The First Berserker: Khazan
" Hardcore action RPG with stylish combat and deep customization but linear level design "
The First Berserker: Khazan Review
The First Berserker: Khazan offers a brutal, fast-paced souls-like experience emphasizing responsive combat and challenging boss fights. Players praise its deep combo system with three distinct weapon types and skill trees, blending elements from Sekiro and classic Souls gameplay. Bosses are widely regarded as some of the best in the genre, demanding mastery and strategic play.
However, the game faces criticism for its linear, mission-based level design that lacks the immersive interconnected worlds typical of the genre. The story is considered clichéd and underwhelming, serving mainly as a backdrop. Some players report lingering bugs and performance issues, with complaints about tedious late-game bosses and imbalance in weapon effectiveness. Despite these flaws, the game excels in combat mechanics and boss encounters, delivering a rewarding challenge for hardcore souls-like fans.
Highlights
The combat system is highly praised for its responsiveness, stylish brutality, and depth, combining parry-based mechanics with aggressive gameplay. Boss fights stand out as spectacular and unique, offering intense, rewarding challenges that embody the souls-like spirit.
Visually, the game impresses with a stylized, anime-inspired art style and atmospheric soundtrack that enhance immersion. The skill trees and build customization provide meaningful variety, encouraging experimentation. Performance is generally smooth, with well-optimized graphics and clean UI. These aspects collectively create a compelling action RPG experience.
Criticisms
Common criticisms focus on the game's level design, which is largely linear and mission-based, lacking the rich, interconnected worlds found in other souls-like titles. Many players find the story uninspired and clichéd, failing to engage deeply.
Boss battles, while generally praised, become overly long and frustrating in later stages due to excessive health pools and repetitive mechanics. Some weapons are imbalanced, diminishing playstyle variety. Additionally, bugs affecting item pickups and performance annoy some players. The upgrade and loot systems are sometimes described as tedious, and certain gameplay elements, like forced platforming sections, detract from the overall experience.
Pros
- • Combat system is responsive, stylish, and deeply satisfying to master.
- • Boss fights are uniquely designed, challenging, and rewarding.
- • Skill trees provide meaningful build customization and replayability.
- • Stylized anime-inspired art style enhances visual appeal.
- • Soundtrack and audio design effectively heighten game atmosphere.
- • Performance is well-optimized with smooth controls and UI.
- • Mission checkpoints placed conveniently near bosses reduce frustration.
Cons
- • Level design is linear, mission-based, and lacks exploration depth.
- • Storyline is clichéd, shallow, and fails to engage players.
- • Late-game bosses have excessive health and can feel tedious.
- • Some weapons are imbalanced, reducing viable playstyle options.
- • Bugs cause issues with item pickups and inventory management.
- • Upgrade and loot systems can be overwhelming and tedious.
- • Certain platforming segments are frustrating and poorly implemented.
Rating Criteria
The First Berserker: Khazan is a hardcore action role-playing game. The player will become Khazan, the great general of the Pell Los Empire, who overcame death, and sets out to reveal the incidents that led to his downfall and seek vengeance on his enemies.