Release Date: March 5, 2025
Platforms: PC (Steam), Console versions TBA
Developer/Publisher: Neople
Genre: Action RPG, Soulslike
🗡️ First Impressions: A Soulslike With Its Own Identity
The First Berserker: Khazan immediately throws you into a world of pain and challenge, but with enough unique twists to stand out from the crowded soulslike genre. You play as General Khazan, a once-great hero of the Pell Los Empire, now framed, mutilated, and left for dead. The opening cutscene is brutal-Khazan’s tendons are severed, his fate sealed, until supernatural intervention grants him a second chance and immense power [RPGFan].
The game’s tone is dark and gritty, with a comic book-inspired, stylized cell-shaded art style reminiscent of Darksiders, but with its own grim, mythic edge [Sportskeeda].
🎮 Gameplay & Combat: Mastery Demanded, Reward Guaranteed
At its core, Khazan is a classic soulslike: you manage health, stamina, and consumables (called “Netherworld Energy”), and every fight can turn deadly in an instant. But the game’s exhaustion mechanic is a standout: both you and your enemies have stamina bars. Deplete an enemy’s stamina, and they become exhausted-opening them up to a devastating “Brutal Attack” that also refills your own stamina. But if you run out of stamina and take a hit, you’re left stunned and vulnerable [Fextralife].
Combat highlights:
- Counterattack & Reflection: Mastering these mechanics gives you stamina bursts and turns the tide in tough fights [Reddit].
- Weapon Variety: Three weapon types-Dual Wield (axe + sword), Greatsword, and Spear-each with their own skill trees, passives, and active abilities. You can swap weapons freely, but each plays so differently it feels like switching classes [IGN].
- Skill Trees: Spend Spirit Points to unlock new moves, tweak stamina usage, and customize your playstyle on the fly.
- Boss Battles: Every boss is a puzzle of attack patterns, weaknesses, and unique abilities-requiring adaptation, patience, and near-perfection [Steam].
Watch: Combat Gameplay Overview | Boss Fight Showcase
⚔️ Weapons, Skills, and Playstyles
- Dual Wield: Fast, aggressive, and momentum-driven. Skills like “Ruthless” reward relentless offense. Great for players who love high-risk, high-reward action.
- Greatsword: Heavy, methodical, and tanky. Skills like “Giant Hunt” (leaping AoE smash) and “War Cry” (counter + buff) favor patience and timing.
- Spear: Agile, combo-centric, and precise. “Moonlight” passive creates damaging afterimages, while “Crescent Strike” and “Afterimage Thrust” enable crowd control and single-target burst.
You can respec and experiment, but each weapon tree is deep enough to feel like its own “class.” The game encourages you to find your style, but also rewards mastery and adaptation [Fextralife].
🕹️ Technical Details & Quality of Life
- Performance/Quality Modes: Choose between higher frame rates or visual fidelity [RPGFan].
- Checkpoints: Generous placement, often right before boss doors.
- XP System: Unique for the genre-every hit on a boss earns you XP, even if you die. Your dropped XP is outside the boss room, so you can always recover it without refighting the boss. This means every attempt is progress, not wasted time [GameChangerDoc].
- May 2025 Update: Added Boss Rush Modes and Hardcore Difficulty for even more challenge [AllKeyShop].
🖼️ Art & Graphics: Stylized and Striking
The game’s visuals are a blend of stylized, cell-shaded art and gritty, mythic fantasy. The environments are atmospheric-icy mountains, ruined temples, and haunted forests. Character animations are weighty and impactful, making every swing and dodge feel meaningful [Sportskeeda].
📝 Reviews & Community Reactions
IGN: “A brutally difficult soulslike that often expects near-perfection in its toughest fights… There are a lot of options to kit out Khazan as you level up, and it’s fun to figure out which moves and perks contour best to your playstyle.” [IGN Review]
Sportskeeda: “Souls-like done right… The stylized art and creative level design set it apart.”
RPGFan: “The stamina system is as much your foe as any enemy. Perfect guards and dodges are essential, and the tension in every fight is real.”
GameChangerDoc: “Every boss attempt gives you XP-even if you die. This is revolutionary for the genre.”
Community: Players praise the unique exhaustion mechanic, the rewarding combat, and the fair but tough boss design. Some find the weapon switching and respec system a bit clunky, but most agree the depth and challenge are worth the learning curve.
💬 Conversation: My Experience and Chat With Friends
Me: “The first boss took me nearly a dozen tries, but each attempt felt like I was learning something new. When I finally landed that Brutal Attack, I actually cheered out loud.”
Friend: “I love that you get XP for every boss attempt. It makes even the hardest fights feel worth it, and I never feel stuck.”
Me: “I’m a Dual Wield main, but the Greatsword’s Giant Hunt skill is ridiculously satisfying. Swapping weapons mid-fight is intense, but it feels so good when you pull it off.”
Community: “The art style is gorgeous, and the lore is surprisingly deep. I keep finding new secrets and shortcuts every time I replay a section.”
🎬 More Gameplay Videos & Resources
🌟 Final Thoughts: Should You Play The First Berserker: Khazan?
If you crave a challenging, stylish, and rewarding soulslike, The First Berserker: Khazan is a must-play for 2025. Its unique stamina and exhaustion mechanics, deep weapon skill trees, and fair XP system make every battle meaningful. The art, music, and lore create a world you’ll want to explore-and conquer, if you have the skill.
Have you tried Khazan yet? What weapon or skill tree is your favorite? Share your best boss fight stories in the comments below!
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