Nexon RPG Khazan continues to expand global reach

A poster for Nexon’s action role-playing game, The First Berserker: Khazan / Courtesy of Nexon

Nexon’s action role-playing game (RPG) The First Berserker: Khazan recently marked its 200th day since its March release, drawing fresh attention for its success in expanding the universe of subsidiary Neople’s hit title Dungeon & Fighter globally.

Despite being Neople’s first full-fledged console title, The First Berserker: Khazan has proven its quality through distinctive, tightly tuned action, cohesive storytelling and unique visuals.

After its release, the game climbed to second place on digital distribution platform Steam’s chart for popular global games. It also earned its highest score of 85 on the entertainment review platform Metacritic, gaining recognition from both critics and players.

“Our goal with The First Berserker: Khazan was to present the Dungeon & Fighter world to players around the globe, especially in Western markets, by reimagining the original’s dynamic action for consoles,” Neople Creative Director Lee Jun-ho said.

“Above all, we wanted the sense of challenge and achievement to come through clearly for players in every combat experience.”

The First Berserker: Khazan is Neople’s first single-player action RPG, developed as a major step forward in expanding the Dungeon & Fighter franchise. The story centers on General Khazan, a charismatic figure with a gripping narrative, making it easy for newcomers to engage.

The development team conducted closed beta tests and focus group sessions prior to release and built a strong reputation after launch through on-site demonstrations at global gaming conventions, including Gamescom, Tokyo Game Show and G-Star.

Photos of weapons from the game, The First Berserker: Khazan / Courtesy of Nexon

Boss battles garnered praise with 16 distinct encounters, each featuring unique attack patterns. Depending on weapon and skill choices, combat can range from rapid-fire combos to heavy, deliberate strikes, offering freedom and diversity in play style.

Many reviewers highlighted the game’s system for combining different strikes, allowing players to craft personalized fighting styles.

The team developed proprietary technology to deliver the precise controls vital for action games. Because victory and defeat are determined in split seconds, the system performs 120 calculations per second to determine attacks and hits.

The First Berserker: Khazan underwent repeated refinements to ensure the journey and its climactic tale of vengeance landed powerfully with players. Returning characters from the Dungeon & Fighter universe entertain longtime fans while helping new players become familiar with the franchise.

Neople’s active communication with players has also played a crucial role in the game’s popularity. From development through launch, the team emphasized transparency, publishing developer notes, hosting “ask-me-anything” sessions and actively responding to player feedback on Steam.

With each update, the developers outlined their design intent and engaged directly with community comments.

In May, Neople rolled out the game’s first major update to include a boss mode, catering to players seeking intense, skill-driven combat. To make the game more accessible, it later added new difficulty options, from beginner to advanced, creating a four-tier progression system.

“The First Berserker: Khazan combines exhilarating combat with striking and unforgettable characters,” Neople CEO Yoon Myung-jin said. “We’re deeply grateful that players around the world have recognized its unique action style, and we look forward to sharing more stories as the universe continues to expand.”