The First Berserker: Khazan ranks among the toughest Souls like games I’ve played. Its boss fights feature devastating ten-hit combo strings that challenge even veteran players.
This review details my trip through Khazan’s brutal world. You’ll learn how to become skilled at its complex combat system and what makes this challenging adventure worth your time.
First 10 Hours: Learning Khazan’s Combat System
Khazan’s combat system demands patience and precision from players during their original hours. The game builds on a simple “see and respond” principle. Combat flows between two distinct phases: the monster’s attack turn and Khazan’s attack turn.
My early struggles centered around managing three vital resources: Health, Stamina, and Spirit. Stamina proved significant—both Khazan and enemies have stamina bars. Once depleted, these bars trigger an Exhausted State that leaves you open to devastating counterattacks. Players can create golden opportunities by pushing bosses into this state.
My arsenal featured three weapon types that offered unique playstyles:
- Dual Wield: Ever-changing and aggressive, excellent for quick attacks and sustained pressure
- Greatsword: Slower but powerful, delivers high damage and stagger effects
- Spear: Balanced reach and exceptional stamina damage scaling
Each weapon comes with its dedicated skill tree. Players unlock passive buffs and active abilities that use Spirit—a resource that grows more vital as you advance.
Simple combat moves are Dodge Attacks, Sprint Attacks, Strong Attacks (slower but more damage), Quick Attempts (quick but lower damage). Defensive skills proved most vital to stay alive. Perfect timing with “Brink Guard” or “Brink Dodge” lets you counter powerfully and turn battles in your favor.
Mid-Game Experience (10-25 Hours): When Difficulty Spikes
The First Berserker: Khazan takes a sharp turn toward brutality at the 10-hour mark. Players who reach this mid-game section will find the training wheels completely removed.
My first real test came with Mission 2’s end boss after I learned the simple mechanics. This soul manifestation pushed me to use everything I had learned through aggressive melee attacks and sudden weapon changes. Little did I know this was just the beginning. Some boss fights turned into intense skill checks that took me up to five hours to complete.
This game sets itself apart from other Soulslikes. Players can’t just grind their way through tough spots like in Elden Ring. Farming Lacrima barely helps here. You just need to become skilled at the game’s mechanics to progress.
The game’s vital progression systems open up during this phase. Players can reach higher Mastery Level caps at key points—Level 12 after beating Blade Phantom, Level 16 after Viper, Level 20 after Volbaino, and so on. Each new cap unlocks stronger skills that match the increasing challenge.
Bosses like Maluca give players the most trouble. Some call it “the hardest boss in any Soulslike”. Trokka presents another major challenge as a spellcaster who keeps their distance and fires quick projectiles.
Notwithstanding that, the game offers smart ways to help players progress. You get Lacrima based on damage dealt before dying, so failed attempts still count. On top of that, you earn skill points just by fighting, whatever the outcome.
The Spirit of Advocacy becomes available near the end of the third stage. This companion helps in boss battles and might help more than switching to Easy mode. The game will offer to lower the difficulty after multiple deaths to the same enemy. This change can’t be reversed and blocks “The Expert’s Journey” trophy.
These intense fights became my favourite part of the game. Once you learn their patterns, each boss fight reads like an open book.
Final Stretch (25-40 Hours): Where The First Berserker: Khazan Truly Shines
The First Berserker: Khazan – My last 15 hours of experience with The First Berserker: Khazan showed me the game’s true depth through its multiple ending system. I managed to beat several bosses that seemed impossible at first. The game’s narrative splits into three different conclusions based on specific actions you take before the final showdown.
The three endings split when you talk to Daphrona during the “Master of Chaos” mission. You can get the Normal Ending by beating Ozma, who only has two phases in this scenario. The Chain Ending opens up after you finish the “Charon’s Chains” bonus mission, which adds a third phase to the Ozma fight. The True Ending (officially called “The First Berserker Ending”) requires you to collect all 15 Golden Collection Items and complete key bonus missions.
This final stretch really shines because my early struggles turned into real mastery. Bosses like Trokka, who keeps their distance while shooting rapid projectiles, became beatable once I learned their patterns. I used to need dozens of attempts to beat them.
Equipment optimization became crucial at this point. The best items come in sets that give bonuses that line up with different playstyles. To name just one example, see the Beastslayer set – it makes the Whirlwind spirit attack stronger and deals more damage when you hit enemies head-on.
The final boss fight against Ozma ended up being the perfect test of everything I learned. Ozma showed different phases and cutscenes depending on my chosen ending path. The True Ending has Ozma briefly return to human form after being impaled with the Transcendental Sword, then transform again and explode.
After winning, I found that New Game+ brings elemental weapons you can’t get in the first playthrough. These weapons would have been great to have earlier to encourage different combat styles.
The story wraps up nicely too. The Blade Phantom reveals that “the Eye”, a mysterious entity, pulled the strings from behind the scenes. This entity orchestrated Khazan’s fall from grace and Ozma’s corruption. Khazan’s response sets up future conflict: “I still have my revenge.”
My Opinion On The First Berserker: Khazan
My 40-hour experience with The First Berserker: Khazan proves it belongs among genre giants like Sekiro and Nioh. The game’s brutal difficulty spikes might discourage some players. But becoming skilled at the complex combat system brings a satisfaction few games can match.
The game’s £50/$60/€60 price tag makes sense given its substantial content. Multiple endings, different weapon builds, and increasingly complex boss battles showed this wasn’t another Soulslike clone. Khazan’s unique identity shines through its thoughtful combat mechanics and meaningful progression systems.
Some bosses like Maluca and Trokka can be frustrating. The game’s clever assistance features help players succeed with persistence. The final battle with Ozma, particularly in the True Ending path, perfectly caps off this demanding adventure.
The First Berserker: Khazan needs a serious time investment and patience. Players who take on its challenges will find one of gaming’s most rewarding combat experiences.
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