Neople, a subsidiary of the South Korean gaming giant Nexon, is set to launch its eagerly awaited hardcore RPG slasher, *The First Berserker: Khazan*, on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series. Mark your calendars for March 27, but until then, get a taste of what's in store with an eight-minute gameplay trailer that dives deep into the game's sophisticated combat system.
The trailer highlights three fundamental combat principles: attacking, dodging, and defending. While defending takes a hefty toll on your stamina, nailing the timing on blocks can greatly reduce stamina consumption and lessen stun effects. Dodging, conversely, is less demanding on stamina but demands split-second timing and sharp reflexes to make the most of those crucial invulnerability frames during your evasive moves. As is typical with soulslike games, mastering stamina management is key to triumphing in *The First Berserker: Khazan*.
Should your stamina hit zero, Khazan falls into an exhaustion state, rendering him utterly defenseless against enemy onslaughts. Savvy players can turn this mechanic to their advantage by draining the stamina of enemies who have stamina bars, setting them up for devastating attacks. For foes without stamina bars, relentless assault can still chip away at their resilience. These encounters test your patience, positioning, and timing to the max. However, the gameplay is balanced by the fact that monster stamina does not regenerate, adding a strategic layer to the combat dynamics.