Khazan Gamers Voice Two ‘Authentic Grievances’ About the Game

The First Berserker: Khazan has generally received favorable reviews upon its release, earning an impressive average score of 80 on OpenCritic. However, not all players are completely satisfied. One notable frustration that gamers face is the omission of a pause button, which has sparked annoyance among many enthusiasts. Additionally, players are keen for the developers at Neople to remove the ever-present build number etched at the bottom corner of the screen. These issues have left some fans hopeful that future updates will smooth out these rough edges.

Introduced to audiences in late 2023, The First Berserker: Khazan quickly grabbed the attention of hardcore gamers with its promise of intense, Soulslike combat, challenging boss encounters, and an engaging narrative centered on revenge. Set against the backdrop of the continent of Arad, the game journeys with Khazan, a fallen general of the Pell Los Empire, as he seeks to reclaim his honor and exact vengeance. Despite an enthusiastic reception and a solid OpenCritic score, the game has areas that demand improvements.

On a recent Reddit post, user unknown5493 heralded The First Berserker: Khazan as one of the premier Soulslike experiences currently available, rating it higher than the likes of Nioh 2 and Lies of P. Despite this praise, the lack of a dedicated pause feature in a purely single-player game without online interactions was a sticking point. Many players echoed this sentiment, revealing that they typically pause the game by navigating to their console dashboards. Furthermore, the game’s persistent display of the build number in the bottom left corner has drawn criticism, with concerns being raised about its potential to cause screen burn-in on OLEDs and its intrusion during high-stakes battles.

In a move to widen its accessibility, Microsoft recently welcomed The First Berserker: Khazan to the Xbox Cloud Gaming library. This allows Xbox owners to enjoy the game on PCs and other compatible gadgets. However, a significant bug related to pre-order armor sets has surfaced, prompting developers to work on a fix, although the timing of the next update remains uncertain.

As 2025 unfolds, the year is shaping up to be monumental for the Soulslike genre. Anticipation builds for upcoming releases like Elden Ring Nightreign and Lies of P: Overture, set to hit the gaming world this summer. Moreover, new IPs like Soulframe and Wuchang: Fallen Feathers are gearing up for competition, with early insights already captivating the genre’s faithful followers.