Okay, let's talk about something I've been grinding through for the past week: The First Berserker: Khazan. If you're like me and love punishing action RPGs with deep lore and combat that makes your thumbs ache (in a good way?), you've probably seen the trailers. But trailers lie. Let me tell you what *actually* happens when you boot this thing up.
Right off the bat, it throws you into the boots of Khazan, this legendary warrior from Nexon's Dungeon Fighter Online universe. Now, I'm not some mega DFO lore expert (confession: I played it years ago, mostly just button-mashing), but here's the kicker - you don't *need* to be. The game sets up Khazan's fall from grace pretty effectively. One minute you're the empire's top dog, the next... well, let's just say things go south fast and you wake up powered down and seriously ticked off. That rage? It's not just story fluff. It's the core of the combat.
Getting Your Hands Dirty: Combat That Demands Respect
Listen, if you're expecting a mindless hack-and-slash, close this tab now. The First Berserker: Khazan review needs to hammer this home: the combat is DEEP. It feels like someone took the precision of Sekiro's deflects, mixed in some God of War's weighty axe swings (though Khazan uses a giant sword called the 'Bloodlust'), and then cranked the aggression knob to 11. Your "Berserk Mode"? That's not just a damage boost. It's a lifeline.
The Berserk Gauge: Your Lifeline and Weapon
This little bar under your health? It's everything. Taking damage fills it. Landing hits fills it. Parrying perfectly? Big fill. When it maxes out, you hit 'V' (or your controller equivalent) and boom – Khazan goes absolutely feral. Health regens fast, damage soars, and you feel unstoppable... for a short while. But here's the catch: get hit *while* berserk, and you lose a massive chunk of that gauge. Fail to manage it, and you're back to being a fragile, slow-moving target against enemies that hit like trucks.
I remember this one fight against the Stonefang Goliath (mid-game boss, absolute unit). I kept playing scared, saving my Berserk for "emergencies." Bad move. Got stomped repeatedly. Changed tactics – got aggressive, triggered Berserk early in phase 2, went ham on its legs while my health was rapidly refilling *during* the assault. Took it down. Felt amazing. That's the Khazan loop: calculated aggression rewarded, hesitation punished. Brutally.
Khazan Combat Flow Cheat Sheet:
- Build Gauge: Parry, dodge (tight timing!), land combos, *take calculated hits*.
- Berserk Trigger: Health low? Surrounded? Big boss opening? Hit it!
- Berserk Execution: GO AGGRESSIVE. Health regen means trading hits is often viable (but not stupid!). Prioritize high-threat targets.
- Gauge Management: Avoid getting hit during Berserk! Plan your exit strategy (dodge out, use a big finisher).
Visuals, Sound, and That All-Important "Feel"
Graphically, it's solid. Not gonna win awards against $70 giants, but for its price point ($39.99 standard, $59.99 Deluxe Edition with Season Pass on Steam/PS5/Xbox Series X|S), it's impressive. The gothic-meets-high-fantasy art style is consistent. Khazan's armor has real heft, and the way the Bloodlust sword glows when the Berserk gauge is full? Chills.
The sound design is where it shines. The *clang* of a perfect parry is so satisfying. Khazan's grunts, the enemy snarls, the swelling music when you enter Berserk Mode – it all clicks. Honestly, playing with good headphones is almost essential. You hear that arrow whizzing from off-screen just in time to dodge? Yeah, that saved me more than once.
Performance Matters
I played on a PS5 (performance mode) and a decent PC (RTX 3070). PS5 was rock-solid 60fps. PC had a few minor stutters loading new zones initially, but patches seem to be smoothing that out. No game-breaking bugs for me, though I did clip through a wall once trying a dodgy jump (reloaded, fine). Important for a fast-paced action game – stability is mostly there.
| Platform | Resolution/Quality Mode | Target Frame Rate | Stability Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PlayStation 5 | 4K (Dynamic)/High Quality | 30fps | Very Stable |
| PlayStation 5 | 1440p (Dynamic)/Performance | 60fps | Very Stable |
| Xbox Series X | 4K (Dynamic)/High Quality | 30fps | Very Stable |
| Xbox Series X | 1440p (Dynamic)/Performance | 60fps | Minor Dips in Heavy Chaos |
| PC (Recommended Spec: RTX 2070/Ryzen 5 3600) | 1080p - 4K (Scalable) | 60fps+ (Varies) | Minor Stutters on Initial Zone Loads (Improving) |
Is It Worth Your Cash? Breaking Down Value
Look, $39.99 is a fair ask for a AA game. But is the content there? Here's the real breakdown based on my 25-hour playthrough (Main Story + decent chunk of side content):
- Main Story Length: Roughly 15-18 hours if you're decent at the combat and don't get endlessly stuck on bosses (you might).
- Side Content: Optional dungeons (Fractured Realms - tough!), lore scrolls hunting, unique weapon/armor sets to chase, challenge arenas. Adds easily 10-15+ hours.
- Replayability? New Game+ mode unlocks harder difficulties and remixed enemy placements. Different weapon mastery builds offer variety (Greatsword vs. Dual Axes play very differently!). Moderate.
The Deluxe Edition ($59.99) includes the base game + Season Pass. The pass promises 2 major DLCs: one adding a new playable character (rumored to be another DFO fan fav) and a new story chapter, and another adding endgame raid-like content. Worth it? Only if you're hooked. Wait and see what the DLC actually delivers. The base game offers a complete, if challenging, experience.
Who Should Absolutely Grab This?
- Soulslike veterans hungry for aggressive, parry-focused combat.
