In the world of action RPGs, difficulty is often the defining feature. While players enjoy the challenge, there’s a very fine line between a satisfying challenge and a frustrating one. The First Berserker: Khazan is one such game that aims to walk this line very carefully.
With its hardcore mechanics, intense boss sequences, and strategic combat, it’s clear that developers know what makes an RPG experience. However, Khazan is also committed to ensuring that its difficulty doesn’t overwhelm players too much. The game is going to offer flexible options that will cater to different playstyles.
The First Berserker: Khazan aims to strike the balance
At its core, The First Berserker: Khazan is a hardcore action RPG that features complex boss battles, each with distinct attack patterns, weaknesses, and unique abilities. These bosses are designed to test players thoroughly, and success will require them to think, adapt, and have patience.
However, the developers also recognize that difficulty is a key aspect of the game, it should never become a source of frustration. In an interview with GamesRadar+, Creative Director Junho Lee shared his thoughts on finding this balance.
Lee explained that the team wanted the game to create a sense of challenge and fun, as games are meant to be an enjoyable experience. He said:
When the risk outweighs the reward, difficulty stops being engaging and starts feeling unfair. Balance is key. If stress keeps piling up without relief, players will eventually want to quit.
He explained that this philosophy is engraved in Khazan, where the difficulty of its boss battles is balanced by the inclusion of an easy mode. If players want to enjoy the story and the combat without the intense nature of the battle, this is the mode for them.
Additionally, after hearing feedback, the easy mode has now become more accessible. It was originally unlocked after defeating the first boss, but now, if players die multiple times before even reaching the first boss, they can enable it.
Difficulty can be a double-edged sword
Sure, many players enjoy the intense, sweaty gameplay, but that’s not how the majority of the players want to play games. While the difficulty can be rewarding if players overcome it, it can also easily turn into a barrier for many.
A prime example of this is Path of Exile 2. While the game is enjoyable and offers an incredible visual and gameplay upgrade over its predecessor, it has also upped the ante in terms of difficulty. The combat can be unforgiving and requires players to think tactically and plan strategically.
The main issue with PoE2 is that success is not just about executing attacks but about crafting the perfect combination of skills, items, and strategies. While this level of depth is impressive and its defining feature, it can also become exhausting.
Many players find themselves overwhelmed by the skill tree alone, especially the sheer complexity of progressing. This doesn’t even include the constant need for tactical thinking.
In contrast, The First Berserker: Khazan takes a more flexible approach to difficulty. Rather than locking players into a rigid difficulty curve, Khazan allows for adjustments based on performance.
At the end of the day, the goal of any game is to provide an experience where difficulty enhances the gameplay rather than exhausting the player. Let’s hope more developers follow suit.
Do you prefer a more challenging experience, or do you value accessibility and flexibility in the difficulty settings? Let us know in the comment section below.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
