FromSoftware’s Elden Ring, released in 2022, wasn’t just popular with players—it raised the bar for game developers. This new standard might actually be harmful to the Soulslike genre, and potentially to the game The First Berserker: Khazan. Though Neople’s game received positive reviews and continues to be well-regarded, it hasn’t sold as well as many expected.
IGN reports that the game didn’t perform as well as its developers expected. We’ll explore why this critically acclaimed soulslike title didn’t reach a wider audience, and what lessons smaller game studios can learn to thrive after the success of Elden Ring.
How The First Berserker: Khazan Lost the Market Despite Strong Reviews
Reports indicate that the team who created The First Berserker: Khazan is being reorganized by Nexon, the game’s publisher. This change is likely due to the game’s sales not meeting expectations. While around 100 developers worked on the game, it’s currently unknown how many will remain with the project.
Released in March 2025, The First Berserker initially attracted as many as 30,000 players simultaneously. However, the game’s popularity declined, a situation worsened by a delayed launch in China, according to GamesRadar.
I believe the biggest reason this game didn’t succeed was its release date. It launched on March 27, 2025, only a week after the highly anticipated Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Before it could gain traction, Elden Ring Nightreign – a new co-op Soulslike Rogueslite – came out, effectively ending any chance of success for The First Berserker.
Why Making a “Good Enough” Soulslike Is No Longer Good Enough
Hidetaka Miyazaki is a remarkably talented game designer, and it’s amazing how his unique ideas helped create such a popular video game genre. However, this genre has also become quite predictable. Many games follow the same formula: challenging, visually impressive bosses and a high difficulty level that requires players to repeatedly attempt encounters until they master the enemy’s patterns and learn how to defeat them.
Honestly, it used to be super easy to get into the Soulslike genre, and for a while, that was enough. But now, with so many games out there, you really need something special to grab players’ attention. It can’t just be ‘another Soulslike’ anymore.
Although not specifically aimed at The First Berserker: Khazan, the action genre is now dominated by a handful of major franchises. This seems to be increasing the difference between critical success and commercial popularity.
Can smaller, independent ‘Souls-like’ games still succeed, or has Elden Ring set a new standard that’s too difficult to reach? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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2026-04-10 00:13