The First Berserker: Khazan Review Summary

Fluid, engaging, and deep combat: The game features engaging, fluid combat with responsive controls, often compared to titles like Sekiro, Nioh, and Devil May Cry. Players can utilize parrying, dodging, and combos, with each weapon offering unique skill trees and playstyles. The combat system rewards skillful play and strategic decision-making.

Challenging, rewarding boss encounters: Boss battles are a highlight, offering challenging and fair encounters that require learning attack patterns and utilizing various combat mechanics. The game provides convenient features such as checkpoints before boss fights, the ability to earn experience even upon death, and the option to replay boss battles, reducing frustration and encouraging persistence.

Impressive graphics and art style: The game boasts impressive graphics, a unique art style (often cel-shaded or anime-inspired), and a captivating soundtrack. These elements contribute to an immersive and visually appealing experience, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the game.

Compelling story and world-building: The game features a compelling story filled with betrayal, revenge, and redemption, enhanced by engaging world-building and lore. The narrative is well-told through cutscenes, NPC conversations, and item descriptions, drawing players into the protagonist's journey.

Accessible difficulty and design: The game offers adjustable difficulty levels, including an easy mode for beginners, and incorporates quality-of-life improvements such as shorter runbacks and generous checkpoints. The level design encourages exploration and rewards players with secrets and collectibles.

Repetitive, unbalanced, technically flawed: The game suffers from a multitude of issues including uninspired level design, repetitive enemy and boss encounters, and poor balance. Many reviewers felt the bosses had excessive health and relied too heavily on memorization, while normal enemies posed little threat. Some also experienced technical issues like stuttering and crashes.

Poorly implemented stamina system: The stamina system is poorly implemented, with stamina depleting too quickly both in and out of combat. This severely restricts player actions, forcing them to retreat and wait for stamina to regenerate, disrupting the flow of combat and exploration.

Game is overpriced: Many reviewers felt the game was overpriced for the content it offered. This sentiment was especially strong in regions with lower average incomes.

Limited and unbalanced weapon variety: The game features a limited selection of only three weapon types, and weapon scaling feels inconsistent and unbalanced. Some reviewers found that weapons acquired early in the game outperformed those found later on.

Uninspired and confusing map design: The game's map design is uninspired, linear, and difficult to navigate due to similar-looking areas and a lack of a map. Many reviewers found themselves getting lost and frustrated while exploring.

Soulslike with unique skill trees: The game incorporates Soulslike elements, such as a leveling system, bonfire checkpoints, and challenging combat. However, it also includes unique features like skill trees for each of the three weapon types (Greatsword, Dual Wielding, and Spear), which allow for build customization and varied playstyles. The game also allows free skill respecs.

Mission-based, linear level design: The game adopts a mission-based structure with linear level design, similar to Nioh, rather than an open-world format. Players progress through distinct missions accessed from a central hub area. Levels are designed with some exploration in mind, featuring branching paths and secrets.

Adjustable difficulty, strategic combat: The game offers adjustable difficulty levels, with Normal providing a solid challenge. Enemy placement is deliberate, and boss fights are a core component. The combat system is responsive and satisfying, but mastering skill combos is essential for overcoming tougher encounters.

Multiple defensive mechanics: The game features multiple defensive mechanics including parry, deflect, perfect block, dodge, and perfect dodge. Ideal blocks and dodges help manage stamina.

Aggressive playstyle encouraged: The game encourages aggressive play, rewarding players for breaking enemy parts and disrupting boss mechanics. Boss fights feature unique mechanics that require players to adapt their strategies. The progression system is more forgiving than typical Soulslike games.

Excellent performance and optimization: The game is generally well-optimized, running smoothly on a variety of hardware configurations, including older systems and the Steam Deck. Many reviewers reported high and stable frame rates at various resolutions and settings. Some reviewers specifically noted the absence of bugs, crashes, or the need for day-one patches.

Good handheld performance: The game runs well on handheld devices like the Steam Deck and Legion Go. It achieves playable frame rates with some settings adjustments, making it suitable for portable gaming.

Minor visual difference: There isn't a significant visual difference between the highest and medium graphics options.

Highly recommended Soulslike/Action RPG: The game is highly recommended, especially for fans of Soulslike or action RPGs, with many considering it a must-buy and potential game of the year. Reviewers praise its engaging story, challenging combat, captivating atmosphere, and overall fun factor, often comparing it favorably to titles like Nioh, Sekiro, and Lies of P. Many reviewers express strong positive sentiment and encourage others to purchase the game.

Try the demo before buying: Due to concerns about difficulty, price, or performance, reviewers often suggest trying the free demo before purchasing the game. The demo allows players to experience the gameplay firsthand and determine if it aligns with their preferences, with progress often carrying over to the full game.

Conditional or negative recommendations: Some reviewers express mixed feelings, recommending the game only under certain conditions such as a sale or after significant patches. Others outright discourage purchasing due to perceived flaws, excessive difficulty, or performance issues, sometimes indicating review bombing due to these issues.

Minor improvements could elevate game: Some reviewers feel the game is good but not perfect, suggesting that minor adjustments like boss health or additional content could significantly improve the experience. They believe that with a few patches, the game has the potential to become a masterpiece.

Deluxe Edition: Worth it?: Opinions vary on whether the Deluxe Edition is worth the extra cost. Some reviewers recommend it for the early gameplay advantages provided by the included weapon and armor sets, while others suggest sticking with the standard edition.

Reviewer progress and expectations: Several reviewers mentioned their progress in the game, noting how far they've advanced, including bosses defeated and chapters completed. Some reviewers also shared their initial expectations and whether the game met them. However, many of these points are subjective and based on individual experiences, reducing their overall importance.

Lack of map: Some reviewers noted the lack of a map as a drawback, but the level design isn't overly complex, mitigating the issue.

Anime-inspired art style: The game features an anime-inspired art style with beautiful graphics that don't require a high-end PC. Some reviewers noted the art style's resemblance to Jujutsu Kaisen or Solo Leveling. The game also features Chinese voice acting.

Set in DFO universe: The game is set in the Dungeon Fighter Online (DFO) universe, expanding its lore and world. While prior knowledge of DFO isn't necessary, the game is considered a fan-oriented work for DNF enthusiasts. Reviewers familiar with DFO expressed nostalgia and appreciation for the game's connection to the franchise.

Combat similar to Nioh/Sekiro: Reviewers compare the game's combat to titles like Nioh, Sekiro, and Darksiders, highlighting its fast-paced, arcade-like style and abundant loot drops. The game distinguishes itself within the soulslike genre by blending elements from different games.