The First Berserker: Khazan is arguably one of the toughest soulslike games you’ll encounter, making it a real challenge, especially for newcomers to the genre. If you’re finding yourself frequently defeated early in the game, Khazan will suggest that you try its Easy Mode. While this mode does offer some advantages, it comes with significant downsides that cannot be undone. Therefore, I advise against using Easy Mode unless you’re brand new to soulslikes.
In The First Berserker: Khazan, you’ll face numerous difficult bosses, and the so-called "Normal Mode" presents one of the most difficult gaming experiences I’ve ever had. Like most soulslike games, I eventually adapted to the challenging gameplay after repeated attempts against various bosses, even when I really wanted to switch to Easy Mode out of frustration. I’m thankful I chose not to—bosses in Easy Mode remain incredibly tough, and opting for it means missing out on the "true ending" of the game, which is a significant loss.
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How Easy Mode Works in The First Berserker: Khazan
In my opinion, labeling this option as "Easy Mode" is quite misleading. Notably, the bosses’ attack patterns don’t change, retaining the same strategies as in Normal Mode. The only real difference is that Khazan becomes tougher, taking less damage and dealing more. Therefore, you’re still in for a rough ride against early bosses like Yetuga, as the most challenging aspect is often mastering their timing and the peculiar rhythm of their attacks.
There are three distinct endings available in The First Berserker: Khazan, and you’ll need to complete a New Game Plus (NG+) run to unlock them all.
Easy Mode grants Khazan certain enhancements, but the major trade-offs include being permanently locked into this decision—you can’t switch back to Normal Mode—and you will lose access to the game’s "true ending." After experiencing both modes, the differences are stark, though I wouldn’t exactly classify Easy Mode as easy. Here’s how Easy Mode alters Khazan’s performance:
- Increases overall damage dealt to enemies
- Decreases damage taken
- Enhances all elemental resistances
- Boosts stamina recharge rate
- Increases stamina damage from Brink Guards
- Raises the weight limit
These buffs provide some support, but if you’re struggling with bosses in Normal Mode, they will still be tough in Easy Mode. Don’t expect to breeze through every fight; patience and strategy are still vital. While Easy Mode makes Khazan a bit tougher and stronger, it doesn’t simplify the core gameplay mechanics such as Brink Guards, Brink Dodges, Reflections, or creating effective combos to maximize damage and wear down foes.
Is Easy Mode Worth It in Khazan?
Overall, if your goal is to experience the true ending or achieve all trophies and achievements, Easy Mode isn’t a viable option. Additionally, it doesn’t significantly reduce the challenge, and you’ll still grapple with the frustrating mechanics of various bosses (take Trokka’s confusing umbrella strikes or the unpredictable attacks of Shactuka, for example). I’d only recommend Easy Mode for players who are completely unfamiliar with the soulslike genre and find it hard to progress past the initial boss.
Even for newcomers, the cycle of trial and error is crucial in this genre, leading to worthwhile learning experiences that ultimately enhance your skills. Every formidable boss encounter encourages you to develop new tactics and combos, deepening your understanding of your character build, weapon techniques, and the general pace of the game. While you can still learn these lessons in Easy Mode, the benefits may feel minimal by the time you finish The First Berserker: Khazan.
