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In just some weeks, Nexon is releasing a souls-like motion RPG titled The First Berserker: Khazan. Followers of Soulslike RPGs could have their eyes on this recreation, however aren’t positive what precisely it’s. I do know I wasn’t very acquainted when the sport was first introduced at The Sport Awards 2023.

The Steam web page of The First Berserker: Khazan states that Khazan is “set 800 years earlier than the occasions of the Dungeon Fighter On-line (DNF) Universe”. To begin with, what’s the “Dungeon Fighter On-line” universe? And likewise why is the acronym DNF? Effectively..

In 2005, Korean developer Neople — a subsidiary of Nexon — launched an internet sidescroller motion RPG referred to as Dungeon & Fighter, typically shortened to DNF. The sport was solely formally accessible in varied Asian markets for a number of years, however when the sport lastly launched in North America in 2010, it was given the altered title Dungeon Fighter On-line. That is typically shortened to DFO, even as we speak. The 2 titles and the 2 acronyms for a similar recreation are usually used interchangeably. That is not complicated, proper?

Much more time handed earlier than a world model of Dungeon & Fighter / Dungeon Fighter On-line was made accessible, releasing in 2015 adopted by a Steam launch. The sport is at present celebrating its tenth anniversary.

The one factor you, participant, actually need to find out about Dungeon & Fighter / Dungeon Fighter On-line is that’s it a class-based recreation. There are sixteen lessons to select from, every with a number of superior lessons. For the aim of this text, be aware that one of many superior Slayer lessons is called Berserker..

Nexon has been attempting to take the now 20-year previous on-line recreation and department it out into different genres on different platforms. The primary and comparatively latest non-mobile entry on this endeavor is DNF Duel, a combating recreation based mostly on the collection co-developed by Arc System Works. It launched in 2022 for PlayStation consoles and Steam, adopted by a Swap port in 2023. The sport options sixteen playable characters, based mostly on the aforementioned lessons from Dungeon & Fighter / Dungeon Fighter On-line.

So The place Does The First Berserker Khazan Match In?

If DNF Duel is basically the primary DNF/DFO spinoff of the DNF collection, then The First Berserker: Khazan is the second spinoff of the collection. The sport itself tells the story of Khazan, which is tied into the world lore of Dungeon & Fighter.

Now, I am positive a 20-year previous recreation in all probability has a ton of lore to sift by means of. For the needs of Khazan, although, Neople tells you what you want to know. We already know that, supposedly, The First Berserker: Khazan takes place 800 years prior.

In accordance with Neople:

Primarily based on the lore of Dungeon Fighter On-line, Khazan is a legendary hero of the Pell Los Empire who lived 800 years in the past … It’s stated he went to battle with out his armor on, swinging an axe in a single hand and a sword within the different. He additionally had throwing axes strapped to his waist, to throw them at enemies at any time when he might. An incredible warrior, he as soon as reached the place of Nice Basic of the Pelos, however later was accused of treason and arrested alongside his good buddy, Ozma. His household was worn out, and he misplaced the tendons in each arms earlier than being despatched into exile past the Stru Mountains.

So, Nexon determined to show this nugget of lore into its personal recreation. That is what The First Berserker: Khazan is. Neople clarifies:

“Whereas The First Berserker: Khazan relies on a selected narrative throughout the DNF Universe, we’ve made efforts to make sure that gamers who will not be well-versed on this expansive world can nonetheless benefit from the recreation. The story is designed as a standalone narrative specializing in Khazan’s private life and his journey for revenge, permitting gamers to immerse themselves within the expertise with out prior information of the unique lore.”

It seems like this little bit of lore has develop into one thing of a legend on this planet of DNF/DFO, with a number of interpretations and variations. The First Berserker: Khazan particularly is only one model of the story, with an final result that might be completely different than the unique lore. Apparently, this model’s alterations are all centered round a mysterious being referred to as the Blade Phantom.

Lastly, why trouble to make a recreation centered on Khazan to start with? Neople’s response:

Among the many quite a few DNF characters, Khazan’s deeply emotional narrative is the largest purpose why we determined to develop First Berserker: Khazan. Noting that such in-depth narratives can result in empathy and provides them a way of immersion. This ties into the rationale why we additionally selected to develop it as a stand-alone single-player console. It’s the best format to ship such an emotional expertise

The First Berserker: Khazan releases on March 27 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Sequence X|S, and PC (Steam). A demo is at present accessible.