The First Berserker: Khazan Devs Talk Soulslike Mechanics, Difficulty, and Story

The First Berserker: Khazan Devs Talk Soulslike Mechanics, Difficulty, and Story

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I’ve seen my fair share of action RPGs, and let me tell you, The First Berserker: Khazan is shaping up to be quite a unique addition to the genre. The developers at Neople have clearly taken their inspiration from the Soulslike games we all know and love, but they’ve managed to carve out their own niche by incorporating elements from the beloved DNF series.


In the pipeline from developer Neople, under the guidance of parent company Nexon, is the action RPG titled “The First Berserker: Khazan“. This new project continues the tradition of ambitious endeavors from Nexon. The game, named after a notable character in the “Dungeon & Fighter” universe, The First Berserker: Khazan, is designed to give players a deeper understanding of Khazan’s history and driving forces. The game draws heavily on the combat mechanics established in “DNF Duel“, focusing significantly on delivering an action-packed RPG experience.

At Gamescom, Game Rant had a chat with the executive director and creative head of Khazan about the gameplay elements, artistic inspirations, and storyline links between their new game and Neople’s beloved DNF series. For your convenience, I’ve condensed and clarified the conversation.

The First Berserker: Khazan Represents a Bold New Chapter in the DNF Franchise

The First Berserker: Khazan Devs Talk Soulslike Mechanics, Difficulty, and Story

Q: Can you start by introducing yourselves to readers?

Myeong-jin: My name is Yoon Myeong-jin. I’m the executive director of Khazan and CEO of Neople.

Jun-Ho: My name is Lee Jun-Ho. I’m the creative director of Khazan. Thank you for your time.

Question: In what way does the intense gameplay style of The First Berserker: Khazan’s game mechanics tie into the narrative of its main character?

The primary character, Khazan, holds a prestigious position as a general within the realm of Dungeon & Fighter. In the initial narrative, he faces false charges of treason from the Empire, which results in his exile and ultimately his demise. However, in the story The First Berserker: Khazan, although he is still banished, an unusual twist allows him to live on.

The First Berserker: Khazan Devs Talk Soulslike Mechanics, Difficulty, and Story

As a gamer diving into this epic tale, I’ll be navigating the twists and turns of my character Khazan’s survival story. The narrative revolves around unveiling the secrets behind his exile, while simultaneously fueling the flames of his thirst for vengeance against those who wronged him.

​​​Q: What would you say the role of The First Berserker: Khazan is in the overall DNF universe?

Myeong-jin: In the world of Dungeon & Fighter, there’s a crucial class known as Slayers, who are distinguished by their red Ghost Arms. Players might be curious about their origin. This is clarified in the story, The First Berserker: Khazan. Here, you’ll see how the illness that results in Ghost Arms is developed. The Ghost Arm incident is just one of many events within the DNF universe, and the one involving Khazan is particularly significant.

In this game, we aim to narrate the events that transpired there and weave an engaging story. “Dungeon & Fighter” has been around for quite some time now, yet our goal remains to captivate the Western audience and introduce them to the game. We firmly believe that “Khazan” offers a perfect entry point.

Question: How would you describe the differences between Neople’s The First Berserker: Khazan, labeled as a “hardcore action RPG,” and a typical Soulslike game in terms of their unique features?

Myeong-jin: Khazan might not be entirely distinct from other Soulslikes. There are indeed many shared elements between them, and while we aimed to avoid a direct comparison, we wanted to acknowledge the influence of the original series (Dark Souls). With its intense monster encounters, it may bear some resemblance to typical Soulslikes.

As you advance through the game, you’ll find an abundance of skills that will help Khazan surpass typical expectations for a Soulslike game. Notably, there are ornate combo sequences reminiscent of DNF, which sets it apart from other Soulslike titles.

The First Berserker: Khazan Devs Talk Soulslike Mechanics, Difficulty, and Story

Question: In action RPGs, having the right build can make a significant difference. Some games provide numerous build options while others focus on building complexity. When striking this balance between build variety and build depth, what strategy does The First Berserker: Khazan employ?

As a gamer myself, I’m thrilled about the versatility and depth our game offers when it comes to weapon and gear-centric builds. Variety-wise, each weapon brings its unique traits – for instance, great swords are heavy and slow but pack quite a punch, while spears are fast enough for a flurry of attacks. I understand that everyone enjoys gaming differently, so we strive to create a game where players can discover their preferred build and test it out, even experimenting with different builds along the way.>

At Neople, our team comprises enthusiasts of action games and console games alike. This diversity allows us to recognize that gamers come in all shapes and styles. Some prefer an aggressive, proactive approach, while others savor the impact of a single powerful strike capable of eliminating an enemy instantly. We don’t believe there is a definitive answer to “What is the best way to play the game?” Instead, we strive to infuse our builds with a blend of versatility and complexity so that players can tailor their gaming experience according to their preferences.

The First Berserker: Khazan Devs Talk Soulslike Mechanics, Difficulty, and Story

Was there a particular set of rules or guidelines that were followed during the creation process for The First Berserker: Khazan’s bosses?

As a fan, I’d put it this way: When crafting the boss encounters, I found it crucial that Jun-Ho felt empowered to engage in epic battles against formidable opponents. This narrative aspect was pivotal in shaping our boss designs. It wasn’t just about creating impressive visuals for the bosses, but also weaving a compelling reason behind each confrontation.

The game is designed around conquering obstacles, prevailing over those hurdles, and ultimately defeating formidable foes. Our aim was to create a challenging experience without making the player feel like they’re destined to lose. Part of engaging players in the struggle lies within the storytelling that explains the necessity of each battle. Each boss encounter will undoubtedly involve both setbacks and triumphs.

In both victory and defeat, we strove to keep the player engaged. We aimed to incorporate the clarity of attacks in every boss’ design, allowing the player to discern and understand their attack patterns. This way, when they triumph, it’s a result of skill rather than chance alone, and even in loss, they acquire valuable insights about the boss’ tactics for future attempts.

The First Berserker: Khazan is scheduled to release in 2025.

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2024-08-30 17:23