Neople, a subsidiary of the renowned South Korean gaming giant Nexon, is preparing to launch its eagerly awaited hardcore RPG slasher, The First Berserker: Khazan. The game will be available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series, with a scheduled release date of March 27. To build anticipation, the developers have unveiled an eight-minute gameplay trailer that delves into the game's sophisticated combat system.

The trailer highlights three fundamental combat principles: attacking, dodging, and defending. Defense, while consuming more stamina than dodging, rewards players with perfectly timed blocks that reduce stamina drain and minimize stun effects. On the other hand, dodging uses less stamina but demands precise timing and swift reflexes to fully capitalize on the invulnerability frames during evasive actions. As is typical in soulslike games, mastering stamina management is crucial for success in The First Berserker: Khazan.

Should Khazan's stamina be depleted, he enters an exhaustion state, rendering him completely vulnerable to enemy attacks. This mechanic can also be strategically used against enemies with stamina bars—players can drain their opponents' stamina before unleashing devastating blows. For foes without stamina bars, relentless attacks can gradually wear down their resilience. These encounters require patience, strategic positioning, and flawless timing, although they are balanced by the fact that the stamina of monsters does not regenerate over time.