The First Berserker: Khazan is an action RPG game where you battle through hordes of enemies and massive bosses as a berserker. Read our review of its demo to see what it did well, what it didn't do well, and if it's worth buying in the future.

The First Berserker Khazan Story Plot

The First Berserker Khazan follows the story of the once respected Great General of the Pell Los Empire, Khazan, who was falsely accused of treason. Condemned to torture and exile away from the empire, Khazan must remember his long-forgotten skills of warfare and take revenge on the enemies that stand against him.

The game is based off of the Dungeon Fighter Online (DNF) lore regarding the story of the two heroes, Khazan and Ozma, and how the former will be known as the ancestor of all Slayers and the truth of eventual downfall within the empire.

The First Berserker Khazan Gameplay

The game is a fast-paced action RPG focused on quick movement, perfect blocking, precise dodging, and stringing combos. In the different gameplay footage showcased over the past few months, the gameplay seems to be somewhat similar to 2023's unexpected hit soulslike game, Lies of P. It also showed that there will be various weapons and gear to choose from, as well as abilities to learn and customize the way you play.

Additionally, the game underwent an exclusive Focus Group Test (FGT) in Korea back in April 9 till May 1. The FGT had the participants maintain confidentiality so don't expect any gameplay footage or trailers regarding the test. However, this means that development is still well and ongoing.

The First Berserker: Khazan Review [Demo]

Bloodthirsty for More!

Thanks to the genre’s sheer breadth, action games are everywhere these days and can be defined as pretty much anything. Any game with a mix of fighting, running, jumping, or weapon use fits the bill, and while that diversity is a strength that keeps the entire genre from going stale, it also makes standing out in the proverbial crowd a monumental task. After all, where else can Skyrim and Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion end up in the same conversation?

That’s where The First Berserker: Khazan steps in. This action RPG has been simmering in the background since its announcement, teasing fans until its recent demo release, just months ahead of its full launch.

Boasting striking cel-shaded visuals and the promise of visceral hack-and-slash combat, the game initially caught plenty of attention. But does it truly rise above the crowd in a genre this expansive? Without spoiling everything (not that I can with a demo, anyway) let me just say this: Khazan isn’t just another flashy contender brandishing a cool idea and even cooler art design—it’s a full-blown berserker’s rage that’ll leave you bloodthirsty for more!

A Souls-Lite Experience That’ll Make You Sweat

Let’s kick things off with the game’s core gameplay features and how they work. The Berserker: Khazan is a Souls-Lite action RPG that puts you in the hide briches of the titular Khazan. Played from a third-person perspective, you'll traverse diverse areas, battling enemies, gathering weapons and gear, and collecting materials to level up. Insofar, it’s nothing completely groundbreaking, but nothing unimpressive either.

As far as the core gameplay loop goes, it’s a stripped-down version of the Soulslike formula of collecting “souls” by fighting enemies, using them to level up, and tinkering with better and better gear as fiercer enemies stand in your way. Dying will cost you your “souls”, but getting back to where you lost them will retrieve them for later use.

There are “bonfires” along the way that you can save, heal, and level up at, but they distinctly lack the functionality of letting the player teleport between them, at least in the demo. Leveling up this way improves the player’s base stats, but unlocking new moves, weapon attacks, and passives requires them to earn enough combat XP by fighting monsters.

This brings me to the game’s skill tree and gear system. Earning enough XP grants the player skill points, which they can use to unlock new moves and passive abilities, which are often linked to the basic weapon combos available from the get-go, or even each other. Think Dante’s Inferno, but instead of some infernal scythe, you get to choose between your dual-wield, greatsword, and spear weapon options, with their light, heavy, and special combos, as well as their base properties, having their own skill tree.

Gear can be found as drops or as loot in chests spread around the map, often as rewards for straying off the main path, or taking down particularly difficult enemies. Certain gear comes in sets, which grant additional bonuses depending on how many pieces from the set you’re wearing, spread across helmets, chestplates, gauntlets, leg armor, and footwear.

Where the game truly carves its own path is in its combat system. It blends elements from all three inspirations, delivering larger-than-life combat set pieces reminiscent of Elden Ring, while placing greater emphasis on gear set bonuses and skill trees—both hallmarks of single-player action RPGs.

Players have combo strings for light and heavy attacks, which can vary in effect, range, and damage depending on the order they’re strung together, sort of like in God of War (2018). Players also have access to a Soul Meter, which is filled up by attacking normally. This secondary resource grants players a separate arsenal of powerful, but limited attacks, one of which, the Javelin throw, is available in the demo version.

Defensively, players can either block or dodge, with Brink Blocks and Brink Dodges being perfectly-timed versions of each move that grant additional effects when pulled off. Players can also counter-attack against certain unblockable attacks, and even dash-attack if they input an attack right after dodging.

