REVIEW – At first glance, The First Berserker: Khazan looked like just another cookie-cutter Soulslike. But after 12 hours of play, it absolutely floored me. Ever since I got my hands on it, I haven’t been able to put it down — and it’s been surprisingly impressive so far.

I’m usually not a fan of Soulslike games that don’t come straight from FromSoftware. Not because I’m a snob or only chase the big names — I just feel like most imitators fail to capture the essence of what makes these games tick. In a true Souls experience, parrying, dodging, timing — hell, *everything* — has to be finely tuned, or it all falls apart. That doesn’t mean there haven’t been exceptions: games like Nioh or the upcoming Black Myth: Wukong had their standout moments for sure.

From Doubt to Devotion

That’s why I was skeptical when I saw the first trailer for The First Berserker: Khazan. I braced for disappointment. I was wrong. Not only is it a well-crafted, enjoyable ride that knows what it should borrow from the greats, but it also brings its own flavor to the table — and I got seriously hooked. This game is addictive in all the right ways. Don’t you love it when a title completely changes your mind? I do.

Since I started, I’ve barely touched any other game. It’s a Soulslike that grabs you and won’t let go — channeling the rhythm of the first Dark Souls, the parry focus of Sekiro, the raw brutality of Nioh, and the bleak, violent world of Berserk — all while still carving out its own identity. Parrying here isn’t just functional — it’s genuinely satisfying. It’s not just aping FromSoftware’s mechanics; it’s building on them.

Not Just a Copycat — It Evolves

You can choose from multiple parry styles depending on your playstyle, and they’re fully upgradeable. There’s even an option that lets you damage enemies after a perfect block. That one small mechanic saved me from countless camera-induced nightmares straight out of Dark Souls II — I just stood my ground, landed flawless parries, and watched enemies drop like flies. Like a gentleman. A blood-soaked, bone-breaking gentleman.

As the story progresses, Khazan unlocks more and more abilities — weapon-specific extras that keep the combat system evolving. This is not a defensive game. It’s all about retaliating hard and fast, and it absolutely nails it. Dodging is tight and satisfying, and it’s also upgradable. Everything about the system feels deliberate and balanced — you can tell the devs knew exactly what they were doing. And they’re proud of it, too.

The First Berserker: Khazan is brutally difficult, but its mechanics are so finely tuned that even the toughest fights feel fair — like victory is always just within reach. And to my surprise, there’s even a difficulty scale. Yes, there’s a so-called “easy mode.” I thought it’d be sacrilege — but I love that it’s there. It’s like the game whispers, “Come on, Adrian, just press that Easy button.” But I keep resisting. And I love that, too.

It Teaches, It Rewards — But It Doesn’t Beg

This design philosophy really shines in the later sections of the game: side quests start popping up, optional bosses show up to ruin your day, and the tough zones start rolling in. Every time you die, Khazan throws you a bone — in the form of Lacrima (its version of souls) and skill points. That doesn’t make you overpowered — you still need to learn enemy patterns. These rewards aren’t shortcuts to victory, they’re nudges to keep going.

The game seems to say: “Here’s a little something for your effort. But don’t even *think* about farming it.” Take your bonus, move on, try again. And we do. This really pays off during those long, multi-phase, controller-crushing boss fights. Between the ever-tempting easy mode and those Lacrima “lollipops,” Khazan pulls off something few games manage: I actually enjoy dying. It’s got that classic shounen anime vibe — the kind you didn’t realize you were missing.

Not Groundbreaking, But Flawlessly Executed

These are the game’s standout ideas. There may not be a ton of innovation here, but in a Soulslike, you don’t need that — you just need the combat and death loops to hit right. The story won’t blow your mind, and there’s no convoluted lore to lose yourself in — but the level design is clever and full of surprises. The areas feel familiar yet fresh, more like smart reimaginings than lazy copies. Plus, there are some genuinely cool puzzle sections scattered throughout.

The First Berserker: Khazan completely won me over. I’m finishing this review just so I can go back and play more. It won’t change your life. You’re not going to tattoo Khazan’s glorious locks on your arm like the Brand of Sacrifice from Berserk. But it’s fun as hell and polished to near perfection — and every moment with it feels worth your time.

-Gergely Herpai “BadSector”-

Publisher: Nexon

Developer: Nexon Games

Style: action-RPG / soulslike

Release: March 27, 2025