The First Berserker: Khazan distinguishes itself in the souls-like genre by implementing an innovative feature that awards players with bonuses—specifically, Lacrima (XP) and Skill Points—during encounters with bosses. This small yet significant modification to the traditional souls-like mechanics encourages players to make repeated attempts at challenging bosses, even when success feels out of reach. Unlike many other titles in the genre that primarily reward players for defeating bosses and offer limited recognition for effort, Khazan offers a refreshing approach by recognizing attempts as valuable.
This rewarding system may well be among the standout elements that place The First Berserker: Khazan among the best souls-like games in recent years. It gracefully balances the inherent difficulty of its bosses while allowing players to enhance their skills without diluting the intense challenge of the actual confrontations. Ultimately, this clever feature could serve as a crucial motivator for players to persist against seemingly insurmountable foes.
How The First Berserker: Khazan’s Boss Fights Stand Out
Encouraging Persistence Through Innovative Incentives
Engaging with tough bosses is a hallmark of any souls-like experience, and grinding XP is typically essential for character progression. In contrast to the conventional systems found in many souls-like games, where players must defeat minor enemies to earn XP—which often comes with the risk of losing it all in a boss battle—The First Berserker: Khazan introduces a bonus mechanic. Players are rewarded with Lacrima for executing specific moves during boss encounters.
As you take on the initial boss, Yetuga, you’ll receive notifications for mission rewards as you perform skillful attacks and inflict damage. Additionally, against subsequent bosses like the Blade Phantom, players earn Skill Points by completing particular challenges. Crucially, even if you die during the fight, you retain these rewards because the orb that allows you to reclaim your lost Lacrima appears outside the boss arena. This is an impressive feature that sets a new standard for the genre.
The Need for Boss Challenges and Rewards in Every Souls-Like
Maintaining Challenge Without Penalty
The elimination of the fear associated with losing experience, alongside the opportunity to gain more through persistent effort, serves as a powerful motivator for players to continue battling the same bosses. In traditional souls-like games such as Elden Ring, if you perish in a boss fight, your runes remain vulnerable until you defeat the foe; thus, players must navigate back to their previous position to reclaim them, adding stress to the gameplay experience.
The First Berserker: Khazan turns this notion on its head, removing the punitive aspects of boss fights. Every failed attempt brings players closer to victory rather than detracting from their experience.
In reality, it is common for players to face a variety of bosses multiple times, but The First Berserker: Khazan ensures that each failure counts as progress, enabling players to learn boss mechanics without the oppressive fear of losing crucial resources. With a multitude of uniquely challenging bosses, this feature encourages players to master each encounter while keeping the challenge intact.
In conclusion, the bonus system present in The First Berserker: Khazan is a model for future souls-like games. It strikes a commendable balance between the core challenges of the genre and a more forgiving, enjoyable experience. This innovative approach not only retains the thrill of defeating challenging foes but also alleviates the anxiety players often associate with such encounters, as they no longer have to worry about losing all their hard-earned XP.