2025 has barely started, and there’s already a promising new Soulslike coming into view. Coming from Dungeon Fighter Online’s developer Neople and publisher Nexon, The First Berserker: Khazan is an action-RPG set in the distant past of the MMORPG’s universe. Initially announced as Project BBQ in 2018, The First Berserker returned with a trailer at The Game Awards 2023, and is now approaching its launch for Steam, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S on March 27, 2025. Khazan’s game’s exciting CG and gameplay videos have already turned some heads, and it still has plenty more to see.
The First Berserker: Khazan tells the tale of the titular Great General Khazan, a hero of the Pell Los Empire who is framed, tortured, and banished from his nation. Although Khazan is a familiar figure to Dungeon Fighter Online fans, and has some ties to DFO‘s modern-day Berserker class, it’s currently ambiguous how canon The First Berserker is. Regardless, a chance meeting with a Blade Phantom gives Khazan the tools to take his revenge, and they include three distinct weapons classes with their own skill trees. The First Berserker: Khazan promises to be the next epic Soulslike adventure, and those interested won’t need to wait long to try it out.
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The First Berserker: Khazan Is Approaching Fast
A Demo For The First Berserker: Khazan Drops In January
Specifically, there’s a demo launching for the game on January 16, 2025. In a rare move for a Soulslike, The First Berserker will be getting a demo that supports save data transference, covering an unknown portion at the beginning of the game. Previews suggest that it will include at least the first major mission up to the Yetuga boss, although a closed beta included the first three missions and a stop at The First Berserker‘s expected Soulslike hub, The Crevice. Said beta was estimated to be around seven hours long, so at worst players should still have a solid 1–2 hours of game on their hands.
The Time Between The First Berserker’s Demo and Full Launch Is Short
That should be ample time to decide whether The First Berserker: Khazan is worth buying, which is a mercy given its release date. Mid-January to late-March isn’t that long, but at least there are no strong competitors in its field launching around the same time. At least one launch trailer, and possibly more promotional videos, should be released for The First Berserker in that time window, and anyone looking to pre-order will be able to get the game digitally or physically. The pre-order bonus is the Fallen Star armor set, based on Khazan’s initial story appearance, but it’s far from the flashiest extra available.
Khazan’s Deluxe Edition Gets Players In Even Faster
The First Berserker: Khazan’s Deluxe Edition, especially in pre-order form, nets players a lot of bonuses. Besides the Fallen Star set, players also get the Hero’s armor and weapon set, which essentially grants free stat points when worn, like Elden Ring’s Scarseals and Soreseal Talismans. There’s also a digital art book included, which is accessible from the main menu. However, the biggest Deluxe Edition prize is its 72-hour early access period, meaning buyers get it on March 24 instead of March 27. It’s pricey, but anyone won over by The First Berserker’s demo should at least consider what it’s offering.
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The First Berserker: Khazan Has Plenty of Post-Launch Potential
Khazan’s Cross Promotion Chances In The Dungeon Fighter Universe
Fans of the DFO franchise could see even more benefits from The First Berserker’s launch in 2025, especially since Neople developed both. The Dungeon Fighter MMO could host a special event, or series of events, that focus on the story and characters of The First Berserker. Final Fantasy 14’s tie-ins with other Final Fantasy’s offer a good idea of what to expect here. Crossing over into other DFO games like the DNF Duel fighting game is unlikely since that game already has a generic Berserker, and Dungeon & Fighter: Arad is not out yet. Still, the latter is a gacha game, so it could feature General Khazan at some point in the future.
How The First Berserker: Khazan Could Handle DLC
As for The First Berserker: Khazan’s own future, it could follow the common Soulslike trend of getting a major expansion post-launch. The First Berserker’s mission-based format makes it especially well-suited for extra content, which could include additional weapon styles, new areas, new equipment, and higher difficulties like what Nioh enjoyed. Quality of life patches like 2023’s Lords of the Fallen could also pepper 2025’s remaining months, though it’s too early to call if it needs them. Either way, The First Berserker‘s launch shouldn’t mark the end of its gaming press presence.
When all of this hypothetical DLC is announced and released is another matter. Announcements could feasibly arise at Summer Game Fest, Gamescom, or The Game Awards 2025. The DLC’s scope probably won’t be that large, but even so, it’s still more likely that its release will fall in 2026. It may even end up competing with Lies of P’s DLC, assuming that isn’t out by The First Berserker’s DLC announcement or by the end of 2025. Regardless of how exactly it unfolds, The First Berserker: Khazan should have a busy year ahead of it, and will hopefully please plenty of players along the way.
- Released
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March 27, 2025
- Developer(s)
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Neople
- Engine
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Unreal Engine 4
- PC Release Date
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March 27, 2025
- PS5 Release Date
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March 27, 2025
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
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March 27, 2025