New Gameplay Trailer for The First Berserker: Khazan Highlights Combat Mechanics

Neople, a Nexon subsidiary, is poised to unleash its highly anticipated hardcore RPG slasher, The First Berserker: Khazan, onto PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S on March 27th. A recently released eight-minute gameplay trailer offers a captivating glimpse into the game's intricate and demanding combat system.

The trailer highlights three fundamental pillars of battle: attack, dodge, and defend. While defending consumes significantly more stamina than dodging, perfectly timed blocks not only lessen stamina drain but also mitigate stun effects. Dodging, conversely, is more stamina-efficient but demands precise timing and quick reflexes to fully utilize its invulnerability frames. As with many soulslike titles, mastering stamina management is paramount to success in The First Berserker: Khazan.

Running out of stamina plunges Khazan into a vulnerable state of exhaustion, leaving him wide open to enemy attacks. This mechanic, however, can be strategically exploited against enemies with visible stamina bars—depleting their stamina before unleashing devastating blows. Even foes lacking stamina bars can be worn down through persistent, well-timed attacks. These encounters demand patience, precise positioning, and impeccable timing, though the developers have balanced the challenge by ensuring that monster stamina does not regenerate.