The First Berserker: Khazan

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The First Berserker: Khazan is a single player role playing shooter game. It was developed by Neople and was released on March 27, 2025. It received very positive reviews from players.

The First Berserker: Khazan is a single-player shooter featuring an intriguing story, spectacular mechanics, and ingenious graphics paired with delightful music. The game offers a highly emotional experience with great atmosphere, humor, lots of grinding, and extensive replayability. The DELUXE EDITION includes exclusive upgradable Hero’s Weapon and Armor Sets, plus a digital artbook.

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Play Modes

Single-Player

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93%

Audience ScoreBased on 11,145 reviews

story896 positive mentions

grinding297 negative mentions

The gameplay is fluid, responsive, and combines deep combat mechanics that encourage mastery and strategic play.
The graphics are stunning, featuring a gorgeous cel-shaded art style that enhances the dark fantasy atmosphere.
The game is praised for its lack of microtransactions, providing a refreshing experience focused on skill rather than monetization.

The story is often criticized for being predictable and lacking originality, with many players finding it cliché and forgettable.
Grinding for resources can be tedious due to long boss fights and repetitive enemy encounters, leading to frustration.
Some players reported significant stability issues, including buggy hitboxes and performance inconsistencies during boss encounters.

story
3,049 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
64%
7%
The story of "The First Berserker: Khazan" is generally described as a straightforward revenge narrative, often drawing on familiar tropes from the genre. While some players appreciate its emotional depth and character development, many find it predictable and lacking in originality, with side missions frequently recycling bosses and environments. Overall, the story serves its purpose in supporting the gameplay, but it is not the main highlight of the experience, which is dominated by intense combat and engaging mechanics.
- “The world design is gorgeous — dark, moody, and full of atmosphere — it is a great origin story.”
- “The first berserker: khazan is a fantastic experience for anyone who loves punishing but rewarding combat, stellar voice acting, and dark, mythic storytelling.”
- “The story, the characters, and the variability in combos and upgrades is awesome.”
- “The story is particularly bad sadly, that's the weakest point.”
- “The story is just average.”
- “The story is extremely cliché, main villain motivation could not be more cookie cutter.”
gameplay
1,863 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
54%
4%
The gameplay of "Khazan" has been widely praised for its fluidity, responsiveness, and depth, combining elements from various action RPGs like "Nioh" and "Sekiro." Players appreciate the intricate combat mechanics, including parrying, dodging, and a variety of weapon styles that encourage mastery and strategic play. While some find the boss fights challenging and rewarding, others note issues with repetitive mechanics and level design, suggesting that the game excels in combat but could improve in variety and pacing. Overall, it is considered one of the standout titles in the souls-like genre, offering a satisfying and engaging experience for fans of challenging gameplay.
- “The moment-to-moment gameplay flows beautifully, rewarding timing, positioning, and aggression in a way that keeps every encounter exciting.”
- “The gameplay is pure, the challenges are fair, and the feeling of combat is so intense that you will want to return to it again and again.”
- “The combat mechanics are top-notch, with interesting timings that keep you on your toes until the very end of the fight.”
- “Gameplay overall: 3/10”
- “The gameplay is where the game really shines, it's a really good mix of hack and slash stuff with souls-like aspects, the devs cooked up something quite unique and fun.”
- “The gameplay, combat and boss fights truly carried this game, since the story is mostly forgettable.”
graphics
1,497 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
39%
2%
The graphics of "The First Berserker: Khazan" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning cel-shaded art style, which combines anime aesthetics with dark fantasy elements, creating a visually striking experience. Players appreciate the smooth animations, vibrant visuals, and the overall artistic direction that enhances the game's atmosphere, despite some criticism regarding repetitive environments and a muted color palette. While technical hiccups have been noted, they generally do not detract from the immersive visual experience, making it a standout feature of the game.
- “The graphics are stunning: everything is freaking gorgeous in this game!”
- “The cel-shaded art style is gorgeous, making every battle feel like an anime showdown.”
- “The art style is fantastic, the bosses have unique attacks that don't feel boring or the same.”
- “The visuals leave something to be desired (washed out, I feel), but the combat and progression through the gear and skill tree were incredible.”
- “The graphics are a mix of realistic and cartoonish, which blend together very nicely.”
- “The graphics could have been done better though, they need work to be honest.”
music
607 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
39%
3%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its ability to enhance the overall experience, particularly during boss fights where it elevates the intensity and emotional impact. While some tracks are described as generic or forgettable, standout pieces, especially those associated with key battles, are noted for their epic quality and memorability. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant highlight, contributing to the game's cinematic feel and immersive atmosphere.
- “The music fits well and is reminiscent of what you'd listen to in other souls games.”
- “The soundtrack matches the rhythm of combat and amplifies every moment.”
- “The music elevates it even further, drawing out real emotion even in the heat of a fight.”
- “The soundtrack is very generic, almost as if made with AI; you get some low choruses here and there, hymns and such.”
