Neople, a renowned subsidiary of the South Korean gaming titan Nexon, is set to unveil its eagerly awaited hardcore RPG slasher, The First Berserker: Khazan, on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series. Mark your calendars for the release on March 27. As the anticipation builds, the developers have treated fans to an eight-minute gameplay trailer that dives deep into the game's sophisticated combat mechanics.
The trailer highlights the three fundamental aspects of combat in The First Berserker: Khazan: attacking, dodging, and defending. While defending consumes a substantial amount of stamina, perfectly timed blocks not only lessen the stamina cost but also significantly reduce the impact of stun effects. Dodging, conversely, is less taxing on stamina but demands sharp timing and swift reflexes to fully leverage the invulnerability frames during these evasive actions. Like its soulslike counterparts, mastery in The First Berserker: Khazan is all about strategic stamina management during combat.
Should Khazan's stamina be depleted, he falls into an exhaustion state, rendering him defenseless against enemy onslaughts. Savvy players can turn this mechanic to their advantage by exhausting the stamina of enemies who possess stamina bars, setting the stage for devastating attacks. For foes without stamina bars, relentless attacks can gradually erode their resilience. These encounters require a blend of patience, strategic positioning, and impeccable timing. Importantly, the gameplay is balanced by the fact that monster stamina does not regenerate, adding a layer of strategy to each battle.