FromSoftware's Soulslike formula is a winning one, and so it's really no surprise that so many other developers have taken inspiration from the studio's games. The latest game to take a stab at the Soulslike genre is The First Berserker: Khazan, a hardcore action-RPG set in the Dungeon Fighter Online universe. The First Berserker: Khazan has stood out from the mountain of other Soulslike games thanks to its anime-inspired art style, but rest assured, it's a familiar Soulslike experience through and through, with the intense, tough-as-nails battles that fans of the genre expect.
There are three primary weapon types in First Berserker: Khazan, each with their own skill trees that give players helpful bonuses and unlock special attacks. Skill points are earned regularly enough that players shouldn't feel stuck with one particular weapon type or another, though they will find their favorite pretty quick. I enjoy using heavy weapons in Soulslikes, so I stuck with greatswords most of the time, though I switched over to the faster-paced dual-wield weapons on occasion.
The Best Offense is a Good Defense
First Berserker: Khazan's combat is perhaps most reminiscent of Sekiro, with a heavy focus on parrying attacks. Enemies all have stamina bars that can be depleted through parries and strikes, leaving them open to a devastating blow. Certain skills make it so players can even deal damage to enemies with their parries, which makes pulling them off that much more satisfying. First Berserker: Khazan's parrying window is gracious, and so even Soulslike fans that aren't big on this style should still consider giving the game a shot.
First Berserker: Khazan's similarities to Sekiro isn't the only way that the game has taken ideas from FromSoftware's titles. There's an obligatory poison swamp, and even a boss who is clearly heavily inspired by one of Elden Ring's more memorable fights. There are certainly times when First Berserker: Khazan can feel derivative of FromSoftware's games, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.
The First Berserker: Khazan clearly copied FromSoftware's homework, but if it ain't broke, don't fix it. The game successfully delivers a polished, exciting, action-packed Soulslike experience with all the hallmarks of the genre well accounted for. Players run the risk of losing their XP if they die and fail to return to their body, level design has players opening shortcuts to make exploration easier, there are Blade Nexuses (aka bonfires) that respawn all the enemies but let players refill their Netherworld Energy (aka Estus Flask), and of course, there are all kinds of super-difficult bosses to tackle.
The First Berserker: Khazan is one of those rare Soulslike games that features difficulty options, letting players choose between the default Normal mode and the so-called Easy mode. In typical Soulslike fashion, Normal difficulty is absolutely brutal, and while Easy is certainly more accessible than Normal, it's no joke either. I tested both difficulties and, as someone that has earned 100% in multiple FromSoftware games, I would say First Berserker: Khazan's Easy mode is still as difficult if not more difficult in some cases than any FromSoftware title, with certain bosses serving as massive roadblocks to progress. Because of this, I would argue that First Berserker: Khazan's Easy mode doesn't really succeed in making the Soulslike experience all that more accessible to those who don't enjoy the extreme challenge in these kinds of games.
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