The First Berserker: Khazan vs Monster Hunter Wilds

• Perspective: Third-Person
• Multiplayer: Single-Player Only (with AI summons)
• Setting: Dungeon & Fighter Universe (Arad)
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
• Unique Feature: A unique cel-shaded anime art style combined with brutal, fast-paced Soulslike combat and a deep weapon stance and skill system.

• Perspective: Third-Person
• Multiplayer: 4-Player Online Co-op
• Setting: The Forbidden Lands (New World)
• Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
• Unique Feature: A fully seamless open world with dynamic, transforming environments and a versatile new mount, the Seikret, for enhanced traversal and utility.

• Spirit of Advocacy: An asynchronous online feature where players can summon an AI-controlled phantom of another player to assist them in combat, particularly during difficult boss fights. The spirit's effectiveness can be upgraded.
  AI Phantom

• Palico: A customizable cat-like companion that actively assists the hunter in combat. It can deal damage, draw monster aggression, use supportive gadgets to heal or place traps, and gather extra materials after a hunt.
  Felyne
• Seikret: The player's new, versatile mount. The Seikret is used for fast traversal, gliding, and climbing specific surfaces. It also allows the hunter to use their slinger, sharpen their weapon, access their item pouch, and carry a secondary weapon while riding.
  Bird Wyvern (Mount)

• Tomes of History: Hidden scrolls and books found throughout the levels that contain lore about the Dungeon & Fighter universe, the Pell Los Empire, and the events leading up to Khazan's betrayal.
• Fallen Knight's Insignia: Insignias taken from powerful, optional enemies. These can be traded at the hub area for special rewards, including rare upgrade materials or unique Tattoos.

• Endemic Life: Small creatures scattered throughout the environment. Capturing them allows players to place them as pets in their personal room or use them as temporary buffs/tools during a hunt.
• Ancient Relics: Hidden relics and murals from an ancient civilization that provide lore about the history of the Forbidden Lands and its inhabitants.

• Revenge
• Betrayal
• Dark Fantasy
• Demonic Possession
• Hardcore Combat
• Soulslike
• Anime
• Gore
• Story Rich
• Violent

• Hunting
• Exploration
• Open World
• Dynamic Ecosystem
• Survival
• Crafting
• Action RPG
• Cooperative Gameplay
• Monster Ecology

• Dual Wield: Axe and Shortsword Combo
  A balanced weapon stance offering a mix of speed and power. Allows for rapid combos and agile movement, making it a versatile choice for most encounters.
• Greatsword: Heavy Two-Handed Sword
  A slow but devastating weapon that deals massive damage and can easily break enemy guards. Its moveset is focused on powerful, charged attacks and defensive capabilities.
• Spear: Long-Range Melee
  A nimble, long-range weapon that allows Khazan to poke enemies from a safe distance. It is excellent for managing space and requires high stamina to use effectively.

