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: attacking, dodging, and defending. Defense, while effective, consumes significantly more stamina than dodging. However, perfectly timed blocks not only lessen stamina drain but also drastically reduce 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, masterful stamina management is key to success in The First Berserker: Khazan.
Depleting Khazan's stamina leaves him completely vulnerable, a risk-reward mechanic mirrored in enemy encounters. Enemies with stamina bars can be strategically weakened by depleting their stamina before unleashing devastating attacks. Those without stamina bars still succumb to persistent pressure and well-timed strikes. These battles demand patience, precise positioning, and impeccable timing; a challenge balanced by the fact that monster stamina does not regenerate.