- “The music was what you expect from a grim dark fantasy game.”
- “The only thing that's mediocre and may be bad - the soundtrack and music, nothing new and special, no bangers, can't remember any theme I liked.”
optimization
540 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
41%
9%
The game's optimization has received largely positive feedback, with many players praising its smooth performance and lack of significant technical issues. While some users reported minor stuttering in specific areas, the overall consensus is that it runs exceptionally well, even on mid-range hardware, making it a standout example of effective optimization in modern gaming.
- “The game runs smooth as butter, flawlessly optimized and free of technical issues.”
- “Performance is very solid, with a few hiccups that don't affect combat often, if at all.”
- “The game is very well optimized, looks great and plays somewhere between Nioh and Dark Souls.”
- “This was hands-down, the single worst optimized game I've ever played.”
- “The performance has also regressed in the latest patch.”
- “I have consistent issues with stuttering and massive frame drops.”
grinding
316 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
4%
94%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback from players. While some appreciate the rewarding nature of farming bosses and crafting systems, many find the process tedious due to long boss fights, repetitive enemy encounters, and cumbersome inventory management. The game's design encourages grinding for gear and materials, but this can lead to frustration as players encounter bloated health pools and lengthy battles that detract from the overall enjoyment.
- “Khazn lets you let loose with its resource management, which regenerates mid-combat from attacking and defending... not farming!”
- “Reduced grind via crafting sets and simpler build-crafting make the RPG elements much more accessible, giving a few options for difficulty management and isn't too tedious with the collectibles.”
- “There is no grinding to get through a boss, which is kind of a staple of RPG design.”
- “The boss fights are tedious and frustrating.”
- “When you have to fight the same boss over and over again just for a chance to get a single resource for a whole armor set, it gets tedious and exhausting really quickly.”
- “That accompanied by each boss having more health than each previously slain bosses combined makes late game bosses extremely tedious to fight.”
atmosphere
145 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
44%
5%
The atmosphere of the game is a mixed bag, with many praising its dark, moody world design, immersive soundtracks, and captivating environments that enhance the storytelling. However, some players find certain areas to be monotonous and lacking in distinctiveness, leading to a sense of dullness in exploration. Overall, while the game excels in creating a gripping atmosphere reminiscent of dark fantasy, it occasionally falls short in level design and variety.
- “The world is dripping with atmosphere - gothic, grimy, and gorgeous.”
- “From the very first moments, the atmosphere wraps around you like cold fog.”
- “The game draws you in with stunning visuals, atmospheric environments, and a deep lore that is both immersive and intriguing.”
- “However, at the same time the level design in terms of atmosphere and environment is pretty dull and nothing special.”
- “The level designs and overall atmosphere are so dull and not a single one of them impressed me.”
- “The world of Khazan is, unfortunately, largely monotonous in its overall atmosphere.”
stability
93 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
39%
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its overall performance and smooth gameplay on various platforms, including high-end PCs and the Steam Deck. However, several users reported significant issues, particularly with boss encounters that feature buggy hitboxes and erratic behavior, leading to frustrating experiences. While some players experienced little to no glitches, others noted frequent freezes and performance inconsistencies, suggesting that stability may vary depending on individual setups and gameplay scenarios.
- “The game runs great on virtually anything – from an outdated GTX 1060 up to high-end RTXs.”
- “It runs great, no mandatory frame generation to make it playable, no need to drop graphics on what is still a good high-end PC to have a stable framerate while also looking great.”
- “For once, a game release that is optimized and mostly bug free.”
- “This game has more glitches than a ‘90s dial-up connection.”
- “But god damn are the boss fights annoying to fight..... way too much health and buggy hit boxes are really not fun.”
- “The game constantly freezes; I waited until the first update to try playing again.”
emotional
80 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
4%
The emotional aspect of the game elicits a mixed response from players, with some praising its impactful moments, strong voice acting, and engaging story that evokes feelings of sadness and attachment, while others criticize the rushed character development and lack of emotional depth in certain scenes. Many players found themselves emotionally invested during key encounters and boss fights, yet some felt the narrative fell flat or relied too heavily on familiar tropes, diminishing the overall emotional impact. Overall, the game offers a blend of heart-wrenching moments and frustrating storytelling that leaves players with varied emotional experiences.
- “The OST and the ending made me cry; I think any Souls-like enjoyer is going to like this game.”
- “When I reached the level before the last one, the environment was so ethereal and the music hit so hard. The story bits throughout the level and the boss fight were awesome and heart-wrenching at the same time.”
- “Khazan: The Last Berserker is a raw, emotionally charged experience that doesn’t hold your hand — it grabs you by the throat and drags you through a world of rage, betrayal, and catharsis.”
- “The story felt incredibly dull and failed to evoke any emotional response.”
- “I found the narrative to be unengaging, lacking the depth needed to connect with the characters.”
- “The emotional moments fell flat, leaving me feeling indifferent rather than moved.”
