The director of The First Berserker: Khazan is firm: games must be engaging, not exhausting

Soulslike games continue to be an important phenomenon, 15 years after Demon’s Souls popularized the style. This trend has come to dominate the landscape of action games in general. We observe this evolution with titles like Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, which, although inspired by games like Sekiro, offers a more accessible experience.

His director is clear: video games must be fun above all

More recently, a new addition to the genre has been presented: The First Berserker: Khazan. Although during a demonstration at Steam Next Fest its closeness to soulslikes can be perceived, the creative director, Junho Lee, insists that his game is more than that. In an interview with GamesRadar+, Lee explained that “Khazan is a unique hardcore action RPG experience, infused with the DNA of Dungeon & Fighter,” a successful MMO that started in 2005.

Despite the obvious similarities to soulslikes, such as precise pattern analysis and strategic combat, Lee emphasizes that his title stands out by offering “fast-paced and exciting action with a distinctive skill system”. When trying the demo, many players may find reminiscences of Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin in terms of skill trees and the pace of combat.

Lee does not consider the term soulslike to be derogatory and recognizes it as a powerful label that evokes in many players the idea of challenging combat and intricate game design. “When players compare Khazan to soulslike titles, they are not just noticing mechanical similarities. The pursuit of challenge and achievement, as well as immersive game design, are key pillars of our approach,” he added.

Finally, Lee shared his perspective on difficulty in video games, stating that “games should be engaging, not exhausting”, a statement that may resonate with enthusiasts of various genres. Something we will see on March 27, when the game is released.

Steam DOWNLOAD