The First Berserker: Khazan — Everything We Know

If you thought Remnant II was a tough cookie to crack, then wait till you get a load of Neople and NEXON's upcoming “hardcore” action role-playing game, The First Berserker: Khazan. Suffice it to say that the team behind Dungeon Fighter Online is gearing up to rain down on our parade, and if what they're brewing from behind the smokescreen is anything like the footage that was teased during The Game Awards, then we're in for a whole lot of trouble when it eventually launches on consoles and PC.

Given the fact that the devs have kept quiet on a lot of the IP's material, we aren't able to chalk out the whole portrait just yet. Having said that, if you are keen to learn more about the upcoming ARPG, then be sure to read on for all the latest patch notes and developments. Here's everything we can tell you about The First Berserker: Khazan.

What Is The First Berserker: Khazan?

Let's get straight to the point. What is The First Berserker: Khazan, and what makes it the “hardcore” ARPG that Neople claims it to be? Well, according to the team, the game will be the next entry in the Dungeon & Fighter (DNF) timeline, as well as a follow-up to 2022's DNF Duel. Unlike the previous entry, which opted for a multiplayer blueprint, The First Berserker: Khazan will feature a brand-new single-player campaign, “marked by intense, aggressive, and ever-changing styles of battle.”

To give you a clearer idea, The First Berserker is a hack-and-slash ARPG “mixed with hardcore action.” Reportedly, the game “adapts the universe of DNF, dealing with the story of Ozma and Khazan.” Therefore, if you're something of a fledgling DNF enthusiast, then the upcoming ARPG ought to fill in a few missing pieces and provide a bit more of a backstory to some of its primary characters — Khazan being the most obvious of the bunch.

Story

The First Berserker: Khazan will transport its players to a wretched world of fallen kingdoms lost in endless turmoil. The story, according to the blurb, will follow Khazan, a once-renowned general who, in the wake of his epic triumph over the Dragon Legion, has been exiled from the empire under false accusations of treason.

“The Pell Los Empire has been saved – at a cost,” a press release reads. “After the Great General Khazan and Archmage Ozma defeat the Berserk Dragon Hismar and the Dragon Legion, players will step into the shoes of Khazan as he is falsely accused of treason and exiled beyond the empire.” Naturally, this is where you will pick up the slack—as Khazan, who will set out to decipher the incidents that led to his downfall, as well as locate the enemies that brought him to the precipice of death.

“Khazan and Ozma, the heroes who saved Pelos Empire from the Berserk Dragon Hismar and the Dragon Legion,” the blurb explains. “But General Khazan, falsely accused of treason, becomes a wretched outcast as he is condemned to exile beyond the empire through brutal torture.”

Well, there you have it. From what we've gathered so far, Khazan's tale will be one of vengeance, which means, naturally, we can expect a whole lot of confrontational endeavors and hard-hitting boss encounters. Or at least, that’s what we’ve been led to believe, anyway.

Gameplay

As far as gameplay elements travel, developer Neople touts a “hardcore” experience—a boast that clearly fits in with its combat system and mechanics. It seems, then, that the campaign will feature a mixture of ruthless combat encounters, as well as a traditional progression system — one that will include forging various types of weapons, armors, and tools.

“The First Berserker: Khazan is an RPG with various equipment and perks to customize your own way of growth,” the description explains. “You play as the protagonist “Khazan”, not only upgrading character abilities but combining different types of weapon and armor ability to match your play style.”

“Survive the imperial forces’ relentless pursuit and conspiracies to kill Khazan, and overcome the harsh environments you encounter,” the description adds. “You were a once in a lifetime hero that the history of Arad. Recall the forgotten skills of battle from brutal torture and slay the enemies that defame and stand against you.”

Development

If you happened to gloss over the introductory spiel, then just know this: The First Berserker: Khazan is a product of Neople—a studio that found its footprint back in 2005 with Dungeon Fighter Online. Since fleshing out its universe and unleashing it to the Western front, the series has gone on to span several spin-offs and expansions, including Dungeon & Fighter: Overkill, and DNF Duel. For the record, the upcoming hack-and-slash game will be something of a backstory for one of the franchise’s characters — Khazan.

Trailer

As luck would have it, we do have a bit of footage of The First Berserker: Khazan already locked in the pipeline. Missed out on The Game Awards 2023? Don't sweat it; you can check out NEXON's latest announcement trailer for The First Berserker: Khazan in the embed above.

Release Date, Platforms & Editions

The First Berserker: Khazan will be shaping up for a release on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam at some stage in the foreseeable future. As for when it'll arrive on the aforementioned platforms is still unclear, though if we had to paint a rough estimate over it, then we'd favor a Q4 2024 launch at the earliest. However, until either Neople or NEXON can shed light on the matter, we can't really go beyond speculation.

Interested in staying up to date with The First Berserker: Khazan? If so, then be sure to check in with the folks over at NEXON for all the latest updates by following their official social handle here. If anything changes ahead of its global debut, then we'll be sure to fill you in on all the key details right here on gaming.net

So, what's your take? Will you be picking up a copy of The First Berserker: Khazan when it eventually arrives on consoles and PC? Let us know your thoughts over on our socials here.