Detailed Summary of "The First Berserker: Khazan Review (So Far)" – Kinda Funny Gamescast

Release Date: March 24, 2025

The Kinda Funny Gamescast episode titled "The First Berserker: Khazan Review (So Far)" delves into an in-depth, ongoing review of the action-packed game "The First Berserker: Khazan." Hosted by Tim Gettys, Blessing Adioye, and Ryan Reynolds (likely a pseudonym for Andy Cortez), the discussion spans various aspects of the game, offering both praise and constructive criticism.

1. Introduction & Gameplay Experience

The episode kicks off with Tim Gettys introducing the main topic: an ongoing review of "The First Berserker: Khazan." Both Blessing and Ryan share their playtime, with Blessing having dedicated approximately 15 hours and Ryan around 32 hours to the game.

• Ryan Reynolds [07:43]: "I have played 32 hours. Oh, I put in a lot of work this weekend."
• Tim Gettys [07:30]: "Are either of you playing the demo for First Berserker Kazan?"

Both hosts express enthusiasm for the game's challenging nature, emphasizing its difficulty akin to titles like Dark Souls and Sekiro.

• Ryan Reynolds [07:57]: "This is a hard video game."

2. Combat Mechanics & Difficulty

A significant portion of the discussion centers around the game's combat system. The hosts laud the responsiveness and tightness of the combat, drawing comparisons to renowned action games.

• Ryan Reynolds [09:06]: "I really, really enjoy the challenge."
• Blessing Adioye [10:50]: "I think for me, that's the biggest, almost downfall of it."

They highlight the game's ability to provide immediate satisfaction through well-timed parries and strategic combat moves, enhancing the overall gaming experience.

• Ryan Reynolds [25:24]: "It has such a good crunch to it. This game has fantastic sound design."

3. Loot System & Customization

While the combat receives high praise, the loot system garners mixed reviews. Both hosts find it somewhat overwhelming, likening it to a "game within a game."

• Ryan Reynolds [10:44]: "I think it's going to be good for people out there who are the freaks that love doing the min-maxing stuff."
• Blessing Adioye [23:03]: "But I find myself getting into that rhythm."

The extensive customization options, though appreciated by min-maxers, are seen as potentially tedious for some players.

• Ryan Reynolds [24:05]: "And again like, that's awesome. But there's a couple of other things."

4. Art Style & Technical Performance

The game's art style is a standout feature, with the hosts praising its cel-shaded anime aesthetics and overall visual appeal.

• Blessing Adioye [43:39]: "We have games like Dark Souls that have such fantastic level design."
• Ryan Reynolds [32:08]: "It has this sort of cel-shaded anime look to all the characters and the environments have good lighting and everything."

Technical performance, especially on the Steam Deck, is commendable. Ryan shares his positive experience with running the game on a Steam Deck and his high-end PC setup, emphasizing smooth gameplay and crisp visuals.

• Ryan Reynolds [47:16]: "I did lower everything down to like low. But the nice thing about it, it doesn't do what a lot of games like Monster Hunter does."
• Blessing Adioye [49:50]: "Yeah, it looks great."

5. Story & Narrative Elements

Despite the game's strengths, the story and character development receive criticism. The absence of significant dialogue from the protagonist, Ben Starr, leaves players wanting more narrative depth.

• Ryan Reynolds [50:05]: "I wish that I cared more about the story and the characters, but I don't think I've given been given much of a chance to care."
• Blessing Adioye [41:07]: "But the story reminds me about how I felt about the wo long story. But not as bad."

The hosts compare the narrative to "Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty," noting that while there's an attempt to build a universe, it falls short in engaging storytelling.

6. Boss Battles & Level Design

Boss encounters are a focal point of the review, with mixed opinions on their creativity and difficulty.

• Ryan Reynolds [45:22]: "That boss was really tough. And that's like a really big first skill check for you."
• Blessing Adioye [45:39]: "So far, I think more bosses lean toward I. I see the archetype you are, and I'm not seeing much further past that."

While some bosses are lauded for their challenge and design, others are deemed generic by Blessing, suggesting room for improvement in diversity and creativity.

7. Comparisons to Other Games

The hosts frequently compare "The First Berserker: Khazan" to other action RPGs to contextualize its strengths and weaknesses.

• Ryan Reynolds [09:06]: "It reminds me a lot more of the sort of Sekiro side of things."
• Blessing Adioye [14:14]: "Yeah, they have like weapon infusions where if I have this purple weapon that I love the stats on."

These comparisons to games like Sekiro, Elden Ring, Destiny, and Lies of P help highlight the unique elements and areas where the game excels or lags behind its contemporaries.

8. Technical Insights & Steam Deck Performance

A deep dive into the game's performance on different platforms reveals commendable optimization, especially on portable devices like the Steam Deck.

• Ryan Reynolds [47:16]: "It runs great on Steam Deck. Has like I think some of my favorite action in."

The hosts detail their respective setups, with Ryan praising his Alienware OLED display for its high refresh rate and visual clarity, enhancing the gaming experience.

• Ryan Reynolds [47:30]: "Last year I bought a 32 inch 4K Alienware OLED and this sucker is a dream."

9. Final Thoughts & Ratings

In wrapping up, both hosts share their overall impressions, offering ratings based on their experiences.

• Blessing Adioye [36:50]: "If I were to give it a score right now, I would say 8 out of 10."
• Ryan Reynolds [36:53]: "I'm around, like 8.5 out of 10."

They commend the game's combat mechanics, art style, and technical performance while expressing reservations about the loot system and narrative execution.

• Ryan Reynolds [50:05]: "The combat is so good and so responsive and just tight as. And it just feels awesome."
• Blessing Adioye [43:39]: "But the story reminds me about how I felt about the wo long story."

10. Conclusion

The episode concludes with a light-hearted discussion, transitioning from the in-depth review to upcoming content like streaming "Half-Life 2 with RTX." The hosts encourage listeners to share their thoughts and stay tuned for future episodes, highlighting the dynamic and engaging nature of the Kinda Funny Gamescast.

Notable Quotes:

• Ryan Reynolds [25:24]: "I really, really fucking like this game a lot."
• Blessing Adioye [55:07]: "I just popped off there. Awesome."
• Tim Gettys [38:06]: "But the gameplay hooked me."

This comprehensive review from the Kinda Funny Gamescast provides valuable insights into "The First Berserker: Khazan," balancing enthusiasm for its strengths with thoughtful critique on areas needing enhancement.