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First Berserker: Khazan Review – Raw, Rage-Fueled Mayhem

Visuals

The graphics are functional but not particularly impressive. There are a few standout moments, such as the moonlit bridge scene before the Viper fight, which leave a strong impression. Outside of these, most environments and visual effects are standard and rarely draw attention.

Bosses

Main story bosses are a clear highlight. Each one is memorable and takes good advantage of the combat system. These fights are well designed and provide a real sense of progression. Side bosses, by contrast, are much less interesting. Many are simply modified versions of main bosses or standard enemies with extra health and a few added attacks. This lack of variety also extends to side missions in general, which often feel repetitive and underdeveloped.

Gameplay

Combat is where the game truly shines. It is fast, responsive, and allows for long combo chains that feel both fluid and satisfying. In terms of core mechanics, this is one of the best combat systems in any Soulslike to date. However, the game lacks build diversity. The three available weapon types feel distinct, but they do not change the gameplay in meaningful ways. Armor sets have only minor effects, which limits experimentation and long-term replay value.

The difficulty is fair and well tuned. Most bosses take around ten to fifteen attempts to learn and beat. Even players without much experience in the genre will find success through understanding attack patterns and learning when to execute combos. Once the timing clicks, combat becomes both rewarding and manageable.

Content and Progression

Finishing all content takes about forty hours. A New Game Plus mode adds some additional longevity with new gear rarities that allow for stronger builds. While the postgame content is limited, it still offers enough to keep engaged players interested for a while longer.

Verdict
8.5 out of 10

This is a highly polished action RPG with exceptional combat and strong boss encounters. While build variety and side content leave room for improvement, the core experience is consistently rewarding and well executed. Fans of the genre looking for tight, combo-driven gameplay will find a lot to enjoy here.

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