THE PULSE
A brutal, cel-shaded bloodbath that refuses to pull its punches. The First Berserker: Khazan marries punishing, high-stakes combat with deep lore puzzles, turning every death into a hard-earned lesson on the road to a truly glorious true ending.
Forty-two deaths. That is the exact toll it took to drag Khazan through his brutal journey of vengeance and finally claim the true ending. If you step into The First Berserker: Khazan expecting a forgiving hack-and-slash or a casual stroll through the Dungeon Fighter Online universe, turn back now. This game demands razor-sharp precision, strict stamina management, and an unrelenting willingness to learn from every single mistake—one bloody defeat at a time.
Blood, Steel, and Precision Combat
From the opening moments, combat stands out as the game’s greatest strength. Every swing of Khazan’s dual axes and heavy greatsword carries immense kinetic weight. The game doesn’t let you button-mash your way out of trouble; enemies punish greedy swings almost instantly.
The parry windows are tight, the dual-resource system keeps you constantly on edge, and the boss designs are legitimately terrifying. Success doesn’t come from luck—it comes from rhythm. You have to read telegraphs, manage your stamina bars, and strike only when the opening is absolute.
The Path to the True Ending
Reaching the true ending requires far more than just beating the bosses in front of you. It demands complete mastery of Khazan’s evolving skill tree, scouring every inch of the map for hidden paths, and unraveling deep lore secrets before the final showdown.
Those 42 deaths weren’t cheap, either. Each death screen served as a clear masterclass in what not to do:
- Mistiming a deflect against a multi-hit flurry.
- Overextending on an offensive burst when stamina was in the red.
- Failing to adjust positioning during chaotic, multi-phase boss transitions.
When that final blow landed and the true ending cinematic rolled, the payoff felt completely earned.
Visuals and Atmosphere
Visually, the cel-shaded, animated aesthetic gives every duel a kinetic, graphic-novel intensity. The dark fantasy environments feel oppressive and dangerous, perfectly framing the brutal animations and stylish executions. Even when you’re on your tenth attempt at a grueling checkpoint, the presentation keeps the adrenaline pumping.
Overall
- Gameplay & Combat - 9.5/109.5/10
- Visuals & Art Style - 9/109/10
- Story & Lore - 8.5/108.5/10
- Difficulty & Balancing - 9/109/10
THE VERDICT
The First Berserker: Khazan delivers a high-stakes, responsive, and unforgiving gauntlet that cements itself among the top tier of hardcore action titles. If you have the patience to endure the grind, master the blade, and push through dozens of brutal setbacks, the journey to the true ending is one of the most satisfying triumphs you’ll experience this year.
Pros
Deep, Satisfying Combat System: Fluid stance/weapon mechanics with immense weight behind every blow and highly responsive parry/deflect windows.
Striking Graphic Novel Aesthetic: Vivid, cel-shaded art style and high-impact animations make every duel visually dynamic.
Masterful Boss Encounters: Multi-phase, rhythm-driven boss designs that reward pattern recognition, precision stamina management, and patience.
Meaningful Progression & Lore: Robust skill trees, hidden paths, and rich world-building that make unlocking the true ending exceptionally rewarding.
Cons
Uncompromising Difficulty Curve: Brutal damage spikes and tight timing windows that offer zero hand-holding for newcomers to the genre.
Pacing Slowdowns on Backtracking: Navigating earlier sections to hunt down true ending prerequisites and secrets can feel tedious.
Punishing Stamina Penalties: Overextending on offensive bursts leaves you vulnerable to instant, fight-ending counterattacks.