• Great Sword: Heavy Blade
  A massive sword that delivers slow but devastating charged attacks. Rewards careful timing and positioning.
• Long Sword: Technical Blade
  A fluid, combo-heavy weapon focused on filling a 'Spirit Gauge' to unleash powerful 'Spirit Blade' attacks and counters.
• Sword & Shield: Balanced Weapon
  A fast and versatile weapon that allows for quick attacks, blocking, and using items while unsheathed.
• Dual Blades: Rapid Attack Weapon
  Focuses on relentless, fast-paced attacks, allowing the hunter to enter a 'Demon Mode' for increased damage and mobility at the cost of stamina.
• Hammer: Blunt Weapon
  A heavy weapon designed to deal massive impact damage to a monster's head, capable of stunning them.
• Hunting Horn: Support Weapon
  A blunt weapon that can play melodies to provide powerful buffs to the entire hunting party.
• Lance: Defensive Weapon
  Features a massive shield for unparalleled defensive capabilities, allowing the hunter to block and counter even the most powerful attacks.
• Gunlance: Explosive Weapon
  A lance fitted with a cannon, blending defensive pokes with explosive shelling attacks.
• Switch Axe: Transforming Weapon
  A weapon that can switch between a long-reaching Axe mode and a fast-hitting Sword mode, which can unleash an elemental discharge.
• Charge Blade: Technical Transforming Weapon
  A complex weapon that combines a sword and shield, which can be charged with energy and then combined into a massive axe for powerful elemental discharges.
• Insect Glaive: Aerial Weapon
  Allows the hunter to vault into the air for agile aerial attacks. Accompanied by a 'Kinsect' that can harvest extracts from monsters to provide buffs.
• Light Bowgun: Ranged Weapon (Mobile)
  A ranged weapon focused on mobility and firing various types of status-inflicting ammunition rapidly.
• Heavy Bowgun: Ranged Weapon (Power)
  A heavy, powerful ranged weapon that can be loaded with devastating ammunition like Wyvernheart (minigun) or Wyvernsnipe (piercing shot).
• Bow: Ranged Weapon (Technical)
  A mobile ranged weapon that rewards stamina management and allows for various coatings to be applied to arrows for different effects.

• Equipment Sets: Players can equip various pieces of armor, including helms, pauldrons, wristguards, and leggings. Equipping a complete set of matching gear (e.g., Hero's Armor Set from the Deluxe Edition) provides predetermined set bonuses that enhance specific stats or abilities.
• Randomized Gear: Armor and weapons are dropped by enemies with different rarity levels (Common, Rare, Epic, etc.). Each piece has randomized defense values and can roll with bonus attributes, such as increased health, stamina regeneration, or elemental resistance, encouraging players to hunt for better loot.

• Forged Armor Sets: The core armor system. Players craft full armor sets (helm, mail, braces, coil, greaves) from monster parts. Each piece provides defense and specific skills. Equipping multiple pieces from the same set can unlock powerful 'Set Bonus' skills.
• Decorations: Jewels that can be slotted into weapons and armor to add or enhance specific skills, allowing for deep customization of character builds.

• Hero's Armor Set: A cosmetic armor set included in the Deluxe Edition, allowing players to change the appearance of Khazan's gear to a more heroic, ornate style.
• Pre-Order Bonus Armor: Pre-ordering any edition of the game granted access to a unique armor set with cosmetic variations named 'Shackles,' 'Scar,' 'Mark,' and 'Resolve'.

• Layered Armor: A cosmetic system that allows players to wear the appearance of any armor set they have crafted over their statistically relevant gear. This allows for full fashion customization without sacrificing skills or defense. Cosmetic DLC packs offer more options.

Progression is a core RPG element. Players earn Lacrima (experience points) to level up Khazan's base stats. A deep skill tree system allows for extensive customization of abilities for each weapon type. New moves and passive bonuses can be unlocked. Equipment (weapons and armor) is dropped by enemies with rarity levels and random stats, allowing for various character builds. Weapons can be upgraded and imbued with different properties by the blacksmith in the hub area.

The core progression of hunting monsters to craft stronger gear returns. A new 'Wounding' system allows players to create temporary weak spots on monsters by repeatedly attacking a specific part. The new 'Focus Mode' helps in targeting these wounds for massive damage. All 14 signature weapon types return, each with new moves and abilities. A 'Dual Weapon' system allows players to carry a secondary weapon on their Seikret mount.

The game is not an open world but is structured around mission-based, linear levels with intricate designs, shortcuts, and hidden paths that encourage exploration. Players will travel to various locations across the Pell Los Empire, including ruined villages, crumbling castles, and poison swamps. Between missions, players return to a central hub area known as 'The Crevice'.

Monster Hunter Wilds features fully seamless open-world maps that are approximately twice the size of those in previous titles. Known regions include the Windward Plains (savanna/desert), the Scarlet Forest (dense jungle), the Oilwell Basin (vertical caves/swamps/volcanoes), and the Iceshard Cliffs. These zones have dynamic weather and seasons that alter terrain and monster ecology.

