
Neople, a subsidiary of the South Korean gaming giant Nexon, is set to launch its much-awaited hardcore RPG slasher, *The First Berserker: Khazan*, on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series. Mark your calendars for March 27, but in the meantime, get a sneak peek with the newly released eight-minute gameplay trailer. This video dives deep into the game's intricate combat system, highlighting the three core principles of battle: attacking, dodging, and defending.
The gameplay mechanics revolve around stamina management, a critical aspect for success in *The First Berserker: Khazan*. Defense, while consuming more stamina than dodging, rewards players with perfectly timed blocks that not only reduce stamina drain but also minimize stun effects. On the flip side, dodging uses less stamina but demands precise timing and quick reflexes to take full advantage of the invulnerability frames during evasive maneuvers. Just like in soulslike games, mastering your stamina is key to dominating the battlefield.
Run out of stamina, and Khazan enters a state of exhaustion, leaving him wide open to enemy attacks. Savvy players can exploit this mechanic against enemies with stamina bars by depleting their stamina before landing devastating blows. For foes without stamina bars, relentless attacks will gradually wear down their resilience. These encounters require patience, precise positioning, and impeccable timing, yet they're balanced by the fact that monster stamina doesn't regenerate over time, adding a strategic layer to the combat.