I know, I do know. Being excited a couple of soulslike is about as uncommon a sight as Murderer’s Creed Shadows stepping in controversy. Nearly yearly has seen one or two sport of the yr contenders within the ever fashionable style. However even after taking part in so many video games operating from bonfire to bonfire and dying innumerable occasions to punishing bosses, I nonetheless got here away fairly stunned by The First Berserker. This sport is a soulslike by and thru and there’s no denying it. However its emphasis on cinematic storytelling and robust character growth assist distinguish itself from the group.
The First Berserker is about in Korean developer Nexon’s Dungeon Fighter On-line universe. However don’t be too delay by its connection to an current IP; in any case, it takes place a whopping 800 years earlier than the occasions of the profitable side-scrolling beat-em-up RPG. However the place DnG lives and breathes within the dwell service ambiance, The First Berserker is a strictly offline single-player expertise.
If there’s one factor I took away from all of the preview protection of the sport, it’s the surprising banger of a voice solid. The First Berserker managed to grab up among the busiest and most prolific voice actors within the motion RPG area at the moment. Ben Starr is the right match for the road-weary Khazan. Starr, who famously voiced Clive from FF 16, pulls off that rugged and beat-up warrior tone in an unmatched method. And that’s precisely how Khazan ought to sound. He’s a vaunted hero turned prisoner; somebody who ought to be basking within the glory of the dominion’s residents, however is punished by that very kingdom as a substitute. Betrayed and deserted, Khazan actually sounds as if he’s been put by hell, and we now have Ben Starr’s signature voice to thank for that. There’s a distinctness to Khazan’s intonation so he doesn’t simply sound like one other model of Clive too, which is sweet.
One other key character we’ll be listening to numerous all through the story is Blade Phantom, a unified assortment of spirits that tries to own Khazan’s physique for itself. Anthony Howell, who performed Margit from Elden Ring (you already know, the ‘foul tarnished’ boss), pulls off Blade Phantom’s menacing and sinister aggression fantastically. The sound crew designed a legion of overlapping voices using distinct tones as a illustration of Blade Phantom’s splintered essence. All through the sport, you’ll be interacting with a slew of different vital characters just like the scholar Daphrona and the disgraced aristocrat Lantimos, every performed by actors that loads of gamers will acknowledge.
And it’s obvious these characters aren’t simply one-off interactions both. Within the ‘Unveil the Voice’ video, actor Wilf Scolding says his character has, “a great deal of scenes with different characters who don’t essentially like [his] character.” It appears seemingly we’ll work together with these key characters repeatedly all through the sport central hub space known as ‘The Crevice’. It’ll be enjoyable to examine again on characters as the sport’s narrative advances, getting a extra full glimpse at characters’ backstories.
Don’t take my phrase for it although. Go try the “Unveil The Voice” video from Khazan’s official YouTube channel to see how nice the appearing is shaping up. The behind the scenes could not attain the top brilliance of KCD2’s dwell motion movies, however it’s a beautiful glimpse into the fervour and enthusiasm the actors and sound crew have put into the sport.
One other issue that elevates the characters of The First Berserker is the colourful cel-shaded artwork type. The sport isn’t shy about its visible anime leanings. Luckily, this isn’t some low cost try at capturing such a well-trod type. The lip syncing is spectacular, matching English voice strains seamlessly, and characters transfer with mannerisms and quirks distinctive to their persona. What we’ve seen of the cinematography and scene path is already spectacular.
Environments look good and painterly as effectively, making good use of Unreal Engine 5. And if the demo’s first snow space is something to go by, the sport guarantees some spectacular sights. One factor I seen throughout my time within the demo is how linear and easy the degrees are, at the least within the begin of the sport. That is no Elden Ring. If something, I discovered myself pondering again to Nioh and the type of fundamental stage pathing that sport had. A facet path right here or there results in treasure or the occasional mini-boss. And although environmental design is fairly fundamental, there’s nonetheless the great quaint looping shortcuts.
For those who haven’t caught on already, sure, The First Berserker wears its soulslike id proudly. You heal and respawn at checkpoints resembling bonfires and stage up by spending the required quantity of souls, or Lacrima as its named right here. I like how snappy and immediate respawning is. Dying isn’t practically as punishing or irritating because it might be due to such immediate respawns. Fight is simply as quick as respawning, which is bound to please Bloodborne or Wukong followers. The truth that you may kill most early enemies in simply three chained heavy assaults means backtracking to a boss you’re caught on doesn’t should be a laborious slog.
In fact, we haven’t seen how spongy enemies could be previous the early entry components. Even when enemies do have padded well being in different sections, the break mechanic at the least guarantees moments of vulnerability in opponents. Heavy assaults break enemies quicker than regular assaults. As soon as an opponent is damaged and their stamina is depleted, a brutal assault indicator pops up, permitting you to cut off a major quantity of their well being bar. Brutal assaults aren’t the type of loopy spectacle one may anticipate, however they nonetheless really feel visceral and satisfying. The break system additionally encourages a mastery of parrying since parries closely drain enemy stamina.
The primary vital boss of the sport actually impressed me with its numerous moveset. Yetuga’s assaults are telegraphed so parries and excellent dodges could be pulled off reliably, and the quantity of low cost moments and awkward digicam are just about non-existent. This boss saved me on my toes with its ramped up aggression midway by its well being bar. There’s little question in my thoughts The First Berserker will provide a few of this yr’s most partaking and thrilling boss fights.
Like the easy stage design, stats are streamlined to supply a extra centered type of development. There’s solely 5 attributes: Vitality, Endurance, Energy, Willpower, and Proficiency. It’s in all probability a superb factor the sport doesn’t bathroom us down with a fancy character sheet as a result of there’s loads of selection within the weapon sorts. Every weapon sort has its personal devoted ability tree and mastery development that you may discover. Duel swords feels fairly totally different than the greatsword and the vary of distinctive expertise and passive buffs by every tree guarantees a wealth of construct choices. And lastly, you may ‘trend souls’ it up with tons of armor combos. Full armor units apply buffs, rendering hoarding a worthwhile pursuit, and naturally all armor reveals on Khazan’s character mannequin.
Play the demo in the event you’re in any respect on the fence about The First Berserker; progress carries over to the total sport and it’s numerous enjoyable with its fast-paced motion fight. Followers of soulslikes haven’t been starved for good video games for the final decade, and The First Berserker seems to be to be some of the promising ones of the 2025. Its distinctive deal with story and characters helps differentiate it sufficient from the extra esoteric narratives of Elden Ring or half a dozen different related titles. Like lots of you, I’m an entire newcomer to the Dungeon Fighter On-line universe. I didn’t know what to anticipate however got here away intrigued to study extra in regards to the sport’s world and Khazan’s function in it, and I’m trying ahead attempting my hand at some extra boss fights come March twenty seventh’s full launch.
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