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, as this is when you can dive into the action. To give fans a taste of what's to come, the developers have released an eight-minute gameplay trailer that dives deep into the game's intricate combat system.

The trailer highlights three core principles of battle: attacking, dodging, and defending. Defense in The First Berserker: Khazan consumes significantly more stamina than dodging, but perfectly timed blocks not only reduce stamina drain but also minimize stun effects. On the flip side, dodging uses less stamina but demands precise timing and quick reflexes to maximize invulnerability frames during evasive maneuvers. As with most soulslike games, mastering your stamina management is key to success in The First Berserker: Khazan.

If your stamina runs dry, Khazan enters a state of exhaustion, leaving him completely vulnerable to enemy attacks. This mechanic can be turned to your advantage against enemies with stamina bars—deplete their stamina before landing powerful strikes. For enemies without stamina bars, their resilience can still be worn down through persistent attacks. These battles require patience, precise positioning, and impeccable timing, but they're balanced by the fact that monster stamina does not regenerate over time.