This The First Berserker: Khazan review comes from someone who isn’t exactly a fan of Soulslikes. I have a complicated relationship with Soulslikes. And by complicated, I mean I avoid them like spoilers for my favourite shows. I’ve dabbled—barely survived Black Myth: Wukong and fumbled my way through the Jedi series. But true, punishing Soulslike brutality? That’s uncharted territory for me. So when I picked up The First Berserker: Khazan, one of the most anticipated games in March, I knew I was signing up for a world of misery. And guess what? I was right.
You play as Khazan, a legendary warrior who’s been betrayed, cast out, and left for dead. Classic revenge plot? Check. Brutal, blood-soaked battles? Also check. This is John Wick if, instead of avenging a dog, you were reclaiming your honour with an oversized sword and an even bigger grudge.
The storytelling isn’t exactly groundbreaking, but it sets the stage well. You’re not here for deep lore—you’re here to carve your way through anything that breathes (or doesn’t) until justice is served. And by justice, I mean lots and lots of hacking and slashing.
Image Credits: NEXON
Combat in Khazan is the real star of the show. It’s fast, punishing, and ridiculously satisfying. Every swing feels weighty, every parry—called Reflection here—is an absolute adrenaline rush when you land it, and every mistake? A painful reminder that you should’ve paid attention.
Being aggressive in this game is a high-risk, high-reward playstyle. You need to pressure enemies to deplete their stamina, but some of them don’t care—they’ll unleash 10-11 hit combos like they’re auditioning for a fighting game tournament. And you? You better keep up or get flattened. Button mashing? Death wish. Precision? The way to survive.
There are three weapon types in Khazan: the dual-wield, the spear, and the greatsword. Each weapon in Khazan brings something unique to the table, and the skill trees match up perfectly with different playstyles. The dual-wield setup offers a nice balance between speed and power, so it’s great for players who want versatility. The greatsword, though? It’s all about raw power—slow but devastating, capable of dealing huge damage even on tankier bosses. But for me, the spear was the perfect choice. It’s got that sweet spot of reach, speed, and control, letting me keep my distance while still laying down some serious damage.
The high-risk, high-reward nature of combat in Khazan means that being aggressive is key, and the spear excels at applying constant pressure without leaving you too vulnerable.
Yes, Khazan has an easy mode—but let’s get one thing straight: it is not a “Story Mode” where you can brainlessly hack through enemies like a Musou game. The bosses will still kick your ass. The enemies will still punish your mistakes. You’ll still have to fight tooth and nail for every victory. The difference? You take a little less damage, and the enemies aren’t quite as relentless.
If you pick normal difficulty and die three times in a row, the game will gently suggest lowering the difficulty. But don’t mistake that for a free pass. Think of it as the game giving you a knowing smirk before shoving you back into the fray. The challenge remains—it just won’t break you quite as fast. Now it’s time for this The First Berserker: Khazan review to go into the physical world of the game.
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The Blade Nexus is Khazan’s version of bonfires. These checkpoints let you upgrade weapons and skills, but there’s a catch: you need Nexus Fragments from elite enemies to unlock them. No freebies here. You have to earn your safe zones, which adds another layer of risk versus reward.
Image Credits: NEXON
Then there’s The Crevice—the game’s central hub, unlocked after defeating the Blade Phantom in the Trials of the Frozen Mountain. This is where you’ll find key NPCs, special features, and a few secrets exclusive to the area. You can travel to The Crevice via the Blade Nexus, making it your home base in this brutal world.
But here’s where I think Khazan kinda missed the mark—the first few hours throw the same enemy types at you, even the bosses feel like reskins at times. The environments? Sometimes a little too generic. It’s not until the endgame that the game truly shines, finally unleashing its full potential with diverse encounters and jaw-dropping set pieces. Maybe I’m nitpicking here, but compared to Wukong or the Jedi series, where every nook and cranny adds a bit of lore or intrigue, Khazan feels a little lacking in environmental storytelling. It gets there, eventually—but the early-game grind might test your patience.
Now, let’s talk visuals—this game is a feast for the eyes. If you’re into anime-style graphics, you’re going to love the cel-shaded art. The bold lines, dramatic lighting, and stunning detail make it look like you’re playing through an animated action flick. The character designs are dripping with style, and the special effects during combat? *Chef’s kiss*. Every slash, parry, and devastating special move feels like it was ripped straight from an action-packed anime battle.
That being said, if you’re not into anime-style visuals, it might not be your thing. But even then, you have to admit—it’s a beautiful game.
Image Credits: NEXON
Another thing worth noting are the bosses—while some might feel like reskins of the same old enemies, there are a few that are absolute showstoppers. These bosses aren’t just tough—they’re creative, cool, and downright impressive in their design. Some of them are real visual spectacles, with unique move sets that make you feel like you’re fighting a true force of nature.
So yeah, as a non-souls-like fan, that’s my complete The First Berserker: Khazan review.
Overall, The First Berserker: Khazan offers a solid and challenging gaming experience, especially for those new to Souls-like games. Its easy mode provides a bit more breathing room, making it accessible without completely watering down the challenge.
You’ll still feel the intensity but with a little less frustration, which is perfect for easing into the genre. By the end of this, I might just be feeling cocky enough to give Dark Souls or Sekiro a try. But, honestly, who am I kidding? I’m probably not quite ready to face that level of pain just yet. But hey, a little optimism never hurts anyone. If you’re into challenging combat, jaw-dropping visuals, and an overall great experience, Khazan is definitely worth checking out.
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