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TL;DR
The First Berserker: Khazan doesn’t reinvent the soulslike formula—but it refines it with flair. Critics praise its intense combat and slick boss design, while players love the fast-paced action and tight mechanics. If you’re here for brutal fights, addictive gameplay, and don’t mind a barebones story or linear levels, it’s absolutely worth the plunge.
A Brutal New Challenger Enters the Arena
The First Berserker: Khazan is out, and the verdict is in—it’s a soulslike with teeth. Developed by Neople and published by Nexon, this brutal action RPG has critics impressed and players surprisingly hooked. If you’ve been craving punishing boss fights and fast-paced, weapon-heavy combat, this one might just be for you.
Critics Praise the Combat
According to IGN, Khazan “is a brutal but impressive soulslike that makes pushing through its devastating bosses worth the effort.” They scored it 8/10, highlighting the rewarding challenge and slick mechanics.
PlayStation Universe went even further, handing the game a 9.5/10 and calling it “greatness from nothingness personified.” It praised not just the boss design but the surprising polish from a studio known more for its MMO roots (Dungeon Fighter Online, anyone?).
PC Gamer also joined the praise train, especially impressed by the “some of the best” combat in the genre, though they noted “repetitive mission design” and a rather bland protagonist keep it from greatness.
Not everyone was wowed. Hardcore Gamer gave it a 7/10, saying the game “just doesn’t do anything special,” despite being mechanically solid.
Players Say: “Very Positive”
Over on Steam, the player reviews are overwhelmingly “Very Positive,” with over 90% of users praising its tight controls and boss variety. One Reddit user in a community thread called it “a throwback to peak PS3-era hack-and-slash” with a combat loop that “feels addictive in the best way.”
Still, not everyone’s glowing. Some players have criticized the loot system and overly linear level design. Others wish the game offered more variety in weapons and visual environments.