Altogether, these systems create a balletic, almost harmonious ecosystem of options that’s far more flexible than any soulslike’s, but also far more dependent on skill, rhythm, and game sense than your run-of-the-mill action RPGs. It really is quite a sight when you manage to string together a combo after perfectly dodging a flurry of attacks. Of course, without a limit, it would be too strong, and that’s where stamina and health come in.

Stamina is yet another resource that players need to manage, as it’s necessary for literally every move they can do, from sprinting, to dodging, blocking, or even attacking. Attacking recklessly would leave the player with no stamina to defend themselves, and dodging like crazy will leave them no stamina to attack. Blocking while you have no stamina will also stun you, so careful stamina management is key to surviving in this game.

With these mechanics working in harmony—and combined with enemies that throw off your timing—it’s a game that can make even seasoned Soulslike veterans break a sweat. For newcomers, it’s a baptism by fire (and maybe a cracked controller).

But as fun as its gameplay is, that’s not all that the game has to offer. It’s time we discuss its first impressions in terms of visuals, sound, and density of content.

Amazing First Impression with Plenty of Content

The First Berserker: Khazan certainly has enough style to keep up with its crisp combat mechanics. Cel-shaded games have always had a special place in my heart, but the way this game incorporates subtle cel-shading with realistic graphics and creative character design makes it more than eye candy, it’s a downright feast at times, especially when the cutscenes steal the spotlight.

In terms of audio, both its music and in-game sound are up to par with some of the industry’s highest standards, although the game certainly won’t be earning any points for uniqueness. Elden Ring had a special, gothic, and stylistic air about it that made it different from everything else in the market, while this game’s soundscape is rather generic, well-made as it is.

The voice acting, however, does manage to stand out. It’s sharp, immersive, and perfectly suited to the game’s tone. Special mention goes to the sound design for the Blade Phantom—every syllable and nuance feels meticulously crafted to deliver its unique air of menace. The layered voices taunting Khazan make his suffering plain to bear in a performance that outshines even the main character’s.

What truly sets The First Berserker: Khazan apart is just how much this demo build offers. While many games wrap things up after the first boss and leave you hanging, Khazan goes the extra mile. You’re treated to two full boss encounters, with plenty of exploration and gear collection to sink your teeth into between them.

Clocking in at a solid 2–4 hours of gameplay (depending on your skill), the demo packs a lot into its runtime. You’ll explore two distinct areas, uncover roughly 30 unique pieces of gear, experiment with about half of the complete skill trees for each weapon, and face off against a final boss that’s guaranteed to evoke Soul of Cinder flashbacks.

Honestly, I’m not sure how other games get away with offering less—this is how you make a demo!

Solid Story to Go with Everything Else

Of course, if you’re not just here to bust heads and break bones, you’ll want a good story to go along with all the carnage. Fortunately, The First Berserker: Khazan delivers on that front too, offering a compelling narrative supported by solid world-building. Sure, with a title like this, it’s no surprise the driving force is a revenge story—but the game brings enough intriguing elements to keep this well-worn trope fresh.

For starters, it’s not just a relentless ragefest as the name might suggest. There are moments of understanding, tenderness, and genuine emotion woven into the narrative, offering a reprieve from all the blistering wrath. Additionally, the dialogue pulls its weight, delving into each character’s mannerisms, beliefs, regrets, and ambitions without slipping into cliché territory.

Granted, I’ve only experienced a slice of the story through the demo, so it’s hard to gauge the full scope. But based on what I’ve seen, there’s plenty to be excited about.

Peak Action RPG Design That’s Severely Underhyped

Well, not to split hairs, but even as it holds the 61st spot on Steam’s most wish-listed upcoming games, I still think The First Berserker: Khazan isn’t getting the hype it deserves. If this demo is any indication, the full release promises a game brimming with style, substance, and rock-solid design, with enough soulslike charm to back it all up.

There’s more here than meets the eye, and people are already expecting quite a lot. Suffice it to say, my appetite has been thoroughly whetted. Like a predator catching the scent of blood, I’m ravenous for more and can hardly wait to sink my teeth into everything this game has to offer when it fully launches.

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The First Berserker: Khazan Product Information​

Title	THE FIRST BERSERKER KHAZAN
Release Date	March 27, 2025
Developer	Neople
Publisher	NEXON
Supported Platforms	PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre	Action, RPG
Number of Players	1
ESRB Rating	RP
Official Website	The First Berserker: Khazan Website

Aaron Bruce Albert..

A massive fan of roguelikes, turn-based RPGs, and open world adventure games. His gold standard games include The Binding of Isaac, XCOM: Enemy Unknown, and Dragon Quest Monsters Joker.