The First Berserker: Khazan Reviews
Despite its notable shortcomings, like its lackluster storyline and somewhat constrained level design, The First Berserker: Khazan is saved by its impressive combat system.
You know what is worth losing sleep? That’s right, fighting another boss in Khazan on New Game +, that’s what I’ll be doing soon. Probably as soon as wrap up this article. Care to guess what I’ll see? “Khazan has fallen”.
The First Berserker: Khazan is a game that brought me many emotions. Sometimes, I was mesmerized by its agile and fluid gameplay, which evokes moments of true brutality. In others, I just wanted to throw the game out of the window due to the bosses causing too much damage and the tedious level design. In the end, what remains is the realization that this is an excellent game for a debut and I recommend it to fans of soulslikes more in the style of Nioh.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
The First Berserker: Khazan is hands down one of the best Souls-likes that came out recently and can go hand-in-hand with the most outstanding FromSoft titles with zero problems.
The First Berserker: Khazan offers one of the most challenging souls-like experiences in recent memory. With its gripping narrative, amazing gameplay, and rich atmosphere, it’s a brutal but unforgettable journey.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
Ultimately, what can be considered the best selling points of The First Berserker: Khazan could also be its most significant drawbacks. The action role-playing adventure may be hardcore in name, but there are ways in which the developers have tweaked things to make it possible for more players to enjoy the game. It is also a more constrained journey with smaller levels that constantly funnel you into its biggest strength, the combat. Over 20-30 hours spent on an initial run, and more to see alternate endings, this bloodthirsty revenge tour was utterly enjoyable. The fact that I am now more interested in discovering the Dungeon Fighter Online universe is a testament to the quality, and positions this game as no mere pretender but a genuine contender for the Soulslike crown.
The First Berserker: Khazan is a brutal and punishing adventure with satisfying combat and a superb art style. While it lacks variety in some areas, the original things it brings to genre are outstanding and make this one of the best games of 2025.
The First Berserker: Khazan is an incredibly competent game. Its refined combat and challenging bosses make it a solid recommendation for Soulslike fans, although its weak narrative and repetitive environmental elements and enemies prevent it from standing out as a masterpiece. Still, it's a rewarding experience for those looking to overcome brutal obstacles in a visually stunning world, and is, in my opinion, the best Soulslike since Lies of P, disregarding FromSoftware's games. Highly recommended!
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Despite a few wobbles, The First Berserker: Khazan is a lovely surprise. It's certainly not an easy game by any stretch of the imagination, nor is it a perfect Souls-like. It has some issues with boss HP and a couple of level design flaws but cleverly creative inclusions like an Easy Mode (although it's more of a "Not quite so difficult" Mode), bonus Lacrima from failed boss attempts and a lot of variety to skills and build-types makes this a very solid Souls-like. In fact, I'd go so far as to say it's the best on the market since Lies of P. This one's a very easy recommendation.
If you like soulslike games focused on frenetic combat and the use of parry at its most excellent, this game will completely engross you, as you will be eager to pick up the controller. An art design that looks like something out of the most spectacular anime and bosses that will offer epic confrontations that will make you want to give it a go at every attempt.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
The First Berserker: Khazan truly delivers, and it gives you solid action. Its RPG experience outshines many of its closest competitors. I would say it's up there with Lies of P; although some would argue that its narrative holds it back, I think it's a combat mix-up for it, especially if it's the difficulty aspect that you're after.
The First Berserker: Khazan is an excellent experience with unwavering and thrilling combat, skills, and bosses that'll make your hair grey.
The First Berserker: Khazan doesn’t revolutionize the souls-like genre, but it still delivers thrilling combat, challenging encounters, and a rewarding sense of progression that will keep hardcore fans engaged from start to end. While some minor issues with camera control, AI summons, and mission variety hold it back from absolute greatness, The First Berserker: Khazan still remains a standout title in the genre. If you’re looking for a punishing yet well-crafted Souls-like that’ll test your limits, you won’t want to miss out on this.
A brutally difficult yet very rewarding action game that excels in its fighting mechanics. Although the narrative is not perfect, the exciting boss battles and satisfying skill development in The First Berserker: Khazan makes it a must-try for genre enthusiasts.
Mixing the challenges of souls, some RPG layers and a story of pure revenge and violence, something evidenced by the great combats, The First Berserker: Khazan is a title that can please Elden Ring fans and also God of War fans (new or old, it doesn't matter). It is democratic, offering two difficulty levels (normal and easy), it is not as desperate as its bigger brothers and it is a title that gets straight to the point, without many twists and turns, without much storytelling.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Delivering an interesting story, beautiful graphics, improvements to the "soulslike" genre formula, epic bosses and a robust combat system, The First Berserker: Khazan offers a solid experience for action game lovers, being one of the best games of the genre in recent years.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
The First Berserker: Khazan is a competent soulslike, featuring a unique universe full of personality. It hits the nail on the head with the core mechanics of a game of this genre, featuring brutal and dynamic battles that manage to maintain that much desired fine line between sharp difficulty and fun. Although a little more innovation and variety could elevate the title to unmissable status, it is undeniable that we have here a great action RPG, especially for fans of the genre.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
The First Berserker: Khazan is frustrating – not necessarily because it's really hard. By far, it’s at its best when it wavers in its dogged quest to imitate the Souls games, yielding a distinct combat system that truly stands on its own.
While the weight of its combat isn't matched by its story, The First Berserker: Khazan offers plenty of challenging thrills for fans of Soulslike games.
The First Berserker: Khazan delivers fast, punishing combat and challenging boss fights that reward mastery. If you’re a Soulslike fan looking for a tough, skill-based experience, this one is worth your time—just be ready for a fight.