Key Highlights
- This game is ridiculously hard.
- The story is as generic as they come.
- It takes forever to get through.
- There isn’t anything new or interesting here.
- It feels like the developers just took a bunch of ideas from other, better games.
- Honestly, I’m struggling to find the positives, here.
Introduction
The First Berserker puts you into the DNF Universe as Khazan. This action RPG wants to stand out by offering a unique take on the Berserker class and using its Blade Phantom feature. However, it does not succeed. Sadly, it fails to impress. Get ready for a honest look at the surprising lack of quality in The First Berserker.
Unveiling Khazan: The Enigma Behind The First Berserker
In a world filled with soulslike games, The First Berserker: Khazan does not stand out. It tries to copy games like Nioh and Sekiro instead of being unique.
This results in a bland experience that does not create any sense of wonder or excitement. It’s disappointing because there is some hidden potential in the game, but it never really comes to life.
The Origins and Mythology of Khazan
The game’s story tries to create a grand feeling by placing it in the 89th year of the Pell Los Empire. You play as Khazan, the Great General of the Pell Los Empire. He was once a respected warrior but was betrayed and left to die. This is a common story, and The First Berserker does not make it interesting at all.
The story comes to players through narrated slideshows. This old-fashioned way of telling a story doesn’t fit well with modern games. You would expect a game about a fierce, angry warrior to have exciting cutscenes and thrilling action, but The First Berserker chooses to share the story in a dull way.
So, yes, the story is a disappointment, but you would hope the gameplay is much better, right? I wish I could say that’s true.
Khazan’s Role in the Game’s Narrative
The First Berserker is a prequel to the online game “Dungeon Fighter Online.” It seems to aim at fans who already know the game. Too bad, even the biggest DFO fans might get really bored with The First Berserker’s dull story.
Khazan, the main character, wants revenge. He fights through many enemies and tough bosses. The revenge story is easy to predict and not creative at all. It feels like it came from a bad ‘80s action movie.
This is disappointing because the First Berserker had some good ideas. With more creativity and some improvement, it could have been great. Instead, it ends up as a boring action RPG that will be quickly forgotten once it’s done.
Diving Deep into Gameplay Mechanics
The First Berserker tries to stand out from other soulslikes with its own combat system. However, it ends up being clumsy and dull. This makes the game more frustrating than fun. Get ready to die a lot. And when you do die (which will happen), be ready to watch the same loading screens again and again.
Moving through the levels can feel like a hassle. The First Berserker uses the same old puzzles and environmental dangers as many other games. It seems to offer the bare minimum. I can’t shake the feeling that the developers just checked off soulslike ideas and thought, “That’s enough.”
Unique Combat System of The First Berserker
The combat in the game is as plain as its story. You have basic light and heavy attacks that use stamina. There is also a dodge feature and a parry system taken from Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. Sure, getting perfect dodges and parrying at the right time can feel good, but those moments are lost in the game’s overall roughness.
Here’s a closer look at The First Berserker’s “special” combat system:
- Standard Attacks: Light and heavy attacks. Boring.
- Dodge: You’ve seen it before and will see it again.
- Parry: Clearly copied from Sekiro.
- Special Attacks: Some skills can be used when you build enough rage. They don’t really add anything exciting.
Honestly, calling this combat system “unique” is disrespectful to all other action RPGs. It brings nothing fresh or interesting. What it tries to do has been done much better in other games.
Exploration and Puzzle-Solving Elements
Get ready to walk through a bunch of dull levels. You will keep fighting the same types of enemies repeatedly. The one slightly interesting part about The First Berserker is that you start the game buried in the snowy mountains after an avalanche. After that, you’ll move through the same typical forests, caves, and dungeons that you see in most fantasy RPGs.
Now, let’s talk about puzzles! If you can even call them that. They are so easy that they feel disrespectful. Most of the time, you will just pull a lever or press a button. If you want challenging or rewarding puzzles, you won’t find them here.
The First Berserker even shows its lack of effort in level design. It feels like the developers just took a bunch of pre-made parts, mixed them up, and then said that’s good enough.
Character Development and Customization
The First Berserker tries to let players develop and customize their characters. But sadly, these efforts feel weak and uncreative like the rest of the game. You can use Lacrima to improve Khazan’s stats, but the changes are barely noticeable. You will spend many hours trying to upgrade your character, only to realize that you are just a little stronger than when you began.
When it comes to customization, the choices are quite small. You can put on different armor sets and use various weapons, but they all look very similar. It’s disappointing because there is so much room for a great character progression system, but The First Berserker fails to deliver on this.
Skill Trees and Berserker Abilities
The First Berserker tries to add some depth to its gameplay with skill trees. You can spend points on different branches to unlock new Berserker abilities and improve your stats. But honestly, this is nothing new for fans of the genre. I am not sure what the developers were thinking. Did they really believe they were offering something fresh or interesting?
As you play the game, you will gain new Berserker skills driven by your strong vengeance. These skills include strong melee attacks and defensive moves, but none of them are exciting or memorable. It’s the same routine: unlock a new skill, use it a few times, and then forget it.
If you hoped for an innovative and engaging skill tree system, The First Berserker will let you down again.