replayability
72 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
63%
6%
The game's replayability is generally viewed as solid, primarily due to the option to play through with three distinct weapon classes and the depth of the combat system, which allows for various builds and playstyles. While some players appreciate the challenge and the ability to engage in New Game+ modes, others feel that the limited number of weapons and certain gameplay mechanics may restrict long-term replay value. Overall, many reviewers find enough content and customization to warrant multiple playthroughs, though opinions vary on its longevity compared to other titles in the genre.
- “The combat system is probably my favorite in all souls games; even with only 3 playable weapons, the game offers a lot of different builds and replayability thanks to the skill tree.”
- “The game also features a solid crafting system and allows you to re-challenge bosses to farm gear, which adds tons of replayability and depth.”
- “The various difficulty options and the depth of the combat system ensure that there's plenty of replay value.”
- “While I would recommend buying this one at full price, finding it on sale would be better due to the low difficulty and what I believe is a lack of replayability (only 3 weapons, so not a ton of builds to try out though you could do NG+ or hardcore - those aren't really my thing).”
- “Uninteresting characters, lackluster story, little to no replayability, only three weapon types with all of them just being reskins, overinflated enemy health pools yet somehow they're so easy that you get bored quickly.”
- “Not a lot of replayability; once you learn the boss, subsequent playthroughs do not pose much challenge.”
character development
54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
40%
6%
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the stunning character designs and visuals, but criticizing the lack of depth and meaningful growth for characters, particularly the protagonist, Khazan. While some players appreciate the unique aesthetics and the effort put into boss designs, they express disappointment over the shallow narrative and insufficient character arcs. Overall, the game excels in visual appeal but falls short in delivering a compelling character-driven story.
- “The character design and storytelling are top-tier, bringing the legendary Khazan to life with a gritty narrative and intense action sequences that make you feel like a true berserker.”
- “Character development: Khazan is a complex character, driven by a desire for revenge but also grappling with the consequences of his actions.”
- “With each boss fight providing some uniqueness, you can clearly see that the developers put a lot of effort, passion, and creativity into each boss and their character design!”
- “The story isn’t deep, nor is there any meaningful character development.”
- “No character creation, but the protagonist Khazan is boring as hell and has no identity or character development.”
- “There is barely any character development.”
humor
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as both charming and absurd, with players finding joy in its over-the-top mechanics and ridiculous situations, such as a powerful general being defeated by a monkey. The dialogue and character interactions are noted for their comedic value, contributing to a lighthearted atmosphere despite the game's challenging nature. Overall, players appreciate the blend of humor with gameplay, making for a fun and entertaining experience.
- “The story is a nothingburger to a hilarious degree, but I actually found that part kind of charming.”
- “But I gotta say, being 'the great general Khazan, slayer of the berserk dragon, savior of the empire' and dying to a monkey throwing poop at you is the same level of stupid funny as having an OP lore on a level 1 adventurer in D&D and dying to a rat in your first fight.”
- “This game is incredibly challenging, with developers humorously understating its difficulty.”
monetization
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
33%
50%
The game is praised for its lack of microtransactions, providing a refreshing experience in an era dominated by in-game purchases and ads. Players appreciate the absence of cash shops and the respect for their time, with gameplay focused solely on skill rather than monetization tactics. Overall, the game is seen as a well-executed title that offers value for its price without the pitfalls of typical monetization strategies.
- “I found the demo randomly on YouTube and tried it, and decided to buy because I wanted to see what a Nexon game without microtransactions would be like.”
- “No cash shop or other microtransactions (is a +).”
- “All in all, a very well-built game with no bugs or monetization, which is surprising from Nexon, and just some of the best feeling combat I've experienced.”
- “This boss summons goddamn ads constantly in phase 2; did the devs forget this is a one-on-one game?”
- “There is really only one instance I can think of, where the run back to a boss room contains some frustrating blockages from ads; the devs find lots of ways to respect the players' time without making the gameplay and fights themselves any less challenging.”
- “Bonus missions (recycling lower ads as mission bosses multiple times, only 2 new levels which feel like cut main missions as they should of course)”

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39h Median play time

60h Average play time

12-65h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 50 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

The First Berserker: Khazan is a role playing shooter game.

The First Berserker: Khazan is available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox Game Pass and others.

On average players spend around 60 hours playing The First Berserker: Khazan.

The First Berserker: Khazan was released on March 27, 2025.

The First Berserker: Khazan was developed by Neople.

The First Berserker: Khazan has received very positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

The First Berserker: Khazan is a single player game.

Similar games include Lies of P, AI LIMIT, Thymesia, Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree, Nioh 2 and others.

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