The First Berserker: Khazan review

• Available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC
• Released on 27 March 2025
• Developed by Neople

Another month, another Soulslike — but when they’re as well-executed as The First Berserker: Khazan, it’s hard to complain. Developed by Neople and Nexon, this spin-off of Dungeon Fighter Online carves out its own brutal identity. You don’t need to know a thing about the main series to enjoy it either. This is a slick, standalone adventure packed with weighty combat, solid mechanics and a challenge that’ll keep you coming back for more.

Set centuries before Dungeon Fighter Online, you play as Khazan, a once-great general now disgraced, tortured and shackled. After a mysterious entity known as the Blade Phantom intervenes during a prison transfer, Khazan seizes the chance to escape, though not without consequence. The Blade Phantom now shares his body, and both need each other to pursue revenge and uncover a greater threat.

What follows is a gritty, fast-paced action game that fans of Nioh will feel right at home with. You’ll work through missions from a central hub, levelling up with Lacrima, finding and upgrading equipment, and unlocking side quests. Between slicing through enemies and chasing down collectibles, there’s always something worthwhile to chase.

Loot plays a big part in Khazan. Gear comes in various rarities and often works best as part of a set, so there’s plenty of incentive to experiment and optimise your loadout. Vendors and crafting help round things out, making the whole process feel flexible and rewarding. It’s all bolstered by an intuitive UI and a satisfying loop of progression.

The combat, however, is where The First Berserker: Khazan really shines. You’ve got a choice of three weapon types, each with its own skill tree. Focusing on one is key: that’s how you’ll unlock devastating combos and brutal finishers. There’s a stamina system at play too, and fully breaking an enemy’s guard opens them up to a finishing blow. On top of that, a perfect block punishes enemies while preserving your own stamina, and certain attacks can even be countered if timed well.

It’s fast, responsive, and surprisingly versatile. Want to play it slow and tanky, swinging a massive sword? Go for it. Prefer to dodge and weave, dual-wielding like a whirling dervish? That’s an option too. Over time, your moveset grows into something that feels truly powerful, even if the game does its best to keep you humble.

The main downside? Some of the bosses can feel brutally unfair. There’s an easier difficulty setting that kicks in if you die a few times, but don’t expect it to hold your hand. And while there is a summoning system for boss fights, your AI ally is barely competent, often dying within seconds. Without co-op to fall back on, you’ll need to rely on your own grit and a bit of grinding to get through.

Despite those occasional spikes, The First Berserker: Khazan is hugely rewarding. It’s visually sharp, its combat is deep and flexible, and there’s just enough loot and character customisation to keep you invested. Playing on PS5 Pro, it’s been smooth sailing technically, with no major bugs or performance issues.

The First Berserker: Khazan might not reinvent the wheel, but it spins it hard and fast. For fans of challenging action games, it’s an easy recommendation.