The Soulslike genre has evolved dramatically since its inception, with titles like Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring setting benchmarks for challenging combat, intricate world-building, and atmospheric storytelling. Enter The First Berserker: Khazan, a new contender promising to carve its identity within this competitive space. But how does it stack against established giants and recent innovations like Lies of P or Nioh 2? This comparative analysis dives into gameplay mechanics, narrative depth, and design philosophy to uncover what makes Khazan stand out – and where it follows tradition.
The Soulslike Blueprint: Core Tenets of the Genre
Before dissecting Khazan, let’s establish the genre’s DNA. Soulslikes typically feature:
- High-risk combat with precise timing and stamina management
- Interconnected worlds rewarding exploration
- Environmental storytelling over explicit narrative
- Boss battles serving as skill-check milestones
- Character builds enabling diverse playstyles
Recent entries have experimented within this framework. Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty introduced deflection-focused combat, while Steelrising added accessibility options. Khazan’s approach? A rage-driven combat system that turns near-death moments into offensive opportunities.
Combat Mechanics: Aggression vs. Patience
Where Dark Souls rewards calculated defense, Khazan incentivizes controlled aggression. Its Berserker Mode activates at low health, granting:
- 20% attack speed boost
- Health regeneration on hit
- Uninterruptible heavy attacks
This creates a risk-reward dynamic distinct from Sekiro’s posture system or Bloodborne’s rally mechanic. Players must decide whether to heal or embrace vulnerability for increased power – a fresh spin on the genre’s traditional stamina management.
World Design: Linear vs. Open Exploration
Modern Soulslikes increasingly favor open worlds, as seen in Elden Ring’s Legacy Dungeons. Khazan takes a hybrid approach:
- Hub-based structure with 6 distinct biomes
- Metroidvania-style ability-gated paths
- Procedurally generated challenge rooms (a series first)
This contrasts with Lords of the Fallen’s dual-realm exploration but avoids overwhelming players like Mortal Shell’s labyrinthine corridors. The biome variety – from volcanic forges to frozen citadels – showcases impressive environmental storytelling through visual cues rather than exposition.
Boss Design: Learning Curves & Spectacle
Khazan’s 14 main bosses follow a pattern familiar to Nioh veterans:
- Phase 1: Learn attack patterns
- Phase 2: Environmental hazards activate
- Phase 3: Berserker Mode required for DPS checks
While not as revolutionary as Elden Ring’s multi-phase encounters, the Frostbone Colossus fight stands out. Players must shatter ice armor with fire traps – a mechanic blending Dark Souls 3’s Yhorm fight with God of War’s puzzle elements.
Build Diversity: Weapons & Customization
The game offers 32 weapons across 5 categories, fewer than Dark Souls 3’s 100+ options but more curated. Unique to Khazan:
- Rune Infusion System: Modify weapons with elemental effects
- Berserker Skill Trees: Three paths (Brute, Tactician, Survivor)
- Armor Set Bonuses: 4-piece sets altering Berserker Mode
This creates build depth comparable to Nioh 2’s stance system but with clearer synergies. A Tactician/Survivor hybrid build, for instance, can trigger Berserker Mode 40% more frequently while reducing incoming damage – numbers that rival Diablo 4’s legendary affixes.
Narrative Approach: Lore vs. Direct Storytelling
Unlike Hellblade’s character-driven narrative or The Surge’s dystopian logs, Khazan adopts Shadow of the Colossus-style minimalism. Key plot points emerge through:
- Monolith carvings in ancient ruins
- Enemy armor engravings
- Post-boss dream sequences
This rewards observant players without forcing exposition, striking a balance between Bloodborne’s cryptic lore and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor’s cinematic approach.
Accessibility & Difficulty Options
Khazan avoids direct difficulty sliders but includes:
- Adaptive AI: Enemy aggression scales with player deaths
- Berserker Assist: Auto-activates Berserker Mode at 15% health
- Exploration Mode: Highlights breakable walls/secrets
These quality-of-life features mirror Steelrising’s approachability without diluting challenge – a smart middle ground between Sekiro’s unyielding design and Elden Ring’s spirit ashes.
Technical Performance: A Mixed Bag
Tested on PS5 and PC, Khazan delivers:
- 4K/60FPS in performance mode (dips to 55FPS in particle-heavy areas)
- 7/10 PC port stability (stuttering during area transitions)
- Load times: 3-5 seconds on SSD
While not as polished as Demon’s Souls Remake, it surpasses Lords of the Fallen’s launch performance. The art direction compensates with striking boss designs, though texture quality lags behind Lies of P’s UE5 visuals.
Conclusion: Where Khazan Earns Its Place
The First Berserker: Khazan doesn’t reinvent the Soulslike wheel but polishes its spokes with smart innovations. Its rage mechanics and build customization offer fresh incentives for genre veterans, while accessibility features lower barriers for newcomers. When stacked against 2023’s Lies of P or Remnant 2, it carves a niche through:
- Aggressive combat rewarding mastery
- Environmental storytelling avoiding lore overload
- Boss designs blending spectacle with strategy
For players seeking a challenging yet approachable Soulslike with unique identity, Khazan’s war cry deserves attention. Will it dethrone titans? No. But it successfully walks the tightrope between homage and innovation – a worthy addition to any action-RPG fan’s library.