I have expressed in the past how much I love Korean studios have started releasing non-multiplayer games on a global scales. Lies of P was fucking amazing, and Stellar Blade while not as great still gained tons of attention.
DNF universe as taken such a strange turn; It started as a beat 'em-up game all the way back in 2005, then had an okay release back in 2012, became a fighting game in 2022, and now we're getting a true single-player experience in 2025. I love it whenever stuff like this happens, as we get to explore more of the world and characters you play as in the multiplayer (I'm looking at you, Acti-Blizz!)
TFB: K starts with an opening that will remind you of Griffith from Berserk; Khazan is a disgraced general who is branded as a traitor, as been tortured with both of his wrist tendons cut, is on his way to be executed, and a dark power resurrects him. Now Khazan is on a mission to get his vengeance against those who wronged him
Let's get the obvious out of the way; Yes, it's a soulslike game with timed attacks, dodges, parries, stamina management, and losing your stuff when you die. You can break the enemy's guard meter, and when it runs out you go in for the fatal attack. Normally whenever a soulsike game has a guard meter you can break, they ask you to do a perfect parry to drain them real fast.
Here's the thing though; perfect parry alone is not enough. In fact, you will notice the stamina bar refilling really quickly after you perfect parry them. Regular and heavy attacks can drain the guard meter as well, but you will run out of stamina before you can break their guard meter.
This is where the game does something interesting; they want you to be aggresive by combining both the parry and regular attacks. The guard meter also serves as stamina meter for both you and the opponent. The idea is to force the opponent to strike first, making them use their stamina, you perfect parry their attack which takes a huge chunk out of the stamina/guard meter, then you go in with regular/heavy attacks. This makes breaking guard really easy.
But the best part is, you can also play this like a classic souls game; timed dodges can actually increase your next attack. They give you lots of options to upgrade your skills to do some crazy combos. Just gotta make sure to know if the enemies are doing the chain attack.
You won't believe this, but they actually have an easy mode. Yep, an dedicated easy mode for those who just wants more relaxed adventure or if their job titles are gaming journalist.
The leveling is kinda cool, because you are starting with same numbers for all stats. Kinda like deprived class in Dark Souls. So this technically allows you to build your own Khazan. There are three weapon types; dual-wielding for fast attacks, greatswords for slow but big damage numbers, and spears for more direct attacks on the stamina. At least that's how I understsand it. They all have their own moves, but I honestly prefer greatsword.
But despite its name, Khazan doesn't really go "berserk". I mean there is an spirit inside up probably giving him all this strength and bringing him back to life, but I was surprised there were no rage mode or something that makes him a Beserker.
Another thing that makes this game unique is the cellar shading for the visuals. I think this is the first time we had a soulslike game in this style since Code Vein? But the visuals are really pretty, and certain breaks away from the usual depressing color palettes associated with the games in this genre.
On the technical side, it runs very smoothly! I had no issues running this game at 60 fps, which I was really happy about.
Looking forward to this game! Will probably turn this into the post-release thread as well
DNF universe as taken such a strange turn; It started as a beat 'em-up game all the way back in 2005, then had an okay release back in 2012, became a fighting game in 2022, and now we're getting a true single-player experience in 2025. I love it whenever stuff like this happens, as we get to explore more of the world and characters you play as in the multiplayer (I'm looking at you, Acti-Blizz!)
TFB: K starts with an opening that will remind you of Griffith from Berserk; Khazan is a disgraced general who is branded as a traitor, as been tortured with both of his wrist tendons cut, is on his way to be executed, and a dark power resurrects him. Now Khazan is on a mission to get his vengeance against those who wronged him
Let's get the obvious out of the way; Yes, it's a soulslike game with timed attacks, dodges, parries, stamina management, and losing your stuff when you die. You can break the enemy's guard meter, and when it runs out you go in for the fatal attack. Normally whenever a soulsike game has a guard meter you can break, they ask you to do a perfect parry to drain them real fast.
Here's the thing though; perfect parry alone is not enough. In fact, you will notice the stamina bar refilling really quickly after you perfect parry them. Regular and heavy attacks can drain the guard meter as well, but you will run out of stamina before you can break their guard meter.
This is where the game does something interesting; they want you to be aggresive by combining both the parry and regular attacks. The guard meter also serves as stamina meter for both you and the opponent. The idea is to force the opponent to strike first, making them use their stamina, you perfect parry their attack which takes a huge chunk out of the stamina/guard meter, then you go in with regular/heavy attacks. This makes breaking guard really easy.
But the best part is, you can also play this like a classic souls game; timed dodges can actually increase your next attack. They give you lots of options to upgrade your skills to do some crazy combos. Just gotta make sure to know if the enemies are doing the chain attack.
You won't believe this, but they actually have an easy mode. Yep, an dedicated easy mode for those who just wants more relaxed adventure or if their job titles are gaming journalist.
The leveling is kinda cool, because you are starting with same numbers for all stats. Kinda like deprived class in Dark Souls. So this technically allows you to build your own Khazan. There are three weapon types; dual-wielding for fast attacks, greatswords for slow but big damage numbers, and spears for more direct attacks on the stamina. At least that's how I understsand it. They all have their own moves, but I honestly prefer greatsword.
But despite its name, Khazan doesn't really go "berserk". I mean there is an spirit inside up probably giving him all this strength and bringing him back to life, but I was surprised there were no rage mode or something that makes him a Beserker.
Another thing that makes this game unique is the cellar shading for the visuals. I think this is the first time we had a soulslike game in this style since Code Vein? But the visuals are really pretty, and certain breaks away from the usual depressing color palettes associated with the games in this genre.
On the technical side, it runs very smoothly! I had no issues running this game at 60 fps, which I was really happy about.
Looking forward to this game! Will probably turn this into the post-release thread as well