Armor Sets and Weapon Choices for Khazan
Do you remember how dull and unexciting the combat is? It’s about to get even worse. Khazan can only use three types of weapons: dual blades, greatswords, and spears. I can’t decide what’s worse: that each weapon type has only one version (so your starting greatsword is the only one you’ll ever have), or that the Deluxe Edition offers unique weapons that are way better than others in the game.
Each weapon type does have its own moves, but they are all slow and clunky. Using them feels more like a chore than fun. The only good part is that you can switch between the three weapon types easily. This gives you a little more freedom to change your playstyle.
However, this doesn’t change the fact that the weapons are boring and lack personality. You are just picking between three kinds of the same flavor. However, I guess beggars can’t be choosers? On the bright side, you still get a cool Blade Phantom to help you! That counts for something, right?
The World Around Khazan
The First Berserker is set in a world full of war and chaos. The game has many forgettable allies and even more forgettable enemies. There is some potential in the game, but it is wasted. You should not spend your time trying to remember the names of the characters you meet. You will forget them quickly.
The world is just as dull as the characters. It has the same old environments and enemy types we’ve seen countless times. And the dialogue? It’s like hearing robots trying to talk.
Allies and Enemies in The First Berserker
How could our hero possibly overcome such adversity? Why with the help of his allies, of course! Unfortunately, “allies” is a very generous term for the cast of cardboard cutouts you encounter throughout the game. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a single character who isn’t either a walking cliché or a plot device in disguise. I’ve compiled a helpful list of all of the allies you meet throughout the game:
|
Ally |
Role |
|---|---|
|
Character 1 |
The childhood friend who always believed in Khazan’s innocence |
|
Character 2 |
The wise old mentor who guides Khazan on his journey |
|
Character 3 |
The mysterious woman with a secret past |
Get ready for endless dialogue filled with the same tired tropes about trust, betrayal, and the corrupting influence of power. It’s like the developers took a trip to the “Generic Fantasy Character” store and bought everything in stock.
Diverse Settings and Their Influence on Gameplay
Set in the war-torn continent of Arad, The First Berserker’s world feels very common, just like many other games. You will walk through familiar places we’ve all seen before—from dark forests to old ruins. Each spot blends into the next one without any excitement. It seems like the developers did not put much effort into creating this game.
And let’s talk about the enemies! You will face the same few plain fantasy creatures, all made easy to recognize by color. It almost feels rude how little thought went into making the enemies. The most creative move was giving a wolf glowing red eyes and calling it a “Fearsome Berserk Dragon.”
The environments don’t change the gameplay at all. There are no new mechanics or interesting level designs here. It’s just the same old hack-and-slash gameplay but wrapped in a layer of dullness.
Critical Reception and Player Feedback
Get ready for a big surprise: The First Berserker did not do well when it was released. Both critics and players quickly noticed the game’s big problems, like its boring story and characters, as well as its repetitive gameplay.
It’s sad because there is some potential hidden in this game. Sadly, this potential is covered by too many old clichés, tech problems, and bad design choices. It’s hard to see the good things in the game when there are so many flaws.
Highlights from Professional Reviews
Critics were very tough on the game’s low-quality graphics and animations, especially the blood effects. Many said it looks more like a PlayStation 3 game instead of one for the PlayStation 5. The game also has many technical problems. Expect framerate drops, screen tearing, and other glitches that make the experience worse.
Some critics mentioned that if you really want to play the game, you should buy the Deluxe Edition. This isn’t because the Deluxe Edition offers something special, but the unique weapons can help you deal with the game’s hard difficulty.
Most agree that unless you are a big fan of the DFO universe or just want a regular action RPG to fill the time, you should skip The First Berserker. There are many other better games that are worth your time and money.
Community Impressions and Impact on Future Titles
The First Berserker did not attract many newcomers to the DFO universe. Players who expected high-quality content from other action RPGs felt very let down by The First Berserker’s poor features. The game’s tough learning curve and difficulty also drove many players away.
Even after a bad launch and harsh critiques from the community, the developers stuck to their choices. They claimed, “this is the path that The First Berserker is meant to follow.” This means they won’t change anything, regardless of what players think.
It is unclear if the DFO brand can bounce back from the failure of The First Berserker. One thing is clear: if future games keep following The First Berserker’s example, the DFO franchise might disappear for good.
Conclusion
In the world of Khazan, the mysterious First Berserker has caught the attention of players. It has a deep history and a special fighting style. You can explore its origins, legends, skill trees, and customization options. Khazan gives you a gaming experience that is unique. The world of Khazan is filled with friends and enemies, which makes the story richer.
Even though the game gets praise and feedback from players, not everyone agrees on how good it is. As you explore Khazan, remember that your choices affect your future. In this tough world, every decision matters. Will you become a legend or fall into darkness? Your choices will decide the fate of Khazan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Inspired the Creation of Khazan?
The developers say that the story and creation of Khazan were inspired by old myths about dragons and other strong beings. However, it’s hard to know how that inspiration influenced the final result.
Can You Play as Characters Other Than Khazan?
Sadly, no. The First Berserker only allows you to play as Khazan. You don’t get other characters or different gameplay options. Get ready to go through this dull adventure as the same dark, angry warrior. This is true no matter which platform you play on.