- Fans of weighty, impactful action (think older God of War, modernized).
- Lore hounds who enjoy piecing together world-building (lots of environmental storytelling).
- Gamers looking for a challenge that isn't *just* about memorizing patterns, but managing a core mechanic (Berserk) dynamically.
Who Might Want to Wait?
- Players easily frustrated by high difficulty spikes (some bosses are BRUTAL).
- Those wanting a sprawling open world (it's more linear, zone-based like older Soulslikes).
- Anyone allergic to grinding for upgrade materials (you'll need to farm some elite mobs for the best gear upgrades).
- Folks expecting tons of hand-holding. The map is... basic. You navigate.
| Pros 👍 | Cons 👎 |
|---|---|
| Incredibly deep & satisfying high-risk/high-reward combat (Berserk system is genius) | Steep difficulty curve, especially early on; can be punishingly unfair feeling at times |
| Excellent weighty feel and impactful sound design | Some camera issues during hectic multi-enemy fights |
| Strong art direction & atmosphere | Map system is rudimentary and sometimes unhelpful |
| Fair price point ($39.99) for core content | Minor technical hiccups on PC/Series X (less so on PS5) |
| Rewarding gear progression & build variety (Greatswords, Axes, Heavy Armor vs. Medium) | Grind for top-tier upgrade materials can feel tedious |
| Fantastic boss designs (mostly) | One late-game boss (Soulflayer Queen) felt cheap, not challenging |
Essential Tips Before You Dive In
Wish I knew these when I started my the first berserker khazan review playthrough:
- Master Parrying Early: Seriously. Do the tutorial twice. It's not optional; it's mandatory for survival. Perfect parries fill your Berserk gauge FAST and open enemies up for devastating counters.
- Don't Hoard Berserk: That gauge is a resource. Use it proactively to heal mid-fight, burst down dangerous enemies, or escape a tight spot. Saving it constantly is a trap.
- Upgrade Wisely: Focus on your main weapon first. "Blood Shards" for upgrades aren't infinite early on. Find a moveset you like and boost it.
- Explore Thoroughly: Vital upgrade materials, powerful charms (equipable buffs), and lore bits are hidden off the main path. Break those suspicious walls!
- Status Effects Matter: Bleed (scales with physical damage), Frost (slows), and Curse (reduces defense) are potent. Use oils/greases on your weapon or charms that inflict them.
My Personal Build (Mid-Game): Focused on Greatsword mastery for high poise damage (staggering enemies), paired with Charms that boosted Berserk gauge gain on parry and increased bleed buildup. Armor was medium-heavy for decent defense without fat-rolling. Worked wonders against humanoid enemies, struggled a bit against super-aggressive beasts – had to adapt!
Unanswered Questions? Khazan FAQ
Is The First Berserker: Khazan connected to Dungeon Fighter Online?
Yes, it's a prequel set centuries before the events of DFO, focusing on the legendary fall of General Khazan. You'll see familiar locations (in ruin!) and hints at future factions. But knowledge of DFO is absolutely NOT required to enjoy the story here.
How hard is it compared to Dark Souls/Elden Ring?
It's definitely in that ballpark, maybe slightly harder *initially* due to the aggressive enemy placement and reliance on mastering the Berserk gauge. Once the combat clicks (parry, berserk, aggression), it feels manageable but always demanding. Less open-world cheese options than Elden Ring!
Any multiplayer or co-op?
Nope. Pure single-player experience. No invasions, no summons. It's just you, Khazan, and your rage against the dying of the light (and a lot of monsters).
Is the Deluxe Edition / Season Pass worth buying upfront?
Honestly? Probably not unless you're a die-hard DFO fan or already know you love the core gameplay after trying it. The base game is substantial. Wait for reviews of the first DLC to drop before committing to the pass. No one needs buyer's remorse.
What's the endgame like?
After the main story, you unlock New Game+ (harder enemies, better loot), challenge arenas with unique modifiers and boss rushes, and Fractured Realm dungeons – randomized, multi-level dungeons with escalating difficulty and exclusive gear sets. It's decent for min-maxers but not infinite.
Can you respec your skill points?
Yes, but it's limited. You find rare "Respect Runes" during exploration and as quest rewards. Don't expect to respec constantly. Plan your build path (Weapon Mastery, Berserk Enhancements, Survivability) somewhat carefully.
The Final Verdict: Berserk or Bust?
Alright, wrapping up this the first berserker khazan review, here's the raw take. The First Berserker: Khazan isn't perfect. That camera can be a nuisance when swarmed. The Soulflayer Queen boss fight almost made me quit – felt less like skill and more like RNG luck. The grind for Stellar Titanite for my final weapon upgrade? Yeah, I sighed heavily.
But.
When this game clicks, it's electric. Landing a perfect parry chain against a towering knight, triggering Berserk as your health dips into the red, and then unleashing a whirlwind of blows that turns the tide... that feeling is incredible. It carves its own niche in the Soulslike space with that brilliant, high-stakes Berserk mechanic. The world is grim and absorbing, the weapons feel powerful, and overcoming its toughest challenges is genuinely rewarding.
For $39.99, if you relish deep, challenging action RPGs and don't mind some jank and frustration along the way, The First Berserker: Khazan is absolutely worth diving into. Just be ready to embrace the rage. It's not just Khazan's power – it's yours to master.
If you crave a smoother, easier experience or get turned off by any grind, maybe wait for a sale. But for the hardcore action crowd? Khazan demands your attention. Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I hear a Fractured Realm calling my name... gotta chase that elusive Voidrender Axe!
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