• Khazan: Playable Protagonist
  The legendary General of the Pell Los Empire and the first 'Berserker'. After being betrayed and exiled, he seeks revenge against those who destroyed his life.
• Ozma: Key Narrative Figure / Archmage
  Khazan's best friend and a master of magic. He was also betrayed by the Empire, and his fate is a central mystery that drives the plot.
• Tristan: Ally / Former Soldier
  A loyal soldier who once served under Khazan. He remains steadfastly by Khazan's side after his exile, offering support and guidance.
• Elamein: Ally / Shield Maiden
  A fierce warrior who joins Khazan on his quest, providing combat support and acting as a moral compass.

• The Hunter: Playable Protagonist
  A member of the Avis Unit of the Research Commission, a skilled and fully customizable hunter sent to explore the Forbidden Lands.
• Alma: Handler
  The hunter's assigned handler from the Hunter's Guild. She is responsible for managing quests, documenting findings in her journal, and providing support.
• Palico: Companion
  The hunter's loyal Felyne companion. The Palico assists in combat with its own small weapons, provides healing and buffs, and gathers materials.
• Nata: Mysterious Child
  A young boy encountered in the Forbidden Lands who joins the expedition. He seems to have a unique connection to the world and its phenomena.
• Gemma: Smithy
  A member of the Avis Unit and the commission's smithy. She is responsible for crafting and upgrading all of the hunter's weapons and armor.

• Main Story Missions
  Follow the linear narrative path to hunt down Khazan's betrayers, uncover the political conspiracy, and discover the truth behind the demonic forces influencing the empire. Each mission culminates in a major boss battle.
• Side Quests (Remixed Levels)
  Optional missions unlocked at the hub area that allow players to revisit completed levels. These levels are often reconfigured with new enemy placements, different environmental hazards, and unique boss encounters, offering additional challenges and narrative beats.
• Spirit Duels
  Optional duels against powerful spirits that randomly appear in levels. Defeating them rewards players with a special currency used to upgrade the 'Spirit of Advocacy' summon.

• Assigned Quests
  The main story quests that guide the player through the narrative, introduce new regions and monsters, and unravel the central mystery of the Forbidden Lands.
• Optional Quests
  Side quests that can be repeated at any time. These are the primary way to farm specific monsters for parts to craft weapons and armor.
• Investigations
  Special quests with randomized conditions, such as a shorter time limit, fewer player faints allowed, or enhanced monster aggression. They offer better rewards, including rare materials and decorations, compared to optional quests.
• Event Quests
  Limited-time quests, often part of seasonal festivals or collaborations (like the Street Fighter 6 event). These quests provide unique rewards like cosmetic layered armor or special equipment.

The First Berserker: Khazan does not feature any multiplayer or co-operative modes. It includes an asynchronous online feature where players can summon a 'Spirit of Advocacy,' an AI-controlled phantom of another player, to assist in boss battles.

The game was released with a Standard Edition ($59.99) and a Digital Deluxe Edition ($69.99). The Deluxe Edition includes the main game, a 'Hero's Weapon Set' and 'Hero's Armor Set' for cosmetic customization, a digital artbook, and 72-hour early access to the game before its global launch.

Capcom has announced a robust roadmap of free Title Updates. Title Update 1 (April 2025) added the Mizutsune, a new social hub, and Arch-Tempered monsters. Title Update 2 (Summer 2025) is confirmed to add the Lagiacrus and Seregios. Seasonal events like the 'Festival of Accord: Blossomdance' also provide limited-time quests and cosmetic gear.

