Introduction: A Bold New Challenger in the Soulslike Arena

I've been playing Soulslikes since Lords of the Fallen first dared to mimic FromSoftware's formula back in 2014. Now that it's a whole genre, simply cloning Dark Souls doesn't cut it anymore. The First Berserker: Khazan, developed by Neople and published by Nexon, enters an overcrowded field with a familiar premise – you play as Khazan, a celebrated general betrayed and exiled, who makes a deal with a supernatural entity called the Blade Phantom to get revenge.

Let's be honest - Khazan borrows heavily from Sekiro's parry mechanics and Nioh's mission structure. At first glance, there's nothing revolutionary here. But after spending 80 hours with it, I've found something special beneath the familiar veneer. Despite some frustrating flaws, The First Berserker delivers combat that rivals the very best the genre has to offer.

Gameplay: Dancing on the Edge of Your Blade

Khazan's combat initially feels like standard Soulslike fare, but it quickly reveals its true colors. This is Sekiro's deflection system on steroids, with the "Brink Guard" mechanic serving as the centerpiece. Perfectly timed blocks not only negate damage but chip away at an enemy's stamina bar, eventually setting them up for devastating "Brutal Attacks."

You get three weapon types: dual-wielded sword and axe for quick strikes, a massive Guts-inspired greatsword for raw power, and a spear for range and precision. While this might seem limited compared to Elden Ring's arsenal, each weapon has its own skill tree packed with abilities that dramatically change how you fight. Best part? You can respec these skills anytime for free, encouraging experimentation when you hit a wall.

The bosses are where Khazan truly shines. These encounters are brutal skill checks that force you to learn their patterns or die trying. Some bosses even have fluctuating stamina bars that mimic your own mechanics, creating natural openings after their most devastating combos. I haven't felt this kind of satisfaction from perfectly parrying and countering attacks since, well, Sekiro.

To soften the blow of its punishing difficulty, Khazan has some clever accessibility features. You earn experience and skill points just for fighting bosses (not just beating them), which helped me feel like I was making progress even when getting repeatedly destroyed. There's also an AI companion you can summon, though its usefulness varies wildly.

Unfortunately, the journey between these fantastic boss fights often feels like filler. Levels are mostly linear, with the occasional shortcut and some decent environmental variety, but they never match the interconnected brilliance of FromSoftware's worlds. After a while, I found myself wishing I could just skip straight to the next boss.

Graphics & Art Style: Anime Meets Dark Fantasy

Khazan separates itself visually with a cel-shaded art style that brings its anime-inspired characters to life. The contrast between stylized characters and more realistic environments creates an interesting visual dichotomy that works surprisingly well.

The game looks its best during dramatic moments – boss introductions and cinematics showcase fluid animations and impactful effects. Parries generate satisfying sprays of sparks, and Brutal Attacks deliver visceral finishers that make each victory feel earned.

Environmental diversity keeps things fresh as you progress through snowy mountains, corrupted temples, fishing villages, and desert camps. That said, I did start to feel a certain sameness to the later areas – how many mines, ruins, and caves can one game have?

The good news is that performance never wavers. My rig (RX 6800 XT, i5 12400F, 32GB RAM) ran the game flawlessly at max settings with no crashes or texture issues.

Sound & Music: Atmosphere in Every Clash

Khazan's sound design deserves special praise. The audio feedback from combat is perfect – the clash of steel during a perfect parry, the whoosh of a narrowly avoided attack, and the crunch of a successful Brutal Attack all contribute to the game's tactile feel.

The soundtrack effectively builds tension during exploration and ramps up for boss encounters, sometimes even integrating with the gameplay itself. Voice acting is generally strong, with Ben Starr (FFXVI) bringing gravitas to Khazan, while Anthony Howell (Margit/Morgott from Elden Ring) delivers deliciously snide commentary as the Blade Phantom.

Story & Narrative: Revenge Served Lukewarm

Let's not sugarcoat it – the story is one of Khazan's weakest elements. The revenge premise has potential, but the execution falls flat with one-dimensional characters and emotional beats that lack proper setup.

Most of the story unfolds through sepia-toned slideshows rather than in-engine cutscenes, creating emotional distance from the events. Khazan himself is too flat and unexpressive as a protagonist, and most allies and villains come and go without making much impact.

If you're familiar with Dungeon Fighter Online, you might appreciate the lore connections, but for newcomers like me, the narrative feels like a vehicle for moving between combat arenas rather than a compelling tale in its own right.

Performance & Technical Aspects: Rock Solid Foundation

I've played too many Soulslikes crippled by technical issues at launch (looking at you, Lords of the Fallen), so Khazan's stability is refreshing. The game runs smoothly, loads reasonably quickly, and I didn't experience a single crash.

My biggest technical complaint involves inventory management. The game throws multiple currencies at you – Lacrima for leveling stats, Vengeance Orbs for damage increases, Transmutation Orbs for augmentations, and several others – leading to frequent menu diving as you sort through your options.

Pros & Cons: The Verdict at a Glance

Pros:

• Combat system that feels incredible when mastered
• Boss fights that rival FromSoftware's best work
• Three distinct weapons with deep, customizable skill trees
• Stunning visual effects during parries and critical attacks
• Excellent sound design and atmospheric music
• Rock-solid performance with minimal technical issues
• Smart accessibility features that don't compromise the core challenge

Cons:

• Forgettable story with underdeveloped characters
• Linear levels that sometimes feel like filler
• Enemy variety issues with some types reappearing too frequently
• Side missions often recycle content from the main campaign
• Too many currencies create inventory management headaches
• Can't return to normal difficulty after selecting easy mode

Final Verdict: A Flawed Gem That Shines in Combat

The First Berserker: Khazan succeeds where it matters most for a Soulslike: delivering tight, responsive combat that challenges players while remaining fair. The boss encounters rival even FromSoftware's best work, and the satisfaction of perfectly executing a parry-heavy strategy against a seemingly impossible foe is unmatched.

While the game falls short in storytelling and exploration, these elements have always been secondary in a genre that prioritizes mechanical excellence. Khazan knows its strengths and leans into them hard.

This game is perfect for anyone who loved Sekiro's parry-focused combat or Nioh's mission structure and build customization. If you're seeking the intricate world design of Dark Souls or the narrative depth of Elden Ring, you might be disappointed.

For genre fans willing to invest time learning its systems, Khazan offers an outstanding 80+ hour adventure that rewards skill and persistence. It may not reinvent the Soulslike, but it executes the formula with exceptional polish where it counts most.

Score: 8.5/10 – A combat masterclass that stumbles in storytelling and level design, but delivers one of the most satisfying action RPG experiences of 2025.