The First Berserker Khazan was a game released back in March of 2025. It was a third-person action souls-like game that showed a lot of promise. It looked good and played well, but apparently, the dev team suffered after a year of its release, as they were dissolved.
What happened to the people behind the game?
There was apparently some future content and DLC to be made for the game, but with recent news, that won’t be a reality anymore. As for the team, some of the lower-level workers were sadly laid off. We don’t have the numbers, but some of the higher-ups or those who had major contributions were transferred or will be placed in other future projects under Nexon. The low amount of sales of the game marked the doom of the people involved.
What is the game all about?
We’re going to do a little overview of what the game was about. From the story to the gameplay, and more.
Brief history
Khazan the First Berserker is an action role-playing game developed by Neople and published by Nexon. It serves as a prequel and origin story within the larger Dungeon & Fighter (DNF) universe, focusing on the legendary figure who becomes the namesake and foundational inspiration for the Berserker class. The game blends intense, hardcore combat with a narrative centered on betrayal, supernatural possession, and unrelenting vengeance, all set in a dark fantasy world inspired by medieval Europe but tied to the continent of Arad.
Battle system
Combat is the core of the experience, emphasizing precision, timing, and aggression. Players engage enemies using a mix of melee attacks, dodges, and defensive maneuvers like parrying. Each weapon type offers a distinct moveset, encouraging experimentation and mastery. Battles are not about button-mashing; instead, they reward learning enemy patterns and responding with well-timed strikes or evasions.
Enemies are designed to be punishing, often requiring multiple attempts to defeat. Boss fights in particular are highly cinematic and mechanically complex, pushing players to fully understand the combat system. Success depends on patience and skill rather than raw stats.
Character progression
As players advance, Khazan becomes stronger through a combination of leveling systems, gear upgrades, and skill enhancements. Experience gained from defeating enemies allows for improvements in attributes such as strength, stamina, and survivability. Equipment plays a major role, with weapons and armor affecting both combat effectiveness and playstyle.
Skill trees or ability systems allow players to tailor Khazan’s abilities, unlocking new attacks, combos, and passive bonuses. This progression system encourages players to specialize or adapt depending on the challenges they face.
Exploring the world
The game features interconnected environments that reward exploration. Players can discover hidden paths, loot, and optional encounters scattered throughout the world. While not fully open-world, the level design encourages backtracking and careful observation.
Checkpoints are strategically placed, allowing players to recover and prepare for upcoming battles, but death may carry penalties that add tension to exploration. The atmosphere is dark and immersive, reinforcing the grim tone of Khazan’s journey.
In Closing
The First Berserker Khazan is a beautiful game that excels in its gameplay. It’s also a great addition to the Dungeon and Fighter franchise, as there are a lot of games that are a part of it. It’s a shame it fell short in terms of sales, but at least some of the devs were kept around.