• Q: What kind of game is The First Berserker: Khazan?
  A: It is a hardcore single-player action RPG, often described as a 'Soulslike' for its challenging, stamina-based combat and intricate level design. It is set in the Dungeon & Fighter universe.
• Q: Is The First Berserker: Khazan open world?
  A: No, it is a mission-based game. Players select missions from a central hub, and each mission takes place in its own large, linear level with shortcuts and hidden paths.
• Q: Is there multiplayer?
  A: No, the game is single-player only. It does feature an asynchronous online component where you can summon an AI phantom of another player to help you.
• Q: How is combat different from other Soulslikes?
  A: While it shares core mechanics like stamina management and parrying, Khazan's combat is noted for its faster, more aggressive pace and anime-inspired visual flair. The ability to switch between three distinct weapon stances on the fly also adds a unique layer of tactical depth.

• Q: Is Monster Hunter Wilds a fully open world?
  A: Yes, unlike previous titles which had segmented zones, Monster Hunter Wilds features large, fully seamless maps with no loading screens between areas.
• Q: How is the world more dynamic?
  A: The maps feature changing weather and seasons. This dramatically alters the landscape, monster behavior, and available resources. For example, a dry riverbed can become a raging river in the monsoon season.
• Q: Do all 14 weapon types return?
  A: Yes, Capcom has confirmed that all 14 signature weapon types from Monster Hunter: World and Rise are present in Monster Hunter Wilds, each with new moves and features.
• Q: Does Monster Hunter Wilds have cross-play?
  A: Yes, the game supports full cross-platform multiplayer between PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

The game utilizes a distinct, high-quality 3D cel-shaded art style that gives its characters an 'anime' appearance, while the environments remain grounded in a dark, gritty medieval fantasy aesthetic. This creates a unique visual blend that stands out in the Soulslike genre.

The UI is typical for the Soulslike genre, featuring health, stamina, and magic/spirit bars. A quick-select menu allows for easy access to consumable items. Weapon stances and equipped abilities are also clearly displayed. The overall design is clean to minimize obstruction during intense combat.

The game includes a range of difficulty options. While there is no dedicated 'story mode,' players can choose a difficulty that affects enemy scaling. The game also supports remappable controls, customizable subtitles, and upscaling technologies like DLSS and FSR to aid performance.

• OFFICIAL AND EXTRAPOLATED SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS for The First Berserker: Khazan. This information is based on official PC specifications found on the game's Steam page and other reliable sources, adapted to the requested JSON structure. Laptop and future-generation GPU listings are extrapolated based on performance benchmarks. The game's official requirements note specific performance targets (1080p/30fps for Minimum, 1080p/60fps for Recommended).
• Laptop Performance Note: Laptop versions of the listed desktop GPUs require comparable performance, which is highly dependent on the laptop's TGP (Total Graphics Power) and thermal design. The First Berserker: Khazan's official specs are relatively moderate, so a wide range of modern gaming laptops should deliver a great experience.
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: To match the performance of the desktop GPUs listed, laptop GPUs will need a sufficient TGP. Higher TGP allows the GPU to boost higher and maintain performance.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: As a fast-paced action RPG, consistent performance is key. A laptop with a robust cooling system will prevent thermal throttling during intense combat sequences.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: Adequate power delivery to the CPU is important for maintaining stable frame rates, especially in a game with complex physics and animations.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is recommended for the best performance and lowest latency, which is crucial for a hardcore action game where timing is everything.
• Optimization Detail: Upscaling Tech: Built on Unreal Engine, the game is expected to support NVIDIA DLSS, AMD FSR, and Intel XeSS. The PCGamingWiki confirms support for DLSS 3.7, FSR 2, and XeSS 1.3, including DLSS Frame Generation, which significantly boosts framerates on supported hardware.
• Optimization Detail: Key Settings Impact: The most impactful settings on performance will likely be Shadow Quality, Effects Quality, Post-Processing, and Texture Quality. The game's stylized, anime-inspired graphics may be less demanding on texture memory than photorealistic titles.
• Game Name: The First Berserker: Khazan

