As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I must say that The First Berserker: Khazan presents a unique blend of nostalgia and innovation that has piqued my interest. Having dabbled in both mobile and console versions of the Dungeon & Fighter franchise, it’s fascinating to see how Neople is expanding their universe.
For nearly two decades, the Dungeon & Fighter franchise has been a massive hit on mobile devices, but it’s only recently that developer Neople (with Nexon’s backing) has ventured into the traditional console market, aiming to expand the franchise. In 2022, Neople collaborated with Arc System Works on DNF Duel, a game which received positive reviews from critics yet struggled to gain traction in the Fighting Game Community (FGC).
Initially, the game managed to introduce a vibrant cast of characters from the mobile version to a wider public. Four years down the line, Neople aims to expand upon this success by developing an action game that will provide newcomers with a comprehensive overview of the extensive history of this long-running series.
In contrast to DNF Duel, the game The First Berserker: Khazan is set prior to any other Neople projects within the DNF universe. Unlike its predecessors, this title focuses exclusively on a single character – Khazan, a legendary warrior believed to be the forefather of all Slayers in the DNF world. This game commences with Khazan being falsely accused of treason, and it portrays his subsequent decline following his expulsion from the once admired empire.
In contrast to other Soulslike games, The First Berserker features a more conventional storyline. Instead of deciphering item descriptions or clues to understand the plot, the protagonist, Khazan, is voiced by Ben Starr, and he interacts with someone within his mind due to a minor instance of spiritual possession following near-death experience.
In contrast to other Soulslikes, Berserker stands out in several ways. Although its character movement and camera angle might resemble FromSoftware games, the combat mechanics function distinctly. For instance, attacks are not on the triggers but face buttons (circle and triangle for the PS5 controller), with dodge assigned to the cross button. This change becomes apparent when you engage in battles, as Khazan’s pace is swifter compared to games like Dark Souls. The swiftness of Khazan results in a series of impressive attacks that combine effectively, made even more striking by its cell-shaded art style. However, this is where the challenges begin. While these attacks look visually appealing, you still have to monitor a stamina bar, much like in Dark Souls. Similar to other Souls games, even a single attack can consume a substantial portion of your stamina. This often leaves you executing impressive-looking combos (which unfortunately deal minimal damage against the bosses I encounter), only to discover that you’ve run out of stamina to defend or dodge.
During our demonstration with The First Berserker, it seemed as though I was engaged in a game that defied its genre’s conventional norms. Although many games have endeavored to incorporate speed into the Soulslike genre, FromSoftware’s Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice stands out as the most successful example of this fusion. This game significantly restructured the genre’s standards to accommodate that increased pace.
2025 is some distance away yet before The First Berserker: Khazan hits the shelves, giving us ample opportunity to finesse and perfect its gameplay mechanics, ensuring they align with the promising premise.
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2024-09-20 17:57