiscent of the hack-n-slash adventures from the good, old PS2 days. So, here’s why you should give this new action RPG a chance.
Betrayed by the Empire
The First Berserker: Khazan wastes no time in setting the tone one can expect for the adventure ahead. Players take control of the titular character after being accused of treasonous actions against the Pell Los Empire. He’s in a rough state after having the tendons in his arms severed as punishment.
However, the Great General Khazan gains a second chance at life after a spirit decides that he would make for a good host. With this newfound power, the grim journey begins. It’s a gripping introduction that engages with its dark atmosphere and sense of mystery. This is a more conventional narrative for this style of game, but it works in its favor.
Khazan also leaves a strong initial impression with its unique art direction. Unlike many Souslikes, Khazan aims for a considerably more stylized look that manages to retain the gritty feel many of these types of games are known for. Combined with some epic music and awesome sound design, the presentation is superb.
The First Berserker: Khazan Is All About Combat
At its core, Khazan is an action game. This means that the game’s combat mechanics take priority above all else. That’s not to say that the other aspects of the game are bad, but it’s worth noting what you are getting into here. I’ll say this right now, if you’re looking for intricate levels similar to the best environments found in the mainline Souls titles, you won’t find them here.
However, if you love a good combat system, you will have a blast with Khazan. Initially, the game presents simple mechanics that are easy to understand for anyone familiar with the genre. As one progresses, however, the complexity begins to reveal itself. As such, The First Berserker: Khazan goes well beyond the basic dodge roll and parry routine.
It’s a combat system with lots of risk and reward. The more confident you are in your skills, the more damage you will be able to output. However, even one mistake can severely punish the player. Thankfully, the controls are incredibly responsive and the game’s animations effectively communicate the necessary information to win.
Quality Over Quantity
Khazan presents the player with three different types of weapons to use. This may not sound like much, but there is a ton of depth here. Each weapon type contains several skill trees with a lot to learn.
I took an instant liking to the Greatsword, so it became my weapon type of choice for the rest of my playthrough. As I became more familiar with the weapon and discovered new techniques, I felt my progress not just through stats, but my own skill. Considering this, the combat mechanics wonderfully balance resource management and technical skill.
To play Khazan the most efficiently, being aware of all your options is key. From perfect parries to perfect dodges, there’s plenty to keep track of, and it can be easy to forget. Using every tool at your disposal will give you an edge in battle and the game will handsomely reward that skill.
While it’s possible to reset your skill trees, it’s advisable to stick to a single weapon type throughout one playthrough. Not only does this add some fantastic replayability, but it also allows one to learn more effectively.
Gear, Lots and Lots of Gear
The First Berserker: Khazan may only feature three weapon types, but the amount of loot can be somewhat overwhelming. What you will equip will largely depend on your playstyle and whether or not you compensate for the weaknesses of your character build. If you have played Nioh or Wo Long, this style of loot system will likely feel familiar.
Each piece of equipment has basic stats such as defense and attack values, but there’s more to consider. Depending on the grade of your equipment, it may carry several attributes that will give little bonuses. The weight of equipment also matters, and certain builds can wear heavy equipment while still being agile.
Additionally, specific gear sets have effects that can help with certain builds or scenarios. By equipping more of a specific gear set, you will be able to take better advantage of that set’s effects. While it is possible to mix up your gear, it’s worth considering sticking to a single set.
Fortunately, the player doesn’t have to run around looking for a complete gear set. By obtaining certain scrolls, the blacksmith can craft entire sets for you. It’s a nice feature to have and it removes some tedium from managing all this gear.
The Killer Boss Encounters of The First Berserker: Khazan
A good hardcore action RPG needs some fantastic bosses, and Khazan isn’t short on them. Every fight is a test of the player’s abilities, with the potential to be the cause of many deaths. Be prepared to attempt these fights an embarrassing number of times, unless you’re playing on the easy difficulty.
What’s even more impressive is both the variety of bosses and consistency of quality here. Despite the differences in how they test the player, almost every encounter is engaging and dynamic. Of course, you will still need to study the move sets of bosses, but there are plenty of opportunities to dish out some serious damage.
Khazan rewards the player for thinking creatively. Of course, playing safely is usually feasible, but there’s often more than one solution to a problem. The perfect parry, known as the ‘Brink Guard’, won’t always protect you from damage, so what do you do then?
You can always take a bit of the damage if you want, but throwing in some dodges, counterattacks, and good positioning into the mix will go a long way in optimizing fights. If you aren’t sure something will work, don’t be afraid to experiment!
Quantity Over Quality
Reflecting on my time with the game, the only thing holding Khazan back is its bloat. The game would only benefit from being a leaner experience. There’s a lot of content here, but that content tends to drag out, especially later on.
As Khazan opts for a mission-based structure instead of a more interconnected approach, there would be a perfect opportunity here to trim down the fat. Instead, these missions are huge and the level design itself is a very mixed bag. Occasionally, there are some interesting ideas at play, especially in areas with more verticality.
Sadly though, many of the game’s environments are forgettable, leaving only the memory of running through gray corridors. Even the incredibly linear Lies of P put a lot more love into its locations. It’s a shame because just a little more care here would have catapulted Khazan to even greater heights.
Making matters worse, the player is highly incentivized to complete at least some of Khazan‘s side missions. These are blatantly recycled endeavors that often have the player facing slightly altered versions of previous boss fights. It’s an obvious attempt at increasing the average playtime, and that’s really too bad.
An Easy Recommendation
Despite the odd crash here and there, I experienced very few technical issues throughout my playthrough. The choice to prioritize style over graphical fidelity was a smart one, with the game running smoothly out of the box. Even the Steam Deck appears to run this game quite well.
The First Berserker: Khazan is a truly great hardcore action RPG that fans of the genre owe it to themselves to play. While I did feel some fatigue after fighting many spiders, skeletons, and zombies, I still kept coming back for more. Some fantastic boss fights, a satisfying sense of progression, an intriguing story, and a stellar soundtrack make this an easy recommendation.
The First Berserker: Khazan will be available for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam on March 27. However, those who want to get in on the action earlier can start playing today by purchasing the Deluxe Edition. For more reviews, be sure to keep an eye on Final Weapon!
Disclaimer: Nexon provided Final Weapon with a PC (Steam) copy of The First Berserker: Khazan for review purposes.