• OFFICIAL AND EXTRAPOLATED SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS for Monster Hunter Wilds. This information is based on official PC specifications from Capcom, adapted to the requested JSON structure. As a demanding open-world title on the RE Engine, the requirements are notable, especially for higher resolutions. Laptop and future-generation GPU listings are extrapolated based on performance benchmarks and technical analyses.
• Laptop Performance Note: Laptop versions of the listed desktop GPUs require comparable performance, which is highly dependent on the laptop's TGP (Total Graphics Power) and thermal design. For a CPU and GPU intensive game like Monster Hunter Wilds, a high-TGP GPU and a robust cooling system are essential for a stable framerate in dense environments and during chaotic hunts.
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: A high TGP is crucial. A low-power variant of a recommended GPU will likely struggle to maintain target framerates, especially when many monsters and particle effects are on screen.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: The RE Engine can heavily tax both the CPU and GPU in open-world settings. A high-performance cooling system is necessary to prevent thermal throttling during long hunts and in populated hub areas.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: The game features a complex, living ecosystem, making a strong laptop CPU with good power delivery vital for maintaining stable minimum framerates and reducing stutter.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is highly recommended to minimize latency and ensure the GPU's full performance is utilized, which is critical for the game's fast-paced, precise combat.
• Optimization Detail: Upscaling Tech: The game supports a full suite of upscaling technologies, including NVIDIA DLSS, AMD FSR, and Intel XeSS. Frame Generation is also supported and mentioned in the official requirements as a way to reach 60 FPS on recommended hardware. The game also supports Microsoft DirectStorage for faster asset loading on compatible systems.
• Optimization Detail: Key Settings Impact: Performance will be most affected by settings like Volumetric Fog, Shadow Quality, and overall model detail. The game's dynamic weather and dense ecosystems will also be demanding, particularly on the CPU in certain scenarios.
• Game Name: Monster Hunter Wilds

• Upscaling Tech: Built on Unreal Engine, the game is expected to support NVIDIA DLSS, AMD FSR, and Intel XeSS. The PCGamingWiki confirms support for DLSS 3.7, FSR 2, and XeSS 1.3, including DLSS Frame Generation, which significantly boosts framerates on supported hardware.
• Key Settings Impact: The most impactful settings on performance will likely be Shadow Quality, Effects Quality, Post-Processing, and Texture Quality. The game's stylized, anime-inspired graphics may be less demanding on texture memory than photorealistic titles.

• Upscaling Tech: The game supports a full suite of upscaling technologies, including NVIDIA DLSS, AMD FSR, and Intel XeSS. Frame Generation is also supported and mentioned in the official requirements as a way to reach 60 FPS on recommended hardware. The game also supports Microsoft DirectStorage for faster asset loading on compatible systems.
• Key Settings Impact: Performance will be most affected by settings like Volumetric Fog, Shadow Quality, and overall model detail. The game's dynamic weather and dense ecosystems will also be demanding, particularly on the CPU in certain scenarios.

• G P U T G P: To match the performance of the desktop GPUs listed, laptop GPUs will need a sufficient TGP. Higher TGP allows the GPU to boost higher and maintain performance.
• Cooling Thermals: As a fast-paced action RPG, consistent performance is key. A laptop with a robust cooling system will prevent thermal throttling during intense combat sequences.
• C P U Power Limits: Adequate power delivery to the CPU is important for maintaining stable frame rates, especially in a game with complex physics and animations.
• M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is recommended for the best performance and lowest latency, which is crucial for a hardcore action game where timing is everything.

• G P U T G P: A high TGP is crucial. A low-power variant of a recommended GPU will likely struggle to maintain target framerates, especially when many monsters and particle effects are on screen.
• Cooling Thermals: The RE Engine can heavily tax both the CPU and GPU in open-world settings. A high-performance cooling system is necessary to prevent thermal throttling during long hunts and in populated hub areas.
• C P U Power Limits: The game features a complex, living ecosystem, making a strong laptop CPU with good power delivery vital for maintaining stable minimum framerates and reducing stutter.
• M U X Switch Optimus: A MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is highly recommended to minimize latency and ensure the GPU's full performance is utilized, which is critical for the game's fast-paced, precise combat.