On March 27, 2025, Neople and publisher Nexon released their latest action RPG, The First Berserker: Khazan, a game that takes players 800 years back in the timeline of the Dungeon Fighter Online (DNF) universe. As with many game launches, the title arrived with a day-one patch aimed at fixing bugs and balancing gameplay, which is crucial for a title that promises a challenging experience.
Set in a brutal world, The First Berserker: Khazan is a fast-paced soulslike RPG where players must carefully allocate stats to survive against formidable foes. The game offers five core stats: Vitality, Endurance, Strength, Willpower, and Proficiency, each influencing various aspects of gameplay. Players must think strategically about their builds, as the wrong allocation can lead to frustration when facing tough bosses.
Among the notable changes introduced in the day-one patch was the nerfing of Viper, one of the game's early bosses. Creative Director Junho Lee noted that Viper had become known as a "newbie crusher" due to its high difficulty level, which many players felt was akin to a final boss challenge. Lee explained that the decision to adjust Viper’s difficulty stemmed from community feedback, with players expressing that the skills required to defeat the boss were not adequately developed during the early stages of the game. Consequently, the difficulty for Viper's first and second phases was lowered, allowing new players a fairer chance to progress.
In addition to the adjustments made to Viper, the patch addressed the Primeval Regression Bug, which had been a significant issue for players equipped with the Hero's Weapon and Armor Set. This bug caused discrepancies with player stats and the Lacrima currency used for upgrades. With the fix implemented, players can now enjoy a smoother experience without worrying about unexpected changes in their character's abilities.
The game is available on multiple platforms, including STEAM, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The update schedule for the day-one patch was set for March 27, 2025, at 8:00 AM UTC, with specific version updates for each platform: STEAM version 495103, PlayStation 5 version 01.002.028, and Xbox Series X|S version 1.1.2.28.
As players dive into the game, they will encounter unique challenges, such as invisible enemies that can be particularly frustrating. These foes appear as early as Phraugh Village and can be difficult to detect. However, players can obtain the Coward’s Lantern, an essential tool that reveals the footsteps of these hidden adversaries. To acquire the Coward’s Lantern, players must complete the first main mission to unlock the Jar Enthusiasts side mission, where they can purchase the lantern from the trader Danjin for 50,000 gold.
The Coward’s Lantern is not just a luxury; it’s a necessity for navigating through the game’s more treacherous areas. Without it, players may find themselves ambushed by invisible enemies, making the quest for survival even more daunting. Investing time to gather the required gold to buy this lantern is highly recommended to avoid unnecessary frustrations during gameplay.
Players will also have to make smart decisions regarding their character builds. Each of the five stats offers distinct advantages that can affect gameplay significantly. For instance, investing in Vitality increases Max Health while providing slight boosts to Attack DMG and resistance. Endurance enhances Max Stamina and recovery rates, while Strength, Willpower, and Proficiency cater to different weapon types and playstyles.
When starting out, it’s wise to prioritize Vitality to ensure a solid foundation for survivability. Once players are comfortable with their health, they can focus on their weapon of choice, which will dictate their next steps in stat allocation. The game offers three weapon types: Dual Wield, Greatsword, and Spear, each with its own scaling stats. Players will unlock all three weapons by the second mission, allowing them to experiment with different styles of combat.
In terms of technical performance, The First Berserker: Khazan is powered by Unreal Engine 4 and supports DLSS 4 and Multi-Frame Generation (MFG). Early tests have shown promising results, with the game running at over 170 FPS at 8K/Max Settings using DLSS 4 Performance Mode and MFG X4 on an NVIDIA RTX 5090. For those playing at native 8K, frame rates can drop to between 35-45 FPS, but utilizing MFG can boost performance significantly. Players with NVIDIA RTX 4090 or 5090 graphics cards are encouraged to use Quality Mode at 4K to maximize visual fidelity without straining their systems.
As players embark on their journey through The First Berserker: Khazan, they can expect a mix of thrilling combat, strategic character development, and a richly crafted world filled with challenges. With the recent updates and fixes, players are better equipped to face the brutal trials that await them, making it an exciting time for fans of action RPGs.
In summary, The First Berserker: Khazan promises to deliver an intense gaming experience filled with intricate mechanics and a compelling story. With its official launch now behind it, players can look forward to diving deep into the game’s world, armed with the knowledge of how to optimize their characters and tackle the challenges ahead.
