The First Berserker: Khazan is making waves among Soulslike fans, thanks to its thrilling combat and epic boss battles. Drawing inspiration from the iconic FromSoftware titles, it strikes a fine balance between paying homage and delivering fresh experiences. At its core, The First Berserker: Khazan honors the legacy of Demon’s Souls from 2009 while offering its own novel twists. One such nod to tradition is the infamous poison swamp—a feature that many FromSoftware enthusiasts instantly recognize and have a love-hate relationship with.
For those familiar with Soulsborne games, poison swamps are notorious. They either dampen the spirits of players who despise them or serve as a comforting benchmark, assuring them that they’re in a true Souls-like environment. The First Berserker: Khazan embraces this trope wholeheartedly. Nestled within the game’s Skoffa Cave, the poison swamp here is a true test of mettle, presenting a challenge that players either revel in or dread.
In The First Berserker: Khazan, reaching the poison swamp is an adventure of its own. During the fifth main quest, aptly titled Strange Stench, players must survive the perilous Skoffa Cave on their way to Palemion. Before even setting foot in the Poisoned Depths, adventurers face a host of challenges in the cave that almost make the swamp seem tame. Spiders, bats, and undead opponents fill the dark corridors above, setting a grueling pace for what lies ahead.
Players encounter undead enemies in these early stages that introduce the Plague status effect—a deadly combination when mixed with the Poison attacks from spider adversaries. Conquering this environment is not just an accomplishment but also a necessary trial. Successfully navigating through Skoffa Cave turns its rewards into truly hard-won treasures.
Emerging victorious from Skoffa Cave means facing one of the game’s more formidable bosses—the mighty spider Aratra. Defeating this creature unlocks the Blacksmith back in The Crevice, drastically changing the gameplay by offering players greater control over their gear and builds. However, the true value lies in the lessons learned along the way.
By enduring the trials of Skoffa Cave and its swamp, players gain crucial insights into protecting themselves from overwhelming status ailments. This understanding is foreshadowed by the preceding battle with Volbaino. True to the spirit of great Soulslikes, The First Berserker: Khazan teaches through challenge and experience, driving home the importance of anticipating and guarding against debilitating conditions. As the journey progresses, these insights become increasingly vital, preparing players for the escalating challenges that await after the notorious poison swamp.
