Sekiro’s BEST Combat Is BACK! (Khazan First Look)

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Even years after its release, Sekiro: Shadow Die Twice remains the benchmark for games that emphasize parrying in the Soulslike genre. The smooth parry animations and precise hit feedback made combat feel like a graceful dance with enemies. So far, no other game has been able to replicate this experience until recently, when The First Berserker: Khazan was launched. With its own refined combat mechanics, we can now confidently say that there’s a spiritual successor to Sekiro available today.

Title Character Khazan shares many aspects with Sekiro, but it doesn’t simply mimic what made that game exceptional. When it comes to managing stamina, parrying, or blocking, Khazan builds upon what works in Sekiro and adds a unique twist. However, this is just the beginning of its offerings. Here’s why The First Berserker offers the finest Souslike combat since Sekiro, delving much deeper than you might initially expect.

It Perfectly Replicates Sekiro’s Satisfying Parrying And Adds Its Own Twist

In the game Sekiro, each parry is delightfully sharp, and the vibrant visual effects along with a generous opportunity for parrying make it highly addictive. The parrying in The First Berserker mirrors this sensation from Sekiro perfectly. Yet, it offers something extra through its “Blowback” feature. Whenever you parry an opponent, you can promptly attack and then block again within two seconds to counter their subsequent attack.

In the game The First Berserker, just like in Sekiro, there’s a system for managing stamina. When you attack or defend against enemies in Sekiro, their “Posture” increases. Once this bar is full, you can deliver a lethal blow to an enemy. However, in The First Berserker, there are two types of stamina bars for enemies: purple and white. Enemies with the purple bar don’t regenerate Posture or stamina. On the other hand, enemies with the white stamina bar do regenerate. When both bars are depleted, you can perform a Brutal Attack on your enemies. These attacks cause significant damage but don’t instantly kill them. Instead, you must also decrease their health bar to win. So, in terms of breaking enemy Posture, The First Berserker is more challenging than Sekiro.

You Can Parry, Counterattack, Dodge, And Reflect Incoming Attacks

In “The First Berserker”, it doesn’t just refine the basics established by “Sekiro”; it also expands the defensive strategies significantly. While in “Sekiro”, your defensive repertoire was limited to guarding, parrying, jumping, dodging, and the Mikiri Counter against thrust attacks, “The First Berserker” provides more options. You can guard, Perfect Guard, dodge, Perfect Dodge, launch a Counterattack, or Reflect. The guarding function is similar to that in “Sekiro”. Dodging works much like in “Sekiro”, but if you time it perfectly, Khazan will leave behind an afterimage, which looks impressive and returns some of his stamina to you.

As a gamer, I’ve got to tell ya about the Counterattack, it’s my go-to when an enemy unleashes an unstoppable attack. A well-timed Counterattack will wear ’em down, draining their stamina bit by bit. Now, the Reflection skill is something else – it lets you deal massive damage to enemies just by deflecting their attacks. The thing is, Reflections can be pulled off on almost any enemy strike, but they’re tricky to pull off compared to Perfect Guarding. But if you manage to master them, there’s no boss in The First Berserker that can stand against you for more than a minute. So, Reflection is the ultimate move for those hardcore gamers who are always up for a challenge!

Khazan’s Arsenal Is Far More Diverse

As a gamer immersed in The First Berserker’s world, I can attest to the diverse array of weapons it provides. Among these, I can choose three distinct ones: the spear, the greatsword, or the dual-wield option. During the heat of battle, I cannot switch between them, but when I step out for a breather, I have the freedom to swap among the trio. Each weapon presents its own unique gameplay style. The mighty greatsword swings with deliberate slowness, dealing heavy damage, while the spear moves swiftly and inflicts more stamina damage. Additionally, each weapon boasts a comprehensive skill tree and a plethora of exclusive abilities numbering in the tens.

Beyond all else, “The First Berserker” boasts an intricate battle system, complete with combos. You’re able to string numerous attacks and skills sequentially, much like action games such as “Devil May Cry”. In stark contrast, “Sekiro” comes equipped with just a single katana. Its attack repertoire is minimal, with a singular combo pattern. While “Sekiro” does have secondary weapons like a fan shield and a shuriken launcher, they don’t offer the versatility found in “The First Berserker’s” combat system. Furthermore, Khazan possesses a transformation known as “Phantom Form”, which introduces an entirely new set of moves.

The Gear System Is Innovative

One aspect where the game Sekiro fell short was in character builds; it wasn’t possible to wear any type of armor. Instead, there were alternative level-up methods. However, in the game The First Berserker, you’ll have access to numerous armor sets totaling hundreds of individual pieces. Each piece offers unique bonuses. When you put on two or more items from the same set, not only do you receive additional abilities, but also new bonuses.

For instance, wearing the helmet and chest piece from the “Bloodthirsty Fiend” armor set boosts your Swift Attack damage by 10%. Furthermore, if you don all six items of this set, it grants you access to the potent “Gale: Doom” ability. This means there’s a vast array of character builds available for Khazan, allowing you to experiment with countless combinations.

Khazan Manages To Build An Unforgettable Rogues’ Gallery Like Sekiro

In the game “The First Berserker”, developer Neople excelled at crafting impressive boss fights. Each main story boss is uniquely memorable due to their striking design and skillfully orchestrated combat. Much like Isshin, the Demon of Hatred, and Genichiro from “Sekiro”, Maluca, Rangkus, and Blade Phantom from “The First Berserker” leave an equally indelible mark. To defeat these bosses, you must adapt to their tactics, learn their patterns, and then dodge and counterattack effectively – a challenge reminiscent of “Sekiro”.

In terms of combat, Sekiro sets a high standard, but The First Berserker: Khazan has surpassed it, making further enhancements. Consequently, Khazan is a game that deserves recognition as one of the best Soulslikes, making it an essential play for fans of the genre.

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2025-05-01 18:18