This is what it’s essential to find out about Dungeon & Fighter earlier than The First Berserker: Khazan

In only a few weeks, Nexon is releasing a souls-like motion RPG titled The First Berserker: Khazan. Followers of Soulslike RPGs might have their eyes on this recreation, however aren’t certain 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”. Initially, what’s the “Dungeon Fighter On-line” universe? And in addition why is the acronym DNF? Nicely..

In 2005, Korean developer Neople — a subsidiary of Nexon — launched a web-based sidescroller motion RPG known as Dungeon & Fighter, usually shortened to DNF. The sport was solely formally out there in numerous 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 generally shortened to DFO, even at the moment. The 2 titles and the 2 acronyms for a similar recreation are typically used interchangeably. That is not complicated, proper?

Much more time handed earlier than a worldwide model of Dungeon & Fighter / Dungeon Fighter On-line was made out there, releasing in 2015 adopted by a Steam launch. The sport is at the moment 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, notice that one of many superior Slayer lessons is called Berserker..

Nexon has been attempting to take the now 20-year outdated on-line recreation and department it out into different genres on different platforms. The primary and comparatively current non-mobile entry on this endeavor is DNF Duel, a preventing recreation primarily based on the sequence co-developed by Arc System Works. It launched in 2022 for PlayStation consoles and Steam, adopted by a Change port in 2023. The sport options sixteen playable characters, primarily based 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 sequence, then The First Berserker: Khazan is the second spinoff of the sequence. The sport itself tells the story of Khazan, which is tied into the world lore of Dungeon & Fighter.

Now, I am certain a 20-year outdated recreation most likely has a ton of lore to sift via. For the needs of Khazan, although, Neople tells you what it’s essential to know. We already know that, supposedly, The First Berserker: Khazan takes place 800 years prior.

In line with Neople:

Based mostly 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 mentioned 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 may. An important warrior, he as soon as reached the place of Nice Normal 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 aren’t 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 appears like this little bit of lore has develop into one thing of a legend on this planet of DNF/DFO, with a couple of interpretations and variations. The First Berserker: Khazan particularly is only one model of the story, with an final result that will probably be completely different than the unique lore. Apparently, this model’s alterations are all centered round a mysterious being generally known as the Blade Phantom.

Lastly, why hassle 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 motive 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 explanation 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 Collection X|S, and PC (Steam). A demo is at the moment out there.