NEXON and Neople’s hardcore action RPG, The First Berserker: Khazan, reached over 30,000 concurrent players—specifically 32,929—during its launch weekend.
Set in the Dungeon Fighter Online universe, the game tells the story of Khazan, a once-celebrated general who was falsely accused of treason. After being tortured and exiled, he forms an alliance with a ghostly entity called the Blade Phantom to gain supernatural powers and seek revenge against those who betrayed him.
What’s got players hooked? The game’s combat system is all about perfect timing. You’ll need to master techniques like “Brink Guard” and “Brink Dodge” to counter enemies effectively. Managing your stamina is crucial too – run out at the wrong moment and you’re in for a world of hurt. But turn the tables when enemies are exhausted, and you can unleash devastating attacks.
The game gives you three weapon options to play with – a heavy-hitting greatsword, lightning-fast dual blades, or a nimble spear. Each has its own skill tree, letting you customize your playstyle while progressing through the mission-based structure that encourages replaying levels to find all the hidden goodies.
While Elden Ring still wears the crown in this genre with 69,000 concurrent players on the same day, Khazan is carving out its own fanbase. Both games boast an impressive 92% positive rating on Steam, though Khazan’s rating comes from about 7,200 reviews compared to Elden Ring’s million-plus.
Meanwhile, its competitor in the Soulslikes genre, Lies of P, peaked at over 19,000 concurrent players during its launch in late 2023 and currently maintains a player count of around 2,000 daily.
What sets Khazan apart is its more accessible approach to the normally punishing Soulslike formula. You can earn XP even from failed boss attempts, and the game offers difficulty options to help newcomers get their footing. Even the checkpoint system (called Blade Nexuses) offers more forgiveness than genre veterans might expect.
The First Berserker: Khazan is available now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC through Steam.
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